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An Amazon Leader on the Frontier

NationalGeographic.com
Forests
May 23, 2012

Films and histories about the American West have always relied heavily on the macho-cowboy image to romanticize the danger & adventure of our frontier days. But, this is 2012, & I’m on the Amazon frontier – where women are increasingly stealing the show.

Can Soil Sensors Save Georgia Waterways from Drought?

Scientific American
Rivers & Lakes
May 22, 2012

An innovative effort would embed sensors in agricultural fields in a bid to cut down on irrigation--saving farmers money & preserving water for endangered species.

Charting a New Environmental Course in China

Mongabay.com
Leadership
May 21, 2012

The Nature Conservancy has taken an active interest in China, the world's most populated nation, & in many important ways, a critical center of global development.

Assessing the Risk of Climate Change

CBS News
Climate Change
May 19, 2012

The past 12 months were the hottest on record, and forecasters are predicting high temperatures across the US this summer. Science & environment contributor M. Sanjayan explains the risk of climate change.

Japan Tsunami Debris: Toxicity Main US Concern

CBS News
Oceans & Coasts
May 18, 2012

Japan's tsunami last year sent an estimated five tons of debris into the Pacific Ocean. Experts say roughly a ton-&-a-half of debris is still afloat, heading toward Western US shores. Some has already washed up in Alaska.

10 Childlike Ways to Connect with Nature

Care2.com
May 17, 2012

A small footpath parallels Coal Creek near my home in Lafayette, Colorado. There’s not much to the creek– born at 9,000 feet above sea level, it meanders through pine & spruce forest, across grasslands & through farm land, through 2 towns & ends up in the South Platte River northwest of Denver.

Our Most Endangered River? In the Shadow of the Capital

The Huffington Post
Rivers & Lakes
May 16, 2012

American Rivers released its annual America's Most Endangered Rivers report. On the list, there are rivers under threat from natural gas development, the construction of new dams & reservoirs, mountaintop removal for coal mining, & excessive water withdrawals.

One Man’s Vision: How Ranching in the Amazon Can Become a Forest-Friendly Model to the World

NationalGeographic.com
Forests
May 15, 2012

I was recently able to catch up with Wilton Batista, president of the Rancher’s Union in São Felix. I wanted to get the rancher’s perspective to a previous conversation I had with Luis Araujo, the Environmental Secretary of SFX about stopping illegal deforestation in the Amazon.

Why Maple Syrup is in Danger

Care2.com
Forests
May 10, 2012

Most people know that America’s forests clean our air and provide water (for example, half the nation’s water supply comes from forests). But besides these life-giving services, healthy forests also allow Americans to make a living.

Saving a River, One Farm at a Time

NationalGeographic.com
Rivers & Lakes
May 07, 2012

David Reckford sees the beauty and the good in all things. With the eyes of a trained landscape architect, he peers down from our small plane flying over the Flint River in southwestern Georgia & marvels at the patchwork landscape.

Growing Healthy Food on Healthy Farms

The Huffington Post
Conservation Lands
May 07, 2012

Growing our food in the dirt in the open air, as we've been doing since the dawn of agriculture, comes with some risks. They're rare, but they're there.

California Ranches Where Cattle and Wildlife Coexist

Los Angeles Times
Conservation Lands
May 05, 2012

A new land ethic is taking root on 31,900 acres north of Los Angeles managed by an alliance of environmentalists & cattlemen who want to preserve ranching as a way of life while also protecting mountain lions, black bears, golden eagles & other wildlife.

Have You Friended Your Favorite Cause?

NPR.org
May 04, 2012

Hours after Facebook put out a call Tuesday for its users to register as organ donors, 6,000 people had already signed up. That's more than 15 times the number of people who normally register each day, according to Donate Life America.

Tips for More Eco-Friendly Clothing

Care2.com
May 03, 2012

Finding “eco-friendly” clothing can be tough, especially trying to sort out which of the many “green” claims on labels hold up. For consumers looking to make greener clothing choices, there’s some good news & bad news.

Up Close with the Birds of Millennium Park

Chicago Tribune
May 02, 2012

There was a sudden squawk from somewhere behind us. We swiveled our heads to see what species had made it.

Native Amazon Peoples Helping to Make Forest-Friendly Growth More than “Just Another Wish”

NationalGeographic.com
Forests
May 01, 2012

I watched in awe as boats carrying over 3,000 indigenous people from Kayapo villages descended on São Felix do Xingu. As the boats began to round the bend to the dock, I could hear their forceful chanting accompanied by the beating of staffs on floorboards.

Flooding Disperses Invasive Plant, Fish Species

Associated Press (via FOXNews.com)
Rivers & Lakes
April 29, 2012

Last year's hurricanes & flooding not only engulfed homes & carried away roads & bridges in hard-hit areas of the country, it dispersed aggressive invasive species as well.

Beetle Mania–Conserving an Endangered Insect at the St. Louis Zoo

NationalGeographic.com
Forests
April 28, 2012

The most interesting animal species on the planet often have an alias. The blue-faced booby (A.K.A. masked booby); the pygmy chimp (A.K.A. bonobo); the black-footed penguin (A.K.A. jackass penguin); & the snot otter (A.K.A. hellbender) are just a few to mention.

When Energy Isn’t Popular—Anywhere

National Journal
Conservation Lands
April 27, 2012

What do the words "banana," "cave" & "nope" have in common? To industry wonks, they are all acronyms explaining the opposition that energy projects of all stripes face.

Arbor Day: 5 Reasons to Plant the Family Tree

Christian Science Monitor
Forests
April 27, 2012

Arbor Day is celebrated annually, on the last Friday in April. Some states however, do celebrate the day on different dates, according to the Arbor Day Foundation, to coincide with the best spring “planting” time.

Arbor Day 2012: A History Of The Movement And Threats Of Deforestation

The Huffington Post
Forests
April 26, 2012

Friday, April 27 is Arbor Day in the US. The national & international celebration started many years ago. In fact, Arbor Day had already been celebrated for over 100 years by the time Earth Day came around, & it all began with a journalist.

5 Tips for Raising Globally Aware Naturalists

Care2.com
April 26, 2012

During this election season, with its constant “family values” drumbeat, I’ve been evermore conscious about that most challenging parental task of imparting values on our children, especially when their childhood context differs so much from our own.

All in a Day’s Work: Ending Illegal Deforestation in the Amazon

NationalGeographic.com
Forests
April 23, 2012

Luis Araujo is a busy man. As the Environmental Secretary of São Felix do Xingu, he’s got a lot on his plate. Yet despite the enormity of his work, he’s seeing progress, & he took the time to sit down with me and tell me about it.

Earth Day 2012: How You Can Help Save Our Planet's Resources

The Huffington Post
Events
April 22, 2012

It's the Earth's Day today, but it's our moment to look around, breathe our air in a little deeper & hug our trees a little tighter.

Earth Day 2012: This Isn't About Tree-Hugging Anymore, It's About The Way We Live

The Huffington Post
Events
April 21, 2012

Most of what I know about environmental conservation I learned from my father, who has been one of the leading minds & strategic architects of the movement for over 30 years.

This Earth Day, Let's Focus on People

Christian Science Monitor
Events
April 20, 2012

After more than 40 years of celebrating Earth Day, you’d think something would have stuck. But young Americans are less interested than ever in the environment & taking action to save nature, according to a new comprehensive study.

Fishermen Blast Premier Dive Sites Off Indonesia

Associated Press (via USNews.com)
Oceans & Coasts
April 20, 2012

Coral gardens that were among Asia's most spectacular, teeming with colorful sea life just a few months ago, have been transformed into desolate gray moonscapes by fishermen who use explosives or cyanide to kill or stun their prey.

Becoming Interested in the Environment

MSNBC - Andrea Mitchell Reports
Events
April 20, 2012

As Earth Day turns 43, events – created to bring awareness to environmental issues – are planned across the country to mark the day this weekend. M. Sanjayan, a lead scientist for the Nature Conservancy, joins Andrea Mitchell Reports to discuss.

Best Credit Cards for Going Green

FOXBusiness.com
Partnerships
April 20, 2012

When you open a new account, Bank of America donates $65 to The Nature Conservancy while charging no annual fee.

This Earth Day, Appreciate the Value of Small Actions

The Huffington Post
Events
April 20, 2012

I am usually a pretty optimistic guy, but twice a year, like clockwork, I get depressed. The first is in December, on my birthday, & the story involves my childhood, a birthday cake & a monkey that (supposedly) stole it. The other is on April 22nd, also known as Earth Day.

Help Set a World Record This Earth Day

Care2.com
Events
April 19, 2012

Have plans for Earth Day this weekend? How about trying to become a world record holder? The Nature Conservancy is celebrating Earth Day by attempting to set the world record for the largest multi-venue picnic in 24 hours — & you can be a part of it!

Doctors Develop Life-Saving Drugs from Coral Reefs

NBC Nightly News
Oceans & Coasts
April 19, 2012

The kaleidoscope of life in the coral reefs under the turquoise waters of the Florida Keys is a magnet for tourists, but it’s not just a pretty view. The same chemistry that helps corals & sponges survive is also helping people fight cancer.

House Moves Along Restore Act to Help Gulf Coast

MiamiHerald.com
Oceans & Coasts
April 18, 2012

On the cusp of the second anniversary of the BP oil spill, the House of Representatives approved a bill that includes a provision setting aside 80% of the BP fines for the 5 Gulf states for restoration & recovery of the areas affected by the Deepwater Horizon disaster.

In China, a Growing Call to Environmental Action

The Huffington Post
Leadership
April 18, 2012

Home to a staggering one-fifth of the world's population, China has been growing rapidly for the past three decades. This growth has come at the expense of the country's environment.

Brainstorm Green: Feeding the World Sustainably and Affordably

CNNMoney.com
Leadership
April 18, 2012

Greg Page, CEO of Cargill and Mark Tercek, CEO of The Nature Conservancy sat down for a conversation with ONE.org's Michael Elliott at the Fortune Brainstorm Green conference in Laguna Niguel, Calif.

How Will We Feed an Additional 3 Billion People?

CNNMoney.com
Leadership
April 17, 2012

Cargill CEO Greg Page says industry leaders will need to re-think the cost of water to sustainably feed the world's growing population. Could natural gas help the water pricing problem?

Who Knows What Bugs Lurk in Imported Plants?

New York Times' Green Blog
Forests
April 16, 2012

As millions of gardeners prepare for spring planting, a new study underwritten by The Nature Conservancy warns that imported nursery stock poses an increasing threat to the environment.

Texas Hopes to Learn Lessons from Searing Drought

Associated Press (via FOXNews.com)
Rivers & Lakes
April 12, 2012

When Susan Combs was growing up on her family's West Texas ranch, conserving water was part of everyday life: If the windmill wasn't turning & the storage tank at least half full, the household plumbing was turned off — even the toilets.

2 Years Later: Restoring the Gulf

Care2.com
Oceans & Coasts
April 12, 2012

It’s hard to believe that this month marks two years since the Deepwater Horizon unleashed the largest oil spill in our nation’s history in the Gulf of Mexico.

Another Round: Conservation on a Human-Shaped Planet

DotEarth
Leadership
April 11, 2012

Here’s another round in what has become a heated, but ultimately productive, conversation on strategies for sustaining the planet’s biological integrity as humanity’s influence builds.

Chocolate: A Sweet Solution to Tropical Deforestation?

NationalGeographic.com
Forests
April 11, 2012

I want you to stop & take a moment to think about chocolate. Or, if you’re like me, I want you to continue thinking about chocolate for another moment or two. What’s the first thing you imagine?

The Weather During the Titanic Disaster: Looking Back 100 Years

WashingtonPost.com
Climate Change
April 11, 2012

What were the weather conditions preceding, at the time of, & following, the great disaster & did they contribute in any way to what happened, or how it happened?

Critic of Conservation Efforts Gets Critiqued

DotEarth
Leadership
April 10, 2012

Peter Kareiva, the chief scientist of the Nature Conservancy & perhaps the most prominent critic of the conservation movement from within its own ranks, has had his arguments sharply challenged.

Unspoiled Devils River is Rising in Popularity

Houston Chronicle
Rivers & Lakes
April 06, 2012

Where the Devils River passes under Bakers Crossing about 260 miles west of San Antonio, it carries a mix of muck & silt that leaves the shallow water a dull gray.

Drilling Fees Pay for New National Forest Lands

Associated Press (via Salon.com)
Forests
April 06, 2012

Offshore drilling fees are financing the purchase of $41.6 million worth of new national forest lands in 15 states.

Tips to Make Your Office More Bike-Friendly

Care2.com
April 05, 2012

You’ve probably already spent a lot of time trying to make your home life more “green,” but we often overlook the impact we can have by encouraging greener practices at our work places as well.

Gulf of Mexico Island Was Green Victory to Save Slice of Everglades Paradise

Reuters (via Scientific American)
Conservation Lands
April 05, 2012

When the Mackle brothers, Elliot, Robert and Frank Jr., first set foot on the deserted beaches of Marco Island in 1962 there were more pelicans, terns & mosquitoes than people.

Titanic Would Encounter More Icebergs Today?

NationalGeographic.com
Climate Change
April 04, 2012

A hundred years ago, on April 15, 1912, an iceberg brought down the supposedly unsinkable Titanic in the North Atlantic. If the legendary ship sailed today, it would likely encounter many more icebergs, possibly due to global warming, scientists say.

Peter Kareiva, an Inconvenient Environmentalist

DotEarth
Leadership
April 03, 2012

I encourage you to watch the provocative and important lecture above by Peter Kareiva, the much-lauded chief scientist of the world’s biggest environmental group, the Nature Conservancy.

Titanic Today Might Dodge Better But Would Encounter More Icebergs

LATimes.com
Climate Change
April 03, 2012

The Titanic hit an iceberg off the coast of Newfoundland, but it probably didn’t hit one the size of Manhattan. As oceans warm & global ambient temperatures rise, glaciers in Greenland & ice sheets in the Antarctic are calving bigger & more numerous icebergs.

Myth-Busting Scientist Pushes Greens Past Reliance on "Horror Stories"

Greenwire
Leadership
April 03, 2012

Peter Kareiva had come to answer for his truths. Settling at the head of a long table ringed by young researchers new to the policy world, Kareiva cracked open a beer. After a long day mentoring, he was ready for some sparring.

Beyond Cattle: Family Farms Provide a Good Life for People and Nature in the Amazon

NationalGeographic.com
Forests
March 30, 2012

“The history here is deforestation. People came here for one reason only: to deforest,” explains Father Danilo Lago. “But we shouldn’t just think about the conquest of the land. People need to learn to live well off the land.”

Can Your Child Love Nature Too Much?

Care2.com
March 29, 2012

Raising a young conservationist is a whole lot more than making bird feeders out of used plastic bottles & foisting them on grandparents & unsuspecting neighbors. It’s an agreement to live with nature like an emotional equal, as part of the family.

Amazon Families Finding Sustainable Alternatives to Deforestation

NationalGeographic.com
Forests
March 27, 2012

My husband and I just moved to the municipality of São Felix do Xingu, in northern Brazil, right on the frontier of where ranching meets the Amazon rainforest.

New Guidelines a Step Forward for Bird-Friendly Wind Development

The Huffington Post
March 22, 2012

What do wind turbines and home prices have in common? Location, location, location.

A Soundtrack for World Water Day

Care2.com
Rivers & Lakes
March 22, 2012

In honor of World Water Day on March 22, I’ve made a list of my 10 favorite river songs (not in any ranked order).

Dogged Pursuit

MiamiHerald.com
March 17, 2012

Stories about pythons and Labrador retrievers usually don’t end well for the dogs. But the story of Jake and Ivy, black labs trained to hunt pythons in the Everglades, had a happy ending for all concerned — except the snakes.

What Do Kids Think of The Lorax?

Care2.com
March 15, 2012

We are a family of quite dedicated Dr. Seuss fans – when my husband and I got married and combined our book collections, we discovered we owned two copies of The Cat in the Hat. Our two girls (now 6 and 7 ½) have been immersed in Seuss’ writings since before birth.

Are We Running Out of Water?

NationalGeographic.com
Rivers & Lakes
March 14, 2012

Early in 2001, the Rio Grande River failed to reach the Gulf of Mexico for the first time. With that nefarious event the Rio Grande joined a growing list of once-mighty rivers that are running dry from overuse.

Investing in Water Funds

Guardian.co.uk
Rivers & Lakes
March 13, 2012

It was a typical scene at the dinner table a few nights ago. My three year old daughter took a sip of milk from her glass & proudly proclaimed "Milk comes from cows!" Then she looked at my glass & asked, "Daddy, where does water come from?"

Efforts Begin to Put Water Back into Great Dismal Swamp Peat Bogs

Washington Post
Rivers & Lakes
March 11, 2012

Now that the long-burning wildfire in the Great Dismal Swamp has been extinguished, refuge managers are going to try to get more water into the peat bogs to make catastrophic fires less likely & possibly revive the prized Atlantic white cedar.

Farmers and Conservationists Working Together in the Colorado River Basin

NationalGeographic.com
Conservation Lands
March 05, 2012

Irrigation of crops is one of the most important uses of the water from rivers in the Colorado River Basin. From the hay & alfalfa grown for cattle high in the headwaters of Wyoming & Colorado, to sprawling lettuce fields in Southern Arizona, agriculture uses more than 80 percent of the basin’s water.

Can We Solve Global Water Scarcity?

Grist
Rivers & Lakes
March 04, 2012

You’re probably doing your part to conserve water. But water is in short supply across the globe because of people’s increasing demands for it—a huge problem for cities, agriculture & industry that will only get worse with climate change.

Chesapeake Bay Oyster Appears to be in Recovery Mode

Washington Post
Oceans & Coasts
March 04, 2012

A modern-day Lazarus story is taking shape in the Chesapeake Bay, a resurrection from the all but dead.

The USA's 150 Scenic Byways Could Soon Lose Federal Funding

USA Today
March 04, 2012

Tourism & conservation officials are protesting pending federal legislation that would repeal the National Scenic Byways Program, which since 1992 has helped lure tourists & their dollars off freeways & into communities along back roads.

Rum and Reggae? Not Here

The New York Times
March 02, 2012

Outside Treasure Beach, on Jamaica’s rural southern coast, a half-dozen oxen are blocking the one potholed road into town. When the taxi driver honks, they turn, stare and stand their ground.

Man’s Best Friend Thwarts Environmental Enemies in the Florida Everglades

FOXNews.com
March 01, 2012

Burmese pythons have become a serious threat to birds & mammals. But specially trained canines from Auburn University’s EcoDogs program have been able to sniff out the invasive reptiles in places humans overlook.

Why Cloudy Cities Are Good for Us

Care2.com
Rivers & Lakes
March 01, 2012

Most people love blue skies and clearly prefer being drenched with sunshine rather than rain. The sunny regions of the country are booming as people move to where they know the calendar will be filled with blue-sky days.

Texas Drought Twists Migrations Of Many Birds

Associated Press (via NPR.org)
Rivers & Lakes
March 01, 2012

Strange things are aloft in the bird world. Endangered whooping cranes flew 2,500 miles from Canada to Texas, where they usually spend the whole winter. Instead, they pecked around for a short time and flew back.

Florida Group Rebuilds Vital Coral Reefs

CNN.com
Oceans & Coasts
March 01, 2012

It was more than 40 years ago, but Ken Nedimyer still remembers the first time he went diving in the Florida Keys.

Dogfish Head Brews Pearl Jam Beer

Forbes.com
Partnerships
February 29, 2012

In recognition of this refreshing approach, Dogfish is donating $20,000 to The Nature Conservancy to aide in its efforts to preserve the plants, animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth.

Counting the Family Carbon

NYTimes.com
Climate Change
February 29, 2012

Which has the lower carbon footprint — our life in the New Jersey suburbs or our life in a cabin in the woods of Maine? We recently hit the halfway mark for our year in the woods, so I now have enough data to answer the question.

Shell, Environmental Group Team Up to Save Island

Associated Press (via FOXNews.com)
Conservation Lands
February 28, 2012

An eroding Texas island where more than 20,000 birds nest in scraggly trees & on a narrow patch of sand will be built back up thanks to a partnership between the Nature Conservancy of Texas & Shell Oil that was announced Tuesday.

World Bank Launches Global Coalition for Marine Protection

Guardian.co.uk
Oceans & Coasts
February 24, 2012

A new partnership to raise $1.5bn (£633m) for the world's oceans, double marine protected areas and rebuild fish stocks was launched on Friday by the World Bank.

Restoring Rivers by Restoring Flooding

NationalGeographic.com
Rivers & Lakes
February 23, 2012

The Army Corps of Engineers is making floods. It’s true. I’ve seen them doing it. And it’s a very good thing for fish, frogs, mussels, wetlands & local communities that depend on the bounty of healthy river systems.

Coastal Restoration: A Smart Investment

The Huffington Post
Oceans & Coasts
February 22, 2012

With a potential BP settlement for the Gulf of Mexico oil spill possible as early as this week, Gulf Coast communities are speaking up, urging Congress to quickly pass the RESTORE Act.

If Songbirds Are Dying From Mercury Poisoning, Are We Next?

The Huffington Post
February 21, 2012

Mercury pollution -- nothing to worry about if I don't live in the rural Northeast and don't eat tons of fish, right?

Houston Audubon Fills Up Pond for Migratory Birds

Houston Chronicle
Rivers & Lakes
February 20, 2012

Two months ago, there was not much to Clay Bottom Pond besides a cracked clay bottom. Texas' wicked drought had turned the 20-acre pond into a few shallow puddles, threatening a favorite nesting spot for an astonishing variety of migratory birds.

Hawaii Plastic Bag Fee Gains Support

Associated Press (via The Huffington Post)
February 17, 2012

A proposal to collect fees from customers who choose disposable paper and plastic shopping bags is gaining support as it works its way through Hawaii's Legislature.

Can Energy Companies Save the Desert?

SFGate.com
Conservation Lands
February 16, 2012

We’ve been hearing a lot about expanding renewable energy sources like wind & solar lately.

Valentine's Day: Animal Mating Rituals Get A Little Wild

The Huffington Post
February 14, 2012

So you think you've had some strange dates? This Valentine's Day, The Nature Conservancy compiled the top 10 most bizarre examples of love in the wild.

Nature Abounds Along Hoosier Hiking Trails

Chicago Tribune
Conservation Lands
February 14, 2012

Looking to take your Illinois self on a trip to a state known for its natural beauty? Consider Indiana.

Dow Chemical Project Aims for Healthier Environment and Profits

Houston Chronicle
Conservation Lands
February 10, 2012

Dow Chemical Co. has decided to pursue an ambitious and unusual project at its sprawling Freeport complex to make environmental costs and benefits part of every business decision.

Me Against the World: The Trouble with Travel and the Climate

Grist
Climate Change
February 09, 2012

My personal carbon offset plan has bogged down with a serious case of the Couldas.

An Animated Ad With a Plot Line and a Moral

New York Times
Conservation Lands
February 09, 2012

When Chipotle Mexican Grill, the fast-food marketer, began thinking about ways to promote improvements to the country’s food supply, it decided to skip the graphic photos of jam-packed chicken coops & other unsettling farm practices.

The Quest for the Perfect Car

Care2.com
February 09, 2012

Topping the list of most common marital disagreements are usually things like money and children. But if the list were derived from my household, it would include cars and light bulbs.

Urban Outfitters: The Nature Conservancy Goes to the City

Grist
February 09, 2012

When Bill Ulfelder looks out over the chiseled, concrete and glass landscape of New York City, he sees habitat — not just for people, but for critters, too.

With a Few Rules, Dogs and Offices Can Mix Well

Associated Press (via USA Today)
February 08, 2012

No one at the Ohio chapter of The Nature Conservancy enjoys going to meetings more than Annie. Once, she was even disciplined for attending a meeting to which she was not invited.

Making the Business Case for Conservation

The Huffington Post
Leadership
February 03, 2012

What is the business case for conservation? Just a few years ago, I don't think many people in either the business or conservation communities would have thought to even pose that question, let alone try to answer it in a meaningful way.

Wild, Wild Love

About.com
February 01, 2012

Lions, beetles and little brown bats show their love in the most natural ways and not just on Valentine's Day -- prairie chickens and deep sea angler fish too.

Paying for Nature: Dow’s Environmental Bottom Line

Time.com
Partnerships
January 30, 2012

A year ago I traveled to Detroit to moderate a discussion between Mark Tercek, the head of the Nature Conservancy—one of the biggest green groups in the U.S.—& Andrew Liveris, the CEO of Dow Chemical.

Pythons Eating Through Everglades Mammals at "Astonishing" Rate?

NationalGeographic.com
January 30, 2012

From rabbits to deer to even bobcats, invasive Burmese pythons appear to be eating through the Everglades' supply of mammals, new research shows.

Hidden Risk: Mercury Pollution’s Costs to Wildlife and People

Grist
Climate Change
January 29, 2012

Mercury pollution — nothing to worry about if I don’t live in the rural Northeast and don’t eat tons of fish, right?

Smart Resource Management: Good for Nature, People and Business

The Huffington Post
Leadership
February 27, 2012

Resource scarcity has been a frequent topic at the World Economic Forum in recent years, and for good reason.

Get Kids Outside: Tracking

Care2.com
January 26, 2012

My nephew Jacob excitedly called me over, with the impatience only an 11-year-old can muster. “You have to check this out,” he exclaimed. He wasn’t urging us to view a new app on his iPad. He wanted us to see his latest find along a river: a set of raccoon tracks.

Ethical Traveler: The Dangerous Pairing of Salmon and Wine

BBC.com
Rivers & Lakes
January 25, 2012

According to wine aficionados, pinot noir pairs quite well with salmon. But growing this grape — and several other varietals — is actually hurting the coho salmon population in California’s rivers and streams.

Mercury’s Harmful Reach Has Grown, Study Suggests

New York Times
January 23, 2012

The strict new federal standards limiting pollution from power plants are meant to safeguard human health. But they should have an important side benefit: protecting a broad array of wildlife that has been harmed by mercury emissions.

Raiding the Bread Basket: Use and Abuse of the Mississippi River Basin

NationalGeographic.com
Rivers & Lakes
January 23, 2012

A musty smell repels swimmers from some Iowa lakes in summer, when the bodies of water too often turn brown, green, or blue-green.

Improving Forestry for Nature, People and the Climate

The Huffington Post
Forests
January 20, 2012

As we watch the world debate how best to address climate change, and as carbon emissions continue to soar, at least one climate strategy strikes me as a "no-brainer." We should do everything we can to save the world's forests.

Nature’s Most Overlooked Benefit: Reefs Breaking Waves

Care2.com
Oceans & Coasts
January 19, 2012

“Reefs break waves every day”: I know you’re thinking that’s an obvious statement. But there’s more to it than meets the eye. Reefs break waves — waves that would otherwise crash into and erode coasts on which hundreds of millions of people and trillions of dollars in development sit.

Giant Vegetarian Panda Eats Meat

Treehugger
January 14, 2012

Never say never. Pandas eat bamboo shoots and leaves. And sometimes a little meat, scientists say. But a picture of a panda eating meat is rare. So check it out: A panda eating a meal of takin, aka Himalayan goat-antelope.

How to Make Your Air Travel Green

CNBC.com
Climate Change
January 13, 2012

For those corporate travelers concerned about climate change — as well as quarterly profits —frequent air travel may make you uneasy.

Going Solar: Tips for Your Home

Care2.com
January 12, 2012

We all want to decrease our energy use, both for the sake of our wallets and the benefit of the planet. But is putting solar panels on our home rooftops the best way to do that?

Can We Save the Whales by Putting a Price On Them?

ScienceDaily
Oceans & Coasts
January 11, 2012

Every year, a group of anti-whaling nonprofit organizations spend some $25 million on a variety of activities intended to end commercial whaling. And every year, commercial whaling not only continues, but grows.

Drilling Critics Face a Divide Over the Goal of Their Fight

The New York Times
Conservation Lands
January 09, 2012

With a deadline looming this week for the public to weigh in on gas drilling in New York State, the antifracking movement itself has become divided over what its goal should be: securing the nation’s toughest regulations, or winning an outright ban?

Amid Drought, Water Desalination Gets Attractive

Associated Press (via Bloomberg BusinessWeek)
Rivers & Lakes
January 05, 2012

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar visited El Paso's desalination plant Wednesday to showcase the technology as a way to help alleviate the region's chronic water woes and to support a statewide water supply increasingly stressed by drought and population growth.

20 Inches to Disaster: US Coasts Unprepared for Higher Seas

Grist
Climate Change
January 03, 2012

Let's say the rise in sea level that climate change will bring us -- from melting ice caps and expanding seas -- won't be "all that bad" by, oh, the year 2080. Maybe ... just half a meter (a little under 20 inches). We can deal with half a meter, right?

Welcome Back, Wolves?

SFGate.com
December 31, 2011

Leaving his pack several months ago & striking out on his own, a lone gray wolf named OR-7 made history crossing into California this week. We haven’t had a wild wolf in the state for almost a century. The last known wolf was killed by a trapper in 1924 in Lassen County.

Who Moved My Climate?

The Huffington Post
Climate Change
December 30, 2011

Earlier this month global climate negotiations wrapped up for the 17th time in Durban, South Africa. An agreement to continue to talk and hopefully agree on a treaty binding to everyone by 2020 is progress of a sort.

China Proceeds on Plan for Disputed Yangtze Dam

New York Times
Rivers & Lakes
December 29, 2011

The Chinese State Council has removed a crucial roadblock to building one of the nation’s most contentious hydroelectric dams, dealing a decisive defeat to environmentalists critical of the project.

2011's Weather Disasters: From Joplin to Irene

CBS' The Early Show
Climate Change
December 29, 2011

From Hurricane Irene to Joplin's tornado, the U.S. in 2011 had 96 declared weather disasters. The Nature Conservancy's lead scientist, Dr. M Sanjayan, discusses this year's extreme weather conditions.

Florida Looks for Curbs on Some Legless Invaders

New York Times
December 24, 2011

To live in South Florida is to make peace with flying cockroach behemoths, brigades of lizards that dart across walls (bedroom and otherwise) & frogs the size of cannonballs that loiter on driveways.

Matt Miller: Don't Oversimplify Issues in Environmental Debates

Mongabay.com
December 21, 2011

Matt Miller is director of communications for The Nature Conservancy in Idaho, a position he’s held for ten years. He is responsible for the chapter’s publications and digital media.

Winning the Conservation War: How to Manage the World We're Stuck With

Time.com
December 20, 2011

Conservation is one of the environmental movement's greatest successes — a bit of a trick because it's also one of its greatest failures.

Top 10 Green Business Stories of 2011

Harvard Business Review (via Bloomberg.com)
December 20, 2011

Yes, it's December again somehow: time to look back on what we've learned and oversimplify into a handy list. Here's my take on the 10 big stories in sustainability & green business this year.

Will Nature Always Be the Last Book on the Shelf?

Grist
December 20, 2011

Driving with my kids the other day, I saw a sign announcing: "Borders Books Going Out of Business: 90% Off!" We headed in with great enthusiasm, thoughts of nearly free books dancing in our heads.

National Fish and Wildlife Earns Grant to Restore Long Leaf Pines

The Huffington Post
Conservation Lands
December 15, 2011

The National Fish & Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) has been awarded a public/private grant to help restore native long-leaf pine trees through re-planting and conservation.

Migratory Yellowstone Bison May Be Relocated To Colorado, South Dakota

The Huffington Post
Conservation Lands
December 14, 2011

For the first time in decades, the federal government is considering moving bison captured leaving Yellowstone National Park to public lands in Colorado, South Dakota and elsewhere as part of efforts to curb periodic slaughters of the animals.

Restoring the Gulf: Difficult and Expensive

Houston Chronicle
Oceans & Coasts
December 13, 2011

A week ago Monday, a federal-state task force laid out a sweeping new initiative to restore the environmental integrity of the Gulf Coast area after years of abuse and neglect.

A Conversation With Andrew Deutz, Conservationist

TheAtlantic.com
Leadership
December 12, 2011

As the director of the Nature Conservancy's International Government Relations Department, Andrew Deutz is responsible for overseeing TNC's international policy work on climate change and protected areas and managing relationships with donor agencies and intergovernmental organizations.

Greening Latin America: Investing in Nature for a Sustainable Future

The Huffington Post
Leadership
December 12, 2011

Today, some of Latin America's leading agricultural businesses -- from sugarcane growers to ranchers to soy producers -- understand that improving sustainability has a positive impact on their bottom line, local communities and the lands and waters on which all life depends.

Real Christmas Trees Save Water

NationalGeographic.com
Forests
December 12, 2011

Fake Christmas trees might be convenient and seem eco-friendly at first glance, but their environmental costs—measured in greenhouse gas emissions and landfill space—far outweigh their benefits, say conservationists who urge consumers to "stay real" this holiday season.

A Conversation With Brian McPeek, COO of The Nature Conservancy

TheAtlantic.com
Leadership
December 11, 2011

Brian McPeek spent several years with the Nature Conservancy -- working as the deputy director of the Conservancy's Colorado program and then the regional managing director for North America -- before rising to the rank of chief operating officer.

Saving the Amazon, From Forest Floor Up

Associated Press (via CBSNews.com)
Forests
December 10, 2011

Just three years ago, the manmade fires here were so fierce smoke would blot out the Amazon sky, turning the days dark. Towering rainforest trees exploded in flames, their canopies cleared to let pasture grow for cattle.

Nonprofits Pay $30 Million to Preserve Swath of Land in California

The Chronicle of Philanthropy
Conservation Lands
December 09, 2011

Five conservation groups will pay more than $30-million for 8,500 acres in Santa Cruz County to preserve it from development, writes the San Jose Mercury News.

Why REAL Christmas Trees Are Back In Style

Forbes.com
Forests
December 09, 2011

For nearly 30 years, Marvin Reiner has tended to his Christmas trees on a five-acre lot in Olympia, Washington. Reiner, who is 88 & often wears a red parka & a moose-shaped hat around the farm, says being a Christmas tree farmer has changed his life.

Seeing REDD: Forest Program May Be Only Success of Climate Talks

Voice of America
Climate Change
December 07, 2011

The headlines from the COP17 U.N. climate conference in Durban, South Africa have mostly underscored the deadlock on major initiatives. But there has been progress on a forestry program known as REDD+.

A Conversation With M. Sanjayan, Nature Researcher and TV Host

TheAtlantic.com
Leadership
December 07, 2011

A frequent guest on NBC's Today Show & host of several documentaries for the BBC & the Discovery Channel, M. Sanjayan is the lead scientist at the Nature Conservancy & a faculty researcher at the University of Montana.

Green Ribbons to be Awarded to Sustainable Schools

US News & World Report
December 07, 2011

With its new "Green Ribbon" program, announced in April, the Department of Education will honor public schools of all levels that are taking steps to be environmentally conscious.

A Conversation With Mark Tercek, CEO of the Nature Conservancy

TheAtlantic.com
Leadership
December 06, 2011

President and CEO of the Nature Conservancy Mark Tercek admits that he was a late bloomer when it came to nature. A city kid from Cleveland, Ohio, his passion for nature didn't fully develop until an eye-opening trip to Costa Rica with his wife and kids.

Feds Give Gulf Plan $50 Million Boost

Houston Chronicle
Oceans & Coasts
December 05, 2011

The federal government on Monday committed $50 million to jump start a sweeping new road map for restoring the Gulf of Mexico after decades of environmental abuse.

8 Well-Rated Green Charities to Kick Start Your Holiday Giving

MNN.com (via Miami Herald)
December 05, 2011

The season of giving is also the season of tax planning - something of a buzz kill compared to eggnog and swapping presents. The two activities can go hand-in-hand - giving a donation to a good cause can reduce your tax bill.

Christmas Gift Ideas 2011: Go Green This Holiday Season

The Huffington Post
December 01, 2011

The holiday season is fast approaching and many of us are wondering how we could possibly top last year's gifts. But come December 26th, how much plastic packaging and gift wrap will get thrown away?

"Ocean" Creatures That Evolved in Huge Lake Under Threat

NationalGeographic.com
Rivers & Lakes
November 30, 2011

One of the world's largest lakes, Lake Tanganyika, has evolved over time to act more like an ocean, housing colorful animals such as jellyfish in water up to a mile (1.5 kilometers) deep.

Forget Cyber Monday, It's Green Gift Monday

Treehugger
Events
November 28, 2011

Just a reminder that it is Green Gift Monday, an alternative to Cyber Monday.

Cyber Monday Goes Charitable With Gifts That Give Back

USAToday.com
Events
November 28, 2011

Good news for retailers today, with many stores reporting record-breaking sales during Thanksgiving weekend, according to a USA TODAY cover story.

Partnership Preserves Livelihoods and Fish Stocks

New York Times
Oceans & Coasts
November 27, 2011

Stevie Fitz, a commercial fisherman, was pulling up his catch in one of his favorite spots off of Point Reyes in June when he saw something terrifying — in his nets were nearly 300 bocaccio, a dwindling species of rockfish protected by the government.

Cyber Monday Boasts Green Beauty Deals

Treehugger
Events
November 27, 2011

Hot off the heels of Black Friday and Small Business Saturday, comes tomorrow's online shopping holiday, Cyber Monday. While the holiday doesn't pack the 50-times more carbon intensive punch that Black Friday does, it spurs frivolous shopping and wasteful consumption.

A Military Camp Works to Be a Good Neighbor

Texas Tribune (via NYTimes.com)
Partnerships
November 26, 2011

Reddish-brown cedar chips from recently cleared trees spread across a patch of ground in this United States military installation, in sharp contrast to the jungle-like growth nearby.

Wondering if That's a Genuine Bison? Try Pulling Its Tail

Wall Street Journal
Conservation Lands
November 26, 2011

The young bison thrashes wildly. The cowboys rush up. They snap a microchip into his ear, burn a brand into his shaggy rump, vaccinate him with a swift shot to his well-muscled shoulder.

Conversing on Conserving Rivers

China Daily
Rivers & Lakes
November 25, 2011

Large rivers are vital to agriculture, health & animal life, so understanding them can be essential to a nation's progress. An initiative called The Great Rivers Partnership connects scientists from China & the United States in an effort to share information & learn best practices about how to manage a river's health.

3 Tips for a Healthy & Green Thanksgiving

Care2.com
Events
November 24, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving! Today’s the perfect day for reflecting on what the traditional Thanksgiving meal can teach us about the right food choices for the environment, and for our health and happiness.

Green Gift Monday Promotes Positive Change and Provides Free Marketing

TriplePundit
Events
November 24, 2011

Despite the economic downturn and complaints about consumerism co-opting the real meaning of the holidays, the average American plans to spend over $700 on Christmas gifts this year.

A Cut Above Fake Fir

Wall Street Journal
Forests
November 23, 2011

For some people, the day after Thanksgiving marks the time to hit the mall. Others observe what I like to think of as a more enlightened tradition; they load their kids into the SUV and head off to the country to buy their fresh Christmas tree.

Spreading the Gospel of Green Business to Latin America

Time.com
Partnerships
November 16, 2011

While the rest of us are watching the wars in the Middle East or Central Asia, worrying about economic collapse in Europe or economic growth in Asia, Latin America is poised to explode on the global scene.

Survey: Humans Put Orangutans at Risk

WSJ.com/Southeast Asia Realtime
Forests
November 16, 2011

Tourists to Southeast Asia are often drawn to the region because of its diverse wildlife — including the intelligent orangutans.

Rebuilding Fisheries: There's an App for That

The Huffington Post
Oceans & Coasts
November 15, 2011

My daughter and I love to fish (on my iPhone). She's 2; I'm a bit older, but we're both excellent anglers (on my iPhone).

Nature's Method Could Bring Hope to Trinity River

Houston Chronicle
Rivers & Lakes
November 15, 2011

Down where the Trinity River plods through old East Texas hardwoods sits the Seven J Stock Farm, an archetypal agribusiness in this part of the country.

On a Mountaintop, Dreaming of the Next Step

New York Times' Green
November 14, 2011

As some of you may know, we’re a family of five who embarked in July on a year of living in the Maine woods, relocating from our house in the New Jersey suburbs.

Survey: Indonesians Killed 750 Orangutans in a Year

AP via CBSNews.com
Forests
November 13, 2011

Villagers living on the Indonesian side of Borneo killed at least 750 endangered orangutans in a year, some to protect crops from being raided and others for their meat, a new survey shows.

Message to Congress: Healthy Lands and Waters Support a Healthy Economy

The Huffington Post
Conservation Lands
November 11, 2011

What do The Nature Conservancy, Ducks Unlimited, the Civil War Trust, the National Marine Manufacturers Association and the Saucony shoe company have in common?

5 Things You Need to Know About Wildlife Corridors

Treehugger
Conservation Lands
November 10, 2011

We live in a very inter-connected world. This is something that conservationists have learned when studying the species that they are trying to protect; It's not good enough to create protected habitats that are isolated.

Coho Salmon Numbers On The Rise, Saved By Fallen Trees

The Huffington Post
Rivers & Lakes
November 09, 2011

Cutting down forests to increase the dwindling number of coho salmon may seem unusual, but groups are embracing this in California's Garcia River Forest.

Entire Mammal Genus on Brink of Extinction

NationalGeographic.com
Conservation Lands
November 08, 2011

For the first time in 75 years, an entire genus of mammal may go the way of the dodo—unless a new conservation effort shepherded by Somalian herders succeeds.

Green Gift Monday is the New Black Friday

Treehugger
Events
November 07, 2011

Black Friday is about crazy deals, waiting in line, excess spending, consumption, capitalism, you name it. Of course, there's nothing wrong with giving. But if you're going to give ('Tis the Season), why not give with your gut, your conscience?

Photographing the "Living World"

Chicago Tribune
Events
November 04, 2011

Photojournalist Ami Vitale has traveled to over 75 countries & has been published in highly regarded international magazines. Based in Montana, she recently came through Chicago for the Nature Conservancy's "Design for a Living World" exhibit at the Field Museum.

Hungry Villagers Kill Hundreds of Orangutans for Food

DailyMail.co.uk
Forests
November 03, 2011

Hundreds of orangutans have been killed for food by villagers in Borneo as man and beast struggle for survival, a shock report revealed today.

Salmon Flourish When Great Trees Fall

SFGate.com
Rivers & Lakes
November 03, 2011

In “When Great Trees Fall” Maya Angelou wrote, “When great trees fall/in forests, small things recoil into silence.” It turns out that the same trees that send creatures scurrying into the underbrush can be essential for their survival.

How to Feed 7 Billion and Counting

The Huffington Post
November 02, 2011

This week, according to UN estimates, the Earth welcomed its 7 billionth person. By 2050, we are likely to hit the 9 billion mark.

For Parched Times, a New Water Calculus

New York Times' Green
Rivers & Lakes
November 02, 2011

It turns out that measuring water use is just as tricky as measuring carbon dioxide emissions. Yet the Water Footprint Network has developed what it calls a gold standard for water use measurement & is urging that it be embraced by corporations, nations & individuals.

Could an Artificial Cave Help Protect Bats from Deadly Fungus?

ScientificAmerican.com
Conservation Lands
November 01, 2011

The deadly fungal infection known as white-nose syndrome (WNS) has killed at least a million bats since it was first observed in 2006. In some areas more than 90 percent of the bats have been wiped out.

Borneo's Endangered Orangutans Pay Price of Progress

Voice of America
Forests
November 01, 2011

Just a week after the last known Javan rhino was reported dead in Vietnam, a new study shows that orangutan hunting is on the rise in one of that animal's last refuges, the Borneo region of Kalimantan.

What's With All the Wacky 2011 Weather?

CBS' The Early Show
Climate Change
October 31, 2011

It's been quite the year of wild weather across the country.

A Letter to #7,000,000,000

The Huffington Post
October 31, 2011

Welcome to our world! The only place in the known universe where life, in 15 million varieties, colors and forms exist.

Protecting Forests: The Road Not Bulldozed

The Economist
Forests
October 29, 2011

“In God's wildness lies the hope of the world,” opined John Muir, the great naturalist & defender of Yosemite National Park. A century later, that view—sometimes minus God—is still strong in America.

World Population to Hit 7 Billion

NBC Nightly News
October 28, 2011

What does a growing population mean for the planet?

Changing the Conversation: From Nature's Wonder to Nature's Value

The Huffington Post
Leadership
October 25, 2011

"As head of The Nature Conservancy, I am committed to helping the conservation movement cross boundaries," says president/CEO Mark Tercek.

New Technology Reduces Agricultural Water Consumption

Forbes.com
Rivers & Lakes
October 25, 2011

Faculty at the University of Georgia have invented an easy-to-use, GPS-based technology that allows farmers to more accurately target irrigation needs, reducing water consumption by an average of 15%.

Debris From Japanese Tsunami Could Hit US

NBC Nightly News
Oceans & Coasts
October 24, 2011

Another lingering effect of the Japanese tsunami: another Pacific garbage patch.

Prop 8: Vote Yes for Texas' Water

Houston Chronicle
Rivers & Lakes
October 17, 2011

If there's anything positive about this year's wretched drought, it's that Texans are thinking hard about our state's water supply.

Reaching Out to Minorities and People Around the World Pays Big Dividends

The Chronicle of Philanthropy
Leadership
October 16, 2011

One way to raise money is to figure out who your best donors are & look for other people like them. But some Philanthropy 400 charities have succeeded by taking the opposite approach: looking for brand-new supporters who are nothing like their traditional donors.

Conservation Groups Turn to Big Business for Help

Nature (via Scientific American)
Leadership
October 14, 2011

Conservation organizations are looking for change. They are beginning to recognize that they have not met their founding goal of protecting nature from the effects of human activity.

Kristen Bell Fights For Water Conservation

The Huffington Post
Rivers & Lakes
October 13, 2011

Actress Kristen Bell took to the stage on Monday night in support of water conservation, saying "you don't have to be sacrificial" to save water.

Human Waste Dumped into Oceans Harms Coral, New Study Reveals

Treehugger
Oceans & Coasts
October 09, 2011

Elkhorn coral is endangered. And it's being threatened by us, as in humans, and what we flush down the toilet.

Drought Could Draw Votes for Water Issues on Fall Ballot

Houston Chronicle
Rivers & Lakes
October 09, 2011

The drought should make it easier to win voter approval for two water-related issues on the Nov. 8 constitutional amendment election ballot, said supporters of two measures designed to finance water projects and enhance water conservation.

Dogfish Head's Pearl Jam Beer, Faithfull Ale, Commemorates Band's 20th Anniversary

The Huffington Post
October 07, 2011

In support of the Pearl Jam's commitment to putting music before commerce, according to the press release, Dogfish is donating $20,000 to The Nature Conservancy.

Top Tweets from SXSW Eco

Treehugger
October 04, 2011

SXSW Eco is now in full swing and so is the hashtag #SXSWEco. Here are a few of the best so far.

National Park Offers Glimpse of Tallgrass Prairie

Associated Press (via Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Conservation Lands
September 28, 2011

It's easy to envision the world that pioneers encountered while looking at a herd of bison grazing at Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve in east-central Kansas.

Santa Cruz Island Wetland Restoration Underway

Los Angeles Times
Rivers & Lakes
September 28, 2011

A major restoration project could bring back a long-degraded wetland to one of the remote islands off the Southern California coast.

Wangari Maathai: Champion for Conservation, Africa and the World

The Huffington Post
Leadership
September 27, 2011

I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of a good friend of conservation and a true champion of Africa, Wangari Maathai.

Patagonia Launches Groundbreaking Sustainable Wool Program In Argentina

Treehugger
Conservation Lands
September 27, 2011

It seems odd how some groups argue that preserving the environment is bad business when the opposite is many times the case. Such an example is wool production: the key to great quality wool is good food for sheep, and key to good food for sheep are natural grasslands.

Learning How to Protect the Planet

NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams
September 26, 2011

Budding environmentalists learn how to become tomorrow's environmental leaders in a special nature conservancy program.

Military Spearheads Clean Energy Drive

Washington Post
Conservation Lands
September 26, 2011

With the Navy’s Blue Angels and their F/A-18 Hornets arrayed in a neat line behind him, Navy Secretary Ray Mabus announced that they would perform in the Labor Day Air Expo using a 50-50 mix of a plant-based biofuel and conventional fuel.

Wangari Maathai Knew Nature Pays Huge Dividends-- If We Let It

The Huffington Post
Leadership
September 26, 2011

Wangari Maathai knew her country's wilderness was priceless. Still, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate dedicated much of her life to the idea that putting a price tag on nature's goods & services can pay huge dividends for human health, the environment and local economies.

My Favorite Place: Little Compton, R.I.

New York Times
Oceans & Coasts
September 23, 2011

South Shore features a long stretch of sand, ringed with visitor parking, and it is the only way into another gentle crescent of beach, where no cars can venture, and the swales and dunes are left alone, protected by the Nature Conservancy, called Goosewing Beach Preserve.

Removing Dams in Maine

NPR's Living on Earth
Rivers & Lakes
September 23, 2011

An unusual collaboration has led to a deal that will remove two dams on the largest river in Maine.

Fishermen And Conservationists Work Together To Improve Californian Fisheries

The Huffington Post
Oceans & Coasts
September 23, 2011

In a unique partnership, conservationists and fisherman are working together to improve the sustainability of fisheries while keeping fishermen fishing.

Diner's Journal: What We’re Reading

NYTimes.com
Rivers & Lakes
September 21, 2011

The Nature Conservancy says that we can protect California mountain lions by eating more guacamole (sourced from avocado farms along the Santa Clara River). Preposterous? Read and decide for yourself.

Bill Aimed at Restoring Gulf Goes to Full Senate

Associated Press (via Houston Chronicle)
Oceans & Coasts
September 21, 2011

A bill that calls for 80 percent of BP penalties to go toward restoring the Gulf of Mexico has moved onto the full U.S. Senate.

The Record Summer of 2011: You Haven't Seen Anything Yet

The Huffington Post
Climate Change
September 21, 2011

In case you didn’t notice, this past summer was hot. June, July, and August were the warmest three months in the U.S. since the catastrophic Dust Bowl era in the 1930's.

Eat Your Weeds

Forbes.com
September 19, 2011

Eating weeds like dandelions and fiddlehead ferns wasn’t always an accepted practice. Before these wild plants became staples at farmers’ markets across the country they were overlooked at best and considered inedible pests at worst.

Day Celebrates Verde River

Arizona Republic
Rivers & Lakes
September 17, 2011

Arizona riparian areas can be fragile. Some, like the Verde River, provide water for a large assortment of plants and animals in the high desert. About 85 percent of all wildlife in the area look to the river for sustenance.

The Kids Are All Right

The Huffington Post
September 16, 2011

My colleague had a problem. While at a company luncheon, she spoke about her plan to send her 10-year old son to the boundary waters of Northern Minnesota for a weeklong camp. He wanted an iPad. Her dilemma: she couldn't afford both. The rest of the table wasn't so sure, but my vote was swift -- get the kid his iPad. Here's why.

Watch Out for Lethal Branches. Bats, Too.

NYTimes.com
September 14, 2011

For my job at the Nature Conservancy, I spend a lot of time planning fieldwork in remote places where I study how conservation benefits people in poor communities. So I approached my family’s year in the woods as if it were fieldwork in a new country.

Nature Conservancy Emphasizes Relationships, Online and Off

The Chronicle of Philanthropy
September 13, 2011

The Nature Conservancy encouraged followers to organize local picnics in celebration of Earth Day in April 2011.

American Bison are Being Reintroduced in Mexico to Improve Grasslands

Washington Post
Conservation Lands
September 12, 2011

Environmental authorities in the US and Mexico are working with the Nature Conservancy to reintroduce the American bison in the grasslands of northern Chihuahua state.

Movement to Protect Arizona's Parks from Budget Cuts Gains Steam

Arizona Republic
Conservation Lands
September 05, 2011

Arizonans overwhelmingly support state parks and open spaces and believe such areas contribute to a region's economic health, but few people understand how the state pays for its parks, a new survey says.

Hurricane Irene, Risk and the Future of the Planet

The Huffington Post
Climate Change
September 04, 2011

Ignoring the science of climate change jeopardizes the safety of our families, just as we would be putting them in harm's way if we ignored the warnings of a coming storm.

Jevons Paradox: When Doing More With Less Isn’t Enough

Grist.org
Conservation Lands
September 04, 2011

I recently had the chance to participate in a panel about energy efficiency at the Aspen Ideas Festival in Colorado.

Set on Stone

Boston Globe
Conservation Lands
September 04, 2011

Thor Emory pilots his Presto 30, the Thorfinn, out of Rockland and across Penobscot Bay to the Vinalhaven archipelago on the edge of the Gulf of Maine.

Study Calls for Halting Oyster Fishing in Chesapeake Bay

Washington Post
Oceans & Coasts
September 01, 2011

Dogged for decades by overfishing and parasites, the oyster population in Maryland’s portion of the Chesapeake Bay has fallen so low that there’s only one way to save it, a new study says: Halt fishing entirely.

SABMiller Ups Its Water Works by Detailing Its Impacts in 4 Countries

GreenBiz.com
Rivers & Lakes
September 01, 2011

As we've written about many times here at GreenBiz.com, water can be one of the most complex challenges companies face.

Fire and Rain

NationalGeographic.com
Rivers & Lakes
August 31, 2011

Flash floods following mountain fires pose increasing threats to drinking water supplies – and add impetus for forest thinning and watershed rehabilitation in the western United States.

Giving Back by Nature

Wall Street Journal
August 31, 2011

Keith Monda is hoping to inspire the next generation of conservationists. Mr. Monda, 65 years old, was until his retirement the president of leather-good company Coach Inc. He splits his time between New York and a home in Sarasota, Fla., and is now in the "giveback stage of my life," he says.

Conservationists Around Great Lakes Plan for Climate Change

Chicago Tribune
Climate Change
August 28, 2011

The long-term forecast for the Chicago area calls for more wild rains, hailstorms and flooding. Throughout the Great Lakes region, residents can also expect warmer year-round temperatures, more frequent heat waves, lower lake levels and thinner lake ice.

Block Island: “A Last Great Place”

Forbes.com
August 26, 2011

Fall is just around the corner, and squeezing in that last-minute trip may be worth your while if Block Island, RI, is your journey’s end.

Officials Celebrate Restoration of Alaska River

Associated Press (via Houston Chronicle)
Rivers & Lakes
August 25, 2011

A celebration was held Thursday to mark the restoration of a river in the Tongass National Forest that was once renowned for producing salmon and trout but was damaged decades ago by the effects of clear-cut logging.

PepsiCo Dives into Its Water Footprint in 5 Water-Stressed Regions

GreenBiz.com
Rivers & Lakes
August 24, 2011

While these facilities differ in the type of products they make, they do have a few things in common: They use lots of water. Many are located in water-stressed regions.

The Bugs Rescuing the Baseball Bats

Wall Street Journal
August 23, 2011

John Vandenberg stood at the lip of a grove of ash trees and clasped his hands together in anticipation. The next phase of a great conflict was about to commence at his word. Inside a cooler rested four clear plastic soda cups, and inside those cups buzzed 482 bugs that might just rescue an iconic instrument of American sport.

Thelon Expedition: Final Camp - Where God Began

The Huffington Post
August 23, 2011

The end is in sight. We have reached Hornby Point, where the hungry bones of three men rest beneath wooden crosses staked in a copse of black spruce. John Hornby and his companions had counted on caribou that had not come, and had paid for the vastness of the land with their lives.

Nature Conservancy Emphasizes Relationships, Online and Off

The Chronicle of Philanthropy
August 21, 2011

Social networks such as Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn represent a potentially powerful opportunity for many nonprofits.

Candid Camera for Mammals at Risk

NYTimes.com
August 19, 2011

A new global study that uses remote camera traps to take photographs of wild mammals in their habitats suggests that fragmented habitat and the declining size of preserves worldwide are having a negative impact on mammal populations.

Climate Change: Species Climbing Higher and Migrating North, Study Says

Christian Science Monitor
Climate Change
August 19, 2011

Go north (or up), young sagebrush. That, in effect, is the survival imperative that global warming is handing organisms worldwide, and they are responding at a pace much faster than scientists estimated about a decade ago.

Back-to-School Time: Transition Your Family from Summer to School

PBS.org
August 17, 2011

Going back to class doesn’t mean your kids have to say farewell to outdoor fun. Make a habit of getting outside together after the school day ends, for as long as the warm weather lasts.

LEAF Program Trains Tomorrow's Environmentalists

CBS' The Early Show
August 16, 2011

For the past 17 summers the Nature Conservancy has hosted a program called "Leaders in Environmental Action for the Future." The program appeals to urban teens with little or no experience in nature, with one-third of its alums going on to pursue environmental careers.

Scientists Try to Restore Atlantic Water Meadows

AP, via FoxNews.com
Oceans & Coasts
August 14, 2011

Swaying underwater meadows of eelgrass once lined the New England shoreline, filtering the water, buffering storm surges and providing a nursery for a mix of commercially valuable sea life. Then, this critical coastal habitat was nearly obliterated.

7-Year-Old Donates Two Year's Worth of Tooth Fairy Money to The Nature Conservancy

Treehugger
August 12, 2011

Imagine being seven years old and saving all your money for over two years. Imagine being seven years old and having a whole $137.88 in your piggy bank. That's like an adult having a few grand in a bank account just waiting to be spent.

Design for a Living World: Top Designers Make Sustainability Stylish

The Huffington Post
Events
August 10, 2011

When most of us wake up in the morning, we don't usually question where the cotton for our shirts, the beans for our coffee or the wood for our kitchen tables came from. But without healthy natural systems, we would not have any of these everyday items.

Off the Grid, Where the Living Is Good

New York Times:  Green
August 10, 2011

Three weeks ago, my wife and I moved with our three boys, two cats, five bikes and canoe from the New Jersey suburbs to a cabin in the Maine woods. We’ll be here for a year, and from time to time I’ll be updating you on our experiment in living in tune with our surroundings and off the grid.

Thelon River Explorers Check in from the Campground

PBS NewsHour
August 09, 2011

After 16 days of battling fierce mosquito swarms and hauling heavy equipment along a poorly charted river, Nature Conservancy's M. Sanjayan and a group of young members from the Dene First Nation have completed their 200-mile trek along the Thelon River in the Northwest Territories of Canada.

An Economist for Nature Calculates the Need for More Protection

The New York Times
August 08, 2011

Dawn is breaking over this remote upland region, where neat rows of coffee plants cover many of the hillsides. The rising tropical sun saturates the landscape with color, revealing islandlike remnants of native forest scattered among the coffee plantations.

Thelon Expedition: The Country

The Huffington Post
August 08, 2011

For the past week, it is as if I have been traveling through the Thelon with blinders on. I am like an ant removed from its colony and set down in strange territory. The only constant is the river, the only direction is down. Without this compass, each vista looks alike, and I am adrift in a featureless terrain.

Tattered Economy Has a Silver Lining for Conservationists

Los Angeles Times
Conservation Lands
August 07, 2011

The news is distressing: A cratering real estate market, tight-fisted banks unwilling to make loans and no appetite among elected officials to let go of a dime. So why are conservationists smiling?

Thin Our Forests Now

Arizona Republic
August 05, 2011

Arizona's forests need help now. This was true nearly a decade ago when the Rodeo-Chediski Fire raged, and unfortunately the Wallow and Monument fires are proof it's still true today.

To Save a Predator

San Francisco Chronicle
August 05, 2011

A friend and I were surfing recently in San Diego. It was early on a Wednesday and we were the only ones out apart from a lone guy casting for surf perch. His line had drawn the attention of a seal. That seal, I figure, attracted the attention of the white shark that surfaced; its big fin plying the waters 20 feet away from us.

Rare Flower Bounces Back From Presumed Extinction

Treehugger
Conservation Lands
August 04, 2011

The delicately hued petals and striking brown florets of Tennessee's purple coneflower once seemed fated to live on only in description, or as a ghostly sketch yellowing on the page of some dusty botanical volume, yet today it's thriving.

Thelon Expedition: Mosquitoes Rule the Tundra

The Huffington Post
August 02, 2011

It sounds as if it's raining outside -- a light gentle drizzle, perhaps. But outside is dry and the sound comes not from drops of water but the ferocious attacks of mosquitoes and black flies as they bounce off the nylon walls of my tent.

Gulf 'Dead Zone' Threatens Seafood, Tourism Industries

The Huffington Post
Oceans & Coasts
August 02, 2011

Despite earlier predictions, scientists this week reported that the Gulf of Mexico's "dead zone" did not hit an all-time record size. But the news was nothing to celebrate.

As an Essential Atlantic Fish Declines, Experts Debate Course

Washington Post
Oceans & Coasts
July 31, 2011

The Atlantic menhaden is one of those big things that come in small packages. It’s a pipsqueak of a fish, but it feeds some of the most important fish in the ocean. If it vanished, marine biologists say, the ecosystems of the Atlantic and the Chesapeake Bay could come crashing down.

Tall-Grass Triumph

Houston Chronicle
Conservation Lands
July 29, 2011

The Nature Conservancy saves a pristine piece of Texas coastal prairie. Hooray!

River Explorers Face Mosquitoes, Grizzlies in Canadian Wilderness

PBS NewsHour
July 28, 2011

On July 23, the Nature Conservancy's lead scientist, M. Sanjayan, embarked on a three-week river expedition through one of the most remote wilderness areas of Northern British Columbia with a group of teens from the Dene First Nation, a community indigenous to the area.

Life Abounds in Texas' Last Surviving Bit of Coastal Prairie

Houston Chronicle
Conservation Lands
July 26, 2011

There is no roadside sign to announce the Nash Prairie, no fence around more than 400 acres of tall grasses that have never been plowed.

Letter to the Editor: Don't Quit Conservation

Chicago Tribune
July 26, 2011

As summer heat drives Chicagoland residents and visitors to our beautiful shoreline, we are reminded of the value of our country's natural resources and effective conservation programs that protect them.

Peter Thiel, Kristen Bell And Summit Series Community Are Saving Sharks

Forbes.com
Oceans & Coasts
July 26, 2011

Adventure writer and business executive Thayer Walker is leading the charge to protect sharks in the Bahamas by raising money to help the Bahamian government create a management plan, infrastructure and enforcement team to protect a 70 square mile marine protected area in the South Berry Islands.

Getting Back the Wild Oyster

Boston Globe
Oceans & Coasts
July 24, 2011

“In the 1960s, there were a thousand bushels of oysters out here,’’ said Bob Prescott, director of Mass Audubon’s Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary. He spreads his arms wide and turns.

The Federal Budget Cannot Be Balanced on the Back of America's Lands and Waters

The Huffington Post
Conservation Lands
July 24, 2011

Recently I sent a letter to members of the House of Representatives opposing passage of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill for 2012 that will go to the House floor this coming week. As I said in that letter, The Nature Conservancy has long provided ideas and input to the Interior appropriations process, but never before in our 60-year history have we opposed passage of this legislation.

My HealthySELF: How One Tree Hill Star Sophia Bush Pushed Herself to Run

Self
July 22, 2011

Bush, who's known for her political and environmental activism, decided last year in the wake of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill that rocked the Gulf of Mexico that it was high time she took on a challenge.

Seeing Trends, Coalition Works to Help a River Adapt

The New York Times
Rivers & Lakes
July 20, 2011

For 10,000 years the Nisqually Indians have relied on chinook salmon for their very existence, but soon those roles are expected to reverse.

Sophia Laces Up

San Francisco Chronicle
July 20, 2011

When it comes to our relationship to the planet, San Francisco leads. Our city has some of the most innovative policies when it comes to protecting and preserving our natural resources, and I do not think it is a coincidence that our leadership in these areas has led us to being an iconic American and world city.

Patagonian Farmer Follows Herd Instincts

CNN.com
Conservation Lands
July 19, 2011

The Fenton family has always been a bit different than everyone else in this part of Patagonia -- and that is exactly why we came here. They are eco-pioneers in more ways than one.

Cutting Conservation Cannot Fix the Deficit

The Huffington Post
Conservation Lands
July 15, 2011

We at The Nature Conservancy have always worked with lawmakers to find constructive and cooperative solutions to keep natural resources across the country - and around the world -- healthy and productive.

Top Predators Preserve Ecosystems

Discovery.com
July 14, 2011

Wolves, whales, sea otters, lions, sharks, bears and more: perched atop the food chain, these animals intrigue and inspire us, and sometimes scare us.

Charging Stations Along I-5 in Wash. Due This Year

Associated Press (via ABCNews.com)
July 14, 2011

Washington state transportation officials on Wednesday announced a new initiative to place electric vehicle charging stations at key intervals along the West Coast's busiest highway — a development that should allow drivers to cruise the 580 miles from the southern border of Oregon all the way to Canada by the end of the year.

How Lost Ecosystem on Rat Island was Restored

MSNBC.com
Conservation Lands
July 12, 2011

In the late 1700s, a Japanese ship ran aground on a desolate scrap of land in the Aleutian Island chain on what is now Alaska. Among the cargo spilled out of the ship that day were common ship stowaways: rats.

Raging Wildfires: Climate Changes to Blame for Record Season?

Christian Science Monitor
Climate Change
July 11, 2011

The images are stark: soot-grimed firefighters steering bulldozers or wielding shovels to clear underbrush; curtains of orange flame tracing the contours of summits; aircraft dumping chemicals to slow a fire's progress.

Can Florida's Nature and People Outrace Sea-Level Rise?

Grist
Climate Change
July 10, 2011

Want to know how climate change might affect a seashore near you? Look at what it's already done over the past 20 years to a stretch of the Florida Gulf Coast, according to a pathbreaking new study published in the journal Climatic Change.

Answer for Invasive Species: Put It on a Plate and Eat It

The New York Times
Oceans & Coasts
July 09, 2011

With its dark red and black stripes, spotted fins and long venomous black spikes, the lionfish seems better suited for horror films than consumption. But lionfish fritters and filets may be on American tables soon.

Farm Camp Brings Kids in Touch With Their Food

CBS Early Show
July 04, 2011

"Early Show" contributor Taryn Winter Brill visits a farm camp where kids explore all of the facets of a working farm and connects young people to nature.

A Potent Symbol of Nature is Rooted in a Rare White Flower

Los Angeles Times
Conservation Lands
June 12, 2011

In all the world, the pretty white flower Carpenteria californica grows wild only in small portions of Fresno and Madera counties. Indeed, one of the few places it's to be found is on this lone foothill called Black Mountain.

Wallow Fire May Be Preview of Things to Come, Experts Say

Arizona Republic
June 12, 2011

As the Wallow Fire in eastern Arizona grows to nearly half a million blackened acres, experts say the Southwest has entered an era of monster fires, sprawling infernos that, if they continue to erupt, could wipe out half of the state's pine forests in another decade.

Climate Controlled Prairie Experiment Gives Window Onto NW Future

NPR
Climate Change
June 10, 2011

Oregon researchers have set up a kind of time machine to test how a warmer climate might affect the region's grasslands and prairies.

Sophia Bush is On the Run for The Nature Conservancy

Treehugger
June 10, 2011

Sophia Bush joined Edward Norton's Crowdrise fundraising site to earn support for her next conservation effort: She's running the San Franciso Marathon to benefit The Nature Conservancy.

Fears Mount as Wallow Fire Nears Greer

Arizona Republic
June 09, 2011

In an area beloved for its pine forests, Greer offers so much more - a green meadow, a clear trout stream, cabins and lodges to take away the night chill. You drive through the shady forest, round a corner, and there is that bright valley.

What Oceans Provide

The Huffington Post
Oceans & Coasts
June 08, 2011

We live on a watery planet, and though we have feet not fins, we are far more dependent on the oceans than you might imagine. On World Oceans Day, whether you live in Miami Beach or Miami, Ohio, it would pay to reflect on all that our seas provide and how we can repay the many favors.

Beach Erosion Could Cost Jamaican Tourism US$23m/Year

Jamaica Observer
Oceans & Coasts
June 07, 2011

Beach erosion due to the loss of coral reefs could cost Jamaica US$23 million in lost tourism revenue per year, according to a survey by the World Resources Institute, the University of the West Indies’ Marine Geology Unit, the Mona GeoInformatics Institute (MGI) and The Nature Conservancy.

Managing Forests Requires a Bird’s-Eye View

US News & World Report
Climate Change
June 06, 2011

Managers of northern Michigan forests may not see the birds for the trees—or at least are in danger of losing sight of songbird neighborhoods when looking out for timber harvests.

California Water Pact Attacked by GOP Congressmen

San Francisco Chronicle
Rivers & Lakes
June 03, 2011

House Republicans representing the San Joaquin Valley pressed their attack on California's plan to restore water to fisheries and wildlife, holding a hearing Thursday on a bill that would gut a key bipartisan pact passed by the state Legislature in 2009 after decades of litigation.

Flesh-Eating Plants Await on Bog Walk

Boston Globe
Conservation Lands
June 02, 2011

You might be hearing a subtle horror music soundtrack in the back of your mind when you walk to the Black Pond Bog in Norwell. Not only is the bog’s poor soil a good place to find flesh-eating plants, you can actually feel the bog’s water-soaked peat quake.

The Lizard King

Hemispheres
June 01, 2011

On a quiet Island on Florida's Gulf Coast, one man wages a tireless battle against a particularly pernicious (and tasty) species of invasive reptile.

How Endangered Coral Reefs Could Potentially Cure Cancer

WholeLiving.com
Oceans & Coasts
May 31, 2011

My aunt Sylvia. My dear childhood friend, Danielle. Three of my grandparents. A close friend’s husband. My colleague. All of these people near and dear to my heart have battled cancer, some successfully, some not.

Chateau Latour, Chinese Art Snapped Up in $106 Million Auction

Bloomberg.com
May 29, 2011

Proceeds from that sale, on which Christie’s waived the usual commission, go to support Nature Conservancy.

How Dry We'll Be

Houston Chronicle
Rivers & Lakes
May 28, 2011

Many good bills died this past week in the Texas Legislature's final frenzy. Notable among those casualties was Rep. Allan Ritter's serious attempt to address Texas' coming water shortage.

Et Tu, Pistachios? How Climate Change Will Mess with Trail Mix

Grist
Climate Change
May 26, 2011

What won't climate change affect? Well, cross trail mix and cherry pie off that ever-shrinking list.

The Plight of Nature

New York Times
May 26, 2011

Over the past 20 years, Zeng Fanzhi has made a name for himself in the contemporary art world with his introspective works.

Developing Renewable Energy Beyond Mad Max

San Francisco Chronicle
Conservation Lands
May 26, 2011

In thinking about the huge momentum to develop renewable energy in our deserts, I'm reminded of the rule Tina Turner's character offered up in the 80s classic "Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome," "You know the law: Two men enter, one man leaves.

Road to Recovery: Environmental Learning in Schools

FOXNews.com
May 24, 2011

The Nature Conservancy is making a difference in the lives of urban students.

This Reef May Save Your Life

The Huffington Post
Oceans & Coasts
May 24, 2011

A coral reef may save your life one day. Why have we done so little to return the favor?

Atchafalaya Basin Waits For Mississippi Floodwaters

NPR
Rivers & Lakes
May 23, 2011

While floodwater from the Morganza Spillway has inundated nearby forests and swamps, it's yet to reach communities in the Atchafalaya Basin.

Cheers to Oceans: Ted Danson's Role as Conservationist

The Huffington Post
Oceans & Coasts
May 23, 2011

People often question the role celebrities play in charitable work. Sure, volunteering for good causes can build publicity for TV and movie stars, but does their engagement do anything tangible for the cause itself?

Ed Harte: Publisher's Gifts Bless Gulf Coast Residents

Houston Chronicle
May 20, 2011

The Harte name, as in Harte-Hanks Newspapers, was for many years well-known and widely respected as a newspaper brand across this state, particularly South Texas.

Want a Better Organic Garden? Call Out the Soil-Critter Army

Grist
May 19, 2011

There are 1 billion bacteria in a single gram of soil. (Give or take a few million.) But how can you get that army-- and its insect friends-- to help you grow bigger veggies and prettier flowers?

How Long Does It Take Species to Go Extinct? Longer than Previously Thought.

Christian Science Monitor
May 18, 2011

The pace at which plants and animals are vanishing from the planet as their habitats shrink may be overstated by as much as 160 percent or more, according to new research.

Converted Climate Skeptics Speak Out

Treehugger
Climate Change
May 16, 2011

True climate skeptics rarely change their minds. If they do so publicly, it's often the cause of a minor media stir, at least in the green pro-climate circles and hard-right anti-climate circles that keep track of these kinds of things.

Shad Face Obstacle Course in Annual Run

Washington Post
Oceans & Coasts
May 15, 2011

It’s a minor miracle that happens every year about this time: Driven by an urge to spawn, great schools of American shad swim from feeding grounds in the Atlantic Ocean to the Chesapeake Bay, sensing their way back to the rivers where they had been born three years earlier.

Protect the Coral Reefs—The Life You Save Might Be Your Own

Grist
Oceans & Coasts
May 12, 2011

Coral reefs are in big trouble worldwide -- and that's not just bad news for snorkelers. It could mean death instead of life for millions of people ... maybe even you.

Seize Spring's Wildflower Moment

Chicago Tribune
Conservation Lands
May 12, 2011

Is spring really, finally here? The answer is at your local actively managed forest preserve.

Climate Crisis Fueling Mississippi River's Historic Floods

Grist
Climate Change
May 11, 2011

The Mississippi River is experiencing its second "500-year flood" since 1993. That's no freak occurrence -- scientists say it's a result of human-made carbon pollution changing our climate.

Deep in a Dutchess Fen

SmartMoney.com
May 10, 2011

For those who love turtles, I would like to think that what follows has something for everyone—adventure, poachers, invasive species and a happy ending.

Rethinking Flood Control

Wall Street Journal
Rivers & Lakes
May 09, 2011

The record flood rolling down the Mississippi River is prompting the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to activate a decades-old flood plan that so far has prevented a catastrophic levee breach—but not without a price.

New Study: How to Get Your Kids to Become Environmentalists

Grist
May 09, 2011

Want your kids to become ecologically conscious as adults? Get 'em into nature now -- that's the most reliable way to build their love of the outdoors, according to mountains of research.

Washington Area Appointments and Promotions

Washington Post
Leadership
May 09, 2011

The Nature Conservancy of Arlington named David Blood, Shona L. Brown, Craig O. McCaw and Margaret C. Whitman to its board of directors.

Passage of Growth Management Bill Angers Environmentalists

Miami Herald
Conservation Lands
May 06, 2011

Florida legislators hit environmental advocates with a one-two punch in the final two days of the session.

Sharks Hold Key to Healthy Marine Systems

The Huffington Post
Oceans & Coasts
May 05, 2011

As society struggles against the threats of surging population, climate change, biodiversity loss and degraded land, water and marine systems, what on earth could we possibly learn from a near-pristine atoll free of people in the middle of the Pacific Ocean?

Reality (of Shark "Finning") Bites

San Francisco Chronicle
Oceans & Coasts
May 05, 2011

Yao Ming is using his celebrity on billboards in China and buses in San Francisco to join the chorus of voices in recognizing that California can take a leading role in banning the practice of "shark finning."

Putting a Price on Sharks

New York Times' Green Blog
Oceans & Coasts
May 03, 2011

Reef sharks, as noted in an article on Monday about a new study, are worth more in the water than when sold for their fins and meat, at least in some cases.

Online Fund-Raising Strategies That Beat the Bad Economy

The Chronicle of Philanthropy
May 02, 2011

While many charities struggled to connect with donors in 2010 due to the sluggish economy, online giving grew for some groups, according to a new Chronicle survey.

Maryland's Plan to Boost Chesapeake Bay Oysters Will Require a Lot of Hanky-Panky

Washington Post
Oceans & Coasts
May 01, 2011

For Chesapeake Bay oysters, the urge to mess around starts with a warm and relaxing bath.

Mother Nature's Nest

Arizona Republic
Conservation Lands
April 30, 2011

It's late in the day, and a few white-tail deer browse along the trail at Ramsey Canyon Preserve.

Midwest Flooding: What's at Stake in Plan to Blast Open Missouri Levee

Christian Science Monitor
Rivers & Lakes
April 29, 2011

As several rivers across Midwest and Great Plains are set to crest, a federal judge in Cape Girardeau, Mo., has given the US Army Corps of Engineers the green light to blast openings in a levee along the Mississippi River to ease the flood risk to cities and towns downstream.

A Struggle to Fight Back the Sea

NPR
Oceans & Coasts
April 25, 2011

Some of the nation's richest and most important ecosystems lie where the ocean meets the land. It's these same coastal areas that are going to disappear as sea level continues to rise as a result of climate change.

The Lure of Green Spaces

New York Times
Leadership
April 23, 2011

Every day is Earth Day, in a sense, for Bill Ulfelder, the director of the Nature Conservancy in New York, a job that combines management and fund-raising.

Earth Day 2011: How to Make Your Impact

USAToday.com
Events
April 22, 2011

Americans are going green this week in honor of Earth Day on Friday, April 22, and it couldn't come at a more appropriate time.

Earth Day Begins in Your Kitchen

San Francisco Chronicle
Events
April 21, 2011

Tomorrow marks the 41st anniversary of Earth Day. Does anyone care?

Earth Day Celebration Gets a Social-Network Twist

The Chronicle of Philanthropy
Events
April 21, 2011

The Nature Conservancy has found a way to tap into the optimism and “can-do” spirit of Earth Day, adding a technology twist and also getting away from the standard clean-up-the-park or river events.

When Digging for Ramps Goes Too Deep

New York Times
Forests
April 20, 2011

For Ashton Berdine, a ramble in the woods to dig for the pungent tender-leaved wild leeks known as ramps has been a springtime ritual since he was a teenager.

Take the Planet Out to Lunch on Earth Day this Friday

Boston Globe
Events
April 20, 2011

The Nature Conservancy is celebrating spring – and the earth – by holding its first global picnic for the planet Friday.

A Staple of Culture and Cuisine

CNN
Oceans & Coasts
April 19, 2011

Photojournalist Ken Tillis takes us to Louisiana to measure the success of the Gulf oyster's revitalization.

Seldom-Seen Areas of Georgia Home to Rare Beauty

Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Conservation Lands
April 19, 2011

Other than Christmas, the event I look forward to the most each year is the Georgia Botanical Society’s Wildflower Pilgrimage.

Budget Fight Hurts US Climate Effort

New York Times/International Herald Tribune
Climate Change
April 18, 2011

The recent budget wrangling in Washington will take a toll on the administration’s efforts to combat climate change.

Spill a Picnic Basket this Earth Day

Treehugger
Events
April 17, 2011

The Nature Conservancy is encouraging folks to Picnic for the Planet this Earth Day, April 22.

Connecticut Dam Owners Part of a Trend

Boston Globe
Rivers & Lakes
April 17, 2011

It took 300 years or so to block off nearly every New England stream larger than a trickle with walls of earth, stone and concrete.

You Break It, You Fix It

Houston Chronicle
Oceans & Coasts
April 16, 2011

It's been a year since the Deepwater Horizon disaster in the Gulf of Mexico.

The Nature Conservancy’s Win-Win-Wind Interactive Map

Forbes.com
Conservation Lands
April 16, 2011

The Nature Conservancy has unveiled a slick new interactive map highlighting states with high wind-energy potential and images and information about critical species that would threatened by wind farms — if siting isn’t done right.

Nonprofits Nominated for "Webby" Awards

The Chronicle of Philanthropy
April 15, 2011

Conservation International, the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, and Human Rights Watch are among the long list of nonprofits that have earned nominations for the annual Webby People’s Voice Awards.

Responsible Investing Groups Zero in on Mine

AP, via Bloomberg BusinessWeek
Rivers & Lakes
April 13, 2011

Environmentally conscious investor organizations urged the Environmental Protection Agency in a letter Tuesday to take a closer look at plans for a huge copper and gold mine in Alaska near some of the world's best-producing wild salmon streams.

Nature Conservancy Finds Common Ground for Wind Power and Wildlife

CleanTechnica, via Scientific American
Conservation Lands
April 13, 2011

A new study commissioned by the Nature Conservancy offers some encouraging news for the potential to tap America's vast wind power resources, without introducing significant new impacts on wildlife.

Are Beverage Companies Doing As Much As They Can for the Planet?

The Huffington Post
Partnerships
April 11, 2011

Without a doubt, beverage companies are taking significant actions to reduce their impact and become more sustainable.

African Scientists to Learn Strategies for Adapting to Climate Change At Rhode Island Coastal Resources Center

AllAfrica.com
Climate Change
April 09, 2011

Three young scientists from Ghana, Mozambique and The Gambia are spending three weeks at the University of Rhode Island's Coastal Resources Center as part of an international program to help them develop strategies for adapting to climate change along the coastal zones of their home countries.

Conservation Movement Must Become More Diverse

The Huffington Post
April 07, 2011

Environmental Justice journal recently published a new study by EPA officials and others that challenges the conservation movement to become more racially diverse.

Suite Talk

Politico
Leadership
April 05, 2011

The Nature Conservancy has named Karen Wayland director of climate change policy to oversee the integration of its international and domestic climate policy teams.

Climate Change Could Leave 1 Billion Urbanites High and Dry by 2050

Climatewire, via Scientific American
Climate Change
April 04, 2011

Rapid urban growth and climate change will leave more than 1 billion urban dwellers with a water shortage by 2050, according to a study released last week.

New to Nature No 36: Ereboporus naturaconservatus

The Guardian (UK)
Conservation Lands
April 03, 2011

Until recently the presence of aquatic beetles in subterranean aquifers was believed to be a relatively rare phenomenon with a few species from New Zealand, Europe, Asia, Africa and North America.

Gorge on Nature in Ramsey Canyon

Arizona Republic
Conservation Lands
April 02, 2011

Ramsey Canyon Preserve is a great place to learn about Arizona and its natural history. The preserve once was home to about 100 settlers, who built homes and held dances under one of the big sycamore trees the canyon is known for.

An Enclave With Rustic Charm

New York Times
Rivers & Lakes
April 01, 2011

It's not hard to understand why Puritan settlers in Connecticut slapped the Devil’s name on so many ridges, rivers and gorges. These barren areas were probably so difficult to farm or even traverse that they might have seemed cursed.

Hot-and-Cold Running Crisis: Cities, Water and Climate Change

Grist
Rivers & Lakes
March 31, 2011

Imagine living on less than a bathtub of water for all your daily needs: drinking, cooking, bathing, washing clothes ... and everything else.

Experts Warn of Growing Water Crisis in World's Major Cities

Xinhua
Rivers & Lakes
March 29, 2011

Major cities worldwide may face a water shortage crisis by 2050 if relevant governments don't react quickly, experts with a leading environmental group said Monday.

Billion-Plus People to Lack Water in 2050: Study

Agence France-Presse (via Google News)
Rivers & Lakes
March 28, 2011

More than one billion urban residents will face serious water shortages by 2050 as climate change worsens effects of urbanization, with Indian cities among the worst hit, a study said Monday.

In Aeolus Cave, A Search for the Vanishing Bats of the Northeast

Yale Environment 360
March 24, 2011

Aeolus Cave runs into the side of a mountain in Dorset, Vermont, like a tunnel.  In the 1960s, a team of biologists estimated that a quarter of a million bats gathered each winter in the passageways of Aeolus to hibernate. Many doubted this estimate, but later studies confirmed it.

Keeping More Fish in the Ocean: Good for People, Good for Nature

The Huffington Post
Oceans & Coasts
March 22, 2011

It sometimes feels like environmentalists focus on the negative, always talking about the dangers of deforestation, climate change and other threats to our natural world. And to be sure, we face numerous challenges that must be confronted. But there is also plenty of good news to share.

It's World Water Day! How Clean is Your Water Source?

USA Today
Rivers & Lakes
March 22, 2011

Today is the United Nation's World Water Day, and people are marking the occasion in various way. But first: Do you know where your water comes from? If you're like most Americans, you're clueless.

Moody Forest: Saving an Irreplaceable Natural Treasure

Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Forests
March 22, 2011

Ten years ago, the Nature Conservancy of Georgia, the state Department of Natural Resources and others pooled their resources to rescue -- at a cost of $8.25 million -- this 4,500-acre natural sanctuary from development and loggers. It has been hailed as one of Georgia’s greatest conservation feats.

The Surprising Amount of Water Required to Produce 13 Items, From Chocolate to Wine

The Huffington Post
Rivers & Lakes
March 22, 2011

March 22 is World Water Day, and there is no better day to become more conscious about the items you use and consume, and just how much water is needed to produce them.

Most Americans Clueless About Water Sources -- Poll

Greenwire
Rivers & Lakes
March 22, 2011

More than 75 percent of Americans don't know where their drinking water comes from, a poll released today shows. The poll commissioned by the Nature Conservancy found that most Americans are unaware of the role lakes, streams and aquifers play in providing clean and dependable water, which suggests a growing disconnect between people and nature, the group said.

Fishermen Find Creative Ways to Get Paid More to Catch Fewer Fish

Grist
Oceans & Coasts
March 22, 2011

Fishing is ripe for innovation. New catch limits are critical for sustainability -- without them, fish stocks would collapse, and then nobody has a job, plus a protein source vital for the planet's expanding population is wiped out. But they force fishermen to catch fewer fish, which means less money. A string of new programs and techniques are addressing the cash issue, allowing fishermen to make more scratch even as they bring in less catch.

Impact of the Japan Earthquake and Tsunami on Animals and Environment

Scientific American
March 22, 2011

On Friday, March 11, Japan was rocked by an earthquake. People were displaced, a nuclear reactor was in trouble, and the world watched as a tsunami flooded Japan, threatened the islands of the Pacific, and ultimately hit the western coasts of North and South America.

10 Burning Questions About How Charities Should Use Social Media

The Chronicle of Philanthropy
March 21, 2011

During a frank town-hall style meeting, nonprofit workers, who gathered at the annual Nonprofit Technology Conference here last week, discussed how to use social media to advance their causes.

Eel River Restoration

Boston Globe
Rivers & Lakes
March 19, 2011

When the news is filled with civil wars, natural disasters, and nuclear meltdowns, I'm on the lookout for stories of renewal and hope. The restoration of Plymouth's Eel River is just that.

San Antonio Takes Lead in Land Conservation

New York Times
Conservation Lands
March 17, 2011

From Marcy G. Rothe’s hillside home, she can see oaks and grasses and a creek bed spread out, looking much the same as when her grandfather first arrived here in the 1920s. In June, she sold a conservation easement on her land to the City of San Antonio to prevent development that would harm the aquifer below — and also to ensure that her nearly 2,000 acres remained undisturbed for her descendants.

Eco-Nuptials for Prince Will and Kate Middleton

ABCNews.com
March 16, 2011

The royal family may be steeped in history and tradition, but it's ahead of the curve when it comes to being green.

True Grit

Condé Nast Traveler (via Concierge.com)
Conservation Lands
March 15, 2011

You may not run into Rooster Cogburn, but there are valleys out west where the tough old ways of the range live on.

Who's Afraid for/of the Big Bad Wolf?

The Huffington Post
Conservation Lands
March 14, 2011

In the slim light of dawn, preoccupied with brewing coffee, I glance out the window of my cabin and see three dark shapes moving in single file over the open hills. The herd of elk I watched the previous evening are nowhere to be found. Coyotes perhaps? No, wolves.

Well-Endowed Frog Bounces Back in California Forest

Treehugger
Forests
March 13, 2011

This is the coastal tailed frog, but that's not Mr. Frog's tail dragging on the ground.

Weird & Wild: Well-Endowed Frog Found

National Geographic
Forests
March 11, 2011

The Nature Conservancy's Larry Serpa, an aquatic ecologist, found a coastal tailed frog living in the Garcia River Forest--21 miles south of its known range of California's Pacific coast, according to the Cool Green Science blog.

Heeding Teddy Roosevelt's Words: Investing in Nature is Investing in America

The Huffington Post
Conservation Lands
March 11, 2011

At the beginning of a new century, a young president faced a financial crisis that threatened to cripple his nation. The New York Stock Exchange lost half of its value, while unemployment doubled. The president was simultaneously accused of socialism and "financial negligence" from opposing political corners.

Warren Adams: Searching for Profits and Saving Patagonia

Fortune.com
Conservation Lands
March 11, 2011

You can't reach Melimoyu, a fishing village of 50 nestled on the rugged southern coast of Patagonia, by car. From Coyhaique, Chile, a twin-prop Piper Comanche carries me between jagged mountain peaks, through thick gray clouds, driving rain, and 50-mph winds toward a small private airstrip.

Lionfish for Lent

The Jamaica Observer
Oceans & Coasts
March 10, 2011

Invariably we give up something we love, but this year I also wanted to present you with a new challenge, which is also a personal one for me: consuming lionfish for Lent.

How to Save the World's Oysters—and Eat Them, Too

Grist
Oceans & Coasts
March 09, 2011

The headlines were enough to make you throw away your shucking knife: "More than 85 percent of [oyster] reefs have been lost due to overfishing, according to a new study," said The Independent.

Calif. Tailed Frog Finds a Good Sign for Forest

San Francisco Chronicle
Forests
March 07, 2011

Sheepish scientists refer to it as a tail, but the appendage dragging behind the male frog recently discovered in Mendocino County is no tail.

Protecting Nature Through "Radical Collaboration"

The Huffington Post
Conservation Lands
March 01, 2011

I'll be joining this year's TED conference in Long Beach, CA, where some of today's most cutting edge thinkers will discuss what is possible if society looks beyond traditional expectations.

Texas Landowners Stuck on Wrong Side of Border Fence

Los Angeles Times
Conservation Lands
February 28, 2011

The Rio Grande once ran wide and deep behind the four-room house that Pamela Taylor and her husband hammered together more than half a century ago.

Would Better Marketing Help the Coral Reefs?

Fast Company
Oceans & Coasts
February 24, 2011

The world's coral reefs are dying and this week a powerhouse group of environmentalists released a report indicating that despite their efforts, the situation is getting worse.

Coral Reefs Heading for Fishing and Climate Crisis

BBC.co.uk
Oceans & Coasts
February 23, 2011

Three-quarters of the world's coral reefs are at risk due to overfishing, pollution, climate change and other factors, says a major new assessment.

Tax Breaks Proposed for Farmers Who "Grow" Water

Houston Chronicle
Rivers & Lakes
February 21, 2011

Texas farmers may soon be eligible for lower property taxes if they manage their land to "grow" water.

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