Get Involved / Community-Based Restoration

Habitat restoration could help species to cope with climate change

Minnesota: Pines cleared to restore rolling prairie in St. Croix Valley

It was the most beautiful valley you ever saw in your life - filled with beautiful white pine mixed in with red pine," Klett said. "To see all the logs piled up to the sky, well, it's just a shame." But conservancy officials say the clear-cutting will help beautify, not destroy, what they call the Stagecoach Prairies Natural Area. The area is being restored to what it looked like in 1848, when surveyors described it as "first-rate rolling prairie," said Tara Kelly, director of ecological restoration for the conservancy.

http://www.twincities.com/ci_17869594?nclick_check=1

Canada: Restoration project saves birds and wins award

"The Rocky Mountain Trench Ecosystem Restoration Program is an outstanding example of how conservation groups, government and private land owners can find common ground and work together in the preservation of our province," said Paul McNair, executive director of the Land Trust Alliance, during the ceremony. The project resulted in over 560 hectares of open forest and grassland restoration.

http://www.bclocalnews.com/kootenay_rockies/invermerevalleyecho/news/120127729.html

Florida: Ecosphere Restoration Institute wraps up stimulus project

Officials from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will mark the completion of a restoration project at the Lost River Preserve in Ruskin on Saturday. Ecosphere Restoration Institute Inc., a Tampa nonprofit, received a $750,000 stimulus grant for the project, which restored about 70 acres of coastal habitat.

http://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/news/2011/04/15/ecosphere-restoration-institute-wraps.html

US Gulf Coast: Restoration to Aid Oyster Fisheries Fight for Survival

Instead of shutting down oyster fisheries (and immediately throwing 20-30,000 people out of work), restoration offers a potential road to recovery. There have been lots of restoration efforts over the years. Governments, universities and environmental groups have worked to restore oyster reefs. National Wildlife Federation and state affiliate Alabama Wildlife Federation contributed $50,000 and $10,000, respectively to get the launch phase of the 100-1000 Project completed. The money will help 100-1000 restore previously destroyed habitat for oysters to settle, grow and build new reefs.

http://www.nwf.org/News-and-Magazines/Media-Center/News-by-Topic/Wildlife/2011/04-11-11-Restoration-to-Aid-Oyster-Fisheries-Fight-for-Surivival.aspx

Arizona: Ride Along Rio Salado Restoration Habitat

Just south of Downtown Phoenix cuts a riverbed that offers one of the great hidden paved trails in the entire Valley. Based around the riparian zone that also hosts Arizona's Audubon center, the Rio Salado Restoration Habitat Area is lined by quiet, easy trails with some amazing glimpses of wildlife while still being just a stone's throw from the heart of the city.

http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/jackalope/2011/04/cycle_a_ride_through_rio_salad_1.php