December 22, 2010 
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Society for Ecological Restoration International
In This Issue
Get Involved
People in the News
New Books & Articles
Biodiversity & Climate
Forest Restoration
Wetland Restoration
River Restoration
Grassland Restoration
Arid Land Restoration
Coastal Restoration
Wildlife Restoration
Extractive Industries
Invasive Species
Funding Opportunities
Membership

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serlogoRESTORE 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. 

Attention SER Members

 

4th World Conference on Ecological Restoration - Deadline for proposals for special sessions, symposia, workshops and training courses extended until January 1, 2011

The deadline for proposals for special sessions, symposia, workshops and training courses at the SER2011 World Conference on Ecological Restoration, August 21-25, 2011 in Merida, Mexico, has been extended through the month of December. For more information, visit http://www.ser2011.org/en/registration/call-for-proposals/, or contact us by email at info@ser2011.org.

 

Call for Nominations for SER Awards - Closes March 28, 2011

The Awards Committee of the Society for Ecological Restoration is now soliciting nominations from SER members for our society awards which will be presented at the biannual meeting of SER to be held in Merida, Mexico from August 21-25, 2011. We seek nominations for four awards: The Theodore M. Sperry Award, the Full Circle Award, the Communications Award, and the John Rieger Award. SER Awards are presented in recognition of meritorious achievement and service for advancing the craft, knowledge, and public awareness of ecological restoration. Recipients may include Society members and others. Please read the individual award criteria carefully, as nominations must meet the award criteria to be considered. Descriptions of the award criteria and a link to the on-line nomination form may be found at:  http://www.ser.org/content/ser_awards_program.asp

 

SER Members receive 25% off Island Press purchases. Contact Caroline Bronaugh at caroline@ser.org for details!

 

Get Involved/Community-based Restoration

 

The OTS NAPIRE Undergraduate Research Experience is searching for Research Mentors for summer 2011 (June 21 to August 1).  Mentors will receive airfare, station fees, and room and board at the OTS Las Cruces Biological Station, located near the Panamanian border ofCosta Rica. Thank you very much for considering this opportunity, and if you are interested, or know someone who is interested, please contact me as soon as possible at:

wendy.townsend@ots.ac.cr Or wendytownsend@gmail.com

http://www.ots.ac.cr/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=320&Itemid=450

 

"Mangrove Ecology, Management and Restoration Training Course" - January 18-21, 2011

Contact Robin Lewis to apply: LESRRL3@AOL.COM OR LESRRL3@GMAIL.COM

 

Wisconsin Wetlands Association Annual Conference February 16-17, 2011

http://www.wisconsinwetlands.org/2011conference.htm

 

Portland: Watershed Wide Volunteer Restoration Event - March 5, 2011

http://www.katu.com/outdoors/events/105366513.html

 

Florida: Service at Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge - April 3-9, 2011

http://www.sierraclub.org/outings/national/brochure/11076a.aspx

 

Wildlands Restoration Volunteers - Upcoming Projects

http://wlrv.net/colorado/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.events&type=792&i=2010

 

Conferences & Workshops

 

Wetlands, Water Resources, and People - Abstracts due January 10, 2010

The South Atlantic and Mid-Atlantic Chapters of the Society of Wetland Scientists are accepting abstracts for a Joint Regional Meeting March 7-8, 2011 at the USGS Headquarters in Reston, Virginia.

http://www.sws.org/regional/SouthAtlantic/SAC_MAC_Call11.pdf

 

2011 Conference Listing NOW Available on the GRN

http://www.globalrestorationnetwork.org/conferences/

People in the News


Plant a Billion Trees: Q&A with Fernando Veiga

Google Chrome recently ran a promotion called Chrome for a Cause. They asked people to download an extension, then every tab they opened counted towards a contribution to one of five charities. The Nature Conservancy's Plant a Billion Trees was one of the options, and now the results are in. Thanks to the staggering enthusiasm of the Chrome community a contribution will be made for more than $245,000. That's 245,000 trees that will be planted in the Atlantic Forest in Brazil! To find out more about the Plant a Billion trees campaign we turned to Fernando Veiga, The Nature Conservancy's environmental services manager for Atlantic Forest and Central Savannas Conservation Program in Latin America.

http://www.greendump.net/cool-green-science/plant-a-billion-trees-qa-with-fernando-veiga 

New Books & Articles

 

When the Killing's Done

Principally set on the wild and sparsely inhabited Channel Islands off the coast of Santa Barbara, T.C. Boyle's powerful new novel combines pulse-pounding adventure with a socially conscious, richly humane tale regarding the dominion we attempt to exert, for better or worse, over the natural world. Alma Boyd Takesue is a National Park Service biologist who is spearheading the efforts to save the island's endangered native creatures from invasive species like rats and feral pigs, which, in her view, must be eliminated. Her antagonist, Dave LaJoy, is a local businessman who, along with his lover, the folksinger Anise Reed, is fiercely opposed to the killing of any species whatsoever and will go to any lengths to subvert the plan.
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8695173-when-the-killing-s-done

 

Bringing the Green Back

Central Americans working abroad and sending money home are not only fueling their native economies-they're also helping to bring the trees back.

http://www.conservationmagazine.org/2010/12/bringing-the-greenback/

 

Species Introduction in Restoration Projects: Evaluation of Different Techniques for the Establishment of Semi-natural Grasslands in Central and Northwestern Europe

We review and evaluate the success of currently used methods for the introduction of target plant species on restoration sites, ranging from dry and mesic meadows to floodplain grasslands and fens.

http://wenku.baidu.com/view/cde3140d844769eae009ed37.html

 

Frugivory by Phyllostomid Bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera) in a Restored Area in Southeast Brazil

We studied the potential contribution of frugivorous bats to the reestablishment of vegetational diversity in a restored area.

http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/600781/description#description

Biodiversity & Climate Change

 

UN Green-Lights New Biodiversity Science Policy Platform

The United Nations has capped its Biodiversity Year 2010 on a high note by creating a new science policy platform to counsel governments on reversing the steep decline in biodiversity and ecosystem services. The new body, to be known as the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, IPBES, was approved by governments in June at a meeting in Busan, South Korea, but final approval was required from the UN General Assembly. That approval came Monday at UN headquarters in New York.

http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/dec2010/2010-12-21-01.html


15 Million Sq Km of Land Suitable for Forest Restoration

1.5 billion hectares (5.8 million square miles) of land are suitable for forest restoration, according a new analysis by the Global Partnership on Forest Landscape Restoration, a partnership between the World Resources Institute, South Dakota State University, and IUCN.

http://news.mongabay.com/2010/1222-forest_restoration_map.html

 

Indonesia: Indigenous Peoples' Forest Rights and REDD in East Kalimantan

The establishment of the Berau Forest Carbon Program, a government-led district level REDD (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) initiative is an attempt to slow deforestation and degradation trends by creating incentives for local stakeholders to adopt forest conservation and restoration measures. Whether this REDD program can generate sufficient financial incentives for sustainable management of forests to compete with potential revenues from massive palm oil plantations and coal surface mining, remains to be seen.

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2010/12/17/indigenous-peoples%E2%80%99-forest-rights-and-redd-east-kalimantan.html

Wetland Restoration

 

Scotland to Launch Peatland Study

The Scottish government announced it was setting aside more than $300,000 in research funds to restore the country's vast peatlands. "It is vital these soils are managed correctly to help avoid unnecessary carbon losses that can add to our greenhouse gas emissions," the government said in a statement. "Restoration of peatlands helps overall to retain carbon, rather than act as a source of emissions."

http://www.upi.com/Science_News/Resource-Wars/2010/12/15/Scotland-to-launch-peatland-study/UPI-84391292420925/

River & Watershed Restoration


Montana: Clark Fork River Returned to Original Streambed

For the first time in more than a century, The Clark Fork River is flowing through its original stream bed. "This is a testament to the possibilities of the restoration economy - to repair the mistakes of the past, restore a river and create high paying jobs. The Milltown Dam removal is a feather in the cap for Montana and the nation and is the gold standard on how to do it right," Governor Brian Schweitzer said.

http://www.nbcmontana.com/news/26162810/detail.html

 

Canada: Tories Defeat Petitcodiac River Restoration Vote

The Progressive Conservative government defeated a motion on Thursday calling for the full restoration of the Petitcodiac River. The river's future is a divisive topic for many people living in southeastern New Brunswick and it is also controversial inside David Alward's government.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/new-brunswick/story/2010/12/17/nb-alward-petitcodiac-river-532.html

Grassland Restoration

 

Lessons from the Grassland Restoration Network

The Grassland Restoration Network (GRN) is a loose affiliation of projects and project staff engaged in the restoration of diverse native grassland communities.  The Network was formed in 2003 by The Nature Conservancy and a wide variety of other conservation organizations, government agencies, and private landowners. Several of us who have helped facilitate the Network have summarized many of the important "lessons learned" in a manuscript that will be published in the upcoming Proceedings of the 22nd North American Prairie Conference. 

http://prairieecologist.com/2010/12/13/lessons-from-the-grassland-restoration-network/

 

Canada: New Ecosystem Restoration Website Launched

The Rocky Mountain Trench Ecosystem Restoration Program has launched a website that makes hundreds of East Kootenay rangeland studies, reports, maps and airphotos widely available for the first time. With well over 300 current and historical documents, the new website's online library at www.trench-er.com is the most comprehensive collection of material ever gathered on
the region's valuable grassland and open forest ecosystems.

http://www.tmtv.net/BCTV_ecosystem_retoration_website_launch_dec182010.htm 

Desertification & Arid Land Restoration

Dire Development Issues Converge in the Drylands

Few are aware that close to one billion people in over 100 different countries are suffering from or severely threatened by intense desertification. Yet awareness is crucial, for it is human behaviour that has led to the proliferation of hyper- arid, uncultivable drylands over the past few decades. Some of the world's most dire issues - from biodiversity and food production, to energy extraction and famine - converge in the drylands.

http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=53899

 

Focus on Forests Has Neglected Drylands

Destruction of nutrient rich top soil as a result of factors such as over-intensive agriculture continues be a problem throughout the world and is advancing the desertification of drylands, such as those in Africa and the Mediterranean, a meeting in London heard today. The meeting was organised to mark the launch of the United Nation's 'decade for deserts' and the fight against desertification, which will run from 2010- 2020. The initiative aims to raise awareness of the issue among policymakers and financial donors.

http://blogs.nature.com/news/thegreatbeyond/2010/12/focus_on_forests_has_neglected.html

Coastal & Marine Restoration

 

New Report Outlines Restoration Activities to Speed Seagrass Recovery in the Florida Keys

Results of a five-year monitoring effort to repair seagrass damaged in a boat grounding incident suggest that restoration techniques such as replanting seagrass can speed recovery time. The finding is included in a new report released today by NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries.

http://www.sciencecentric.com/news/10121824-new-report-outlines-restoration-activities-speed-seagrass-recovery-the-florida-keys.html

 

$2.9 Billion Plan Restores MR-GO's Environmental Damage

The Army Corps of Engineers has unveiled a sweeping $2.9 billion plan to restore the environmental damage caused by the construction and operation of the now-closed Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet, which includes a new freshwater diversion near Violet; restoration of cypress swamp in wetlands adjacent to the Lower 9th Ward, Algiers and Chalmette; protection of shorelines along the eastern New Orleans land bridge; and restoration or nourishment of wetlands along Lake Borgne. If approved, the project would take 10 years to complete, with construction beginning as early as 2012. It would restore, nourish or protect about 92 square miles of wetlands and land.

http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2010/12/29_million_plan_restores_mr-go.html

Wildlife Restoration

 

Large Carnivores and Continental Conservation

In November 2010, the Society for Ecological Restoration (SER) and conservation organization Wildlands Network (WN) convened what amounted to a small village of scientists, managers, and conservation leaders on the High Lonesome Ranch in DeBeque, Colorado, to exchange ideas about reconnecting and rewilding fragmented landscapes and to explore the vital importance of private lands in these efforts.

http://blog.islandpress.org/large-carnivores-and-continental-conservation

 

Texas Desert Bighorn Sheep Restoration Hits New Milestone

About 40 desert bighorn sheep will be captured at Elephant Mountain Wildlife Management Area using a helicopter and moved by trailer to Big Bend Ranch State Park the week of Dec. 20. It's the latest phase of a multi-partner wildlife restoration project begun in 1954, and the first bighorn reintroduction at a Texas state park. "This puts an animal in its rightful place," said Ruben Cantu, TPWD Wildlife Division regional director in San Angelo. "Its home is mountain ranges in West Texas. This is a desert mountain icon, an important component of the ecosystem."

http://archive.tpwd.state.tx.us/newsmedia/releases/?req=20101217a&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

 

Group Pushes for Nationwide Wolf Restoration

Environmentalists intend to sue the Obama administration to force it to restore gray wolves across the lower 48 states - even as Republicans seek to strip the animals of their existing protections. The Center for Biological Diversity filed formal notice Tuesday that it will sue the Interior Department in 60 days unless it crafts a plan to bring back wolves throughout their historical range.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101221/ap_on_re_us/us_wolf_nation

Extractive Industries

 

Alaska: State Receives More than $2M for Mine Restoration

Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced Wednesday more than $395 million in grants will be available across the nation for restoration of abandoned mine lands. Alaska will receive $2,398,714 of those funds.

http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/121610/sta_757473218.shtml 

Invasive Species

 

Raining Lethal Mice

In a spectacularly creative effort to rid Guam of an invasive species, the US Department of Agriculture is planning to "bomb" the island's rainforests with frozen dead mice laced with acetaminophen. The mouse-bombs are meant to target the brown tree snake, an invasive species which has ravaged local wildlife-and angered local residents-since arriving in the 1940s.

http://www.conservationmagazine.org/2010/12/raining-lethal-mice/

 

Deforestation Sparks Giant Rodent Invasions

Capybara are expanding into areas of deforestation throughout South America, reports a new study conducted by Kansas State University researchers and published in the journal of Global Change Biology. The study is the first to report capybara populations invading historically arid regions and finds that the presence of invasive capybara can hinder habitat restoration.

http://news.mongabay.com/2010/1215-morgan_hance_capybara.html

Funding Opportunities

 

2011 Funds Available to Restore Wetlands - First Ranking Period Closes January 14, 2011

Are you interested in restoring or enhancing wetlands? If so, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) may be able to help. The Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) has over $1.1 million available to help landowners protect, restore and enhance wetlands.

http://www.rockbridgeweekly.com/rw_article.php?ndx=19370

 

Colorado: Grant Funds Available for Forest Restoration, Watershed Protection Projects - Closes January 26, 2011

Colorado landowners and communities that want to protect forested watersheds may be eligible for grant funding from the Colorado State Forest Service. The CSFS will accept proposals for the Colorado Forest Restoration Pilot Grant Program, which helps fund projects that demonstrate a community-based approach to forest restoration. Proposals are due to the CSFS by Jan. 26.

http://csfs.colostate.edu/pages/main-features.html#funding

 

Mississippi River Basin Healthy Watersheds Initiative - Closes January 28, 2011

To improve the health of the Mississippi River Basin, including water quality, wetland restoration, and wildlife habitat, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has established the Mississippi River Basin Healthy Watersheds Initiative (MRBI). Through this Initiative, NRCS and its partners will help producers in targeted watersheds within the Mississippi River Basin voluntarily implement conservation practices that avoid, control, and trap nutrient runoff; improve wildlife habitat; and maintain agricultural productivity.

http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-29958.pdf

 

USDA Seeks Bay Partnership Proposals - Closes January 31, 2011

USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is making available up to $3.5 million in financial assistance in fiscal year (FY) 2011 for single state- and multi-state partnership projects that address natural resource concerns within six Chesapeake Bay Watershed states - Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. The financial assistance is available through NRCS' Cooperative Conservation Partnership Initiative (CCPI).

http://southeastfarmpress.com/government/usda-seeks-bay-partnership-proposals

 

Charles Bullard Fellowship in Forest Research - Closes February 1, 2011

The Charles Bullard fellowship program is to support advanced research and study by individuals who show promise of making an important contribution, either as scholars or administrators, to forestry and forest-related subjects from biology to earth sciences, economics, politics, administration, philosphy, humanities, the arts or law.

http://harvardforest.fas.harvard.edu/education/bullard.html

 

Five Star Restoration Grant Program - Closes February 14, 2011

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 Association of Counties, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), the Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC), in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Southern Company, and FedEx, are pleased to solicit applications for Five Star.

http://www.nfwf.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Charter_Programs_List&Template=/TaggedPage/TaggedPageDisplay.cfm&TPLID=60&ContentID=17901

 

Nebraska: Producers Urged to Sign Up for Conservation Programs - Closes February 18, 2011

Farmers and ranchers interested in soil, water and wildlife conservation or wetland restoration funds are encouraged to sign up now for conservation programs available from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. The first application deadline is Dec. 31, with a second application deadline set for Feb. 18.

http://www.gothenburgtimes.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2064:producers-urged-to-sign-up-for-conservation-programs&catid=5:agribusiness&Itemid=7

 

New Mexico: Forest Service Seeks Grant Applications - Closes February 28, 2011

The U.S. Forest Service plans to award $4 million in grants for forest restoration projects on public and tribal lands in New Mexico. The agency is accepting applications for grants of up to $360,000 for projects to reduce the threat of wildfires and improve forest and watershed conditions.

http://www.newswest9.com/Global/story.asp?S=13635613

 

2011 Riverprize Applications Now Open

International RiverFoundation is pleased to announce the 2011 Riverprize applications are now open! All organisations, big and small, engaged in all aspects of river management are eligible to apply for either the Thiess International Riverprize or Australian National Riverprize (funded by the Australian Government).  Nominations close 30 March 2011. Winners will be announced at the 2011 Riverprize Gala Dinner, held during the 14th International Riversymposium, 26 -29 September in Brisbane, Australia. Further information may be found at www.riverfoundation.org.au, or email questions to riverprize@riverfoundation.org.au

 

USDA Announces Support for Restoration of Nonindustrial Private Forest Land Damaged by Natural Disasters

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today said that $18 million will be made available to assist nonindustrial private forest (NIPF) landowners restore lands damaged by natural disasters. The funds are provided through USDA's Emergency Forest Restoration Program.

http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/!ut/p/c4/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os_gAC9-wMJ8QY0MDpxBDA09nXw9DFxcXQ-cAA_2CbEdFAEUOjoE!/?contentidonly=true&contentid=2010%2F11%2F0614.xml

 

Terra Viva Grants develops and manages information about grants for agriculture, energy, environment, and natural resources in the world's developing countries. 

http://www.terravivagrants.org/Home/view-grant-makers

 

World: Call for wet carbon proposals

Danone would like to invest in projects which deliver certified carbon credits and local community benefits through restoring mangrove ecosystems. They are interested in large-scale projects which can be implemented quickly and efficiently. Working in partnership with IUCN and Ramsar, Danone is seeking to invest in wet carbon projects that have the potential to deliver between 10,000 and 300,000 tons per annum of carbon offsets, certifiable by the Clean Development Mechanism or the Voluntary Carbon Standard.

http://wetcarbon.com/

 

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

 

Tamarisk Related Grant Opportunities

The Tamarisk Coalition has developed a list of available Grant Opportunities to address tamarisk issues and riparian restoration. This list was revised as part of the Colorado River Basin Tamarisk and Russian Olive Assessment.

http://www.tamariskcoalition.org/FundingResources.html
 

 

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