The Wetlands Conservancy’s Post

The nation’s largest underground store of fresh water, the Ogallala transformed this arid region into an agricultural powerhouse. After 50 years of studies, discussions and hand-wringing about the aquifer’s decline, the state is demanding that local groundwater managers finally enforce conservation. But in this region where water is everything, they’ll have to overcome entrenched attitudes and practices that led to decades of overpumping..... https://lnkd.in/duVAwim3

🌲 Reforestation after a wildfire may seem like its just a matter planting seeds or saplings but it's far more involved. An entire ecosystem has to be rebuilt along with it, and that takes an entire supply chain also. Complex problems require holistic solutions and Mast Reforestation has started to tackle this with a vertically-integrated platform. You can read more about the work they are doing in this great NYT piece ➡ https://lnkd.in/eYvQQc-S

A quote from this new Forest Pratices Board on the Kettle River: “Watershed assessments play a vital role in how we understand and manage the interactions between land use, hydrology and water quality of our freshwater resources,” said Keith Atkinson, chair, Forest Practices Board. “But licensees are not legally required to consider watershed conditions when planning harvests in the Kettle River Watershed, except for when they operate in community watersheds.” My reflections: Both Watershed Assessment and Cumulative Study frameworks in BC are outright outdated and in urgent need for a complete re-haul because they are not scientifically defensible, and as a consequence they substantially underestimate the risk to hydrology and geomorphology. The hydrology guiding the current framework of assessing the effects of forestry practices and forest cover loss in general is that of convenience. I call it “voodoo” forest hydrology.

Today, a healthy timber industry is a requirement for a healthy forest. Without partners in industry it quickly becomes much more expensive to implement the treatments that protect communities, ensure watershed health, and restore fire to fire adapted ecosystems, in a safe and controlled manner. Once gone, it becomes nearly impossible to attract new wood industry partners. The impact of these closures will immediately impact 250 families but the impact to the forests of western Montana and Eastern Idaho will be dramatically witnessed (through thick black smoke) over the next few decades. #forestindustry, #forestmanagement https://lnkd.in/gJsq_7Tr

Suing to stop timber harvests from state-managed forests is counter to efforts to reduce greenhouse gases from entering into the air we breathe. Not managing our forests runs counter to preventing the buildup of debris which fuels raging wildfires. Harvesting trees which can be converted to lumber, paper towel and to thousands of products we use each day, is the first step in creating healthy forests. Harvesting, thinning and replanting are proven ways to mitigate wildfires which pump millions of tons of choking smoke, airborne ash and CO2 into our atmosphere. Not ever older tree is a majestic fir, cedar or redwood.. There are in special forest and groves where they are set aside—-rightly so. There are other public lands where older trees should be logged and sent to mills which cut the 2x4, plywood and structural beams. New forests generate oxygen and clean drinking quality we need. They also create jobs, revenues for our public schools, colleges and universities, and, rural communities. Harvesting in accordance with our state laws and forest practices regulations is an IMPORTANT management option to maintain. These lawsuits should be dropped.

Water is a critical resource. How would you balance municipal and rural water distribution?

Farmers in Colorado's San Luis Valley are pioneering groundwater conservation easements to restore shrinking aquifers due to drought. This innovative approach could set a precedent for water management nationwide. Read more about their efforts and the potential impact on agriculture and water sustainability: https://ow.ly/i1JI30sHS0P 🔗 Sign up for articles like this delivered to your inbox from BC Water News: https://ow.ly/AFfe30sHPzC #WaterConservation #SustainableAgriculture #GroundwaterManagement #WaterIndustry

If this salvage logging of burned-out forest proceeds, this could provide ideal feedstock for torrefied pellets. The lower moisture content and partially torrefied logs would help reduce production costs, while the charred bark would be easier to handle and utilize. The key factors in this operation will be productivity and the associated costs of transporting this feedstock to the plant and then to the market. This initiative could play a significant role in mitigating the risks and damages caused by the forest fires. https://lnkd.in/gFHDwdWH

Farmers in Colorado's San Luis Valley are pioneering groundwater conservation easements to restore shrinking aquifers due to drought. This innovative approach could set a precedent for water management nationwide. Read more about their efforts and the potential impact on agriculture and water sustainability: https://ow.ly/fzZR30sI27R 🔗 Sign up for articles like this delivered to your inbox from BC Water News: https://ow.ly/AFfe30sHPzC #WaterConservation #SustainableAgriculture #GroundwaterManagement #WaterIndustry

Farmers in Colorado's San Luis Valley are pioneering groundwater conservation easements to restore shrinking aquifers due to drought. This innovative approach could set a precedent for water management nationwide. Read more about their efforts and the potential impact on agriculture and water sustainability: https://ow.ly/RHWV30sHXw4 🔗 Sign up for articles like this delivered to your inbox from BC Water News: https://ow.ly/AFfe30sHPzC #WaterConservation #SustainableAgriculture #GroundwaterManagement #WaterIndustry