#biodiversity protection

[delicatelysublimeforester]

🌱 Meet Dr. Jason McLean: A Leading Voice in Sustainability and Resilience 🌍

[dreamstz1]

How to Support Environmental Conservation Efforts

Environmental conservation is critical in protecting natural ecosystems, biodiversity, and the planet’s resources from unsustainable practices and degradation. Individuals, communities, and organizations can all contribute to the cause. Here are actionable steps you can take to help support conservation efforts.1. Reduce, Reuse, and RecycleOne of the simplest ways to reduce environmental impact…

[frnwhcom]

Steve Irwin's Legacy: Bridging Animal Science and Conservation

Steve Irwin, fondly remembered as the “Crocodile Hunter,” was an Australian zookeeper, conservationist, and television personality who left an indelible mark on animal science and wildlife conservation. Through his adventurous spirit and infectious enthusiasm, Irwin transformed the way millions of people around the world perceive and engage with wildlife. This article explores Irwin’s…

[townpostin]

Jharkhand High Court Probes Elephant Corridor Encroachment

Illegal mining threatens wildlife habitat in East Singhbhum Construction activities in protected areas disrupt elephant movement, sparking judicial inquiry into forest management. JAMSHEDPUR – The highest court in Jharkhand is currently investigating allegations of unauthorized development in important wildlife areas. An investigation has been launched by the Jharkhand High Court into reported…

[pebblegalaxy]

15 Must-Read Environmental Books: A Comprehensive Guide to Sustainability and Conservation Literature #SenseandSustainabilityBlogHop @MindRustic @sukaina1422

15 Essential Books on Environmental Sustainability and Protection: A Comprehensive Guide Introduction: In an era where environmental concerns are at the forefront of global discussions, literature plays a crucial role in educating, inspiring, and mobilizing people towards sustainable practices and environmental protection. This article explores 15 seminal works that have shaped our…

[petterbrorson]

Står stolt, akvarell, 26,5x36 cm Det här och mina två senaste inlägg är målningar av skogar som är anmälda för slutavverkning. Delar av dem är enligt Skogsstyrelsen skog med höga naturvärden och nyckelbiotop. Det finns fynd av rödlistade och fridlysta arter i de här skogarna. Nu riskerar de, precis som 80% av alla skogar som huggs ner i Sverige, att bli pappersmassa eller andra kortlivade produkter som bränns upp inom två år.

...

Standing tall, watercolour, 26,5x36 cm This and my two latest posts are paintings of forests that are notified for logging. Parts of them are defined as having high natural values and being a key biotope by the Swedish Forest Agency. There are findings of several redlisted and protected species in these forests. Now, like 80% of the forests that are cut down in Sweden, they risk being turned into paper pulp or some other short lived product that will be burned withing two years.

[hleavesk]

nature is amazing. we have to do more and less hurt to it.

(source: new york times | 20 sep 2023)

Steve Nimz, a volunteer arborist who has been helping to restore the banyan, said that he was optimistic, given that trees have long adapted to severe conditions such as hurricanes, storms and fire. “It’s not like they haven’t been through this before, through the millions of years they’ve been around, so they do adapt,” he said.

He cautioned that it might be too soon to identify the lasting effects of the fire. “Just because the new leaves come out doesn’t mean the tree is going to completely make it — it just means that the tree is moving in the right direction,” Mr. Nimz said.

“The tree’s going to be talking to us,” he added. “And we’re going to listen to the tree.”

[reasonsforhope]

"Over 10,000 square miles of additional protected area will be added to the Heard and McDonald Islands in Australia’s far southern territorial waters.

Coupled with other expansions of existing marine sanctuaries, it puts Australia on course to have 52% of its ocean territory protected, more than any other nation, by the end of the current administration’s term.

“This is not just a huge environmental win for Australia, it’s a huge environmental win for the world,” said Australian Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek. “This is a unique and extraordinary part of our planet. We are doing everything we can to protect it.”

Located over 2,000 miles south of the Australian continent, Heard and McDonald Islands make up about 144 square miles of volcanic terrain that represent one of the most remote places on Earth.

They are important breeding grounds for 19 species of bird, including 4 species of penguins, but dozens of other bird species take refuge there. It is a UNESCO Natural Heritage Site, and a RAMSAR Wetland in addition to being an Australian national marine sanctuary.

The quadrupling of the sanctuary borders amounts to 11.5 thousand square miles, (30,000 sq km) of additional protection, but represents one-tenth of the total proposed expansions of marine protected areas.

Under the current guidance, prepared by nationally sanctioned scientific surveys, the total marine protected areas will make up an area the size of Italy.

The current administration of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is seeking to establish a new environmental protection agency, as well as set a high bar for the country’s commitments to an international philosophy of conservation governance known shorthand as “30×30” or “30 by 30,” which states that to prevent the worst effects of general environmental degradation worldwide, 30% of land and waters should be under protections. Often the second thirty refers to a hypothetical 2030 deadline."

-via Good News Network, October 10, 2024

[hope-for-the-planet]

From the article:

Today, the EU adopted a seat of conservation measures to strengthen the environmental protection of five Natura 2000 sites in the German Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the Baltic Sea. The initiative, put forward by Germany and agreed by all Baltic EU countries, prohibits fishing with mobile bottom contacting gears in areas of the Fehmarnbelt, Kadetrinne and Pommersche Bucht mit Oderbank and in the entire sites of the Westliche Rönnebank and Adlergrund. The measures will protect sensitive seabed habitats, such as sandbanks and reefs, and will contribute to revert the unfavourable environmental status of species and biotopes.

[dandelionsresilience]

Dandelion News - February 22-28

Like these weekly compilations? Tip me at $kaybarr1735 or check out my Dandelion Doodles! (This month’s doodles will be a little delayed since I wasn’t able to work on them throughout the month)

1. City trees absorb much more carbon than expected

“[A new measurement technique shows that trees in LA absorb] up to 60% of daytime CO₂ emissions from fossil fuel combustion in spring and summer[….] Beyond offering shade and aesthetic value, these trees act as silent workhorses in the city’s climate resilience strategy[….]”

2. #AltGov: the secret network of federal workers resisting Doge from the inside

“Government employees fight the Trump administration’s chaos by organizing and publishing information on Bluesky[…. A group of government employees are] banding together to “expose harmful policies, defend public institutions and equip citizens with tools to push back against authoritarianism[….]””

3. An Ecuadorian hotspot shows how forests can claw back from destruction

“A December 2024 study described the recovery of ground birds and mammals like ocelots, and found their diversity and biomass in secondary forests was similar to those in old-growth forests after just 20 years. [… Some taxa recover] “earlier, some are later, but they all show a tendency to recover.””

4. Over 80 House Democrats demand Trump rescind gender-affirming care ban: 'We want trans kids to live'

“[89 House Democrats signed a letter stating,] "Trans young people, their parents and their doctors should be the ones making their health care decisions. No one should need to ask the President’s permission to access life-saving, evidence-based health care." "As Members of Congress, we stand united with trans young people and their families.”“

5. Boosting seafood production while protecting biodiversity

“A new study suggests that farming seafood from the ocean – known as mariculture – could be expanded to feed more people while reducing harm to marine biodiversity at the same time. […] “[… I]t’s not a foregone conclusion that the expansion of an industry is always going to have a proportionally negative impact on the environment[….]””

6. U.S. will spend up to $1 billion to combat bird flu, USDA secretary says

“The USDA will spend up to $500 million to provide free biosecurity audits to farms and $400 million to increase payment rates to farmers who need to kill their chickens due to bird flu[….] The USDA is exploring vaccines for chickens but is not yet authorizing their use[….]”

7. An Innovative Program Supporting the Protection of Irreplaceable Saline Lakes

“[… T]he program aims to provide comprehensive data on water availability and lake health, develop strategies to monitor and assess critical ecosystems, and identify knowledge gaps to guide future research and resource management.”

8. EU to unveil ​‘Clean Industrial Deal’ to cut CO2, boost energy security

“The bold plan aims to revitalize and decarbonize heavy industry, reduce reliance on gas, and make energy cheaper, cleaner, and more secure. […] By July, the EU said it will ​“simplify state aid rules” to ​“accelerate the roll-out of clean energy, deploy industrial decarbonisation and ensure sufficient capacity of clean-tech manufacturing” on the continent.”

9. Oyster Restoration Investments Net Positive Returns for Economy and Environment

“Researchers expect the restored oyster reefs to produce $38 million in ecosystem benefits through 2048. “This network protects nearly 350 million oysters[….]” [NOAA provided] $14.9 million to expand the sanctuary network to 500 acres by 2026 […] through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.”

10. Nations back $200 billion-a-year plan to reverse nature losses

“More than 140 countries adopted a strategy to mobilize hundreds of billions of dollars a year to help reverse dramatic losses in biodiversity[….] A finance strategy adopted to applause and tears from delegates, underpins "our collective capacity to sustain life on this planet," said Susana Muhamad[….]”

February 15-21 news here | (all credit for images and written material can be found at the source linked; I don’t claim credit for anything but curating.)

[delicatelysublimeforester]

A Resilient Planet: Exploring the Wisdom of Nature and Canada's Path to Sustainability

[soil-is-alive]

Topsoil is the foundation of healthy farming and food production, but it’s being lost at alarming rates❗️

Adding compost to the surface of our soils is one way we can increase organic matter (OM) and help rebuild this precious layer. ✨️

But let’s be real: rebuilding topsoil takes time and consistent care. It’s not a quick fix.

Compost enriches the soil, feeds microbes, and improves water retention—laying the groundwork for healthier, more productive land over the long term. 🌳🌻

Every bit of compost we add is a step toward healthier soils and more resilient farms. 🌍

🌞 Let’s work with nature, not against it.

[solarpunkbaby]

You can help stop animal deaths and vehicular damage with these simple tips:

Drive safe – Use extra caution during dusk and dawn because this is when many species are most active.

Slow down – Driving slower will give you better reaction time if you spot wildlife on or near the road. If you do see an animal, safely slow or stop your car to allow it to cross. Always check for more individuals before continuing the journey.

Watch out – Look out for animal road crossing signs because they indicate high wildlife trafficked areas.  

Eyeball it –At night, look for an animal’s eyeshine where lights are reflected. Also, if you don’t see the road lines, this may be an animal blocking the line’s reflection.  

Speak out – Let your government representatives know you want them to prioritize funding for wildlife crossings.

Support – Consider supporting nonprofits like Defenders that advocate for wildlife corridor planning and crossing development. 

[covenawhite66]

West African countries such as Liberia, Senegal and Guinea-Bissau, communities have designated biodiversity hotspots, including forests and lagoons, as sacred. This system has served as a conservation tool respected by these communities for generations. The community's existence is intricately linked to the well-being and survival of the biodiversity and natural resources surrounding it.

The Western African method is to reinforce communal stewardship of the land, rather than ownership. The system starkly contrasts with some current, non-Indigenous North American methods of prohibiting humans from living in certain protected areas. Placing a dollar value on conserving these areas risks destroying the very belief system and way of thinking that have ensured their survival in the first place. Their value of biodiversity cannot be translated into monetary terms.

[howdoesone]

How does one convince a Tapanuli Orangutan to be the face of a conservation campaign?

The Tapanuli orangutan (Pongo tapanuliensis) is one of the rarest and most endangered great ape species on the planet. With fewer than 800 individuals remaining in the wild, urgent action is needed to protect this critically endangered species from extinction. Convincing a Tapanuli orangutan to be the face of a conservation campaign requires a deep understanding of their behavior, needs, and the…