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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
University of Victoria Restoration Institute - May 27-28, 2011
This year's Restoration Institute, held in partnership with the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions (PICS), will bring together ecosystem experts and policy-makers from around the world to discuss the practical and policy issues arising from novel or no-analogue ecosystems.
http://www.restorationinstitute.ca/
Call for Nominations for SER Awards - Closes March 28, 2011
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
Survey to gain insight into the field of ecological restoration - Closes March 8, 2011
I am Stuart Allison, I am a biology professor at Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois, USA and I am currently a Fulbright Scholar working at Cranfield University, Cranfield, UK. As part of the Fulbright funded research I am carrying out at Cranfield University I am exploring some of the why and what questions about ecological restoration. In particular I am attempting to learn whether ecological restorationists working in various geographic areas around the world and in different ecosystems have the same goals for and attitudes towards ecological restoration. http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/9WRJF9C
SER Members receive 25% off Island Press purchases. Contact Caroline Bronaugh at caroline@ser.org for details!
Get Involved/Community-based Restoration
Mangrove Ecology, Management and Restoration Training Course" - March 3-5, 2011, Hollywood , Florida. See announcement at www.mangroverestoration.com
Oregon: Watershed Wide Volunteer Restoration Event - March 5, 2011
http://www.katu.com/outdoors/events/105366513.html
Washington: Maury Island Marine Park Restoration - March 12, 2011
http://pugetsound.org/connect/events/031211maury/?searchterm=None
Midwest-Great Lakes Chapter Society for Ecological Restoration - April 1-3, 2011
http://nced.umn.edu/content/midwest-great-lakes-chapter-society-ecological-restoration-2011-meeting
Forest Restoration in Theory and in Practice
A PhD-course to be held in Skåne, southern Sweden, April 13 - 20, 2011
http://www.nova-university.org/UserFiles/File/PhD_Applications_2011/Flyer_-_forest_restoration_in_theory_and_practice_final.pdf
Florida: Service at Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge - April 3-9, 2011
http://www.sierraclub.org/outings/national/brochure/11076a.aspx
Costa Rica - Conservation & Restoration Genetics - OTS Specialty Course - May 21 - June 5, 2011
http://www.ots.ac.cr/images/downloads/education/graduate/specialty-courses/genetics-2011.pdf
Fourth Interagency Conference on Research in the Watersheds - September 26-30, 2011
http://copeh-can.typepad.com/blog/2011/01/interagency-conference-on-research-in-the-watersheds.html
Wetland Restoration Institute - September 25-30, 2011
http://www.wetlandsandstreamrestoration.org/index_files/Page668.htm
2011 Conference Listing Available on the GRN
http://www.globalrestorationnetwork.org/conferences/ |
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People in the News
Video: IUCN's Stewart Maginnis on the importance of forests
What role do forests play in combating climate change and providing livelihoods for millions of people around the world? How do forests affect all 6.8 billion people on the planet? Stewart Maginnis, Director of IUCN's Environment and Development Group answers those question on Global Connections TV.
NOAA Administrator Keynote Address on Restoration in the Gulf of Mexico
Keynote Address, "Beyond Recovery: Moving the Gulf Toward a Sustainable Future" delivered on Feb. 9 by Jane Lubchenco, Ph.D., under secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator, at the Center for American Progress, Washington, DC
http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2011/20110209_restorethegulf_keynoteaddress.html
Biohabitats Acquires Natural Systems International
Biohabitats, an ecological restoration, conservation planning, and regenerative design firm headquartered in Baltimore, Md., has recently acquired Santa Fe-based Natural Systems International (NSI), a firm dedicated to the reuse and restoration of water, wastewater, and stormwater. NSI serves clients in 14 countries and generates annual billings of more than $1 million. With the added resources, Biohabitats will help clients reuse, conserve, and manage water while regenerating ecosystems and biodiversity.
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| New Books & Articles
UNEP: $1.3 Trillion a Year Would Turn World Economy Green
Investing two percent of the market value of all the world's goods and services into 10 key sectors can start a transition towards a low carbon, resource efficient Green Economy, the UN Environment Programme said today in a new report.
Moving the Gulf Coast Toward a Sustainable Future
This report seeks to build upon the solid foundation provided by the Mabus report by recommending the creation of a regional ecosystem restoration plan to help coastal communities recover their past strength and potentially provide the building blocks for a new, more diversified economic growth strategy. The report includes specific recommendations to the administration, Congress, and Gulf state governors to build off existing institutions, policies, and funding mechanisms-and to create some new ones-to engage coastal community in addressing the region's long-term ecological resiliency and economic diversification needs.
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.
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| Restoring Natural Capital (RNC)
World environmental ministers discuss green economy
Ministers of environment from more than 100 countries began a week-long meeting in Nairobi, Kenya on Monday to discuss ways of adopting a green economy to improve capital base and ecosystem services. The ministers attending the 26th UNEP Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum also said governments have a key role in changing laws and policies to make the transition to green economy possible.
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=659830&publicationSubCategoryId=200
America's Great Outdoors is the President's signature conservation initiative. The goal of the initiative is to protect and restore the health, heritage, natural resources, and social and economic value of some of the nation's most significant ecosystems. Particular focus is given to the important and iconic ecosystems, with targeted increases for the Chesapeake Bay (+$4.6 million), Great Lakes (+$3.5 million), Columbia River (+$1.4 million), Upper Mississippi River (+$1.0 million) and Puget Sound (+1.5 million). This includes the USGS' role in the Asian Carp Control Framework to detect and understand this invasive fish and develop chemical control tools.
http://americasgreatoutdoors.gov/ |
Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK)
Canada: Forest co-management agreement signed with Abeqweit First Nation
Our forestry staff will work closely with representatives of the Abegweit First Nation on sustainable forestry practices which will include developing land management plans and training in wood harvesting and forest restoration, said Minister Brown. This agreement will improve the health of our forests and create expertise in small-scale silviculture.
http://www.canadaviews.ca/2011/02/13/forest-co-management-agreement-signed-with-abeqweit-first-nation/ |
| Biodiversity & Climate Change
Nigeria to earn N34.44 billion yearly in tree planting
If tree planting programme initiated by the Federal Government is taken seriously, the way it should, Nigeria stands to generate a revenue of about N34.44 billion yearly. The Corporation also commends Nigeria as the first African country to boost reforestation, afforestation and re-vegetation programmes to the tune of five billion naira, with plans to raise millions of seedlings in the 36 states of Nigeria.
http://www.compassnewspaper.com/NG/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=75188:nigeria-to-earn-n3444-billion-yearly-in-tree-planting&catid=72:property&Itemid=710
How prepared is the U.S. to meet future botanical challenges?
The Chicago Botanic Garden and Botanic Gardens Conservation International 's U.S. office have been working with partners across the country to assess current and future botanical capacity in the United States. The aim of this grant-funded project is to understand the resources we currently have to conserve and manage native plant species and habitat, identify gaps in capacity and highlight opportunities to fill them in the future.
http://www.bgci.org/usa/bcap/ |
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Australia: Rainforest Restoration in Northern NSW
Northeastern NSW was once home to an amazingly diverse subtropical rainforest ecosystem. This was the largest area of subtropical rainforest in Australia and it covered 75,000 hectares of land. This forest is now called the Big Scrub Rainforest and it has been almost completely destroyed by land clearing for agriculture, and due to the logging of its timbers. Only 1% of the original Big Scrub forest remains, in tiny remnants and pockets of land that were unable to be cleared. Most of these remnants are found in very steep or inaccessible areas, although there are some accessible rainforest remnants that are now preserved in World Heritage listed National Parks.
http://www.suite101.com/content/rainforest-restoration-in-northern-nsw-a349238#ixzz1EbQGZvD3
Philippines: Zanorte PENRO initiates forest restoration effort
The Provincal Environment and Natural Resources Office in Zamboanga del Norte is now re-assessing the condition of the forest -areas in the province as the government tries to restore the denuded and degraded forests in the country and lessen the impact of climate change.
http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=16521
US: Forest Service to stress science over politics
Hoping to break a legal logjam that has stymied logging as well as ecosystem restoration, the U.S. Forest Service said Thursday it was revising its planning rules to find common ground between industry and conservation groups to avoid lawsuits that stall projects. The old rules sought to mitigate environmental damage after it was caused by logging, grazing, mining and other natural resource development. But Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said from Washington, D.C., that it's in everyone's best interest to have forests that stay healthy amid climate change and economic demands.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41513996/ns/us_news-environment/
New restoration project for Kenya's Mau Forest complex
The European Commission, Government of Kenya and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) are set to announce a major new partnership to assist in the restoration of part of the Mau Forest Complex. Concentrated in the northwestern region of the forest, the partnership - funded by the European Union - will secure the 'ecosystem services' provided by the flows of the Yala and Nyando rivers.
http://europafrica.net/2011/02/22/new-restoration-project-for-kenyas-mau-forest-complex/ |
| Wetland Restoration
Australia: Wetlands take shape
Just outside downtown Benalla, the biggest wetlands restoration in the Southern Hemisphere is under way. While it may be a globally impressive project, the man at the helm of the Winton Wetlands, Mike Vanderzee, well understands the local importance of the new-look wetlands.
http://www.countrynews.com.au/story.asp?TakeNo=201102213561888
Tennessee: Bottomland Forest restoration brings back rare species
Rare animal species are returning to West Tennessee's restored bottomland forests, according to recent research sponsored by The Nature Conservancy.
http://www.mnn.com/local-reports/tennessee/nature-conservancy/bottomland-forest-restoration-brings-back-rare-species
Virginia: Bird habitat is restored
The Nature Conservancy, together with the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and private landowners, have begun work on 418 acres of wetland and habitat restoration projects slated to be completed over the next two years.
http://www.delmarvanow.com/article/20110219/ESN01/102190352
Florida: Roads to be ripped out of Picayune Strand
A major project to restore part of Everglades National Park is underway. Workers will tear out hundreds of miles of roads and canals in Picayune Strand in an effort to bring the area back to its natural state.
http://www.nbc-2.com/Global/story.asp?S=14059984
Fiji: Wetland Restoration
BioHaven® floating islands provide the same ecological benefits as natural wetlands: they harbor many insects beneficial to birds and fish and provide secure habitats for birds, frogs and other species, many of which are declining from the loss of their natural habitat.
http://www.floatingislandinternational.com/?page=restoration
RES Announces Further Expansion of Louisiana Coastal Restoration Activities
Resource Environmental Solutions, L.L.C. (RES), the leading mitigation solution supplier to oil and gas companies, pipeline and midstream operators and government agencies, announces the further expansion of its Louisiana coastal wetland restoration efforts. RES is now planting over 1.1 million trees at its wetland and stream mitigation bank properties during this winter 2011 planting season. RES manages over 18,500 acres of wetland mitigation property throughout the state of Louisiana.
http://www.istockanalyst.com/article/viewiStockNews/articleid/4872681 |
River & Watershed Restoration
NSF funds study of landscape restoration effects on Pennsylvania stream
This February, scientists at the Pennsylvania-based Stroud™ Water Research Center take the world stage once again with another groundbreaking study on the Center's focus-fresh water. This new study, made possible with a Long-Term Research in Environmental Biology (LTREB) grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF), will investigate how the ecology of a stream changes as trees planted along the stream banks mature.
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2011-02/swrc-nfs020911.php
Massachusetts: Restoration of Plymouth's Eel River receives national honor
Coastal America, a partnership of federal, state and local agencies and private conservation groiups, has recognized the restoration of the Eel River in Plymouth with a national award. The award honors the Department of Fish and Game and other agencies that helped restore 60 acres
http://www.enterprisenews.com/news/x253216073/Restoration-of-Plymouths-Eel-River-receives-national-honor
Oregon: Groups Looking To Restore Whetstone Creek
Several groups are trying to restore water to a grass infested creek in Southern Oregon. Instead of a babbling brook creeping through White City, the waters of Whetstone Creek disappear into heavy mats of non-native grass. But, the creek could once again provide shelter for salmon and steelhead, if the efforts of several Southern Oregon groups pay off.
http://www.mycentraloregon.com/news/local/1304576/Groups-Looking-To-Restore-Whetstone-Creek.html
Maryland: A Case for Living Shorelines on the Severn River
"A living shoreline is an area of shoreline that mimics Mother Nature," explained Smith. "It allows for natural tidal flow and sediment movement, which is key to maintaining habitat for birds, crabs, and other beach dwelling creatures." In order to construct a living shoreline, rocks are stacked together in the water and lined up at a distance from the shore to act as a permeable wall and allow for a minimized, but natural flow of water to continue to reach the shoreline.
http://broadneck.patch.com/articles/a-case-for-living-shorelines-on-the-severn-river
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| Coastal & Marine Restoration
Gulf of Mexico bottom still coated in oil, recovery long way off
Samantha Joye of the University of Georgia has seen the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico and the view wasn't pretty. Speaking at the American Association for the Advancement of
Science, Joye told the conference that she found places where oil lay on the Gulf floor nearly 4 inches (10 centimeters) thick. Joye's findings contradict rosier pictures of the overall damage caused by the 2010 BP oil spill, including a recent statement by Kenneth Feinberg, the US government czar for oil compensation, that the Gulf would largely recover by next year.
http://www.enn.com/ecosystems/article/42388
Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Task Force to Hold Next Meeting
On Monday, February 28, the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Task Force will hold its next meeting in New Orleans. The meeting will further the task force's ongoing commitment to supporting the conservation and restoration of resilient and healthy ecosystems in the Gulf of Mexico. It will be held at the New Orleans Marriott Hotel at 8 a.m. and is open to the public.
http://www.manufacturing.net/News/Feeds/2011/02/mnet-mnet-industry-focus-environmental-gulf-coast-ecosystem-restoration-task-force-to-hol/
Obama Budget Includes $63M for Gulf Restoration
Almost a year after the Gulf oil spill, the region is still waiting for Congress to provide funds to restore the coastline. President Obama included $63 million for restoration in his FY11 and FY12 budget proposals - the first-ever funding for restoration projects to reverse wetlands losses in the Louisiana Coastal Area of the Mississippi River Delta.
http://www.sustainablebusiness.com/index.cfm/go/news.display/id/21904 |
Wildlife Restoration
Mexico: Forest Restoration for Raptors in Veracruz
"River of Raptors": The title of this article from the September-October issue of Audubon sends shivers down my spine. And the way they describe the spectacle: "Day after day, through most of September, October, and November, the birds pour southward, something between four and six million hawks and vultures in all."
http://restorationnation.org/forest-restoration-for-raptors-in-veracruz/
Arizona: Grassland restoration work at Hopi ranches benefits wildlife
The wildlife habitat work included laying miles of pipelines for water, fixing water tanks, building new springs, restoring grasslands and removing junipers because they are an invasive species that use too much water.
http://nhonews.com/Main.asp?SectionID=74&SubSectionID=114&ArticleID=13349 |
| Invasive Species
UK: Campaign to stop 'killer shrimp'
Fishermen are being warned to look out for a 'killer shrimp' amid fears the invasive species is spreading across Britain, endangering native fish stocks.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/earthnews/8340931/Campaign-to-stop-killer-shrimp.html |
| Urban Restoration
New York: Buffalo River Restoration Project
A unique public-private-non-profit partnership is preparing to address environmental problems affecting the Buffalo River. Dredging performed by the United States Army Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency will remove contaminated sediments from the river. Restoration work will create new habitat to help fish and birds thrive.
http://www.dec.ny.gov/dectv/dectv147.html |
| Funding Opportunities
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
USDA funds available to Tennessee landowners who want to restore private wetlands - Closes March 1, 2011
The Natural Resources Conservation Service in Tennessee (NRCS-TN) is now accepting applications from landowners who would like an opportunity to apply to protect, restore, and enhance wetlands on their property. NRCS-TN manages the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP), a voluntary wetlands restoration program providing technical and financial support to participating landowners.
http://www.theleafchronicle.com/article/20110215/STEWART01/102150330
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 |
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