News

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Announces $14 Million for Conservation Innovation Grants

In June, the U.S. Department of Agriculture identified 45 projects in 40 states to receive funding for natural resource restoration and conservation. Notable recipients include the InterTribal Bison Cooperative that restores grasslands on tribal lands in 18 states for bison habitat, the Sagebrush Initiative that is using market-based strategies to restore wildlife habitat in sagebrush ecosystems in four states, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources that provides incentives to farmers to improve grassland bird habitat, and the Cacapon Watershed Restoration Collaborative in West Virginia. To see the entire list of grant recipients, click here. To learn more about Conservation Innovation Grants, visit www.nrcs.usda.gov/PROGRAMS/cig/ .
--------- (posted 07/08/08) ---------

Global Climate Change May Lead to Larger Invasive Plant Species with Greater Ecological Impacts

Experiments conducted in Maryland by USDA Agricultural Research Service scientist Lewis Ziska indicate that elevated carbon dioxide levels facilitate faster growth rates of common weed species. These plants grew to larger sizes and produced much more pollen containing higher allergen concentrations. Moreover, succession from bare soil to tree cover was accelerated, occurring in only five years and resulting in the dominance of such invasive tree species as tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima) and Norway maple (Acer platanoides). Weeds such as Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense) also developed greater resistance to herbicide, probably because they quickly matured beyond more vulnerable stages. Ziska also suggests that elevated carbon dioxide can change plant biochemistry, with important ecological implications. For example, researchers found that cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) tissues developed higher carbon to nitrogen ratios, leading to lower rates of decay and increasing their flammability. This in turn increases the risk of wildfires. To read the entire news story, visit the New York Times.
--------- (posted 07/08/08) ---------

Western Australia Launches River Guardians Pilot Program

Last week 75 "river angels" received honorary River Guardian memberships to recognize their efforts to restore and protect the Swan and Canning Rivers. A $250,000 grant from the Western Australian Gaming Community Trust, derived from unclaimed winnings, established the Swan and Canning Rivers Foundation and River Guardians program. Public donations and memberships will fund future restoration projects within the two watersheds. As part of the initial launch, all Perth residents are eligible for free River Guardian memberships, with access to events, training, and volunteer opportunities. For more information about last week's ceremony and the new program, visit www.naturebase.net/content/view/3416/797/ . To find out more about River Guardians, go to www.riverguardians.com .
--------- (posted 06/26/08) ---------

New Report Provides Strategies to Mitigate Environmental Impacts of Climate Change

Last week the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released Preliminary Review of Adaption Options for Climate-Sensitive Ecosystems and Resources, a synthesis and assessment product (SAP 4.4) intended to improve "adaptive capacity to respond to future changes in climate." This peer-reviewed document was developed by the EPA's Global Change Research Program and is the result of collaborations among dozens of scientists. Organized into nine chapters, the report addresses federal lands, including estuaries, forests, marine protected areas, parks,wild and scenic rivers, and wildlife refuges. The report includes background and history, current status, climate predictions, uncertainty and adaptation, conclusions, and recommendations. To download the entire report, visit http://cfpub.epa.gov/ncea/cfm/recordisplay.cfm?deid=180143 .
--------- (posted 06/26/08) ---------

The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification Held A Policy Dialogue Last Month to Discuss Implementation Options

More than 120 high-level representatives, including government ministers, ambassadors, and other stakeholders, participated in the meeting held in Bonn, Germany, on May 27. The Dialogue was organized into three sections: policy development, mobilizing for a forward-looking strategy, and parties' views on responses to emerging challenges. Presentations and discussions were geared toward identifying political and other requirements for implementing the ten-year strategic plan to combat desertification and associated issues of climate change, biodiversity loss, drought and food security, and land degradation. The next meeting will take place in Istanbul, Turkey this November. For more information about the High-Level Policy Dialogue, visit www.iisd.ca/vol04/enb04208e.html . Go to www.unccd.int/main.php for details on the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification.
--------- (posted 06/15/08) ---------

June 17 is World Day to Combat Desertification

Beginning in 1994, the United Nations General Assembly has highlighted desertification as a worldwide environmental concern by marking June 17 as the World Day to Combat Desertification. Countries that have organized activities in recognition of this day include Argentina, Canada, France, Germany, India, Italy, Moldova, Sri Lanka, South Africa, and United Arab Emirates. More information on desertification, June 17 activities, and educational materials including posters and postcards can be found at www.unccd.int/publicinfo/june17/2008/menu.php.
--------- (posted 06/15/08) ---------

June is Invasive Species Awareness Month in Wisconsin and Indiana

For the fourth year in a row, Wisconsin is raising awareness about invasive plant and animal species through a statewide outreach program. Planned activities include workshops for landowners and boaters, bike rides, invasive species control volunteer work parties, lectures and classes, and online discussions. The emphasis in 2008 is on aquatic invasive species. For a schedule of events, visit invasivespecies.wi.gov/awareness/calendar_all_events.asp . For information about Indiana's second Invasive Species Awareness Month campaign, go to www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/indiana/howwework/art24965.html .
--------- (posted 06/15/08) ---------

Hearings Are Held for Clean Water Restoration Act of 2007

In the last two weeks the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works received testimony on H.R. 2421 and S. 1870, jointly introduced bills to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. The proposed act would replace "navigable waters" with "waters of the United States" and affirm the jurisdiction of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Environmental Protection Agency. The Clean Water Authority Restoration Act has been introduced and died in committee during the last three legislative sessions. To read the full text of the bills and follow their progress in the 110th Congress, go to www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s110-1870 and www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h110-2421. The opening statements of expert witnesses and archived webcasts for the House Committee hearing are here, and for the Senate Committee hearing here.
--------- (posted 04/25/08) ---------

Abandoned Coal Mines May Provide Habitat for Declining Bird Species

The Appalachian Mountains Joint Venture, coordinated by American Bird Conservancy, is establishing a model restoration project in Vinton County, Ohio. The project involves ripping compacted soils over 3.5 ha of former mine land and planting 15,000 tree seedlings on a total of 8.6 ha to create habitat for cerulean warblers (Dendroica cerulea) and other hardwood forest bird species. A similar reforestation project will begin this spring in southwestern Virginia. During the early years of these projects, the planted areas are expected to provide habitat for open-habitat bird species such as the prairie warbler (D. discolor) and American woodcock (Scolopax minor). Once completed, the project site will reduce habitat fragmentation effects and provide a buffer for intact hardwood forest. Additionally, program partners are evaluating the restoration potential of former mine lands throughout the Appalachian region to create new forested areas for closed-habitat bird species or else native grassland habitat for declining open-habitat bird species that have benefited somewhat from earlier mine reclamation efforts that relied on non-native grasses and shrubs, such as Henslow's sparrows (Ammodramus henslowii). The partnership includes federal, state, and county agencies, nonprofit organizations, and private landowners. You can read the full story at www.abcbirds.org/newsandreports/releases/080409.html , particularly if you own mine land in the Appalachian region and may be interested in participating.
--------- (posted 04/15/08) ---------

New Report Shows that State Wildlife Action Plans Neglect Threatened Plants

In April, NatureServe released Hidden in Plain Sight, a review of the 56 Wildlife Action Plans completed by all U.S. states and territories in 2005 to develop strategies for conservation of wildlife species and their habitats. The study assessed how well endangered or threatened plant species were incorporated. These plans are required to receive federal funding through the State Wildlife Grant program, and the guidelines explicitly limit consideration to "fauna." The researchers found that 30% include recommended actions that would benefit plant species of concern, while 21% incorporated data on such plant species when defining focal areas, 14% included plants on their list of species of greatest conservation need, and 11% considered plant species as part of their prioritization methodology. The report lauds Georgia, Missouri, Nebraska, and Oregon for effectively integrating plant species of concern into their wildlife plans. It also provides several recommendations to enhance and complement current wildlife planning with similar attention to plant species, which represent more than half of the federally listed endangered species. To download the entire report, visit www.natureserve.org/publications/hidden_plain_sight.jsp .
--------- (posted 04/15/08) ---------

New Bill Proposes Reauthorization of the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act

Last week, Representative Ronald Kind (D-WI) introduced H.R. 5756 that would expand annual federal funding from a maximum of $6 million to $20 million by 2015. The Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act provides matching funds for public-private partnerships to conserve and restore migratory bird species and their habitats, particularly outside of the U.S. The program, administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has supported 225 projects covering over one million hectares from 2002 to 2007. To read the full text of the bill and follow its progress, go to www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h110-5756 . To learn more about the program and apply for funding (deadline is November 13, 2008), visit www.fws.gov/birdhabitat/Grants/NMBCA/index.shtm .
--------- (posted 04/15/08) ---------