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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
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People in the News
Many factors combine to create a diamond from the rough
Lost River Preserve mostly was a 50-year-old, long abandoned ornamental fish farm pockmarked with more than 200 overgrown pools when Tom Ries, an ecologist who operates the not-for-profit Ecosphere Restoration Institute, Inc., and Turbiville began informally tossing around design ideas in mid-2007. ELAPP had added the property to its conserved lands list but had no money for any improvements; no funds to restore the habitat properly, to enhance the adjacent natural fishery, to create passive recreation.
http://www.theobservernews.com/news/front-page-news/445-many-factors-combine-to-create-a-diamond-from-the-rough.html |
| New Books & Articles
Research Needs and Logistic Impediments in Restoration, Enhancement, and Management Projects: A Survey of Land Managers
The most widespread stressor to sites managed or restored by respondents was invasive species (74%) (Table 1). Imperata cylindrica (21%) was the most frequently encountered species. Hydrologic alteration was the second most common stressor indicated by respondents, affecting over half of sites (55%). Respondents frequently worked in pine flatwoods and dry prairies (71%), scrub and high pine (47%), and wetland mitigation banks (45%) (Table 2). http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep423
Temperature constancy appears key to tropical biodiversity
The tropics owe their stunning biodiversity to consistent year-round temperatures, not higher temperatures or more sunlight, according to a novel survey of insect diversity at different latitudes and at different points in the planet's history. The finding, presented this week in the journal Paleobiology by researchers from Harvard University, Simon Fraser University, and Brandon University, may finally answer a question that has dogged scientists for centuries. http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2010-07/hu-tca072010.php
PhD
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| Restoring Natural Capital (RNC)
Our environment is the natural foundation on which our economy is built
Our approach to our natural environment is often bafflingly equivocal. On the one hand, we're unified by our appreciation of the beauty of our waterways, forests and the diversity of plants, birds and animals. On the other, appreciation hasn't saved them from piecemeal degradation over the years. Too often as a society, we decide that economic gain and environmental protection are incompatible, instead of inseparable. http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/cif-green/2010/jul/26/environment-natural-foundation-economy
Where Oysters Grew on Trees
Paradoxically, before the oil spill, scientists had come to a consensus that the only place on earth offering a realistic opportunity for oyster reef restoration on a scale that could support a truly sustainable fishery was the Gulf of Mexico. But there had never been the political will for such a project. Now that the spill has brought such attention to the Gulf Coast, perhaps we can agree to the kind of national response that has been needed for so long. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/25/opinion/25jacobsen.html?_r=1
Ironically The Oil Spill Did Succeed In Creating Ecological Jobs
Whenever a piece of land is considered an environmental disaster, someone has to lead the team that will clean it up. These scientists are called Environmental Restoration Planners, and as one can imagine there is a growing need for them. As the name implies, Restoration Planners are a form of Environmental Scientist. They look at pollution and other environmental problems and come up with solutions. They figure out what is in the air, water, and soil to make sure that the environment is safe. They also give advice on how to clean the environment. For example, they might design a safe way to get rid of trash. http://news-world-report.com/science/news-articles/ironically-the-oil-spill-did-succeed-in-creating-ecological-jobs/ |
| Biodiversity & Climate Change
Forest Service Shifts Strategy to Address Changing Climate
The new blueprint outlines a series of short-term initiatives and longer-term projects for field units to address climate impacts on the country's forests and grasslands. "A changing global climate brings increased uncertainties to the conservation of our natural resources," Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a statement. "The new roadmap and scorecard system will help the Forest Service play a leadership role in responding to a changing climate and ensure that our national forests and grasslands continue to provide a wide range of benefits to all Americans." http://www.nytimes.com/gwire/2010/07/21/21greenwire-forest-service-shifts-strategy-to-address-chan-26203.html
Malaysia: Sabah's forest conservation areas attract world's scientists
Sabah is fast emerging as a key tropical forest research centre, with three of the state's key pristine conservation areas now attracting international scientists. Chief Minister Datuk Musa Aman said he was glad that research originating from the Danum Valley dating some 20 years was now being replicated on a larger scale at Sabah's Lost World of the Maliau Basin. http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/7/28/nation/6744922&sec=nation |
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Idaho: Forest restoration plan advances in Clearwater, Nez Perce forestsA collaborative proposal by loggers, environmentalists and county commissioners to restore forests and streams on 1.4 million acres of the Clearwater and Nez Perce national forests won initial approval Thursday. An advisory committee recommended the proposal authored by members of the Clearwater Basin Collaborative -- along with nine other similar proposals across the country -- be approved by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. If he signs off on it, the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Act would provide as much as $40 million in funding over 10 years for the Clearwater project to thin fire-prone forests, obliterate old logging roads, restore degraded fish and big-game habitat and treat noxious weeds. http://dailyme.com/story/2010072300001587/forest-restoration-plan-advances-collaborative-effort.html
The Nature Conservancy Urges Passage of Omnibus Public Lands Management ActThe Forest Landscape Restoration Program (FLRP), which provides a new approach to forest restoration efforts. The goal is focus large-scale, sustainable, collaborative and science-based ecosystem restoration projects in areas at high risk for damaging wildfires. The Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program (CELCP), which would help preserve coastal areas that are rich in conservation, recreation, ecological, historical or aesthetic value. http://lifestyletom.com/path/rao10925687501ros/roin59012438150 |
| Wetland Restoration
Freshwater wetlands 'vulnerable in hurricanes'
US researchers say freshwater marshes have shallower root systems, leaving them at risk from wave erosion during storm surges. They added that the results could have implications for wetland restoration projects in hurricane-prone areas. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-10773482
China: The Showcase Wetlands - Pulitzer Center #2
Xixi has a 4500 year history, initially as a large lake, split into two lakes at about 172AD and then becoming re-sculpted into the wetland at around 220AD. Restoration was therefore being conducted with those 1800 years in mind," continued Chris. "Restoration necessarily had its focus not just upon the ecology but upon the cultural and historical aspects of Xixi as well as those of tourism. http://gallagher-photo.com/blog/2010/07/24/the-showcase-wetlands-pulitzer-center-2/
Three Reasons
You Should Consider Restoring or Enhancing a Wetland
Wetlands restoration and enhancement is only one aspect of a growing public interest and awareness in preserving and renewing natural ecosystems. However, it's a vital one because we're still destroying more wetlands than we're protecting or restoring. The ultimate results will be catastrophic. So let's explore that a bit by examining 3 reasons why you should restore a wetlands area. http://www.lorenzsokseedsllc.com/three-reasons-you-should-consider-restoring-or-enhancing-a-wetland/
Nebraska: Wetland Restoration Project Receives $3.25 Million
A Pheasants Forever-sponsored wildlife habitat project in the Rainwater Basin region of south-central Nebraska has received $3.25 million in financial assistance through the Wetlands Reserve Enhancement Program (WREP). The multi-year pilot program will allow center pivot irrigation systems to travel across wetlands and upland buffers restored and protected through the USDA's Wetland Reserve Program (WRP) as a reserved right. http://www.nebraskabirds.org/index.php/nbphome/379-wetland-restoration-project-receives-325-million.html |
| Coastal & Marine Restoration
Vietnam: Solution for ecosystem restoration
Thi Nai Lagoon is a "breeding-ground" for various kinds of aquatic species and has been benefiting thousands of local residents living around it. Yet, its ecosystem has deteriorated. The sub-project "Mangrove forestation at Thi Nai Lagoon" will aid not only the ecosystem restoration but the capacity building for climate change adaptation. http://www.baobinhdinh.com.vn/business/2010/7/93885/
The celebrity-packed video "Be the One" supporting an online petition to restore the Gulf has been noticed on many websites.The video shows such stars as Sandra Bullock, Lenny Karvitz and Drew Brees holding up their index fingers and urging viewers to sign the petition demanding more money to restore Gulf Coast ecosystems in the wake of the BP oil spill. The video in support of the petition was commissioned by Women of the Storm. http://www.nola.com/news/gulf-oil-spill/index.ssf/2010/07/be_the_one_gulf_ecosystem_rest.html |
| Funding Opportunities
California: Ecosystem Restoration on Agricultural Lands (ERAL) Grant funding applications are accepted on a year-round basis. The WCB meets four times each year, normally in February, May, August, and November to consider approval of funding for projects. http://www.wcb.ca.gov/ERAL/grants.html
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
Gulf of Mexico Community-based Restoration Partnership - Closes September 1, 2010 The Gulf of Mexico Community-based Restoration Partnership (GCRP) invites proposals for its tenth round of citizen-driven habitat restoration projects. The partnership is seeking to fund on-the-ground projects to restore marine, estuarine, and riparian habitats to benefit living marine resources and to provide educational and social benefits by significantly involving the community. http://www.gulfmex.org/documents/y10/gcrp_rfp.pdf |
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