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 RESTORE is a weekly e-bulletin, published by SER International, linking you to the latest, breaking news stories from around the world keeping you up-to-date on a wide variety of topics related to ecological restoration including the latest funding opportunities. RESTORE is free to SER International members and can be subscribed to for only $20/year by visiting: www.ser.org/content/restoration_network.asp. |
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Get Involved / Community-Based Restoration
India: Participation of NGOs in Environmental Projects
Environmental education, awareness and training are important scheme of the Ministry of Environment and Forests for enhancing the understanding of people at all the levels about the relationship between the human beings and the environment and to develop the capabilities to improve and protect the environment. There are different terms and conditions for NGOs who join this project. We present here respective terms and conditions for them in a series.
http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=39054
Ecological Restoration Requires Scientific Integrity and Judicial Fairness
Concerns about the loss of scientific integrity by federal and state environmental agencies because of political pressures need to be resolved in fair courts so we can work at restoring our natural and cultural ecologies. Environmental justice and strict science must proceed on parallel paths in the lab and in the courts to attain optimal qualities of life for all of us. There are legitimate concerns by the Union of Concerned Scientists, and others, that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is having its scientific integrity compromised by politicians. What concerns me is that the violations of scientific integrity are not always political, but often are due more to poor management, failure to follow established protocols to be sure that the methods are generally accepted in the scientific community and, hence, the results will be admissible in state and federal courts, if necessary.
http://dc.indymedia.org/newswire/display/143294/index.php
UK: Glendale Pupils Help Create Reedbed for Fenton Floodplains Project
Pupils from Glendale Middle School in Wooler are helping to create a new reedbed to boost the diversity of wetland habitat and wildlife on the River Till floodplain. The children will plant 500 reed plants in newly excavated wetlands on West Fenton Farm, as part of the Fenton Floodplains Project. The reedbed is an important part of the Fenton Floodplains Project and involves the creation of a 30 hectare wetland haven for wildlife on the banks of the River Till.
http://www.berwick-advertiser.co.uk/news/Glendale-pupils-help-create-reedbed.4105660.jp
Canada: Protecting Species At Risk And Their Habitats
Ontario is supporting six volunteer stewardship projects in the Huron-Bruce-Owen Sound area that will help protect and recover species at risk and their habitats. Funding of more than $130,000 will support projects to protect nesting sites for piping plover, improve habitat for wood turtles, restore and enhance river wetlands, increase public awareness and knowledge about at-risk reptiles, and map habitat for at-risk reptiles.
http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/May2008/27/c4705.html |
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People in the News
Planting Nature: 12-year Girl Scout Devotes Final Project to Seeding Wetland
Her love and admiration for the outdoors led Brey, a 12-year Girl Scout, to dedicate her final large project with the organization to improving the local prairie. Her work was rewarded with the Girl Scouts' highest honor, the Gold Award. She will be recognized for the honor along with five other Gold Award recipients at an upcoming banquet. For her project, Brey researched prairie restoration and organized a team of volunteers to build seed-drying racks at Nygren Wetland Preserves in Rockton.
http://www.rrstar.com/communities/x2143028769/Planting-nature-12-year-Girl-Scout-devotes-final-project-to-seeding-wetland
Environment a Contradiction for Babbitt
In nearly 40 years of public service, Bruce Babbitt developed a reputation for defending endangered species, trying to undam rivers and setting aside wilderness areas. But the onetime Arizona governor and former Interior secretary also has worked as a lobbyist for developers, a lawyer for industry and a speculator in public lands. Today, though Babbitt is chairman of the World Wildlife Fund, some environmental groups paint him in a different hue of green - the color of money
http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2008/05/25/20080525babbitt0525.html
Massachusetts: GNB Voc-Tech Wins State Award for Swamp Restoration
A project on the restoration of the Atlantic cedar swamp has earned Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational-Technical High School a state award for excellence in energy and environmental education. Greater New Bedford Voc-Tech was among 23 Massachusetts schools honored at the Statehouse during a May 12 ceremony where Massachusetts Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Ian Bowles also announced cash awards.
http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080521/NEWS/805210336
North Carolina: Ocean Isle Beach Named One of America's Best Restored Beaches
The American Shore and Beach Preservation Association (ASBPA) announced today that Ocean Isle Beach is a winner of its 2008 Best Restored Beach Award. "ASBPA created the Best Restored Beach award in 2001 as a way of highlighting the value of America's restored beaches," said Harry Simmons, mayor of Caswell Beach, N.C., and ASBPA president. "As Americans flock to our coastline during the upcoming beach season, most don't even realize they may be enjoying a restored beach."
http://www.lelandtribune.com/default.asp?dismode=article&artid=1184 |
Restoring Natural Capital (RNC)
Florida: Martin County to Purchase Land for Corridor, Restoration
Martin County is moving ahead to purchase three properties near the Allapattah Flats Tract in western Martin County that will establish a corridor between conservation lands and allow restoration of properties degraded by agricultural use. The South Florida Water Management District will complete the acquisitions within the next 30 days and the property will ultimately be open to the public.
http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2008/may/25/martin-to-purchase-land-for-corridor/ |
Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK)
India's Water Crisis: An Interview with Author Nitya Jacob
Former business and environmental journalist Nitya Jacob has undertaken an unusual task - an ecological travelogue across the Indian subcontinent focused on water. The Delhi-based writer's findings are stark. After writing a book on the subject, he says that in spite of surplus water, and one of the world's richest traditions of managing it, India's water crisis has reached critical levels. Jacob's new book is called "Jalyatra: Exploring India's Traditional Water Management Systems." In it he observes, "The 5,000 years worth of traditional knowledge which made India one of the richest countries in the not-too-distant past has been forgotten and is one of the main reasons behind the crisis."
http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/may2008/2008-05-26-04.asp
Boreal Forest Activist Receives Order of Manitoba
In 2004, residents of Poplar River First Nation convinced the Manitoba Government to stop all mining and logging on their traditional land, 600km northeast of Winnipeg, for the next five years. Sophia Rabliauskas is a member of this community and at the forefront of their struggle for full protection. She is now being recognized for her tenacity with one of the province's highest awards, the Order of Manitoba. http://www.firstperspective.ca/fp_combo_template.php?path=20080522boreal |
Agro-Ecology
Swaminathan Moots 'Ever-green Revolution'
Agriculture scientist M.S. Swaminathan said here on Friday that "the path towards sustainable food security is 'ever-green revolution,' which will help increase productivity in perpetuity without the associated ecological harm." Dr. Swaminathan said the technologies that could help usher in such an 'ever-green revolution' are organic farming or green agriculture. Both involved the blending of traditional knowledge with modern science.
http://www.hindu.com/2008/05/24/stories/2008052454781300.htm |
Biodiversity & Climate Change
Conservationists Urge German Chancellor to 'Save' UN Conference
Environmental organizations appealed Tuesday to Angela Merkel to rescue a UN conference on biodiversity from failure, a day before the German chancellor was to open the conference's final, political, phase. Merkel had to introduce movement into the largely deadlocked proceedings at the two-week conference being held in the German city of Bonn, environmental and development aid organizations said. Some 6,000 delegates from almost 200 countries have gathered in Bonn for the ninth meeting of the parties to the UN's Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) primarily to discuss ways to halt the loss of species.
http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/208250,conservationists-urge-german-chancellor-to-save-un-conference.html
Carbon Sequestration and Storage in Soils Could Solve Global Warming
Soils contain more than twice as much carbon as the atmosphere according to estimates (Food and Agriculture Association of the United Nations, FAO). Increasing the amount of carbon naturally stored in soils could provide the short-term bridge to reduce the impacts of increasing carbon emissions until low-carbon and sustainable technologies can be implemented. A group called Soil Carbon, based in Australia, makes the case for soil carbon storage in a presentation available in English, German, Spanish, Italian, Mexican and Portuguese. The Soil Carbon report includes impressive photographs, such as those above, demonstrating the difference between well-managed and poorly managed soils.
http://limjunying.wordpress.com/2008/05/24/carbon-sequestration-and-storage-in-soils-could-solve-global-warming/
Mexico has Top Roles in Biological Diversity Convention
Mexico today is acknowledged as a worldwide leader in the conservation of its natural resources, and it has been praised for its strategy of spending financial resources on localities and municipalities with high yet fragile biodiversity coupled with conditions of poverty among its population. This according to Dr. Ernesto Enkerlin Hoeflich, Mexico's National Commissioner for Protected Areas, who spoke at the start of the Ninth Meeting of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CDB), in Bonn, Germany, where over 6,000 delegates from member countries and conservation organizations took part.
http://www.mexidata.info/id1845.html |
Congo Basin Forests Saved by Government Action, Timber Certification
The government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo today announced plans to designate at least 50,190 square miles of the Earth's second largest rainforest region as new protected areas. At present, nine percent of country, corresponding to 8,494 square miles, is conserved in various categories of protected areas.
http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/may2008/2008-05-27-02.asp
Washington: State Forests, Timber Earn 'Green' Certification
State forestlands across the Kitsap Peninsula - including the Green Mountain and Tahuya state forests - have received a "green certification" from the Forest Stewardship Council. The certification, announced Thursday, applies to 145,000 acres of state land in the South Puget Sound region, including portions in Thurston, Lewis, Pierce and King counties as well as Kitsap and Mason, according to Public Lands Commissioner Doug Sutherland. "What this says to people is that you can't manage forest lands any better than how the Department of Natural Resources manages these forests," Sutherland said during a news conference.
http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2008/may/22/state-forests-earn-145green-certification/ |
Wetland Restoration
Wisconsin: Ashley Wetlands Restoration Nears Completion
Ashley makes a lot of furniture, but the company's nearly done building something completely different -- a wetland. The Arcadia, Wis.-based company is nearing completion of a 30-acre wetland restoration project at a cost of more than $700,000, said consultant Jeff Kraemer. Why restore a wetland? To make up for expanding its Arcadia plant into wetlands. Ashley Furniture officials in October 2005 finally got the approval they'd sought since the 1990s from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to fill in about 12 acres of wetlands in Arcadia for a 425,000-square-foot building addition and other facilities.
http://www.redorbit.com/news/science/1397553/ashley_wetlands_restoration_nears_completion/
Ghana: Wildlife Society Celebrates Migratory Day
Dr. Ngeh said it was estimated that five billion birds travelled seven to eight thousand kilometres from north breeding grounds to African wintering grounds and there was the need to focus on these migratory birds because they intensified agriculture in their breeding areas. He said Ghana had a lot of wetlands and natural habitats which served as stopover sites for the migratory birds but there were indications of their decline because of environmental problems linked to the loss of habitats and biodiversity worldwide. He called for stepping up of environmental education programmes, promotion of ecological restoration of wetlands and the enforcement of laws to prevent people from developing wetlands for buildings.
http://www.modernghana.com/news/166946/1/wildlife-society-celebrates-migratory-day.html
Minnesota: Ashley Wetlands Restoration Nears Completion
Ashley makes a lot of furniture, but the company's nearly done building something completely different - a wetland. The Arcadia, Wis.-based company is nearing completion of a 30-acre wetland restoration project at a cost of more than $700,000, said consultant Jeff Kraemer.
Why restore a wetland? To build on a wetland somewhere else, as allowed by federal rules that restrict wetland development. It started back in the 1990s when Ashley Furniture officials wanted to expand one of their factories into an adjacent wetland area, but the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources wouldn't let them.
http://www.winonadailynews.com/articles/2008/05/22/news/05ashley.txt |
River & Watershed Restoration
One Million Acres of Hawaii Watersheds to Be Conserved
A new partnership of public and private landowners has been created to protect watersheds and natural resources across more than one million acres on Mauna Loa, Kilauea and Hualalai on the island of Hawaii. The Three Mountain Alliance watershed partnership will consist of nine partners who will cooperate under a Memorandum of Understanding and a recently completed management plan.
http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/may2008/2008-05-27-092.asp
Connecticut: Decision to Cut Down Cherry Trees called Final
When given a choice between preserving beloved cherry trees and fixing the unnatural flow of the river beside them, many who love the trees posed a challenge to the Mill River Collaborative: Make river restoration work around the trees. But Chairman Arthur Selkowitz said that wasn't possible. The decision - to use $5 million in federal habitat restoration funds to restore the river in a way that requires removal of the trees - has been made, and the public had ample opportunity to comment in a series of meetings that culminated in October 2006, he said at a meeting held Tuesday at the Government Center.
http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/norwalkadvocate/news/ci_9366943
Colorado: Fountain Creek Study will Examine Use of Dams, Restoration
The Army Corps of Engineers will study the feasibility of constructing a multipurpose project consisting of one or more dams, reservoirs or other structures to provide flood and sediment control, and to conserve fish and wildlife and preserve their ecosystem.
http://www.koaa.com/aaaa_top_stories/x1331637876
Ohio: Grant to Help Restore Creek, Wetlands
The North Fork Massies Creek watershed restoration and protection project will move forward thanks to a grant from the Ohio EPA announced earlier this month. The grant of $382,700 will help the Greene County Sanitary Engineering Department "re-naturalize the stream," which runs through Cedarville and Xenia townships, said Russ Gibson of the Ohio EPA. Along with about $410,000 awarded for the project in 2007, about 4,000 linear feet of stream and 2.1 acres of wetlands will eventually be restored, Gibson said.
http://xeniagazette.1upmonitor.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=4&ArticleID=159486&TM=30639.58 |
Grassland Restoration
UK: Remarkable Project Brings Wildlife Back
Wildflowers are breaking through the soil of farmland in North Wiltshire where a remarkable project is succeeding to bring wildlife back. Thanks to Wiltshire Wildlife Trust's Landscapes for Wildlife project which started two years ago, the light green, spear-shaped leaves of yellow rattle, or Rhinanthus minor, are dotted among the grasses. This semi-parasitic plant carries a bright yellow flower when in bloom and was deliberately seeded, along with a multitude of other wild flowers.
http://www.salisburyjournal.co.uk/news/ruralfocus/display.var.2290969.0.remarkable_project_brings_wildlife_back.php
Kansas: Prairie and Woodland Restoration Project Receives Third Year of Kingsbury Funding
Bethel College's on-campus prairie and woodland restoration project has been funded for a third year by the Kingsbury Family Foundation. Kingsbury is a private foundation, based in Virginia and run by two sisters in memory of their father, with particular interest in projects protecting the natural resources of the Great Plains, especially plant and animal habitat. Since 2006, Bethel College Professor of Biology Jon Piper's proposals for the Bethel College project, titled "Studies on Restoration of Two Indigenous Kansas Ecosystems: Oak Woodland and Tallgrass Prairie," have resulted in a total of $46,802 in Kingsbury grants.
http://www.bethelks.edu/bc/news_publications/news/bc/index.php/2008/05/23/p1950
UK: Cash Boost for Grassland Sites
A project to preserve rare grassland habitats in Highland Perthshire has been given a £30,000 boost. The Tayside Biodiversity Action Fund, Scottish Natural Heritage and the Cairngorms National Park Authority are making the cash available over the next three years. It will be used to raise public awareness about the sites and to assist in their restoration. The calcareous grasslands - so-called because they grow in lime-rich soils - predominantly stretch from Blair Atholl across Strath Tummel and into Glen Lyon, although there are a few other areas in the Sidlaw hills in the Carse of Gowrie. They are home to a variety of rare plants and insects such as the mason bee and the northern brown argus butterfly.
http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/646243?UserKey=0 |
| Desertification & Arid Land Restoration |
| Lake Restoration
North Dakota: Habitat Improvements Done at Lake Sakakawea Island
The state Game and Fish Department is working to improve wildlife habitat at a popular Lake Sakakawea island. The agency has been removing trees and weeds and establishing food plots on Mallard Island since January. The island is north of Riverdale. But it hasn`t been a true island for five years because of declining lake levels. Wildlife technician Robert Miller says work on the island is easier now since it can be accessed by land. In the past, barges had to be used. http://www.kfyrtv.com/News_Stories.asp?news=18864 |
| Coastal & Marine Restoration
Florida: Saving The Biggest For Last
He and Ries are in the planning stages for what likely will be the last big coastal habitat restoration project on Tampa Bay's shoreline. They hope to retool 1,000 acres of the 2,400-acre tract acquired by state and county preservation programs in 2003. The site includes a former shell mine on the south side of Cockroach Bay Road. About 400 acres will encompass restored or enhanced brackish and freshwater wetlands. The remaining acreage will undergo eradication of nuisance plant species, such as Brazilian pepper, Australian pine and guinea grass.
http://southshore2.tbo.com/content/2008/may/21/ss-saving-the-biggest-for-last/
Restoring Natural Habitats in Myanmar: A Reconstruction Priority
IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) offers to share its broad environmental experience to help with the reconstruction efforts in Myanmar. A vital long-term environmental need is to restore coastal ecosystems, following the catastrophic damage caused by the recent cyclone. "While we, like the rest of the world, are worried about the pace of the relief effort, we also believe we have to take a longer view as the planning for reconstruction starts." says Julia Marton-Lefèvre, Director General of IUCN. "We believe that restoring healthy ecosystems, particularly mangroves, should be on top of the reconstruction priority list."
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0805/S00340.htm |
Wildlife Restoration
Florida: Restoration of Starkey Preserve to Start
A three-year restoration project within the Starkey Wilderness Preserve will restore 951 acres of uplands, officials at Southwest Florida Water Management District said. The remote hiking trail west of the power lines as well as the entire equestrian trail will close temporarily and be redirected to other areas. Sand pine has taken over much of the area because of the lack of fire to consume debris. The risk for uncontrollable wildfires has gone up as a result, according to Will Van Gelder, district senior land management specialist.
http://suncoastpasco.tbo.com/content/2008/may/24/pg-restoration-of-starkey-preserve-to-start/
New Approach the Only Hope for British Wildlife
Much of England's most precious wildlife could be lost in the face of climate change and development unless there is a new approach to conservation, Natural England warned today.
In its first State of the Environment report, the Government advisory body said the country's natural environment was much less rich than 50 years ago. Measures such as reconnecting wildlife-rich areas, recreating habitats and funding environmentally-friendly farming are needed for natural environment to withstand threats, the conservation agency said. Following publication, conservation groups demanded more action and resources to protect wildlife.
http://www.redorbit.com/news/science/1393061/new_approach_the_only_hope_for_british_wildlife/
Connecticut: Hoak Home Certified as Wildlife Habitat
The home of Nancy Planck Hoak of Middlebrook Farm Road has been designated as a Certified Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. To earn certification, a property must provide four basic elements that all wildlife need: food, water, cover and places to raise young. The properties must employ sustainable gardening practices. According to the organization, habitat restoration in urban, suburban and commercial areas is vital in restoring resources wildlife need to survive. Replacing lawn with trees and other native vegetation can help conserve natural resources and limit or eliminate the need for fertilizers, pesticides and other chemicals which can be hazardous to the environment, according to a release.
http://www.acorn-online.com/news/publish/wilton/34107.shtml |
| Invasive Species
North Dakota: Improvements Being Made to Island Habitat
North Dakota Game & Fish personnel have been busy removing invasive plant species and establishing food plots. The results should help maintain Mallard Island's status as a wildlife paradise. Mallard Island is located north of Riverdale, on the west side of the Snake Creek Embankment. It is approximately four miles long and about two miles across at its widest point.
http://www.minotdailynews.com/page/content.detail/id/515387.html?nav=5010
Audio: Invasive Snails Take a Toll on Native Ducks
The number of lesser scaup ducks is dwindling, and it could be an invasive species that does them in. Invasive snails and parasites are attacking these and other ducks on the Upper Mississippi. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officials say with no natural predators, the snails and the parasites are thriving, and killing off a duck population that is already in trouble.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=90832163&ft=1&f=1025 |
Urban Restoration
Oregon: Fanno Creek Restoration Will Enhance Downtown Tigard
Fanno Creek is playing a key role in the City of Tigard's downtown revitalization project. Fanno Creek Park, a 30-acre park bordering the southern edge of downtown, is being redesigned and restored to its native habitat-providing the community with a nature preserve in the heart of the city. Clean Water Services is working on a $900,000 project to enhance 2.5 miles of the creek from 99W to Bonita Road, with one mile flowing right through the downtown park.
http://tigardarea10.blogspot.com/2008/05/fanno-creek-restoration-will-enhance.html |
Funding Opportunities
Minnesota: Shoreland Restoration Funding Available
A perfectly manicured lawn may be appealing curbside, but on the water's edge it's devastating.
Osakis lakeshore owners may be eligible for a 75 percent project grant for shoreland restoration projects. The Sauk River Watershed District (SRWD) received a grant from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) to help fund these projects.
http://www.theosakisreview.com/articles/index.cfm?id=1416§ion=News&freebie_check&CFID=32747008&CFTOKEN=96561653&jsessionid=883082bd3f6267771c2f
Fellowships Available in Estuarine Science Closes June 6, 2008
CALFED Science Program, California Sea Grant College Program is offering stipends of up to $45,000/yr. for Postdocs and $25,000/yr. for Graduate Fellows for up to 2 years, plus eligible expenses.
http://www.csgc.ucsd.edu/EDUCATION/CALFED/CALFEDIndx.html
Fulbright Scholar Program for US Faculty and Professionals Closes August 1, 2008
The Fulbright Scholar Program is offering 109 lecturing, research or combined lecturing/research awards in environmental science during the 2009-2010 academic year. Awards range from two months to an academic year. Faculty and professionals in environmental science may apply for awards specifically in their field or for one of the many "All Discipline" awards open to any field. The application deadline for Fulbright traditional lecturing and research grants worldwide is August 1, 2008. U.S. citizenship is required. For other eligibility requirements, detailed award descriptions, and an application, visit our website at www.cies.org, or send a request for materials to apprequest@cies.iie.org.
Fulbright Awards in Agriculture or Fisheries
Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program for academic year 2009-10 offers various awards for American academics and professionals in the fields of agricultural economy. The Philippines ( http://www.cies.org/award_book/award2009/award/Agr9161.htm)offers a six-months Lecturing/Research combination grant to help the development of young scholars and practitioners as well as to consult the country's Department of Agriculture. Kazakhstan ( http://www.cies.org/award_book/award2009/award/Env9494.htm ) offers awards for 4 to 10 months in environmental sciences or environmental law to lecture or lecturing/research combination. Turkmenistan ( http://www.cies.org/award_book/award2009/award/All9513.htm ) seeks for applicants in agricultural studies and water resources management; and so does Uzbekistan ( http://www.cies.org/award_book/award2009/award/All9515.htm ) Interested applicants are encouraged to contact Program Officer Mamiko Hada (mhada@cies.iie.org) with most up-to-date CV. | |
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