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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 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
Get Involved/Community-based Restoration
Celebrate Endangered Species Day on May 21st Celebrate the day by organizing a community clean-up, building a wildlife habitat in your backyard, or participating in one of the events below. http://wildlifeprofessional.org/blog/?p=2119
Oregon: School helps restore Wilson River habitat The Tillamook Forest Center has formed a partnership with Beaverton School District's Springville School to restore watershed habitat along the Wilson River. The partnership was created to help rehabilitate heavily impacted roads and campsites near the Wilson River west of the Forest Center and to build a new interpretive trail. Springville School students planted these restoration sites and the new trail area with native plants, and have also learned a great deal about the local habitat, watershed restoration efforts, and flora and fauna along the way. http://www.oregonlive.com/news/argus/index.ssf?/base/news/1273864866108980.xml&coll=6
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People in the News
Costa Rican Christiana Figueres Named UN Climate Change Chief
Christiana Figueres of Costa Rica has been selected to lead United Nations' efforts to combat climate change. Appointed today by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, she will become executive secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, UNFCCC, when Yvo de Boer of The Netherlands steps down July 1, 2010 after four years as executive secretary.
http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/may2010/2010-05-17-01.html |
| New Books & Articles
Strategies for increasing carbon stored in forests and wood
While the U.S. and other world leaders consider options for offsetting carbon emissions, it is important to take into account the role forests play in the global carbon cycle, say scientists in a paper published in the spring edition of Issues in Ecology. Currently, the carbon stored in forests and harvested wood products offsets 12-19 percent of U.S. fossil fuel emissions-growth primarily the result of recovery from the large scale harvesting that occurred around 100 years ago. These high offsets are not permanent but have the potential to increase; however, not without tradeoffs. http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2010-05/esoa-sfi051310.php
Marine Preserves to Save Ocean Life
Marine biologist Enric Sala relays some of the lessons he has learned from exploring pristine coral reefs. His findings turn the accepted view of the top predator biomass pyramid upside down. Sala also explores some of the economics of marine preserves, one of the only effective means of conserving ocean species. He finds that the gains made from ecotourism and fisheries productivity far outweigh any losses related to the rezoning of fishing grounds. http://www.enn.com/wildlife/article/41340 |
| Restoring Natural Capital (RNC)
Building the Chesapeake Bay's Game-Changing Cap-and-Trade Water Scheme
Ten years ago, the US federal government gave the states around the Chesapeake Bay a decade to clean up their act. Now that the states have failed, the feds want to impose mandatory cap-and-trade on water pollutants across the entire watershed. Ecosystem Marketplace examines the diverse forces driving this massive undertaking - and the legal challenges that await. http://www.ecosystemmarketplace.com/pages/dynamic/article.page.php?page_id=7561§ion=news_articles&eod=1
UK: We have an international market for carbon, why not one for conservation?
As the Conservative party put it in their election manifesto, they pledged to "pioneer a new system of conservation credits to protect habitats". If the detail of this idea is successfully rendered, this could transform the way we value the natural world and finance its protection. Caroline Spelman, the new secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs, should have the policy at the top of her in-tray. http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/may/17/international-market-conservation-credits |
Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK)
Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK): Ideas, inspiration, and designs for ecological engineering
In coming years society will be forced to adapt to lower energy levels due to projected declines in non-renewable energies. This will increase the challenge to ecological engineers to design sustainable ecosystems, driven by renewable energies to benefit society and the environment. This paper introduces the field of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) as an important source of ideas, inspiration and designs to help our profession meet this challenge. http://friendfeed.com/kleinhev/f9cbcf71/traditional-ecological-knowledge-tek-ideas |
| Agro-Ecology
California: Ecosystem Restoration on Agricultural Lands (ERAL)
The Wildlife Conservation Board's agricultural program is formally known as the Ecosystem Restoration on Agricultural Lands (ERAL) program. The intent of the funding is to assist landowners in developing wildlife friendly practices on their properties that can be sustained and co-exist with agricultural operations. In California, a large number of wildlife species are dependent on privately owned agricultural lands for habitat. Agricultural lands can provide significant habitat and connectivity with protected wildlife areas. In many cases agricultural landowners are willing to integrate wildlife habitat benefits into the management and operations of their properties, but lack the capital and/or expertise to implement these practices. http://www.wcb.ca.gov/ERAL/ |
| Biodiversity & Climate Change
World cannot wait for the US indefinitely, say Basic ministers
Ministers from the BASIC countries (Brazil, South Africa, India and China) said that the "world could not wait indefinitely" for the United States to reach an internationally legally binding agreement, amidst news reports that domestic climate legislation in the United States had been postponed. According to a joint statement issued at the conclusion of their third meeting in Cape Town, South Africa from April 25 to 26, the BASIC Ministers "noted news reports that domestic legislation in the US had been postponed and indicated that the world could not wait indefinitely, as it hinders our ability to reach an internationally legally binding agreement". http://digitallife.lk/oopadoopainfo/wordpress/?p=10689
Montana: Fort Belknap College re-establishing native plants
Spring at Fort Belknap College promises to be the start of an exciting endeavor, the Aaniinen-Nakoda Environmental Excellence Center will be teaming up with the National Science Foundation-Tribal Colleges and Universities Program to re-establish native plants in local areas. The ANEEC is attempting to propagate, out-plant and establish native plants on the Fort Belknap Reservation with the help of local agencies, elders, students and faculty. http://www.indiancountrytoday.com/national/plains/93419944.html
Washington: Species by species, a habitat takes shape
The eruption of Mount St. Helens 30 years ago destroyed so much that often overlooked is what it created: an entirely new ecosystem. More than 130 new ponds and two new lakes were birthed at the foot of the volcano. What's going on today in and around these ponds isn't restoration, or renewal, or recovery. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2011876112_volcano16m.html |
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Montana: Coalition proposes forest restoration in Blackfoot, Clearwater, Swan river valleysHeal the forest, clear the stream, kill the weeds and build the trails. Pay the logger, help the wildlife, fight the fire, save the mill. "That's the way forward, is to look at our forests and our communities at the landscape level," said Scott Brennan. "That's the only way out of gridlock."Brennan, who works with the Wilderness Society, has been meeting lately with lumbermen and economic developers and U.S. Forest Service officials, and together they've assembled an optimistic plan for restoring both forests and local economies. http://missoulian.com/news/local/article_fa8fe5dc-622e-11df-ab8e-001cc4c002e0.html
Indonesia: Road map to Sumatran ecosystem restoration
Four ministers and 10 Sumatran governors have launched a road map to protect Sumatra's remaining forests, but doubts remain over continuing massive forest conversion. Forestry Minister Zulkifli Hasan at the ceremony on Tuesday night stressed the need to monitor forest conversion, including for plantations, if Sumatra wanted to protect its rich biodiversity. http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2010/05/14/road-map-sumatran-ecosystem-restoration.html
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| Wetland Restoration
Native Delaware: Benefits of designed wetland are many"
This project had a lot of challenges, and Tom's help was integral," says McDermott. "Our goal in creating this wetland was not only to provide wildlife habitat but to improve water quality in the White Clay watershed." Once it's fully operational, the wetland will reduce runoff to Cool Run, which is a tributary of White Clay Creek. http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20100516/LIFE/5160309/Benefits+of+designed+wetland+are+many
Three Indonesian ministers pledge to stop peatland conversion
Activists from environmental group Greenpeace have said that three ministers told them the government would stop issuing new permits to convert peatland. Greenpeace made the announcement after speaking with Forestry Minister Zulkifli Hasan and Agriculture Minister Suswono in separate closed-door meetings earlier this week. "Both have promised to halt new permits for peatland conversion, including in areas that are less than three meters deep," Joko Arif, a Greenpeace forest campaigner, told The Jakarta Post on Friday. http://wildsingaporenews.blogspot.com/2010/05/three-indonesian-ministers-pledge-to.html |
River & Watershed Restoration
Washington: Habitat restoration starts soon at Squak Valley Park North
Crews will start to restore Issaquah Creek habitat at Squak Valley Park North next month. The lowest construction bid for the project came in almost $100,000 less than engineers had estimated. City officials opened construction bids for the project May 4. Maple Valley Gardeners submitted the lowest bid - $337,038 to remove a Great Depression-era levee from the park, construct a smaller levee farther from the creek and restore salmon habitat. The completed project should allow the creek to resume a more natural, meandering flow. http://www.issaquahpress.com/2010/05/16/habitat-restoration-starts-soon-at-squak-valley-park-north/ |
| Coastal & Marine Restoration
Mangrove planting can rapidly silt up lagoons
Planting mangroves can disturb the natural flow of water in estuaries and lagoons and rapidly clog them with sediments, a study in Sri Lanka shows. The December 2004 Asian tsunami which devastated coastal Sri Lanka was followed by a mangrove-planting drive as the best protection against similar catastrophes in the future. http://www.scidev.net/en/news/mangrove-planting-can-rapidly-silt-up-lagoons.html
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Wildlife Restoration
$4.9 Million for Neotropical Migratory Birds and Habitat Conservation
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced more than $4.9 million in grants for 37 projects that support neotropical migratory bird conservation throughout the Western Hemisphere. Matched by more than $14.8 million in additional funds from partners, the projects will support habitat restoration, environmental education, population monitoring and other priority activities within the ranges of neotropical birds in the United States, Canada, Mexico and 27 Latin American and Caribbean countries. http://www.infozine.com/news/stories/op/storiesView/sid/41187/ |
| Extractive Industries
Extreme Conservation
For severely degraded areas like abandoned mines and industrial wastelands, restoring the landscape back to its former natural state can be extremely difficult. Frequently, these sites have been so dramatically altered that restoration requires intensive efforts like the remediation of pollution, landscape reconfiguration through geoengineering, and the introduction of new topsoil, subsoil, and plants. Given that these methods can be extremely expensive and still may not achieve success, researchers have proposed an alternative approach that involves constructing new ecosystems that are adapted to the extreme environments of these sites. http://www.conservationmaven.com/frontpage/extreme-conservation-constructing-new-habitat-in-ecological.html |
| Invasive Species
Study rejects widely-held belief explaining invasive plant success
A recent study published in the Public Library of Science by Eric Lind and John Parker raises doubts about a commonly accepted hypothesis explaining the success of exotic plants in their non-native ranges. Invasive species have long posed a threat to biotic systems, outcompeting native species and threatening the productivity of many agricultural and forestry crops. The oft made hypothesis regarding the success of non-native species is that when these species leave their home range, they leave their coevolved predators behind as well, allowing them to proliferate without the natural curb on population growth. http://www.conservationmaven.com/frontpage/study-rejects-widely-held-belief-explaining-invasive-plant-s.html
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| Recreation & Tourism
Madagascar: Renewal for Forests - And Communities
East-central Madagascar is home to many species found nowhere else on the planet, and to one of the boldest conservation initiatives designed to benefit communities. Conservation International (CI) is working with the Government of Madagascar, the World Bank and other partners to address deforestation and mitigate climate change, and to create sustainable livelihoods for the citizens of this island nation. http://worldtourismblog.com/2010/05/madagascar-renewal-for-forests-%E2%80%93-and-communities/
Illinois: Company helps park with redevelopment
Brian Wilson, Native Habitat Restoration, Erosion Control Manager, worked with Executive Director Tom Lippert to develop a very specific native plant restoration and management plan. That includes installing a bio-degradable straw blanket over the island to prevent soil loss while the native species establish. Lindenhurst boasts one of the most aggressive and fastest growing park agencies in all of northern Illinois. John Janega Memorial Park occupies nearly 10 acres. In addition to its open areas, wetlands play a prominent role. http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/newssun/news/2267274,5_1_WA13_LINDPARK_S1-100513.article |
| Funding Opportunities
USDA NRCS Wetland Reserve Program - Closes May 24, 2010 Under WREP, NRCS enters into agreements with eligible partners to help enhance conservation outcomes on wetlands and adjacent lands. WREP targets and leverages resources to carry out high priority wetland protection, restoration, and enhancement activities and improve wildlife habitat through agreements with States (including a political subdivision or agency of a State), nongovernmental organizations, and Indian tribes. http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/wrp/pdfs/2010-8143.pdf
Watershed Restoration Projects, Coos Bay, Oregon - Closes May 28, 2010 Specific watershed restoration and conservation efforts with non-BLM partners on federal and non-federal watershed lands in the Coos Bay District of Oregon shall include identifying, planning, and implementing culvert replacement, in-stream habitat improvement, road sediment abatement, and unwanted invasive species encroachment control projects. http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&oppId=53743
FishAmerica Foundation Grants for Marine Restoration - Closes June 7, 2010 The FishAmerica Foundation, through its partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Restoration Center, has $1 million available for marine and anadromous sportfish habitat restoration projects in the coastal United States, the Great Lakes region and the U.S. Caribbean territories. These grants will be awarded to community-based, on-the-ground projects to restore marine, estuarine and riparian habitats including salt marshes, mangrove forests and freshwater habitats important to anadromous fish species such as salmon and striped bass that spawn in freshwater and migrate to the sea. http://www.tradeonlytoday.com/home/504358-1m-in-grants-offered-for-marine-restoration
CIAP Protection and Restoration of Critical Forested Habitats - Closes July 31, 2010 Approximately $16M of the CIAP funds allocated to the state of Louisiana are being used to develop and implement a Coastal Forest Conservation Initiative (CFCI) to conserve critical coastal forest habitat for storm damage reduction and the protection and restoration of rare, declining, or ecologically significant habitats. http://www.lacpra.org/index.cfm?md=pagebuilder&tmp=home&nid=72&pnid=2&pid=61&fmid=0&catid=0&elid=0 |
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