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Natural Resources Bulletin - March 30, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
(National Wildlife Federation)March 30, 2009 - Please view in HTML for proper
formatting
IN THIS ISSUE:
1.
House subcommittee holds adaptation
hearing
2. The rebirth of the American
Chestnut
3. Everglades land deal likely to
be slashed
4. Headlines in
brief
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1.
Congress holds hearing on
adaptation
Last week saw a milestone for
proponents of adaptation planning as the House
Energy and Environment Subcommittee held a
hearing on the issue. It was the first
adaptation hearing by a committee writing cap
and trade legislation. Among those called
to testify was Larry Schweiger, President and
CEO of the National Wildlife Federation, who
framed the issue in no uncertain language.
"Today's hearing," said Schweiger, "is
essentially about whether Congress will ensure
our children and grandchildren are not left
with a world fundamentally different than the
one we have enjoyed." He and other witnesses
emphasized the need to fund adaptation projects
quickly, before habitats and natural systems
are overwhelmed by the effects of global
warming.
Dissenters included Rep. Joe
Barton (R-TX), who argued against regulating
the greenhouse gas emissions that cause global
warming and also dismissed scientists' warnings
by proclaiming that "adaptation to shifts in
temperature is not that difficult." In
contrast, testimony from researchers,
conservationists, and representatives of the
faith community stressed proactive responses to
the climate crisis. Overall the hearing was a
positive step toward including adaptation
measures in upcoming global warming
legislation.
For more, visit:
http://www.nwf.org/news/story.cfm?pageId=3F2DE2F2-5056-A868-A08BA8447ECE932F
http://www.businessandmedia.org/articles/2009/20090327130416.aspx
http://markey.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3579&Itemid=15
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2.
American Chestnut primed for a
comeback
The American Chestnut, growing
to 150 feet tall and 10 feet in girth,
dominated the forests of the eastern United
States until a fungus almost wiped out the
species in the early 1900s. Now, after decades
of research and selective breeding, scientists
are attempting to reintroduce the trees to
their historic range. A hybrid Chinese/American
Chestnut has so far proven resistant to the
fungus, boosting the hopes of foresters and
conservationists. 1,200 seedlings have been
planted across the Southern Appalachians, where
they will be carefully monitored for signs of
blight and other problems. Stacy Clark, leader
of the study for the US Forest Service, has
high hopes for the project. "If we can restore
this tree to its natural habitat," says Clark,
"it will be the greatest success story in
natural resource conservation."
For
more, visit:
http://www.suntimes.com/news/nation/1479260,w-chestnut-appalachian-tree031609.article
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3.
Budget problems in Florida threaten Everglades
purchase
The Everglades mega-deal
between Florida's government and US Sugar Corp.
is on thin ice. Governor Charlie Crist had
sought to make the land purchase - which would
have safeguarded 180,000 acres of ecologically
priceless land - the centerpiece of his
environmental legacy, but he will likely be
forced to make significant cutbacks.
Conservation groups point to the economic and
cultural significance of a healthy Everglades,
but, as property tax revenues decline and the
global recession continues to push state
coffers further into the red, the $1.34 billion
price tag appears less feasible than ever. Kirk
Fordham, CEO of the Everglades Foundation, says
that scaling back the purchase would be a
serious blow to conservation efforts in the
region. "If a third party buys U.S. Sugar and
undercuts the state," says Fordham, "in all
likelihood, the opportunity to restore the
Everglades as we've envisioned here might be
forever lost."
For more, visit:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29897481/
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4.
In Brief:
Loggers Try to Adapt to Green
Economy - Opportunities and problems abound as
the timber industry catches up to environmental
and economic
realities
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/29/business/energy-environment/29forests.html?pagewanted=2&ref=science
Wildlife Officials Worried About
Whooping Cranes - Drought affects crane
populations along the Gulf Coast of
Texas
http://www.fortmilltimes.com/124/story/502216.html
Hundreds of Killer Whales Seen in Gulf
of Mexico - Researchers may be able to revise
local population estimates
upward
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/K/KILLER_WHALES_GULF?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2009-03-25-07-11-33
Scientists Find New Species in Papua
New Guinea - Conservation International
researchers have discovered 54 new animals in a
remote, mountainous region of the
country
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/AS_PAPUA_NEW_GUINEA_NEW_SPECIES?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2009-03-25-07-30-35
Ninety Years of Bird Watchers' Notes
Going Online - USGS creates citizen-science
database that could give insight on effects of
climate
change
http://edition.cnn.com/2009/TECH/science/03/26/pp.bird.usgs/index.htm