| Membership |
RESTORE is distributed to current SER members. Make sure you don't miss a single issue!
|
| Quick Links |
|
| |
|
|
 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 or can be subscribed to for only $20/year by visiting: www.ser.org/content/restoration_network.asp. Please send your news stories and articles to the RESTORE editor at info@ser.org. |
|
Get Involved / Community-Based Restoration
Attention SER Members
|
|
People in the News
The Leaflet, A Newsletter of Natural Biodiversity
Natural Biodiversity has launched a new e-publication, called the Leaflet, which is designed to keep you up-to-date on land stewardship issues and news, as well as Natural Biodiversity happenings. Natural Biodiversity is a non-profit dedicated to land stewardship and restoration through projects and outreach on issues such as invasive plants and native species restoration. Though Natural Biodiversity is based in southwestern Pennsylvania, widely applicable content is contained within each edition.
http://www.wildlifegardeners.org/forum/education/4991-leaflet-newsletter-natural-biodiversity.html
Author and Environmentalist Paul Hawken to Speak at Gustavus Environmentalist, entrepreneur, and author Paul Hawken will deliver a free public lecture at Gustavus Adolphus College at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 18 in Alumni Hall, located in the O.J. Johnson Student Union. After deciding at age 20 to dedicate his life to sustainability and changing the relationship between business and the environment, Hawken has started and managed ecological businesses, written and taught about the impact of commerce on living systems, and consulted with governments and corporations on economic development, industrial ecology, and environmental policy. http://news.blog.gustavus.edu/2010/01/26/author-and-environmentalist-paul-hawken-to-speak-at-gustavus/ |
| New Books & Articles
US: Managed Wolf Populations could Restore Ecosystems Researchers writing in the February issue of BioScience propose reintroducing small, managed populations of wolves into national parks and other areas in order to restore damaged ecosystems. The populations would not be self-sustaining, and may consist of a single pack. But the BioScience authors suggest that even managed populations could bring ecological, educational, recreational, scientific, and economic benefits. http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2010-02/aiob-mwp012710.php
Are new genes always better? How introducing new genes for restoration purposes may affect local populations Re-vegetation seems like a beneficial strategy for conserving and restoring damaged ecosystems, and using a variety of species can help increase biodiversity in these systems. But what are the risks involved with introducing seeds from other locations to plants located near the damaged site? Introduced populations often hybridize with the local populations from the same species, which can result in "polluting" neighboring populations with genes that are poorly adapted to local conditions. Long-term consequences of such "pollution" could negatively impact the survival of the existing native populations. http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2010-01/ajob-ang012810.php |
| Restoring Natural Capital (RNC)
US Fish and Wildlife wants $1.6 Billion Among the top strategic investments are increases of $18.8 million for Climate Change Adaptation and $4 million for work to review planned renewable energy development to ensure they do not place threatened or endangered species at risk, as well as an additional $15.8 million for ecosystem restoration and $20 million for Federal land acquisition. http://www.walb.com/Global/story.asp?S=11913695 |
Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK)
Canada: Traditional Aboriginal Knowledge Key to Boreal Forest Conservation Traditional knowledge held by Canada's Aboriginal people about the Boreal Forest offers western scientists a vitally important information source, according to a report published by the David Suzuki Foundation, the Canadian Boreal Initiative, and the Boreal Songbird Initiative. With the Boreal Forest facing increasing threats from climate change, habitat loss and fragmentation, and invasive species, this knowledge is more important than ever. http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/February2010/01/c5610.html |
| Agro-Ecology
Klamath Science Conference Charts Restoration Scientists and policy makers gathering in Southern Oregon this week will look for ways to restore the ecology of the Klamath Basin so both salmon and farming can thrive. More than 300 people were expected Tuesday for the start of the weeklong conference in Medford. It was organized by the U.S. Geological Survey and NOAA Fisheries Service to share the latest ecological science on the Klamath Basin and chart directions for new research that will help inform a $1 billion restoration plan that includes removing a series of hydroelectric dams that block salmon. http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_14313032?nclick_check=1 |
| Biodiversity & Climate Change
Australia: Restoration of WA Landscape Contributes to Global Success Conservation of the remnant Banksia woodland of the Swan Coastal Plain is the subject of a major research collaboration between The University of Western Australia and Kings Park and Botanic Garden. Funded by an Australian Research Council Linkage grant of almost $500,000, the project aims to manipulate the genetic diversity of Banksia woodland species, improving their resilience to climate change. http://www.news.uwa.edu.au/201002022097/media-statements/restoration-wa-landscape-contributes-global-success
Hope in a Changing Climate - Breaking the Cycle of Poverty in China, Ethiopa, and Rwanda Efforts to improve the situation of indigenous peoples through restoration of the environment is one of the most intriguing stories to emerge from travel. One of the organizations doing important work in this field, the Environmental Educational Media Project, produced the documentary Hope In A Changing Climate, which promotes the enormous potential of restoration. http://holeinthedonut.com/2010/02/02/ecosystem-restoration-china-africa/
India: Swaminathan Organizes Biodiversity Conservation Workshop Speaking on the sidelines of 'Effective Community Management of Biodiversity in an era of Climate Change', Swaminathan said that it was possible to conserve biodiversity by promoting sustainable development. "Orissa is a mega biodiversity area, rich in hydro-diversity. Like, the Koraput region is one of the centres of origin of rice and Bhitarkanika is one of the richest in mangoes. So the international year of biodiversity is intended to create awareness among the people on the importance of biodiversity conservation for our food, livelihood and human security," he added. http://news.oneindia.in/2010/01/31/swaminathanorganizes-biodiversity-conservationworkshop.html |
|
Germany: Planting the Future Forest The urgent need to reforest its national territory has led German officials to search around the world - including the Bolivian Andes - for tree species that are resistant to climate change. Exotic tree seedlings grow next to native species in the southeastern German village of Laufen, at a site where researchers are experimenting with ways to renovate the forests lost to the effects of global warming. http://www.tierramerica.info/nota.php?lang=eng&idnews=3305
Illinois: Restoring Deer Grove Enters Phase 3 Openlands, an ecosystem restoration company, started phase three of a five-year, $4.5 million improvement project at the 2,000-acre Deer Grove Forest Preserve in Palatine last week. Restoration work, spanning approximately 161 acres on the east side of the forest preserve north of Dundee Road, between Quentin and Hicks roads, includes removal of invasive trees and shrubs and reintroduction of native plants and wildflowers. http://www.journal-topics.com/topics/10/top100128.10.html
Brazil: Lending Nature a Helping Hand How do you restore 865 acres of tropical forest that have been grazed by cattle for at least 20 years? You start by giving nature a helping hand, said Aurélio Padovezi. Padovezi, the Conservancy's restoration coordinator for the Atlantic Forest and Central Savannas Program, is working with a local community, state government and the São Paulo State Basic Sanitation Company (SABESP) to restore a portion of Brazil's Atlantic Forest - some of the most biologically diverse forest in the world. http://www.nature.org/wherewework/southamerica/brazil/features/
Montana: Gardening the Woods: Forest Service Welcoming Ideas for Restoring Parcel On Wednesday, the Missoula Ranger District will invite public ideas for what it calls the Marshall-Woods restoration project - a 13,000-acre to-do list for improving that part of the Lolo National Forest. "We are very early in the planning stage," Missoula District Ranger Paul Matter said on Monday. "We won't be putting up any action items until after the meetings with the community." http://www.missoulian.com/news/state-and-regional/article_0f24c4ea-0fc3-11df-bad3-001cc4c03286.html |
| Wetland Restoration
World Wetlands Day 2010 Links to Climate Change, Biodiversity Today, World Wetlands Day is being celebrated with the full recognition of Africa's Lake Chad as a wetland of international importance, fulfilling a commitment made 10 years ago by the four nations that share the continent's fourth largest lake. The declaration today by the Cameroon Republic that its portion of Africa's fourth largest lake is a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands follows similar declarations by Niger and Chad in 2001 and Nigeria in 2008. http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/feb2010/2010-02-02-01.html
New Zealand: Lake Waipori Waihola Wetlands Restoration Plan The Lake Waihola Waipori Wetlands Society is marking World Wetlands Day by applying to NZ Biodiversity Funds and Lotteries Commission to help fund a $250, 000 wetlands project. Wetlands society chairman David Vollweiler said the community has put in a great deal of work to reach this position. The Wetlands Society developed a substantial weed control and eradication programme that was required to preserve the ecosystems and habitats from invasive plants. http://www.voxy.co.nz/national/lake-waipori-waihola-wetlands-restoration-plan/5/36751 |
River & Watershed Restoration
|
| Grassland Restoration
North Texas Grasslands to be Part of Ecological Project What was once Dust Bowl farmland in North Texas is poised to be on the front line of one of the nation's largest ecological projects. Over 30 years, the rolling prairies and woodlands of the Caddo-LBJ National Grasslands will serve as part of a living, changing laboratory in the first-ever continental ecological observatory. http://www.reporternews.com/news/2010/jan/30/n-texas-acreage-to-be-part-of-ecological-project/ |
Wildlife Restoration
UK: Wetland Project Aims to Save Lapwings A wetland conservation project that aims to boost numbers of the threatened lapwing, launched in Shropshire today to coincide with World Wetlands Day. The RSPB, Environment Agency, Natural England and Shropshire Wildlife Trust are working together on Lapwing Meadows, a new wetland restoration project in the Meres and Mosses area of north Shropshire, funded by Natural England's Wetland Vision Initiative. http://www.communitynewswire.press.net/article.jsp?id=6491621 |
| Extractive Industries
Brazil Grants Environmental Licence for Belo Monte Dam Brazil's government has granted an environmental licence for the construction of a controversial hydro-electric dam in the Amazon rainforest. Environmental groups say the Belo Monte dam will cause devastation in a large area of the rainforest and threaten the survival of indigenous groups. However, the government says whoever is awarded the project will have to pay $800m to protect the environment. The initial approval was a key step before investors could submit bids. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8492577.stm |
| Urban Restoration
New York: Army Corps to Help Restore Bronx River The city is calling in the Army to save the Bronx River - the Army Corps of Engineers, that is. In a move that gives new meaning to the term green initiative, the city Parks Department will partner with the Army Corps of Engineers to rebuild a wetlands habitat near the mouth of the river in Soundview Park. The Corps will foot most of the bill for the $6.3 million project to restore the 3-acre salt marsh, with the Parks Department providing the remaining 35% of the funding. http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/bronx/2010/02/02/2010-02-02_army_corps_to_help_restore_bronx_river.html |
| Funding Opportunities
The Five Star Restoration Program - Closes February 11, 2010 A new funding opportunity exists for the Five Star/NRT Restoration Program. Applications are due via Easygrants ( www.nfwf.org/easygrants) by Thursday, February 11, 2010. The Five Star Restoration Program seeks to develop community capacity to sustain local natural resources for future generations by providing modest financial assistance to diverse local partnerships for wetland, riparian, and coastal habitat restoration. The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), National Association of Counties (NACo), Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC), in cooperation with the U.S. Environ-mental Protection Agency (EPA), Southern Company, and Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), are pleased to solicit applications for the 2010 Five Star Restoration Pro-gram and Nature Restoration Trust ( www.nfwf.org/nrt). The 2010 RFP and proposal narrative are available for viewing on our website at http://www.nfwf.org/fivestar
Minnesota: Conservation Grant Deadline Feb. 12 Local conservation organizations and outdoors clubs that want to improve wildlife habitat have until Friday, Feb. 12, to apply for a Heritage Enhancement Grant from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. "These grant dollars are available for large and small projects, so we're encouraging proposals from all size organizations," said Leslie Tannahill, conservation grants coordinator for the DNR. "Eligible projects include activities such as grassland plantings, brushland shearing, wetland restoration and oak savannah plantings on state wildlife management areas." http://www.hutchinsonleader.com/news/outdoors/conservation-grant-deadline-feb-12-101
California: Bureau of Reclamation Seeks Klamath River Watershed Restoration Projects - Closes February 22, 2010 The Bureau of Reclamation's Klamath Basin Area Office, working in partnership with other Federal and State agencies, announces the availability of approximately $750,000 in Reclamation funds for the Klamath Basin Restoration Project in 2010. The goal of the program is to identify and provide funding for projects that will improve conditions for fish species listed under the Endangered Species Act that may be affected by the Klamath Reclamation Project including threatened coho salmon, endangered shortnose, and Lost River suckers. Reclamation will consider funding potential projects that specifically and convincingly show they will protect or improve conditions for these fish species. Proposals should address habitat for coho salmon in the Klamath River, associated side channels, sloughs, and the Klamath River estuary or endangered suckers in Upper Klamath Lake, Link River, Lake Ewuana/Keno Impoundment, and the Lost River watershed including Tule Lake, Clear Lake, and Gerber Reservoir. http://yubanet.com/california/Bureau-of-Reclamation-Seeks-Klamath-River-Watershed-Restoration-Projects.php
New Mexico: Forest Service Seeks Collaborative Forest Restoration Grant Proposals - Closes March 1, 2010 The U.S. Forest Service is seeking grant proposals for forest restoration projects on public and tribal lands in New Mexico by 5 p.m., MST, Monday, March 1, 2010. "Approximately $3.5 million will be awarded under the Collaborative Forest Restoration Program this year in New Mexico," said Southwestern Regional Forester Corbin Newman. "The Forest Service will provide grants of up to $360,000 for projects that will be implemented in 4 years or less." The program encourages different organizations to collaborate on the design, implementation and monitoring of restoration projects on public and tribal lands. Grant money is available for projects on federal, tribal, state, county or municipal lands in New Mexico. By working together to apply for these grants, small business owners, conservation and environmental groups, community groups, tribes, universities and other organizations can help reduce the threat of wildfire, improve forest and watershed conditions and bring jobs and job training to local communities. http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/news/releases/2010/100108-cfrp-grantproposals.shtml
NOAA Announces Estuary Habitat Restoration Project Funding - Closes March 16, 2010 The Estuary Habitat Restoration Council is soliciting project proposals for estuary habitat restoration projects. The Council is seeking projects that achieve cost-effective restoration while promoting partnerships among agencies and between public and private sectors. Projects will be evaluated for their support of the Estuary Habitat Restoration Strategy. http://cheqbaypartners.wordpress.com/2010/01/20/noaa-announces-estuary-habitat-restoration-project-funding/ | |
|
|
|
|
|
