RESTORE February 9, 2011

Degraded forests, secondary forests have been completely invisible. People have seen intact forests or they've seen degraded land, but there are at least one billion hectares of degraded forestland and probably another half-billion hectares of degraded cropland that could benefit from significant restoration. So there's lots of potential to restore and invest in restoration in order to preserve the resilience of rural livelihoods, to help with climate adaptation, and to support food security, and soil conservation. We're talking to several governments at the moment to see if we can think about creative ways of implementing target 15 of the Convention of Biological Diversity which aims to restore 15 percent of degraded ecosystems by 2020. If we can get three or four more governments starting to work on this then we start to gain a little bit of traction. I think we're at a really exciting point now where we can get that critical mass.

http://blog.cifor.org/2011/02/08/stewart-maginnis-on-poverty-and-forest-restoration/

New Books & Articles

Restoring Disturbed Landscapes: Putting Principles into Practice

Restoring Disturbed Landscapes is a hands-on guide for individuals and groups seeking to improve the functional capacity of landscapes. The book presents a five-step, adaptive procedure for restoring landscapes that is supported by proven principles and concepts of ecological science.

http://islandpress.org/bookstore/detailsd633.html?prod_id=2017

Studies show controlled burns triple plant, wildlife species

A study of controlled burns in California offers strong evidence to bolster efforts in Rim Country, where the Forest Service has burned tens of thousands of acres in the past three years, while letting many low-intensity wildfires burn themselves out whenever possible.

Turns out, controlled burns not only prevent later catastrophic wildfires, but result in a significant increase in the health of the forest and in the number and diversity of wildlife.

http://www.paysonroundup.com/news/2011/feb/08/studies-show-controlled-burns-triple-plant-wildlif/

Landowner Attitudes Affect Grassland Preservation

Encroaching woody plants, such as the Eastern Red Cedar tree, are affecting many privately owned grasslands in the Midwestern United States. The attitudes and behaviors of private landowners toward Red Cedar expansion are essential to preserving the remaining tallgrass prairies, according to the Rangeland Ecology & Management, a journal published by the Society of Range Management.

http://www.hobbyfarms.com/farm-industry-news/2010/02/04/landowner-attitudes-affect-grassland-preservation.aspx

Agro-Ecology

Africa's Flourishing Niger Delta Threatened by Libya Water Plan

The inland Niger delta of Mali is a unique wetland ecosystem that supports a million farmers, fishermen, and herders and a rich diversity of wildlife. But now, the country's president and Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi have begun a major agricultural project that will divert much of the river's water and put the delta's future at risk.

http://e360.yale.edu/feature/africas_flourishing_niger_delta_threatened_by_libya_water_plan_/2366/

UK: Corn buntings make a comeback thanks to farmers

Corn buntings are making a comeback, according to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), thanks to a few simple measures to improve the environment on farms.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/agriculture/8311010/Corn-buntings-make-a-comeback-thanks-to-farmers.html

Biodiversity & Climate Change

Kenyan Carbon Project Earns First-Ever Voluntary REDD Credits

Shockingly, no formal voluntary carbon standard has verified carbon credits from projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD) -- until now. Here's a look at the first official REDD project recognized by a formal voluntary carbon standard, and what it means for the future of carbon finance -- both compliance and voluntary.

http://www.ecosystemmarketplace.com/pages/dynamic/article.page.php?page_id=8007§ion=news_articles&eod=1

Mexico: A Call for Transparency in Forest Projects

Environmental groups are demanding transparency in the drafting and execution of Mexico's strategy for the United Nations-sponsored REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation). "We are going to promote the participation of community representatives in the spaces for information and decision-making during the consultative process on the national strategy," Gustavo Sánchez, president of the Mexican Network of Rural Forest Organizations, told Tierramérica.

http://www.tierramerica.info/nota.php?lang=eng&idnews=eco&nro=512

North Carolina: Dried-out bog to be restored in effort to save rare plant

In a small residential community, tucked behind the houses just off Erkwood Drive, sits an open field that will soon be restored as a bog and wetland habitat to house a rare plant species - the bunched arrowhead.

http://www.blueridgenow.com/article/20110205/ARTICLES/102051019/1016/OPINION02?Title=Dried-out-bog-to-be-restored-in-effort-to-save-rare-plant

Forest Restoration

New Zealand: A restoration project about to begin

A restoration project in South Bay is about to get off the ground following an offer of funding from a local charitable foundation. The plan is to re-establish an area of native forest on land owned by the New Zealand Presbyterian Church on the hill to the east of the racecourse, adjacent to the Resource Recovery Centre. The section of 2.3 hectares is part of the original 20 acres which has been administered by St Paul's Church in Kaikoura, since it was given in a grant by Queen Victoria in 1874.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/marlborough-express/news/kaikoura/4635027/Restoration-project-about-to-start

Rwanda Commits to Nationwide Forest Restoration

The Rwandan government has launched an initiative that aims to restore the entire country's soil, water, land and forest resource by 2035. Environmental activists lauded the plan, which was announced during the ninth session of the United Nations Forum on Forests last week. The Forum--backed by the UN General Assembly-- declared 2011 to be the International Year of Forests.

http://uk.ibtimes.com/articles/20110207/rwanda-commits-nationwide-forest-restoration.htm

Six Rivers plans 'Rivers to Ridges' restoration

The stepped-up restoration program, called "Rivers to Ridges Ecological Restoration" is part of a landscape-level approach. One of the largest parts of the proposed efforts would be restoring hardwood and oak woodlands on some 120,000 acres of Six Rivers, and on 145,000 acres of plantations and other logged lands.

http://www.times-standard.com/localnews/ci_17302842

Wetland Restoration

Mexico adds 4 wetland areas to protected list

Four wetlands in Mexico have been added to the list of protected areas under the Ramsar Convention, an international treaty on the conservation and sustainable use of these ecosystems, the Environment Secretariat said.

http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/news/2011/02/03/mexico-adds-wetland-areas-protected-list/

North Carolina: Wetlands restoration under way at local refuge

A complex initiative to restore wetlands remains under way at Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge. Deborah Pierce, refuge manager for Mattamuskeet, Swan Quarter and Cedar Island National Wildlife Refuges, said several organizations are involved with restoring a unique part of nature.

http://www.wdnweb.com/articles/2011/02/08/news/doc4d5091666ed59087116297.txt

Coastal & Marine Restoration

Washington: Salt-water marshes to return

Now some of that habitat is on the verge of being restored. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has given a final go-ahead to a plan to remove dikes and tide gates to allow salt water from Possession Sound to mingle with fresh water from Ebey Slough. The Qwuloolt project - the word means "large marsh" in Lushootseed, the Coast Salish language spoken by local Indian tribes - aims to restore 360 acres south of Marysville to its original state.

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20110204/NEWS01/702049838/-1/rss02

Wildlife Restoration

UK: Wildlife flourishing thanks to grant

Nature reserves across the county have put their share of a £1.78m grant to good by creating habitats to attract unusually large numbers of birds. The Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust is one of 12 wildlife trusts taking part in the three-year National Wetland Restoration and Flood Alleviation Project, funded by Biffaward.

http://www.bicesteradvertiser.net/news/8835005.Wildlife_flourishing_thanks_to_grant/

Extractive Industries

Former Illinois refinery site will undergo ecosystem restoration projects

The settlement will result in ecosystem restoration projects to preserve waterways and enhance wildlife habitat on and near the 990-acre site. The consent order between the state and Texaco includes provisions for the transfer by Texaco to the Department of Natural Resources of approximately 2,300 acres south of the former refinery and more than $1.7 million for habitat enhancement and related costs, plus groundwater management assistance to the city of Lawrenceville.

http://www.courierpress.com/news/2011/feb/07/wildlife-site-will-replace-ill-refinery/

Funding Opportunities

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.

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. 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

US Forest Service seeks proposals for landscape-scale restoration projects - Closes Feb 18, 2011

The U.S. Forest Service is seeking proposals for landscapes-scale forest restoration projects through its Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program.

http://www.eri.nau.edu/es/news/1/19-forest-service-seeks-proposals-for-landscape-scale-restoration-projects

Pennsylvania: Grant Request Form for Lake Related Issues - Closes February 23, 2011
The Pennsylvania Lake Management Society (PALMS), with funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP), is pleased to be able to offer assistance to landowners, non-profits, and municipalities to address lake-related issues of critically eroded shorelines, excess nutrient loading, and aquatic invasive species that degrade the quality of lakes in the Commonwealth.

http://palakes.org/new.aspx

Washington: New Stream Stewards Program Created - Closes February 25, 2011

The 15-year-old Kitsap County Stream Team is being reorganized as a new Stream Stewards Program with broader restoration goals, according to officials with the Kitsap County Surface and Storm Water Management Program.

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2011/jan/10/new-stream-stewards-program-created/

Kansas: Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategy Projects - Closes February 28, 2011

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Watershed Management Section, will be accepting proposals for Kansas Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategy projects and services for State Fiscal Year 2012. http://www.infozine.com/news/stories/op/storiesView/sid/45639/

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

Illinois Native Plant Society taking grant applications - Closes March 1, 2011

Grants of up to $1,000 are available for projects making use of native plants. The Central Chapter of the Illinois Native Plant Society if offering grants to support one-time projects.

Habitat restoration projects, including the removal of invasive species and planting native trees, also qualify.

http://www.sj-r.com/features/x512658534/Native-Plant-Society-taking-grant-applications

Estuary Habitat Restoration Program Project Solicitation - Closes March 10, 2011

On behalf of the Estuary Habitat Restoration Council (Council), NOAA Fisheries Service is soliciting proposals for estuary habitat restoration projects.

http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&oppId=61934

2011 Riverprize Applications Now Open - Closes March 30, 2011

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). Further information may be found at www.riverfoundation.org.au, or email questions to riverprize@riverfoundation.org.au

Alabama: Longleaf Pine Restoration Grants Available - Closes April 1, 2011

The Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division (WFF) of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) is currently accepting applications through its Landowner Incentive Program to continue longleaf pine restoration efforts in Alabama.

http://www.andalusiastarnews.com/2011/01/07/21302/

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

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

If you're interested in sponsoring RESTORE and receiving recognition and a link to your website, please contact us at restore@ser.org RESTORE is distributed to more than 2,000 subscribers in the field of ecological restoration.

This issue of RESTORE is sponsored by:

Biohabitats, Inc., a company that provides ecological restoration, conservation planning and regenerative design services to clients throughout the world. Biohabitats' mission is to "Restore the Earth and Inspire Ecological Stewardship." Visit them at www.biohabitats.com.