The Elephant’s Post

A $21 million dollar donation to The Nature Conservancy - most likely the single largest donation to buy land in Australian history - has supported the Queensland Government in the purchase of the Vergemont Station in western Queensland. Making an important contribution to Australia’s efforts to protect 30% of lands and 30% of oceans by 2030 (Pathways to 30x30 report), this acquisition will create a conservation corridor of 1.4 million hectares (slightly larger than Yosemite National Park in the United States). The area contains 34 regional ecosystems, including key habitat for the endangered Night Parrot and highly restricted Opalton Grasswren, and protects the headwaters of the Lake Eyre Basin, the source of one of the last remaining free-flowing arid river systems in the world. Read more: https://nature.ly/3Jk9Vwi

🐟 Reconnecting free-flowing rivers also reconnects important migration corridors for freshwater wildlife—like salmon, eels and alewives—on which cultures, economies, and food chains all rely. 🐟 The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) is helping reconnect and restore fish passages in the Penobscot watershed. For example, a recent boost of $2.9 million in IIJA funding is facilitating the removal of narrow culverts, dams, and other obstacles that stand in the way of fish migrations. Check out the link below to learn more about the Penobscot River Restoration Trust, an innovative non-profit partnership that includes the Penobscot Nation, PPL-Maine, state and federal agencies, and conservation groups (TNC joined the partnership in 2006). Since 2012, partners in the watershed have focused on continuing the momentum for restoration that was started by the Penobscot River Restoration Project. The Penobscot Nation has restored passageways at 23 sites across the watershed, re-connecting the cool headwater tributaries to the Penobscot main stem. IIJA funding is being used to build five new fish passage projects and finish restoring connectivity to all of Mattamiscontis Stream, at the center of tribal trust land. The grant is part of a $2.9 million IIJA tribal fish passage grant to the Penobscot Nation and works in concert with a $7.6 million grant to the Atlantic Salmon Federation from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and in partnership with The Nature Conservancy. With support from the IIJA, our work toward restoring the Penobscot River and its tributaries can continue to reconnect the flow of water & wildlife upon which so many people depend. Plus – we can bring back the natural beauty of Maine for everyone, including wildlife, to enjoy. 🐟💚🌊 https://nature.ly/3VnuIqk 📸 Bridget Besaw #riverrestoration #penobscotriver #maine #fishmigration #conservation #IIJA #freshwaterfish #freshwaterrestoration #advocacy #nonprofit #TNC

🚨 Oaken Wood in Aylesford is facing its greatest threat in decades. Kent County Council’s draft Mineral Sites Plan proposes expanding Hermitage Quarry into this ancient woodland, which could result in the loss of over 50 hectares of irreplaceable habitat and biodiversity. This would be the largest single development threat to ancient woodland in England, even surpassing losses from HS2 and the Lower Thames Crossing. We are working alongside local campaign groups and conservation organizations to stop this destruction. Together, we’ve raised concerns through official consultations, and we need public support to continue fighting for this precious woodland. 🙌 If you support the Save Our Woodlands appeal today, we can continue actively engaging with local campaign groups to protect Oaken Wood and other ancient woodlands at risk across the county. Read more about Oaken Wood and other woodlands at risk in our latest blog 👉 https://lnkd.in/evRujhng Donate to Save our Woodlands to ensure that woodlands stand tall for generations to come 👉 kwtg.uk/save-our-woodlands

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) has awarded $1.5 million in grant funding to five projects in Southeast Michigan through the Southeast Michigan Resilience Fund. These grants, which will leverage $900,000 in matching contributions, aim to improve water quality, enhance habitat, and increase accessibility to public green space in the region. The projects will focus on installing green infrastructure, increasing urban tree canopy, and restoring riparian and floodplain habitats, potentially benefiting communities and wildlife habitats. The total conservation impact of these investments is expected to exceed $2.4 million. Several corporate, foundation, and government funding partners, including the DETROIT ZEN CENTER and Trinity Health Alliance of Michigan, have joined NFWF in supporting the Southeast Michigan Resilience Fund. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4a9vdsE #sbndetroit #sustainablebusinessnetwork #sustainablebusinessnetworkdetroit #sustainablebusiness #environmentaljustice #climateaction #sustainabledetroit #southeastmichigan #detroiteconomicgrowthcorporation #degc #greengrocerproject #detroit #nfwf #southeastmichigan #resiliencefund #waterquality #habitatrestoration #greeninfrastructure #communityengagement #natureconservation #climatechange #greatlakes

🌳 Hill Country Conservancy, a local nonprofit organization working to preserve natural resources, secured $23.2 million in federal funding for conservation easements in early October—the largest single federal award ever for conservation in the Texas Hill Country. In this story, I highlight the number of project proposals the nonprofit received, explain conservation easements, and give readers some insight into the next steps in the process. Read the full story here ➡️ https://lnkd.in/gh3YjUnG

Fantastic initiative by Environment and Climate Change Canada! Some of 🇨🇦 Canada's most iconic species are threatened: 🐻 Woodland caribou: Once roaming freely across Canada's boreal forests, the woodland caribou now faces imminent threats to its survival or recovery in Canada. Habitat destruction from logging and industrial activities has pushed this majestic animal to the edge. 🐦 Burrowing owl: Who, who who.... found in the grasslands of Western Canada, this small owl has seen its population decline dramatically. Habitat loss and pesticide use have decimated the numbers of this species, leaving only a fraction of its original population. 🐟 Atlantic salmon: A key species in our rivers, the Atlantic salmon faces threats from overfishing, habitat loss, and climate change. Their decline is not just an ecological loss but affects entire ecosystems that depend on them. There's a broader crisis facing our nation's biodiversity, but we can do something about it. The Indigenous Partnerships for Species at Risk (#IPSAR) supports Indigenous-led projects that protect species and their habitats through habitat restoration, species monitoring, and community workshops. Get those applications in before October 30!

TSF is playing an important role in conserving, improving, and protecting our nation's cold water resources while providing angling opportunities for future generations. Take five minutes to learn more about TSF's work!

How one conservation team is saving Peru's last spectacled bears. In the heart of Peru’s Laquipampa region, the Spectacled Bear Conservation Society Peru (SBC) team is fighting more than just wildfires—they're protecting a fragile ecosystem and the last remaining population of spectacled bears in the equatorial dry forests. Thanks to SBC's quick mobilization, fires have been kept at bay in key habitats—but the battle is far from over. SBC is working tirelessly to build long-term solutions, including community fire brigades and stronger protections for bear habitats. The stakes are high. Learn more and help ensure a future for Laquipampa's bears and the communities that call it home in our blog below: https://hubs.ly/Q02_mLT00

Sound intent, hard work and willing partners - nature restoration is so restorative for everyone who does it…

Today, we have officially kicked off our #BringBackTheNative campaign in support of our Tribal Lands Conservation Fund. Give now to join us in investing in Native communities and their work to protect biodiversity and steward Native species. Even better: through the end of 2024, your gift will be DOUBLED. This means your gift of $25 will become $50, $35 will become $70, and $75 will become $150 to protect our land and water and all living things. ➡️ Take action today to support grassroots efforts to safeguard lands, waters, and ecosystems for future generations: https://lnkd.in/gbqNe6N5