Ecosystems


Pollution Versus Pollination: Losing Our Natural Resources from A to Zinc

Pollution Versus Pollination: Losing Our Natural Resources from A to Zinc

Two new studies are highlighting the decreasing numbers of food pollinators and the increasing levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide.

Grants Now Available for Wetland Projects in Maine

The State of Maine Department of Environmental Protection is now accepting applications and proposals for wetland improvements and restoration. The projects should include ideas for dealing with climate change and floods, as well as ways to help improve wildlife habitats.

BP Agrees to Pay $18.7 Billion Deepwater Horizon Settlement

The energy giant announced that its U.S. upstream subsidiary, BP Exploration and Production Inc., has executed the agreements with the U.S. federal government and five Gulf Coast states -- Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas, adding that they include settlement of claims made by more than 400 local government entities.

Under the new Resilient Landscape partnerships that were announced by President Obama a little more than two months ago, the DOI, USDA, EPA, NOAA, and USACE have launched new Resilient Lands and Waters sites in California and Montana/British Columbia.

Several Agencies Announce Additional Resilient Lands and Waters Initiatives Sites

The Department of the Interior (DOI), Department of Agriculture (USDA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) recently recognized three new collaborative landscape partnerships across the country, which will help prepare natural resources combat climate change.

Ivory Crush Takes Place in NYC

The event was staged to call awareness to increased poaching that is rapidly pushing populations of African elephants, rhinos, and other species toward extinction, according to the Interior Department.

Northern Long-Eared Bats Listed as Threatened Species

The US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) announced that the northern long-eared bat will be listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

More Questions than Answers in California Oil Spill

Tens of thousands of liters of spilled oil from a broken underground pipeline threatened protected waters and wildlife on California's southern coast Wednesday, as US federal and local authorities rushed to contain its spread.

Stella Niagara Nature Preserve Nears Fundraising Goal

If the remaining $300,000 is collected prior to the June 1 deadline, the preserve will be on schedule to open later this year.



NOAA Creates Deepwater Horizon Searchable Database

The tool is called DIVER for Data Integration, Visualization, Exploration, and Reporting.

Whales Make Comeback Off Sonoma Coast

Marine biologists say that at the moment, a population estimated at more than 20,000 gray whales appears to be healthy and reproducing well.

New Pig Launches Grant Program

"With our customers' environmental expertise, plus funding, PIG products, and leadership, we believe this program can make measurable improvements in communities around the country," said Doug LaPlante, New Pig's vice president, Strategy.

Coal tar-based pavement sealcoat typically contains 35,000 to 200,000 ppm polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), about 100 times more PAHs than in used motor oil and about 1,000 times more PAHs than in sealcoat products with an asphalt base.

Another Warning About Coal Tar Sealant

The U.S. Geological Survey's latest study showed rainwater runoff caused 100% mortality to minnows and water fleas, which are part of the base of the food chain.

After taking seawater samples from the shoreline of Ucluelet, British Columbia, scientists from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) discovered small amounts of radioactivity from the 2011 Fukushima nuclear power plant accident.

Traces of Radiation from Fukushima Found on British Columbia Shores

After taking seawater samples from the shoreline of Ucluelet, British Columbia, scientists from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) discovered small amounts of radioactivity from the 2011 Fukushima nuclear power plant accident.

States to Receive Million to Support Wildlife and Habitats

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has announced over $45 million in funding provided through the State Wildlife Grant (SWG) program to help U.S. states protect species and habitats in greatest need.

The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary was designated on Nov. 16, 1990. It is one of 14 marine protected areas that make up the National Marine Sanctuary System, is administered by NOAA, and is jointly managed with the state of Florida. (NOAA photo)

Environmental Penalty Benefits Florida Sanctuary

The investigation uncovered that the ship's oil record book was falsified since at least June 16, 2013, and that illegal oily waste discharges had occurred from two other vessels owned and operated by Carbofin.

Ringling Bros. Removing Elephants from Traveling Circuses

Feld Entertainment Inc.'s announcement said the decision will allow the company to focus on its Asian elephant conservation programs, both here in North America and through its partnership with Sri Lanka, and continue collaborating with other conservation organizations.

Researchers Capturing Moose, Elks, Mule Deer, Bighorn Sheep This Month

Personnel from the University of Wyoming-headquartered Wyoming Migration Initiative and the Wyoming Game and Fish Department plan to live tweet throughout approximately three weeks of research activity and write Facebook posts about the animal captures, so the public can follow along.

According to a new report by the NRDC, the anticipated impacts are more widespread than previously believed; major threats seen to oyster, scallop, and clam industries in CA, CT, FL, LA, MA, ME, MD, NC, NJ, NY, OR, RI, TX, VA, and WA.

Rapid Ocean Acidification Threatens Coastal Economies in Several States

According to a new report by the NRDC, the anticipated impacts are more widespread than previously believed; major threats seen to oyster, scallop, and clam industries in CA, CT, FL, LA, MA, ME, MD, NC, NJ, NY, OR, RI, TX, VA, and WA.

Interior Proposes New Requirements for Some Alaska Offshore Drilling

The agency's proposed rule focuses solely on the Outer Continental Shelf within the Beaufort Sea and Chukchi Sea Planning Areas (Arctic OCS).

Industry Group Calls for Action to Prevent Plastic Marine Pollution

William R. Carteaux, president and CEO of SPI: The Plastics Industry Trade Association, said ocean litter "is a global problem that threatens our health, our marine wildlife, and the livelihoods of millions who depend on a healthy ocean."

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