Q&M magazine’s Post

"The Alabama Trustee Implementation Group has released a draft restoration plan proposing projects to address injuries to natural resources caused by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The Draft Restoration Plan IV and Environmental Assessment: Wetlands, Coastal and Nearshore Habitats; Nutrient Reduction; Birds; Oysters; and Provide and Enhance Recreational Opportunities (PDF, 343 pages) includes seven preferred alternatives for a total of $22.7 million. We will accept comments on the Draft Restoration Plan IV through July 24, 2024. And, we’ll hold a public webinar to present the plan and receive comments on July 10, 2024. The draft restoration plan, which is consistent with the Trustees’ programmatic restoration plan, evaluates 11 alternatives, seven of which we have identified as preferred. If those projects are approved, we will use Deepwater Horizon Natural Resource Damage Assessment funds to implement the projects. The preferred alternatives are: ..." #DeepwaterHorizon #NRDA #TIG #Trustees #Alabama #restoration #plan #NaturalResources #comments https://lnkd.in/gZAmTjXG

Wetlands are critical ecosystems, providing flood protection, resilient infrastructure, improved water quality, and more. ELI emphasizes their importance with the National Wetlands Awards, which recognize individuals at the community, local, and state levels who are champions of wetlands research, education, and preservation. Our latest blog post outlines the history of the Awards and why they are especially important in today’s context. Read here: https://lnkd.in/dAmEY6jm

Join us for a crucial discussion on the future of Mill Pond! When: October 21st at 6 pm Where: Javits Room 111 Renowned environmental expert John L. Turner from the Division of Land Management for the Town of Brookhaven and Seatuck Environmental Association will present "Reconnecting Severed Threads." This timely talk will delve into the pressing question: Should Mill Pond be rebuilt? The recent storm surge that devastated Long Island left Mill Pond drained, prompting important discussions about its restoration. Don't miss this opportunity to learn more about the potential impacts and implications of rebuilding Mill Pond. #MillPond #LongIsland #EnvironmentalScience #ClimateChange #CommunityEngagement

Curious about creating a #conservationeasement in Ohio? If you're passionate about preserving our precious lands this #EarthDay, discover our comprehensive guide. Learn about this vital land protection tool, which has saved over 40 million acres.

Land Under BLM Management to Get New Protections: The measure elevates conservation in a number of ways, including by creating new leases for the restoration of degraded areas. https://lnkd.in/dTmMR4NZ

In addition to better supporting & funding the essential work of Conservation Authorities, here are three ideas we could implement in the next year to better safeguard the wetlands that safeguard our cities and towns: 1. Identify ‘Flood Risk Mitigation Areas’: Similar to current initiatives identifying ‘drinking water protection areas,’ this would include wetlands and other natural infrastructure within the greater urban ecosystem. And yes, put up the little signs along the road to increase awareness. 2. Expand Ontario’s Conservation Land Tax Incentive Program: Include all wetlands in the headwaters of cities and towns to incentivize rural landowners and support conservation efforts. 3. Update the Ontario Wetland Evaluation System: Drastically increase the scoring for wetlands and wetland complexes that reduce flooding risk to urban areas.

Yesterday capped off a few days of site visits that saw me cover over 1000 miles on the road – a Tour de North in the Tees and Eden catchments, capped off with a visit to the upper reaches of the Hampshire Avon. The purpose of this road trip: recceing sites for potential deployments of our novel ditch management and river restoration mitigation approaches. The common feature of all of these sites was a degraded river environment that would benefit from some form of restoration. Without fail, each landowner told me “the river never really flows out onto the floodplain”, even over last winter. These sites have been straightened, overdeepened and are now lacking much by way of habitat diversity. One farmer in the Tees catchment, who has lived on and farmed her land for 40 years, said “I remember when there used to be life in this beck.” Combined, these sites have the potential to deliver: 8000 kg N in the Tees catchment 110 kg P in the Eden catchment 45 kg P in Hampshire Avon catchment This is important not just because of the contribution to mitigation demand the projects could make in each catchment, but also because #nutrientneutrality provides a means to finance environmental restoration. Using these approaches, we can also bring forward this much mitigation for less than the cost of a single large wetland. I completed the draft guidance on drainage ditch management for NN a week ago. This was followed by a call with Natural England colleagues where we got to what should be a workable conceptual position on beaver dam analogues and river restoration. These approaches have the potential to not only alleviate mitigation supply shortages across all catchments, but also to improve degraded river environments, helping to bring life back to our neglected becks.  

One of my favorite articles! I got to cover this place I love very much. If you don't know, Ballona wetlands is an environmental staple for the Westside of LA and serves as a home to many species. This article covers the current standing of the revitalization project called the Ballona Wetlands Restoration Project. https://lnkd.in/gcNaaJwF

Working on an ODOT project (e.g., roadways, bridges, or culverts) that will require environmental clearance for a borrow or waste area? STONE can help! Our services include environmental reviews that are described in ODOT’s Construction and Material Specifications. Environmental resources that are evaluated for potential impacts include cultural resources, aquatic resources, threatened and endangered species, public lands, floodplains, and hazardous waste areas. We strive to provide responsive reviews to meet tight project timeframes. We can also assist with waterway permitting if impacts are unavoidable. As always, we are here to help!   #OhioDOT, #roadways, #bridges, #culverts, #environmentalreview, #cultural, #T&E, #floodplains, #hazardouswaste

The Tagliamento must be kept free-flowing! The River Tagliamento is at risk, due to planned flood retention areas in its most pristine stretch. As representatives of the scientific and technical communities working on rivers, we have a key role in highlighting the importance to take all possible steps to preserve this unique river system. If you agree, sign our petition to keep the Tagliamento free-flowing: bit.ly/TAGLIAMENTOpetition (if you forward it to other colleagues and friends, please remind them that this specific petition is not to be signed by the general public or by environmental protection NGOs, but just by individual river scientists and professionals) #FreeTagliamento #restorenature #freeflowingrivers