Podcasts about national fish

Local environmental groups react to freezes and rollbacks In a whirlwind of executive orders on his first day in office, newly re-elected President Donald Trump ordered that the U.S. drop out of the international Paris Climate Agreement, end subsidies for electric vehicles, halt approval of new wind farms, block the enforcement of environmental justice laws, shut down the American Climate Corps and to reconsider whether the greenhouse gases that drive climate change are pollutants, settled science for over a century. "The failure of a lot of people was believing that Trump's campaign rhetoric was more exaggerated than what his actions would be," said David Toman, executive director at Hudson River Sloop Clearwater. "Nobody in the country should assume differently anymore." Officials at Clearwater, Scenic Hudson and Riverkeeper - three major environmental nonprofits based in the Hudson Valley - said they knew from Trump's first term support for fossil-fuel energy and his promises and affiliations on the campaign trail, that a second term would be difficult for the environmental movement. There was also concern about Project 2025, which many felt provided an outline for what a second Trump administration would undertake, said Pete Lopez of Scenic Hudson, a former regional director for the Environmental Protection Agency. An online project called Project 2025 Tracker estimates that a third of the plan's objectives have been enacted since Trump returned to the White House on Jan. 20, including eliminating the EPA Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights. Local environmental groups were prepared to see regulatory rollbacks. But funding freezes and layoffs - Trump said in a cabinet meeting on Feb. 26 that EPA staffing will be cut by 65 percent over the next month, although the White House said he meant to say the budget would be cut by 65 percent - had led them to reconsider what they will be able to accomplish. "This all just feels really reckless," said Tracy Brown, the executive director of Riverkeeper. Her organization had finally started to get federal funding for an ongoing project to remove the thousands of abandoned dams that litter Hudson River tributaries, hampering fish migration and water quality. "These are expensive to remove," she said. Thanks to a $3.8 million grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Riverkeeper has begun work on the removal of a dam in Quassaick Creek in Newburgh. But with this type of grant, the government doesn't provide the money up front. Instead, groups pay for the work and are reimbursed. Brown said they heard the funds were frozen, and then that they weren't. "We won't know for sure until we submit our next round of expenses," she said. Riverkeeper's annual operating budget is $5 million. Doing $3.8 million worth of work, and not being paid for it, would be disastrous. "This starts to create a real risk for groups," she said. Toman decided the risk was too great for Clearwater, which abandoned its efforts to secure federal grants to pay for maintenance that the Coast Guard requires on its eponymous sloop every five to seven years. Lopez said that Scenic Hudson is trying to figure out what promised funds it still has access to. One project in jeopardy is the connection of the Westchester RiverWalk to the Tarrytown MTA station. There's also indirect funding. Much of Clearwater's revenue comes from schools that book educational sails. The group is only now pulling itself out of a tailspin caused by schools canceling trips after the 2008 financial crisis and the pandemic. Trump has said he plans to block any federal funding to schools that have vaccine mandates and to eliminate the Department of Education. Toman and others fear that could create funding squeezes that eliminate student excursions. Lopez said that Scenic Hudson is structured so that none of its employee salaries are dependent on federal grants. The same can't be said for the agencies it works with. ...

Dr. Bruce Beehler is an ornithologist and Research Associate in the Bird Division of the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History. Bruce's research is focused on the birds of the boreal conifer forests of the U.S. and Canada. He is interested in understanding how the permanent resident birds survive in these forests year round. Bruce spends much of his free time outside and immersed in nature. He enjoys playing tennis, going for hikes, and kayaking, as well as watching wildlife at the feeders outside his home. He completed his undergraduate studies in American Civilization at Williams College and received his Masters and PhD degrees in Biology from Princeton University where he studied behavioral ecology of the birds of paradise. Afterwards, Bruce worked for ten years at the Smithsonian's Natural Museum of Natural history. Before returning to the Museum in 2014, Bruce worked for Conservation International, the Wildlife Conservation Society, the U.S. Department of State, Counterpart International, and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Bruce is a Fellow of the American Ornithologists Union, and he is the author of eleven books including a field guide and a taxonomic checklist of Birds of New Guinea and the recently released book North on the Wing. In our interview, Bruce shared some of his fantastic stories about life and science.

For 20 years, Walmart has partnered with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation on the Acres for America program, helping protect over 2 million acres of critical land across the U.S. When the program started, the idea was to protect 1 acre of land for every 1 acre Walmart built on. Today it's evolved to about 20-1! Acres for America has preserved ecosystems, bolstered biodiversity, safeguarded clean water, and created recreational spaces for the benefit of both people and wildlife. And we recently shared the exciting news that we've renewed the program for 10 more years, with a $34.5 million pledge. In this episode of the Huddle, Chris West from NFWF and Jen Barnhouse from The Nature Conservancy joined me at the Kings River Preserve, a beautiful 5,000 acre preserve in Northwest Arkansas. We talked about the widespread impact of the Acres for America program, and how conservation isn't just about protecting beautiful places—it's also about sustaining natural resources for future generations. You'll also hear how anyone can support this work, either through small actions like rounding up a purchase or by finding ways to connect with local conservation initiatives. Whether you're passionate about the environment, want to leave a legacy for future generations, or simply enjoy outdoor recreation, this episode is for you!

This episode covers Vestas's manufacturing growth in Italy and Siemens Gamesa's quarterly results showing both gains and ongoing challenges. The hosts explore how the U.S. election results could reshape renewable energy markets, with discussions ranging from grid infrastructure to natural gas expansion. And an in-depth look at quality control concerns at GE Vernova's LM Wind Power blade manufacturing facility in Canada, where allegations of falsified quality control data have emerged. Sign up now for Uptime Tech News, our weekly email update on all things wind technology. This episode is sponsored by Weather Guard Lightning Tech. Learn more about Weather Guard's StrikeTape Wind Turbine LPS retrofit. Follow the show on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Linkedin and visit Weather Guard on the web. And subscribe to Rosemary Barnes' YouTube channel here. Have a question we can answer on the show? Email us! Pardalote Consulting - https://www.pardaloteconsulting.comWeather Guard Lightning Tech - www.weatherguardwind.comIntelstor - https://www.intelstor.comWind Energy O&M Australia Conference - https://www.windaustralia.com Allen Hall: An endangered sea turtle that was found about a year ago, some 5, 000 miles from its native waters, has been released back into the Gulf of Mexico, according to the Houston Zoo. The sea turtle was found off the coast of, guess where? The Netherlands, after becoming entangled in the net of a commercial fishing boat. The zoo said the turtle apparently was carried by currents until it was found, and the U. S. National Fish and Wildlife Service secured the turtle's return. Guys, there's a really interesting bit. Some fishermen somewhere realized that this turtle didn't belong off the coast of the Netherlands and decided to return it. Of all things. They took it to the Rotterdam Zoo the Rotterdam Zoo where it was nursed back the health. And then had a, must have a first class flight back to Houston where it was put back in the Gulf of Mexico. But this little turtle went a long ways. 5, 000 miles is quite a ride, right? Joel Saxum: I can't imagine it was doing very well in the cold water up there either. Cause right now, even now the Gulf of Mexico is 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Yeah, he, the Allen Hall: turtle at some point had to know it wasn't in the Bahamas anymore, right? It's not gonna swim back from there. Rosemary Barnes: I saw a story recently about a king penguin that that swam from Antarctica to Australia to Perth. It was it's not that far, I think it was like 3, 000 kilometers or maybe a little bit more, but similar thing of yeah. Animal just, just the kind of point in the direction and then just keep going until they reach land. It's some decent persistence. Allen Hall: Isn't it crazy when you think about how animals have moved around the planet? And then you, that's impossible. And then Rosemary says there's a penguin that's got about 1, 500 miles, just taking a light swim. Joel Saxum: That's crazy. There's a book about this called Super Navigators, and it's really fascinating, actually, to be honest with you. Allen Hall: This turtle is back home in the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, which is a great story, right? Gulf of Mexico for the winter. Welcome to the Uptime Wind Energy Podcast. I'm your host, Allen Hall, and I'll be joined by my Uptime co host after these news headlines. Thanks A major expansion of wind turbine manufacturing is underway in Toronto, Italy as Vestas begins production of its V236 15MW offshore wind blades. The facility will produce 115. 5 meter blades capable of powering 20, 000 European households each year. The expansion, supported by EU recovery funds, will create 1, 300 new jobs in the region. The Port of Toronto has granted Vestas a nine year concession to use its logistics platform, establishing the port as a strategic hub for wind energy component manufacturing and distribution.

Darcy V is harvesting tomatoes so that means, Darcy B. is leading this discussion, and what a discussion it is!   Darcy welcomes Geoffrey Vanden Heuvel, the Director of Regulatory and Economic Affairs for the Milk Producers Council, a California dairy farmer trade association. Geoff is currently the Vice-Chairman of the Water Blueprint for the San Joaquin Valley Board.   Geoff joins Darcy B in the studio where they discuss the urgent Fall X 2 Action. The Fall X2 Action (Technically it addresses salinity intrusion in the Bay Delta), as currently mandated, results in significant water supply reductions that provide water for the San Joaquin Valley's agricultural industry, rural communities, including disadvantaged communities, Southern California cities, families, industry, and economies, as well as critical habitat in both federal and private wildlife refuges. This regulation has flexibility, if the APPOINTED decision-makers agree, the 350,000 AF of stored water (enough for 1,050,000 Southern California Families) we can keep this water in storage. We can save for the next dry period.  Saving for Sunny Days! Recent scientific studies done by the National Fish and Wildlife Agency and others indicate this effort will not, and does not, help the Delta Smelt, as originally intended.  In other words, sound science is NOT driving this decision.  You can help.  Click on the links below and email these appointed decision-makers.  Let them know, that saving California water for our communities, our food supply, and all of California is our top priority: ·      California Natural Resources Agency Secretary, Wade Crowfoot, Wade.Crowfoot@resources.ca.gov·      California Department of Fish and Wildlife Director, Charlton (Chuck) Bonham, chuck.bonham@wildlife.ca.gov·      California Department of Water Resources Director, Karla Nemeth, Karla.Nemeth@water.ca.gov·      US Bureau of Reclamation Director, Karl Stock, KStock@usbr.gov·      Governor Gavin Newsom, (have to use contact form) https://www.gov.ca.gov/contact/ Listen in!Send us a Text Message.We Grow California Podcast is paid for by the Exchange Contractors Federal PAC and Exchange Contractors State PAC and is not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee.

Peter Stangel, the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities Chief Operating Officer, joins Sybil and explains how to distribute funds in the right places and how donors can strategically use their dollars to leverage public funds and maximize impact. Episode Highlights:Successfully leverage private and public funds for the causes that we care aboutNavigate the federal grant bureaucracies for maximum impactPeter Stangel Bio:Peter Stangel of Aiken, SC, joined the US Endowment in April 2010. An ecologist by training, Peter received a B.S. in Biology from Furman University and a Ph.D. from the University of Georgia. Previously, he was with National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, most recently as Director of Science and Evaluation. With the Foundation, he also served as Eastern and Southeastern Regional Director and Neotropical Migratory Bird Initiative Director. Peter has extensive experience building corporate conservation partnerships and has worked with Walmart, Shell Oil Company, ConocoPhillips, and Southern Company, among others. He has more than 20 publications in the technical literature and nearly 200 in the popular magazines.Links:U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities: https://www.usendowment.org If you enjoyed this episode, listen to these as well:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/168-effective-funding-strategies-that-work-with-tony/id1556900518?i=1000646850710https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/126-sybil-speaks-leveraging-public-dollars/id1556900518?i=1000611281600https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/99-partnering-with-government-to-leverage-your-private/id1556900518?i=1000582885400Crack the Code: Sybil's Successful Guide to PhilanthropyBecome even better at what you do as Sybil teaches you the strategies and tools you'll need to avoid mistakes and make a career out of philanthropy.Sybil offers resources including free mini-course videos, templates, checklists, and words of advice summarized in easy to review pdfs. https://www.doyourgood.com/funders Check out Sybil's website with all the latest opportunities to learn from Sybil at https://www.doyourgood.comConnect with Do Your Goodhttps://www.facebook.com/doyourgoodhttps://www.instagram.com/doyourgoodWould you like to talk with Sybil directly?Send in your inquiries through her website https://www.doyourgood.com/ or you can email her directly at sybil@doyourgood.com.

The Friends of the Great Dismal Swamp recently got a half-million dollar grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to implement planned improvements at the wildlife refuge.

The Environmental Protection Agency March 27 announced that it has awarded 6 million in grants to two organizations that will work to restore the Chesapeake Bay. The grants are the largest single contribution to the Chesapeake Bay Program and are made possible through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The funds will be divided between the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (3 million) and the Chesapeake Bay Trust ( million). The NFWF will administer grants for small watershed and innovative nutrient and sediment reduction projects, while the Chesapeake Bay Trust will administer a new community capacity building grant program. “The Chesapeake Bay...Article LinkSupport the show

3.1415926535897932, or about 22/7. Herlinda Heras is judging at the 2024 British Pie Awards and calls in to Brew Ha Ha today, and with Harry Duke sitting in for Steve Jaxon. Here is an episode of Brew Ha Ha from March 22, 2018, when Herlinda had just returned from that year's  competition. The winners are listed at the 2024 British Pie Awards website. Today we hear all about her itinerary on her current trip to the England and Ireland. She began in London, judging the National Fish and Chips competition. Then, she visited Dublin, Ireland, where she saw Teeling Whiskey, the Guiness attraction "Beer Disneyland" and a museum exhibit. Her last stop was the British Pie Awards, an annual event in the town of Melton Mobray. This is Herlinda's 10 year as a judge in this competition. The pies at the 2024 British Pie Awards are very traditional and the judging takes into consideration all of the characteristic virtues of combining meat and crust. The categories of pies have evolved, so that today there is a category for Vegan pies, as well as vegetarian recipes and many others. Herlinda explains how there is a hole at the top of the pie, as in the picture here. This is part of the recipe, specifically the baking process. They place a bit of jelly into the hole which bakes into the pie.  

We get a phone call from Herlinda Heras in London, she is there to judge this year's UK National Fish & Chip Awards. The National Federation of Fish Fryers of the UK sponsor the annual event. There are contestants from all over the UK as well as other countries, including the US, which was represented by a British couple from Georgia who have a fish and chips shop. There is the usual panorama of awards, in many categories, even the potatoes. On the Tuesday night before the event, they had a reception in the Houses of Parliament. They were actually in session and voting while she was there. Russian River Brewing Co. is open in Santa Rosa on 4th St. and at their big Windsor location. Visit their website for up-to-date hours, menus, beers and more. Part of the awards was a recognition of extraordinary customer service, and Herlinda heard stories about how during Covid confinement, fish and chip deliveries were almost the only contact that some people had with others. Visit Homerun Pizza, home of the Knuckleball! Fresh pizza dough made from scratch daily, la pizza è deliziosa! There is also an award for best sit-down restaurant, and many other categories. See the National Fish & Chip Awards website for all the categories and winners. See our sponsor Victory House at Poppy Bank Epicenter online, for their latest viewing and menu options. The biggest award is to the “take away” which is British for “to go” service. That award went to a shop called Ship Deck, located in Caerphilly, Wales.

One of the traits of being a human is that we all make mistakes. Nobody is perfect. And yet, somehow, we often feel there's something wrong with us if we don't live the perfect lives we see depicted online and in the media. These often bring up feelings of worthlessness, inadequacity, loss of self-esteem and other negative emotions we'd rather not experience.     There are ways to deal with these feelings that can lead to positive change. We discuss these with author Ally Dalsimer, whose book It's Okay Not to Be Fabulous Every Day addresses these issues head on. In our lively talk, Ally shares some soul-stirring wisdom, including:·      the right way to embrace imperfection·      tips on how to tackle overwhelm·      why it might be necessary and healthy to redefine success·      dealing with conficting inner voices·      a transformational way of looking at regret·      an important power you can access from within    If you're looking for new ways to achieve self-acceptance, don't miss this important episode of Dream Power Radio.     Ally Dalsimer is a published author, former political candidate, experienced life coach, and award-winning environmental expert. Her highly acclaimed book It's Okay Not to Be Fabulous Every Day! leads the reader on an inspirational journey from sadness and self-recrimination through discovering hope and self-acceptance to achieving one's destiny and finding self-love.     Ally began her professional career as a project assistant at the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and worked her way up to serve as the Defense Department's Natural Resources Program Manager, where she was responsible for management, oversight, and advocacy for the Department's 25 million acres of land.     Highlights for Ally's accomplishments during her three decades environmental career include:- Helped develop, launch, and manage several national and international conservation efforts including, Partners in Flight (birds) and the North American Pollinator Protection Campaign.- Served on the Obama Administration's Climate Task Force, and helped write the President's Climate Action Plan.     Ally won multiple awards, including:- National DoD Partners in Flight award for Outstanding Contribution to the Conservation of Neotropical Migratory Bird Habitat.- U.S. Air Force Award for Outstanding Contribution to USAF Conservation Programs.- National Partnership for Reinventing Government “Hammer” Award.     Ally has authored or co-authored more than 50 articles, technical reports, proceedings, brochures, and now a book! It's Okay Not to Be Fabulous Every Day! is available in multiple formats at https://books2read.com/OKNotToBeFabulous       Her new book will be available Spring 2024!     Ally has undergraduate degrees in English and Psychology from the University of Richmond, and a Master's in Public Policy with Environmental Law and Economics Track from Georgetown University. She lives in Virginia with her rescue cat Pooma.    To connect or sign up for her bi-weekly newsletter, visit: Website: https://allydalsimer.com/ Insta: https://www.instagram.com/ally.dalsimer/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/AllyDalsimer  Want more ways to find joy in your life? Check out my website thedreamcoach.net for information about my courses, blogs, books and ways to create a life you love.

The top 3 trending food and agriculture news pieces you need to know this week are: Taco Bell®, Cargill and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Partner to Restore Habitats and Expand Sustainable Farming Practices in Beef Supply Chain | Read the Story Here What a Girl's Goat Teaches Us About Our Food | Read the Story Here Kentucky Cattle Scheme With 78,000 Ghost Cattle Unravels | Read the Story Here Watch on YouTube Discover Ag Podcast Follow Us on Instagram! @‌NatalieKovarik | @‌TaraVanderDussen | @DiscoverAg_ Catch the FULL show notes here: https://www.thehandsthatfeedus.com/podcast-episodes/087 _______________________________________________________ GOOD RANCHERS CODE “DISCOVER” AT CHECKOUT Good ranchers is an American Meat Company working to connect American farmers and American families. You can find them at  Good Ranchers  and be sure to use code “DISCOVER” for a discount.   _______________________________________________________ Discover Ag is brought to you in part by Ringers Western Wear USE CODE “DISCOVER” TO SAVE 20% Ringers Western Wear is one of our new favorite western wear brands! Visit us.ringerswestern.com and fill up a cart using our exclusive code DISCOVER made especially for our valued listeners. ________________________________________________________ Discover Ag is brought to you in part by CASEIH. To the men and women at Case IH, farming is a way of life. A life they live every day on millions of acres across North America. Get to know the farmers who work at Case IH and see how they bring that perspective into everything Case IH does. Visit http://BuiltbyFarmers.com to see their stories and even share your own. Built by Farmers. Case IH.

How can we successfully leverage public funds as private donors? Peter Stangel joins Sybil and explains how to distribute funds in the right places, and how donors can strategically use their dollars to strategically leverage public funds and maximize impact. Episode Highlights:How can we successfully leverage private and public funds for the causes that we care aboutPeter's personal journey to ultimately become Chief Operating Officer of the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and CommunitiesHow to navigate the federal grant bureaucracies for maximum impactPeter Stangel Bio:Peter Stangel of Aiken, SC joined the US Endowment in April of 2010. An ecologist by training, Peter received a B.S. in Biology from Furman University and a Ph.D. from the University of Georgia. Previously he was with National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, most recently as Director of Science and Evaluation. With the Foundation he also served as Eastern and Southeastern Regional Director, and Neotropical Migratory Bird Initiative Director. Peter has extensive experience building corporate conservation partnerships, and has worked with Walmart, Shell Oil Company, ConocoPhillips, and Southern Company, among others. He has more than 20 publications in the technical literature and nearly 200 in the popular magazines.Links:U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities: https://www.usendowment.orgIf you enjoyed this episode, listen to these as well:· https://www.doyourgood.com/blog/leveraging-public-dollars· https://www.doyourgood.com/blog/99-Meta-Loftsgaarden· https://www.doyourgood.com/blog/57-michael-chatmanCrack the Code: Sybil's Successful Guide to PhilanthropyBecome even better at what you do as Sybil teaches you the strategies as well as the tools, you'll need to avoid mistakes and make a career out of philanthropy through my new course, Crack the Code!In this new course, you'll gain access to beautifully animated and filmed engaging videos, and many more! Link for the wait list for the Philanthropy Accelerator https://www.doyourgood.com/Philanthropy-Accelerator-Mastermind-WaitlistLink to the nonprofit email sign-up to connect https://www.doyourgood.com/ticket-to-fundraisingCheck out her website with all the latest opportunities to learn from Sybil at www.doyourgood.com. Connect with Do Your Goodhttps://www.facebook.com/doyourgoodhttps://www.instagram.com/doyourgoodWould you like to talk with Sybil directly?Send in your inquiries through her website https://www.doyourgood.com/ or you can email her directly at sybil@doyourgood.com!

Few legacies can impact the amount of people, organizations, species and habitats that Becky Humphries has. Starting as an employee of the US Fish and Wildlife Service in the 1970s, she quickly transitioned to state wildlife work the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and grew through the ranks culminating in her being appointed Director of the Department of Natural Resources and then in 2010 of the newly-developed Department of Natural Resources and Environment, which combined the DNR and state's environmental agency. She was the first woman to hold either director role in Michigan. Humphries' leadership saw the department through some of the most trying and uncertain times – including the discovery of Bovine Tuberculosis and chronic wasting disease in the state. Humphries' work with the DNR elevated her to leadership roles within Association of Fish and Wild Agencies. She not only won their two most prestigious awards for her work, but she was named chair of the Fish and Wild Health Committee and led the National Fish and Wildlife Health Initiative. After more than 30 years with the DNR, Humphries left in 2011 to join Ducks Unlimited as the director of conservation partnerships. In 2013, Humphries joined the National Wild Turkey Federation as its chief conservation officer before being named chief executive officer in 2017 (Sourced from Michigan United Conservation Clubs). Suggested Links: https://www.nwtf.org/ http://www.peddersolutions.com/ Show Notes: 0:36 – Becky talks about where this episode was recorded at the North American Fish and Wildlife Conference. It has been happening since 1911!! 1:22 – A little on Becky's background and start in conservation. 6:10 – Mentorship. Becky talks about some of her mentors during her career. 10:52 – Discussing professional courage and steps in moving up the ladder and picking your battles. 13:14 – “You always want to work around people who are very ethical.” 15:45 – Becky talks about some of the biggest projects she was involved with during her career. Notable projects at each stage. 28:00 – Becky reflects on where it has worked in her advantage to be a female in this industry. 33:28 - Pathways and pipelines to leadership. Did Becky set her intention to be the CEO of the DNR? 35:41 - Short break for a message from our partner, Prios, and the NWF Outdoors Outdoors podcast. 37:07 -  What's in Becky's freezers?! Better late than never ;) 39:48 -  Becky reflects on her passion for turkey hunting, bird hunting and her bird dogs. 41:33 -  What projects has Becky worked on over the years? 49:50 – The conversation regarding hunting, taking a life, spirituality, remorse, and conservation. 51:33 -  Becky to continue to stay engaged in the conservation community. 52:28- Closing statements and final advice for women who want to work in conservation and the out of doors. 54:39 - Becky's plans for the future after retirement. 57:10 – Sam, Carlee and Becky share their hits and misses.

In the latest episode of the American Shoreline Podcast, co-hosts Peter Ravella and Tyler Buckingham speak with Joelle Gore, Stewardship Division Chief, Office for Coastal Management at NOAA, and Jessica Grannis, Program Director, Coastal Resilience at the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, about the 2023 National Coastal Resilience Fund (NCRF). The guests discuss how the NCRF, which is being supported by funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act, aims to enhance protections for coastal communities from the impacts of storms, floods and other natural coastal hazards while also improving habitats for fish and wildlife. They also cover the selection process for funding, the role of partnerships in advancing coastal resilience, and successful projects that have been funded in the past.

Secretary Vilsack and USDA Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Robert Bonnie joined the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and farmer-leaders with Farmers for Soil Health (FSH) to sign a $95 million USDA Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities grant, officially launching the Farmers for Soil Health initiative.

We are beyond excited to share this week's COBT as we had the opportunity to visit with the team at the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF). Joining us for the session are Dr. Holly Bamford, Chief Conservation Officer, Dr. John Lamoreux, Director, Fish and Wildlife Conservation, and Kristen Byler, Senior Scientist, Marine Conservation. Since its inception in 1984, NFWF has collaborated with federal, corporate and individual partners to put over $7 billion to work with conservation projects across all 50 US states and US territories. We were delighted to visit with the team and talk about NFWF's mission to build partnerships and drive conservation efforts for current and future generations. To help orient the conversation, Dr. Bamford first shared background on the organization, it's fascinating history, and mission. From there, we discuss how the organization's partners are involved with each project and respective community, the diversity of their partnerships and projects and focus on "Getting Stuff Done," the link between nature and the energy sector including specific projects NFWF is working on with the energy industry, NFWF's involvement with carbon sequestration and associated challenges, the need for national standardization for carbon sequestration, three ways to invest in nature to sequester carbon, how individuals can get involved with NFWF, and much more. We had a hard time ending the discussion but wrapped with where Dr. Bamford, Dr. Lamoreux and Kristen see NFWF ten years from now. It was a great discussion and we are inspired by their eager spirit to "Do More Good In More Places." Mike Bradley kicked us off with a quick market update from the past week, flagging the possibility that natural gas companies may pull back on rig count and flagged a few upcoming events including PPI reporting, the World Economic Forum in Davos taking place this week, Chinese market activity, and the beginning of oilfield services Q4 results, with SLB first out of the chute. Jeff Tillery also joined for today's discussion as well as Nick Lance, Veriten's Nature-Based Solutions Project Lead. We look forward to following NFWF's projects and progress over the coming years! Thanks to you all. Let's keep 2023 rolling!

Established in 1888, Neosho National Fish Hatchery is the oldest continuously operational federal fish hatchery raising fish today. They raise rainbow trout for release in Lake Taneycomo, and also produce endangered species to achieve recovery goals. Join Emily as she takes her van on a roadtrip to the Neosho National Fish Hatchery and speaks with Jen Schramm about the conservation efforts of the Hatchery, mussels as water purifiers, and https://www.fws.gov/fish-hatchery/neosho ------ A huge thank you to all of Em's sponsors and partners! EQUIP FOODS: www.equipfoods.com/em for 15% off LMNT ELECTROYLTE SALTS: www.drinkLMNT.com/meatheadhippie for 15% off EMPIRICA SUPPLEMENTS: www.myempirica.com Use code MEATHEADHIPPIE for 15% off! www.emilyschromm.com FOLLOW ALONG THE VAN LIFE JOURNEY ! Em's Instagram: www.instagram.com/emilyschromm

Texas+Water Editor-in-Chief Dr. Todd Votteler talks with Dr. Andrew Sansom, Founder of The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment at Texas State University, about using water markets as a tool to protect environmental flows in Texas. Dr. Andrew Sansom is one of Texas' leading conservationists. He is the Founder of The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment at Texas State University. He is a former Executive Director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and Executive Director of the Texas Nature Conservancy. For his commitment to the management and protection of natural resources, he is a recipient of the Chevron Conservation Award, The Chuck Yeager Award from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, The Pugsley Medal from the National Park Foundation, the Seton Award from the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Nature Conservancy. Dr. Sansom is a Distinguished Alumnus of Austin College and Texas Tech University.

Ed Schriever, Executive Director of Idaho Department of Fish & Game, spoke with host Mike Leonard about the National Fish Habitat Partnership (NFHP), which enhances fish and aquatic communities through partnerships that foster fish habitat conservation and improve the quality of life for the American people. Leonard is a member of the NFHP board and Schriever is Chairman. The board plays an integral role advancing the partnership. Since 2006, NFHP has funded 1200 projects around the country that improve the health of aquatic systems. In this episode, Schriever gives an overview of what NFHP is about, it's history and opportunities to scale the program up in the future. For more information about NFHP, visit the website at https://www.fishhabitat.org/ Contact Ed Schriever (ed.schriever@idfg.idaho.gov) or Mike Leonard (mleonard@asafishing.org) if you want to get involved. For ways to get involved in sportfishing policy visit https://keepamericafishing.org/ and https://asafishing.org/

Devin: What do you see as your superpower, your stand-out skill that allows you to be effective at the great work that you’re doing?Naomi: I think my superpower is that ability to bring lots of people with lots of ideas and get them together so we can drive greater impact.Salesforce, the enterprise CRM giant, has launched a $100 million “Ecosystem Restoration and Climate Justice” fund. Naomi Morenzoni, the company’s senior vice president of philanthropy, joined me to discuss it. (Disclosure: I own a few shares of Salesforce.)Climate JusticeThe idea of climate justice is still emerging as a theme at the intersection of social justice and climate change solutions.“When we think about climate justice, we think about those who are hit first and frankly worst by the impacts of climate,” Naomi says. “And it’s those in our communities who are often furthest from success, who are having the greatest impact in these moments.”Her comments cause me to think of friends and colleagues living in Bangladesh, where 50 million low-income people live in areas that sea level may permanently flood before the end of the century.Naomi provides further context: If we want that healthy, prosperous society, we have to have an inclusive society. But at the foundation, we have to have a healthy planet. We have to make sure that our world, frankly, is not on fire because we're never going to be able to achieve any of those other goals that we've set out if we don't go after that first.The problem far outstrips available resources, Naomi says.“The funding that goes into this area is so small,” she says. “I think it’s something—only 2 percent of philanthropic funding goes to climate right now. If you look into community-led solutions by founders who are underrepresented, you’re looking at something like 0.6 percent. It’s abysmal.”Never miss an episode. Subscribe!Salesforce’s Ecosystem Restoration and Climate Justice FundSalesforce has made significant progress on sustainability, moving to 100 percent renewable energy. The company also sells a Net Zero Cloud that helps clients track and reduce carbon emissions. The CRM giant has already planted 43.5 million trees with a commitment to reach 100 million by 2030. The company’s environmental philanthropic efforts are the furthest thing from greenwashing.Around the world, just in recent memory, we’ve seen a measurable shift in so-called “natural” disasters. Naomi notes that what were once seasonal threats are becoming constant worries. “Over the last few years, the intensity, the velocity, the just frankly, the sort of onslaught of these climate-exacerbated disasters continued to pummel our community,” Naomi says. “When we were talking to our community partners, when we were talking to organizations like the Red Cross or Latino Community Foundation, they were saying, we need you in the climate fight.”“We have to move upstream; we have to get ahead of this as much as we can,” she adds.When Salesforce launched the new fund, it focused on three areas. Naomi enumerated them:First is just around climate and thinking about nature-based solutions, particularly what we call blue and green carbon sinks as a way to capture that carbon emission, making sure that we stay below that 1.5-degree tipping point. The second piece was around biodiversity, making sure that the systems in which these trees are being planted or restored are kept healthy as part of that strategy. The third pillar, which was important, was where this climate justice piece comes into play, is around livelihoods, making sure that we were supporting adaptation measures that were going to promote the economic climate and the climate resilience and community resilience side of this transition.Naomi shared some examples of the projects the fund is supporting with an eye toward ensuring that communities that grantors have often left out of these conversations have a seat at the table.One is our partnership with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. We've been supporting a project that they have in Port Arthur, and this is a community that historically has just been pummeled during hurricane season. During Hurricane Harvey, 70 percent of the houses there flooded. This is also a predominantly black community.This was a community that had been left out of a lot of these conversations, but they were feeling the impacts. So what we did with them is support a project that is a multi-stakeholder project where they're bringing the community voice into the conversation to co-develop solutions around restoration of the coastal lands. This is going to have a lot of different positive impacts. You're going to both be restoring the ecosystems so that you have that biodiversity regeneration. You're going to be creating jobs through that process and you're going to be making sure you're elevating the community voice in those solutions. The net impact really is that when that next hurricane comes through, you're going to be able to slow down the impacts of it. You're going to be building more environmental and community resilience into that system there.Naomi shared the story of another project the fund supported:Another great example organization that we're giving to is the World Resource Institute. We're supporting their land accelerator program in Brazil. This is really about training, technical assistance and mentorships for entrepreneurs who are going to be doing reforestation and restoration work on degraded lands in both Brazil and India. What I love about this project is it's really thinking about how you support livelihood, entrepreneurship.They help them figure out how to do pitch decks. How do you make sure that you can attract new funding from other investors, from impact investors? How do you get ready to be able to get a project into the carbon market so that you can be able to take advantage of the growth in that carbon credits?Here’s a third story she shared:Another great example is in an organization called Restor, and we're supporting a technical platform where they're using satellite imagery so that anywhere in the world you can go in and you can click in and say, “Okay, I live in Oregon. I want to know what projects are happening around reforestation in Oregon.”We, in fact, get hit all the time by wildfires. It's really bad during the summers in particular. You can go in, you can zoom in on a particular project. You can click in and say, “hey, do they need funding? Do they need volunteers? How far along is the project? Is the project doing what it said it was going to do?”So you have that verification opportunity and it's available really anywhere in the world.“We’re trying to think about a lot of different ways and interventions that we can be investing because frankly, it’s going to take everything,” Naomi says. “It takes all of us in this fight to advance that action.”“I think philanthropy has to be both the best and boldest risk-tolerant capital out there,” she says. “And it also has to be the patient capital.” In the climate space, corporations have invested billions and will invest trillions, but philanthropy will have to lead.“When I think about risk tolerance, you know, with an angel investor, I did some research once, and I think they expect like 5 to 10 percent of their portfolio in angel investing to hit,” Naomi says. “We expect way more out of our philanthropic portfolios. We expect results. You know, we fund programs, we fund outcomes, but we’re not always investing in the innovation, and we’re not always investing in the capacity building that’s needed.”Salesforce is working to change that dynamic.In this massive effort, Naomi draws on her superpower, which I’ll call leading collaboration.How to Develop Leading Collaboration As a SuperpowerNaomi used to think of her superpower as being able to bring order to chaos, but recently she’s begun to appreciate the way that could limit outcomes. She now sees herself bringing flow to the chaos that comes from having lots of people at the table.“I love a messy, chaotic situation, the energy, sort of the creativity that comes out of there,” she says.Today, she sees the power of collaboration. “It’s really about thinking about how might we take all of this energy, all of this creativity, all of these great ideas and get them to get together and get it all in a single path, driving towards a single outcome where we can have incredible impact.”She strengthened her superpower in 2020 by helping organize and implement Salesforce’s racial equality and justice commitment that came out of a company task force. “We thought about all the different parts of our business that needed to come together to think about how do we support racial equity? How do we support racial justice?” Naomi says, “We made bold commitments across our people, our philanthropy, our policy positions and our purchasing.”“That was a hard moment,” She says. “I’m going to be honest, like the emotions that I felt, the emotions our community was feeling, that sense of the magnitude of this reckoning was so big. How are we ever going to do enough?”The task force was deliberate about setting bold goals. The company published them on the website and is tracking its progress publicly.This project was a big win for Naomi, and she credits her ability to lead collaboration for getting it done.She offers some advice for leading collaboration effectively.“The approach that Salesforce comes from, when we think particularly about our community impact work, starts with listening like we don’t have all of the answers,” she says.“We have to listen to those who have the expertise,” Naomi says. “We have to listen to those with lived experiences. We have to listen to those who are closest to the challenge because honestly, they usually have the best solutions.”She offered a compelling example of listening and learning. In the reforestation effort around the world, one of the significant challenges is around seeds—collection, storage, and then getting saplings out of them. “But what’s not clear is exactly the right intervention.”After listening to the experts, Naomi and the team identified a pivotal spot to invest some philanthropic capital. “We funded in Hawaii a technician who’s going to sit down with the expert in that area around a particular tree that’s critical to that ecosystem. And we’re going to support that training and the passing down of that knowledge.”She also said the fund would try several things and recognize that some would fail. “Let’s learn from it. Let’s learn from where we failed.”By following Naomi’s example and her advice, you can make leading collaboration a superpower that will enable you to do more good in the world. Get full access to Superpowers for Good at devinthorpe.substack.com/subscribe

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation has awarded nearly $3 million dollars in grants to plant cover crops in six Midwestern states The funding comes as demand for state and federal incentive programs for cover crops often outpaces available funding.

Adam Cox is joined by Kim Jackson, from Harry Ramsden's, for National Fish and Chips Day to discuss a new poll from the brand which shows Fish and Chips to be the public's top British institution. Kim talks about why she think's the public love Fish and Chips to much, and also reveals to exciting news for the brand. www.harryramsdens.co.uk

New figures this week showed inflation is still impacting American consumers, but some slight moderation was also observed. There was also news on interest in the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities Program, leading to questions about the ability for the program to satisfy the existing demand with its present resources. This week's video also features thoughts on immigration and the future of the Farm Workforce Modernization Act from Chuck Conner with the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, Allison Crittenden with the American Farm Bureau Federation, Dave Gagner with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and Cal Poly's Ricky Volpe. Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD

May moves most quickly, and here we are again with another edition of Charlottesville Community Engagement, a newsletter and program that seeks to capture as much as possible about the rapid movement that appears to be experienced by so many. The goal is to give a quick look or listen at what’s going on as often as possible. This is the 374th episode hosted by me, Sean Tubbs.Charlottesville Community Engagement is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.On today’s program:The Charlottesville Area Association of Realtors releases its latest analysis of the Charlottesville market Albemarle and Waynesboro are receiving more funds to electrify busesVirginia localities to get more funding for Chesapeake Bay pollution reduction The Albemarle Board of Supervisors adopts its budget for FY23But the six elected officials are in a stalemate over how to proceed with grass or artificial turf at new athletic fields First shout to JMRL’s How To FestivalIn today’s first subscriber-supported shout-out, the Jefferson Madison Regional Library will once again provide the place for you to learn about a whole manner of things! The How To Festival returns once more to the Central Library in downtown Charlottesville on Saturday, May 14 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. There is something for everyone in this fast-paced, interactive and free event! There will be 15-minute presentations and demonstrations on a diverse set of topics. Want to know how to do a home DNA test? Tune a guitar? What about using essential oils to repel mosquitoes? Visit the library website at jmrl.org to learn more. Schedule is coming soon! That’s the How To Festival, May 14, 2022. CAAR reports on activity in first three months of 2022A lower inventory of available homes continues to drive up the sales prices in some parts of the region. That’s according to the latest quarterly report from the Charlottesville Area Association of Realtors covering the first three months of this year. . “In the first quarter, the median sales price was $389,900, which was up 13 over a year ago, a gain of nearly $45,000,” reads the report. A total of 888 homes were sold during January, February and March. That’s 177 units fewer than in the same period in 2021. The report notes that inventory may be on the rise. A total of 1,327 building permits were issued in 2021 in the six localities covered by CAAR and that’s the highest number since 2006. Activity has increased this year as well. “In January and February, there were 286 new construction permits, which is up significantly from prior years,” the report continues. “In the first two months of 2022, more than 70 percent of new housing permits were for the construction of single-family homes.” However, the report also notes that interest rates are beginning to climb with the average interest rate for a 30-year mortgage at five percent for the first time in eleven years. As for sales prices, all six localities saw increases in the median sales price. Albemarle’s average is $476,750, an 11 percent increase since 2021’s first quarterCharlottesville’s average is $412,000, a four percent increase Fluvanna’s average is $335,263, a 24 percent increaseGreene’s average is $335,000, a seven percent increaseLouisa’s average is $282,651, a 22 percent increase Nelson’s average is $308,500, a 17 percent increaseTomorrow I will be posting an anecdotal summary of transactions in the city of Charlottesville and paid subscribers to this newsletter will get a first look. Take a look at the past 15 on the Information Charlottesville archive. Virginia DEQ to award $14 million for electric school busesMore state funding is on the way to help localities make the transition from diesel-powered school buses to electric ones. The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality announced Wednesday that the Clean School Bus Program will award more than $14 million across Virginia, and that includes Albemarle County.The funding comes from Volkswagen, a company that lied to its customers about the fuel efficiency of some vehicles. Virginia received $93.6 million from the Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust.“DEQ has also committed funds for innovative clean transportation projects including electric transit buses, medium and heavy duty trucks, electric equipment at the Port of Virginia and development of a statewide charging network for electric vehicles,” reads a press release.Albemarle County will get $464,754 for two more electric buses, bringing the total fleet to four. Last year, the county received $530,000 from the same fund. (previous story)Waynesboro will receive $1.4 million for six buses. For more information about the Volkswagen settlement, visit this dedicated website.Virginia gets funding for Bay clean-up effortsLast November, President Joe Biden signed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act which included $238 million in funding for programs to reduce pollution that makes its way into the Chesapeake Bay. This week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced that $40 million will be made available through two separate programs. “I am pleased to announce the new funding that will help support ready-to-go projects throughout the 64,000-square-mile Chesapeake Bay watershed,” said EPA Deputy Administrator Janet McCabe in a news release. “This unprecedented funding can go straight into projects that will protect public health, improve water quality and help restore lands, rivers and streams that impact the Chesapeake Bay – from farm fields to suburban neighborhoods to city streets.”First, $15 million will come from the Most Effective Basins (MEB) program. Virginia will get over $3 million from this pool of funding. “The funding will largely support farm-based actions to improve local rivers and streams in locations most beneficial to the downstream Chesapeake Bay,” the release continues. The other $25 million will be administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation through two grant programs. Specific awards will be made in September. One group that is often a forum for local efforts to meet pollution reduction controls is the Rivanna River Basin Commission. They meet next virtually tomorrow at 2 p.m. (meeting info) (RRBC agendas)Second shout-out: The Plant Northern Piedmont Natives Campaign It’s springtime, and one Patreon subscriber wants you to know the Plant Northern Piedmont Natives Campaign is a grassroots initiative of motivated citizens, volunteers, partner organizations, and local governments who want to promote the use of native plants. This spring the group is working with retailers across the region to encourage purchase of plants that belong here and are part of an ecosystem that depends on pollination. There are plenty of resources on the Plant Northern Piedmont Natives Facebook page, so sign up to be notified of lectures, plant sales, and more!Albemarle Board adopts $586.3 million budgetThe Albemarle Board of Supervisors took eight actions yesterday to complete the process of development and adopting a budget for FY23. They began with the tax rates. (view the presentation)“We have the real estate, mobile homes and public service tax rate of 85.4 cents (per $100 of assessed value) that is the calendar year 2022 rate,” said Andy Bowman, chief of the Office of Management and Budget in Albemarle. “For personal property rate, which also applies to machinery and tool taxes, the current rate is currently $4.28 cents per $100 and it is proposed to be reduced to $3.22 per $100 of assessed value.” The reduction is due to the increase in value of used vehicles due to reduced production. Many localities in Virginia opted to decrease this amount, though Charlottesville City Council opted to keep their rate at the higher one. In the next three items, Supervisors had to vote on an increase in the food and beverage tax from four percent to six percent and an increase in the transient lodging tax from five percent to eight percent.“And finally the disposable plastic bag tax which would be five cents for each disposable bag and that would go into effect on January 1 of 2023,” Bowman said. Supervisors adopted those tax rates with no discussion. All of that took place at the seven work sessions held since the budget was introduced in late February. All of those tax rates add up to a budget that anticipated $586.282,008 in total revenues for FY 23.“That is a number than is greater than the Board last saw, due to some changes primarily in the school budget,” Bowman said. Those changes include additional funds for the school system related to reclassification of federal funds as well as $12 million in funding for the school that came down from the American Rescue Plan Act. Virginia has not yet adopted its budget as the divided General Assembly did not reach consensus on one. Bowman said that means there is about $5 million in funds in question currently set aside as a placeholder. “The current county budget includes $3.6 million in state funding that is currently in question with the impasse at the state budget,” Bowman said. “The Board of Supervisors previously asked the public schools what is the fallback plan if that state funding comes through? This plan is responsive to that direction so if the state keeps that $3.6 million intact, the school board would use that $3.6 million in one way. If that $3.6 million were to fall out of the state with an alternative approval for how that would be used. Stalemate continues on synthetic turf fields One issue that has come up during the budget process has been how to proceed with plans to update athletic fields managed by the Parks and Recreation Department. The original budget envisioned those being installed as grass fields at the future Biscuit Run Park, but at least three Supervisors sought to instead move forward with a previous plan to build synthetic turf fields at Darden Towe Park. Some such as Supervisor Ann Mallek continued to want to keep those fields natural. The topic was discussed extensively at the work session on April 27, and the county executive prepared a potential way to move forward. “If the Board were to show a majority or a consensus today that we would like to explore increasing the quality of the fields at Darden Towe, the first step would be to go out and get an expert in the turf management world to come in and do an assessment,” said County Executive Jeffrey Richardson.That process could take a year and might mean taking the fields off line for some time. Richardson said the first step would cost about $20,000 and he asked the Board if they supported that pathway forward. However, that proposal was not included in the budget before the Board. Supervisor Ned Gallaway asked what this study would give the county that it didn’t already know before. “What it gives us is a detailed plan of execution,” said Trevor Henry, the assistant county executive. “A nutrient plan, things like aeration, lime, fertilizer, a seeding schedule, weed and pest control, a mowing schedule, a watering schedule, and a rotation. Those would be some of the outcomes of that.” Supervisor Diantha McKeel made a motion to adopt the budget that did not include spending that $20,000 for the consultant. Supervisor Ann Mallek made a counter motion to amend the budget to include that funding. Supervisor McKeel wanted to move forward with synthetic turf as recommended by staff in 2019 to put lighting and artificial turf at Darden Towe. “In 2019, Albemarle County had nine organizations representing over 7,000 participants that were requesting rectangular field space,” McKeel said. “It was evident in ‘19 that Albemarle County not only lacked the available fields but lacked the ability to provide quality fields based on high usage.”McKeel said artificial turf was not her first choice for grass athletic fields, but she supported their use at Darden Towe, which is considered an urban park. “A mudhole is not an environmental success, nor is asking people to play in goose poop an environmental success,” McKeel said. Supervisor Mallek said natural grass fields are safer for those who play on them. The topic was discussed extensively at the April 27 work session. Gallaway said he did not support the motion because it would delay what he said was a need to provide fields. He supported synthetic.“We’ve had in front of us an option that would fix our system of fields that would increase capacity, that would increase quality everywhere, not just for the current fields but for the future fields that would come into the system,” Gallaway said. Supervisor Donna Price also did not support the motion.“I call foul on that proposal and think we’re just simply kicking the can down the road,” Price said. “It’s been years that we’ve known our fields are inadequate and that we needed to do something like this.” Mallek’s proposal failed 3-3, which is a stalemate. That means the adopted budget does not include a decision point on how to proceed with athletic fields. . Other actions taken to complete the budget include a resolution for appropriation of $18 million for FY23 in FY22, a borrowing resolution, and a resolution to adopt the Capital Improvement Plan for FY23 through FY27. Now that the budget is complete, the process will next begin on creating a new strategic plan. Help support Town Crier Productions with a paid subscription to this newsletter!For one year now, Town Crier Productions has a promo with Ting!Are you interested in fast internet? Visit this site and enter your address to see if you can get service through Ting. If you decide to proceed to make the switch, you’ll get:Free installationSecond month of Ting service for freeA $75 gift card to the Downtown MallAdditionally, Ting will match your Substack subscription to support Town Crier Productions, the company that produces this newsletter and other community offerings. So, your $5 a month subscription yields $5 for TCP. Your $50 a year subscription yields $50 for TCP! The same goes for a $200 a year subscription! All goes to cover the costs of getting this newsletter out as often as possible. Learn more here! This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit communityengagement.substack.com/subscribe

Whit Fosburgh is the president and CEO of the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, an organization dedicated to advancing America's legacy of conservation, habitat, and access to public lands.Prior to joining TRCP in 2010, Whit spent 15 years at Trout Unlimited. Additionally, he served as fisheries' director for the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and was a wildlife specialist for the National Audubon Society. Whit grew up hunting and fishing in upstate New York and was a member of Team USA in the 1997 World Fly Fishing Championships. He has a BA in Government from Georgetown University and a Master's degree from the Yale University School of Forestry.We talked all about TRCP and their various areas of focus, from the Farm Bill, to the Colorado River, to Chronic Wasting Disease in deer species. Whit and the TRCP are keeping the spirit and vision of Theodore Roosevelt and the early American conservation movement alive by leveraging the voice of outdoor enthusiasts to influence policy.You can visit their website for more, sign up for their newsletter to stay informed on these issues, and consider a donation to help the cause.

David Staebler, Chairman, Buffalo Creek Watershed Alliance on the mission and work of the Alliance, the decades of accomplishments the ambitious future project (s) and other timely topics. We'll talk a little about the Merrill Linn Conservancy (the umbrella organization of the Alliance), the Alliance's 20th anniversary, the April 9 event, am eye popping major project coming up and the role of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the Chesapeake Conservancy, the Precision Conservation Partnership and local conservation districts. We'll mention the new volunteer stewardship program as well.

We're excited to announce the addition of 11,000+ acres for public hunting, fishing and so much more. This week TWRA's Tim Churchill and Chris Simpson join us to help us learn more about this acquisition and opportunities on this great piece of land. Special thanks to The Conservation Fund, The Nature Conservancy, Forest Legacy, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Tennessee Department of Forestry, Walmart's Acres for America Program, and U-Haul for helping make this project a success. #tnwildlife #gooutdoorstennessee #wildlifemanagement #tennesseewildcast

eacher name: Ms. Haritha Reddy Topic: National Fish Farmers Day

Meet this week's guest before the episode airs! Dr Bruce M. Beehler (born October 11, 1951 in Baltimore) is an ornithologist and research associate of the Bird Division of the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History. Prior to this appointment, Beehler worked for Conservation International, the Wildlife Conservation Society, Counterpart International, and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Bruce Beehler graduated from Williams College and received his Masters and PhD studying the behavioral ecology of the birds-of-paradise at Princeton University.[1] He has been an authority on New Guinea birds for several decades, having authored or co-authored several major works on the biodiversity this, the largest tropical island, including The Birds of Paradise (1998), The Birds of New Guinea (1986, 2015) and the two-volume Ecology of Papua (2007). To the general public, Beehler is best known for having co-led a widely published rapid assessment survey on biological diversity in 2005 to the Foja Mountains, Papua, where he, together with an international team of 11 scientists, the majority from the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), made a number of scientific discoveries. The findings on this survey expanded on previous research conducted in the region by Dr. Jared Diamond in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Beehler and colleagues, however, returned with the first ever photographs of two species of birds, the bronze parotia (Parotia berlepschi) and the golden-fronted bowerbird (Amblyornis flavifrons), that previously were known only from a few specimens. Additionally, a previously unknown species of honeyeater was discovered, it being scientifically described in 2007 as the wattled smoky honeyeater (Melipotes carolae). The specific epithet, carolae, commemorates Carol Beehler, the wife of Bruce Beehler. Together with a team from 60 Minutes, Beehler returned to the Foja Mountains in 2007, resulting in the first ever filming of several of the species discovered in 2005, as well as encounters with an undescribed giant rat (Mallomys sp.) and a tiny pygmy possum (Cercartetus sp.) https://charity.gofundme.com/o/en/donate-widget/30694 (Make a donation to our 501(c)3 organization) https://blog.us1.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=2305d8aac3a24b336b10d645eandid=6915ba78da (Sign up for our Newsletter!) https://www.patreon.com/thewildlife (Become a Member-Supporter) https://linktr.ee/TheWildLifePod (Follow us on all of our platforms) Support this podcast

On today's show, Moyra & Baggs were asking how did your kid accidentally injure you? Moyra wanted to know what everyone's laziest thing you do is, plus in celebration of National Fish & Chips Day where is the best on the Coast?Moyra was asking about the game changers in a friendship, after someone on the team did something Moyra hates! And what's currently broken in your car but you drive anyway....Plus much much more!

Adam Cox is joined by Kim Jackson, from Harry Ramsden, to talk about National Fish and Chips Day. Kim talks about her own story, and why she thinks Fish and Chips hold a special place in Brits hearts. https://www.harryramsdens.co.uk 

A dish that, having been brought together around 1860 by Joseph Malin. Although Mr Malin opened his store on Old Ford Road, Bow, London, he moved from there in the 1970's to make room for houses to be built in the east end of London. It was the late Samuel Isaacs who formed the first actual restaurants of note and expanded his empire across London and the south coast. One address, holds a special place in the fish and chip hall of fame...1 Marine Parade, Brighton. Pictured in many seaside postcards, this restaurant that sits opposite the Brighton Pier, has served fish and chips to eat in or to be enjoyed along the promenade for over a century. Now owned and run by Yorkshire's son of the modern day “Chippie”, Harry Ramsden, this restaurant has served British Fish and Chips to almost every class of person. Even though Mr Ramsden started his business in Guisley, West Yorkshire, (circ.1928) the business has become as much a statement of this embolic dish as it was for the troops during WWII. In fact, to maintain a strong morale amongst the British population and also those brave soldiers fighting across the shores of Europe, Winston Churchill had ensured the dish was not part of the rationing at home, whilst also providing Fish and Chips to the troops to boost morale. It is also believed that the code “Fish” and then the word “chips” was used as a signal between troops at checkpoints for identification. Any hesitation or poor pronunciation, would mean instant refusal of passage (in a wartime zone, that meant certain death)! So, as you can see, the dish that originally found its way to into British culture back in the 16th century as a fried fish coated in flour, by nomadic Jewish immigrants from Spain, via Holland; the Chips being introduced to Britain by the fleeing French Protestant refugees in the 17th century, who settled in the London area; this marriage of these two components came together in London and up in Mossley, Lancashire, served out of wooden huts or on carts as street food and has definitely cemented itself as British food at its very best. At its peak 35k stores were spread across Britain with only about 10k remaining now...it's an institution that needs support to survive. With the difficulties of the pandemic effecting most food businesses, Fish and Chip shops are having to adapt rapidly. Even the record breaking Harry Ramsden, who in 1952 served 10,000 portions of Fish and Chips in a single day, earning a rightful place in the Guinness book of records, has has to adapt by selling frozen boxed meals in supermarkets. At a time when the heritage of food and cultural identity has become extremely important, we can thank the refugees of the 16th and 17th century for their contributions to an all-time classic, quintessentially British Street Food dish! From the humble introduction of Pescado Frito (the Jewish dish of flour coated fried fish) we can continue to enjoy this symbol of true British culture in the modernised newspaper looking paper wrappers or compostable boxes. Celebrating the fusion of cultures can also now be seen in world cuisines having adaptations of the fish and chip dinner, with their own twist. From Indian Pakora battered fish and Masala chips to Korean noodles with Tempura fish and fried potato cubes; this is truly a dish that has brought communities together through the years and will continue to do so for many more to come.

The Southern Great Plains is home for a diversity of wildlife and domestic animals that depend on a healthy ecosystem. Cargill and Sysco, two of the world"s largest food companies, recently announced a partnership with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to establish the Southern Plains Grassland program.

Creating or restoring natural infrastructure can enhance coastal resilience for communities and ecosystems. One of the key sources of funding for this work is the National Coastal Resilience Fund grants program, which is jointly administered by the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Since 2018, the NCRF has awarded $90 million to enhance, build, or restore almost 17,800 acres of coastal habitat that have provided enhanced protection to 100,400 properties and 2,500 critical facilities. And right now they have a new 2021 Request for Proposals on the street. On this broadcast we’ll speak with Erika Feller, the Director for Coastal and Marine Conservation for NFWF and Dr. Laura Petes, the Manager of the Communities Program in NOAA's Office for Coastal Management, two of the principals of the program, about the program and the current RFP, how the grant program is evolving, some successes and more. For more information here are links to the National Coastal Resilience Fund Program , the 2021 NCRF Request for Proposals, the Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management and the Digital Coast.

Idaho Conservation Efforts with MDF state habitat coordinator, Jessie Shallow – Season 4 Episode 3  Today we are talking with one of the new conservation staff for MDF, Jessie Shallow, who works through MDF and Idaho Fish and Game to coordinate habitat restoration projects in mule deer migration corridors and winter ranges identified within the Idaho State Action Plan. Jessie contributed the “Conservation Continues” story in the January issue of MDF magazine, but our conversation allows us to learn more about her background and the work she’s doing in Idaho. Jessie is born and raised in the state and did her graduate research on mule deer habitat use for nutrition throughout the year. We talk a bit about what she learned in that research and how that translates into the work that she is now doing for MDF on habitat restoration. For example, Jessie led a project that converted 23 miles of fence to wildlife-friendly fencing in a project that was supported in part through grants from the Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Outdoor Fund and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. We also talk about efforts to construct funnel fencing to new overpasses and underpasses for wildlife crossings over highways. We wrap up talking about projects planned for this summer including an aerial spraying project with the U.S. Forest Service in the Lemhi Valley to fight the invasion of cheatgrass into the priority area. Jessie lets us know that there are likely to be some great volunteer opportunities this summer and we look forward to MDF members once again being able to get actively involved in making a difference for mule deer on the ground.

Good morning, RVA! It’s 75 °F, and today you should expect super hot highs in the 90s—we’ve even got a heat advisory in effect until 8:00 PM. The heat index could reach as high as 109 °F, and that means you probably should stay inside if at all possible.Water coolerAs of this morning, the Virginia Department of Health reports 927↗️ new positive cases of the coronavirus in the Commonwealthand 29↗️ new deaths as a result of the virus. VDH reports 138↗️ new cases in and around Richmond (Chesterfield: 40, Henrico: 68, and Richmond: 30). Since this pandemic began, 326 people have died in the Richmond region. Just yesterday, the seven-day average of new cases in Virginia hit 1,012—the first time it’s been over 1,000 since August 13th. Percent positivity has also started to trend upward in the Commonwealth, and, at 7.7%, is now at its highest level since around June 8th. Statewide numbers are whatever, and it’s maybe more helpful to look at percent positive in the Central Region—which is bigger than just Richmond, Henrico, and Chesterfield, but still smaller than the entire state. Turns out percent positivity for the Central Region is…7.8% and that’s the highest it’s been since August 9th. What does this all mean? Keep working from home if possible, keep your mask on, and keep your distance from other people—that’s for sure.Ali Rockett at the Richmond Times-Dispatch has more on Tuesday’s shameful display of violence by the Richmond Police Department. Here, again, is the hard-to-watch video of a police officer tackling a person off of their bike, smashing their head onto a sidewalk. And here is how the RPD’s Deputy Chief Sydney Collier describes the incident: “Force is met with force…He’s eluding. He’s trying to avoid capture. As long as he’s trying to elude, the officer used the only option he had to stop him while he was on the bicycle.” Force is met with force?? What kind of force, exactly, does an unarmed kid standing in front of a tow truck with a bicycle need to be met with? Watch that video again and tell me that was the only option available to over a dozen police officers to “capture” this one person on a bike. The police continue to gaslight us by responding to actual, literal video of their horrible behavior as if it doesn’t exist at all. I honesty feel like I’m losing my grip on reality when I read quotes like this. Who are these people? Why do they behave this way? Why will none of our elected leaders do anything about it??This seems like a big, leafy deal: The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation announced a $227,467 grant to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation that “will plant more than 650 new trees in neighborhoods suffering from extreme heat linked to racially-motivated housing discrimination in the past.” That’s awesome, but even awesomer, this grant will focus on Southside neighborhoods and build on the work that folks like Southside ReLeaf and Groundwork RVA are already doing in that part of the city.A million years ago in 2017, Richmond adopted the Pulse Corridor Plan which recommend a bunch of rezonings to make the neighborhoods surrounding our best transit denser, more walkable, and more transit-friendly. As part of that plan, the Planning Commission will consider rezoning the area around the Science Museum, Allison Street, and VCU & VUU Pulse stations next week. If you can’t wait to talk zoning/rezoning, tonight you can attend a virtual public forum from 6:00–7:30 PM to hear the Department of Planning and Review talk through this proposed rezoning and why it’s important. You’ll probably hear from lots and lots of neighborhood folks angry about the standard set of anti-density stuff: tall buildings, sewer and school overload, parking, and traffic. It’s frustrating to have to argue about these same exact things each and every time we want to build more homes so more people can live in our city, but, that’s the bad timeline we live in. Until we have a decidedly urbanist City Council and Mayor we’ll need to do whatever we can to drag Richmond forward in these tiny and frustratingly incremental steps.Whoa, the Virginia ABC reports a $117 million increase in revenue compared to last year. I’d love to see those numbers by month, because I bet a huge portion of that increase came during the coronaspring. Of note, over the course of last year, Virginians spent $52.3 million on Tito’s Handmade vodka, the top-selling booze in the Commonwealth. That’s a lot of vodka!Daniel Heffner at NBC12 says that “roofers working on Bellevue Elementary School in Church Hill uncovered a decades-old beehive while repairing a section of the roof.” The beepeople brought in to save/remove the bees estimated the hive to be 40 years old and contain 60,000 bees! The pictures alone are worth your tap.The Henrico and Richmond City Health Districts will host a free community testing event today at Tuckahoe Middle School (9000 Three Chopt Road) from 9:00–11:00 AM. Walk-ups welcome! If you’re sitting at home worrying about your coronastatus, get out there and get a free test this morning. These are your local health districts! They’re here to serve you.This morning’s patron longreadWelcome to Leeside, the US’s first climate havenSubmitted by Patron Susan. I love this genre of thing, where the creator fabricates bits of an alternative historical record to tell their story (my favorite example of this at the moment is the Mystery Flesh Pit National Park Tumblr). This piece in QZ tells the future history of Leeside, a (fake) Midwest town that decide to open its Rust Belt arms to climate refugees, and now, years later, the town is booming.It’s 2057 and no life has been untouched by the realities of a warming globe. But mere decades ago, at the dawn of the 21st century, Americans were only just waking to this truth. Rising seas, powerful storms, and raging fires were destroying their cities, rendering homes uninhabitable, and dismantling livelihoods. Residents affected by such loss began to ask, “Where will we go?” In an increasingly isolationist world, many responded, “Not here.” But Leeside opened its doors. And after years of implementing innovative policies benefiting both the environment and the city’s residents, the United Nations inaugurated Leeside as the United States’ first Green Haven in 2035. Now, the city is recognized as a model of successful adaptation—physical, economic, and social—to a world in which cities and their communities are transformed by the millions seeking shelter from the storm.If you’d like your longread to show up here, go chip in a couple bucks on the ol’ Patreon.

Sometimes, the quickest way to understand federal coastal policy is to follow the flow of funds from DC to communities along the American shoreline. On this episode of the Capitol Beach, Derek Brockbank welcomes Erika Feller, Director of Marine and Coastal Conservation at the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Together, they explore the National Coastal Resilience Fund, a critical new program established in 2018 to fund conservation projects that restore natural features such as coastal marshes and wetlands, dune and beach systems, oyster and coral reefs, forests, coastal rivers and barrier islands. A healthier coastal environment, so goes the thinking, can help minimize the impacts of storms and other events on coastal communities. For coastal communities facing increasing storm risks -- and that's about all of them -- this program can be a tremendous asset. Get the inside skinny from Erika Feller, the professional at the top of the program. Only on the Capitol Beach Podcast and only on ASPN!

Jennifer Simpson is the founding executive director of the Aspen Institute's Finance Leaders Fellowship focused on improving public trust in the global finance industry. An entrepreneurial leader, Jennifer has made private equity and debt investments in industrial companies throughThe Gladstone Companies, where she served on a number of industrial company boards; served as the first CEO for Gladstone Securities; worked in leveraged lending and was chief credit officer for National City Bank's $4.7 billion small business loan portfolio; invested with PE firm Morgenthaler Partners; and served as EVP of Finance and Operations at the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.  Jennifer began her career as a Lieutenant and platoon leader in the U.S. Army’s Medical Service Corps after studying economics at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, financing it with a four-year Army ROTC scholarship. Her MBA is from Case Western Reserve University. Jennifer serves on the advisory board for Industrial Exchange, was on the executive board of a nonprofit supporting STEM education, and was co-Founder of the Washington, DC chapter of WAVE (Women in Venture Equity). She has also helped raise her 2 children, now out of the house and on a great path to being good citizens.

Join Hannah and ICL's North Idaho Director Brad Smith to learn all about why Idahoans should be bear aware. Tune in for stories about grizzly bear sightings in Idaho and tips on how to behave safely in bear country. Learn more at the ICL blog. https://www.idahoconservation.org/blog/lets-get-bear-aware/ Have concerns, need help, or want more information? - Visit the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee (IGBC) website (http://igbconline.org/) for a wealth of resources for recreationists, homeowners, ranchers, farmers, hunters, and public lands users. - Check out this one-hour educational presentation produced by the Montana Bear Education Working Group (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrFsJguXYIk&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR3DexD1qR4bzmnC0iMjEoOB14wAPlltVbfP04SF-EK6zB5MSj-0UE376IM), covering bear natural history, biology, identification, attractant storage, preventing encounters, bear spray, and how to handle bear encounters. Thanks to Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative (Y2Y) and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) for their support with our bear aware projects this 2020 season.

Wyoming with Ike Eastman and Shawn Blajszczak – Season 3 Episode 9 – May 5 This episode features Steve talking with Ike Eastman, president and CEO of Eastmans’ Hunting Journals, and Mule Deer Foundation Wyoming regional director, Shawn Blajszczak. Ike tells us a little bit of history about how his grandfather and his father spent the “heyday” of mule deer wandering around Wyoming filming deer and other big game. With this perspective of three generations, Ike talks about what they see as the greatest challenges for mule deer in the state including how winter range and migration corridors are critical to ensure the herds are sustained. Shawn then talks about the grant that MDF received from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to help restore habitat for mule deer herds prioritized in the Wyoming SO 3362 action plan. They then talk about how important it is for avid hunters to help by being active members of MDF, supporting conservation projects, and being involved in state policy that affects our wildlife resources. Ike tells us about the Eastmans’ upcoming film, previewed at the Western Hunting and Conservation Expo, that uses their historic and current footage, combined with the new knowledge about mule deer migrations and winter range, to raise awareness and serve as a call to action.

The United States and New York City, in particular, has been the global epicentre of the COVID-19 pandemic for the past month. Many Australians live and work in New York, and so much of Australia’s deep commercial and financial ties with the United States run through New York. How are the thousands of businesses that operate between the United States and Australia faring in a period of closed borders? And looking beyond business, what is the role of the US-Australian alliance amid a global pandemic? To discuss these issues, the USSC hosted a webinar event featuring Ambassador John Berry (ret.), President of the American Australian Association, in a conversation with US Studies Centre CEO Professor Simon Jackman. Ambassador John Berry served as the 25th US Ambassador and President Obama’s personal representative to Australia from 2013-2016. Prior to that, Ambassador Berry served in multiple senior government positions, earning three unanimous Senate confirmations, including: the head of “HR” for the federal government as Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM); the “COO” of the Department of Interior as Assistant Secretary for Policy, Management and Budget; the head of 40 per cent of federal law enforcement as Acting Assistant Secretary for Enforcement at the Treasury Department; and Legislative Director for Rep. Steny Hoyer. Ambassador Berry has also been a leader in the non-profit sector, serving as the Director of the Smithsonian National Zoo; The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and Government Relations for the Smithsonian Institution. Ambassador Berry has accomplished many firsts, most notably, the first openly LGBT US Ambassador to a G20 country and while at OPM, he was the highest-ranking LGBT executive official in US history.

Did you know that one of the largest companies (by revenue) worldwide has made a concerted effort to conserve 1 acre of land for every acre it develops? Since 2005, Walmart Inc. has partnered with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to conserve nearly 1.5 million acres across the United States. Listen in to find out how Walmart has conserved vital ecosystems right here in Pennsylvania and in nearby New York.

Does America have a National Fish? Did you spot the Uncle Sam cameo in this movie? What's more important: Rambo: The Idea, or Rambo: The Man? This week, we wear our favorite flags and coats and stroll into the woods with the 1982 post-war action drama, First Blood! This week's panel: Hosts: Robert Speewack (@rob_speewack) & Kwesi Phillips (@akayaday) Defense: Rob Joynes (@rob_joynes) Roasters: Kris Pepper Hambrick (@helloearthproductions) & Katie Bennett (@skatieb) Keep up with 24 Flames Per Second & Partyfish Media: Join our Patreon here: www.patreon.com/24flamespod Email: 24flamespod@gmail.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/24flamespod Twitter: www.twitter.com/24flamespod Instagram: www.instagram.com/24flamespod Partyfish Facebook: facebook.com/partyfishmedia Partyfish Insta: instagram.com/partyfishmedia A big thank you to our Patrons that keep our roasters toasting: Kevin Conner, Timothy Duryea, Kwesi Phillips, Robert N Paulson, Will Paulson, Kacie Rahm, & Brian Toews. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/24flamespod/support

$2.54 billion for coastal restoration. If that doesn’t get your attention, nothing will! On this episode of The Capitol Beach, Derek Brockbank interviews Tom Kelsch, Senior VP for the Gulf Environmental Benefit Fund (GEBF), at National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF). NFWF has a long history of funding Gulf Coast restoration, and following the BP Oil Spill, a settlement agreement gave NFWF $2.54 billion to work with the five Gulf states (FL, AL, MS, LA, TX) for coastal habitat and wildlife restoration. Six years into the program about half that funding has been obligated. Hear about some of the biggest successes to date, as well as what the future holds, and learn why a private non-profit foundation has as much or more influence in Gulf Coast restoration as many government agencies.

Join SeafoodNews Podcast hosts Amanda Buckle and Lorin Castiglione as they obsess over Red Lobster's Cheddar Bay Biscuits. Plus, on this week's episode we also talk about the "dolphin-safe" tuna lawsuit; the abrupt closure of National Fish and Seafood; the suspension of air service to and from Venezuela; and the temporary closure of fishing areas in the Gulf and Quebec regions due to the presence of North Atlantic Right Whales. This week's episode is brought to you by Foreign Trade Data. Reduce uncertainty, minimize risk and uncover opportunities with the only website designed exclusively for the seafood import/ export community.

This week, we feature Mitch King of the Montana Legacy Foundation! Joel Doub from Tom Morgan Rodsmiths talks fly rods and fly fishing, Robin Follette makes delicious dandelion pesto, and John Collen of the National Fish

Episode 19: National Fish & Wildlife Foundation, Big Game Corridors Grant Program On this episode of Talking Mule Deer, Jodi and Steve talk with Seth Gallagher, manager of Rocky Mountain regional programs for the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF). We learn about what NFWF is, how the organization receives funding, and how it has provided billions of dollars for conservation across the country. We talk about some of the private land conservation efforts that NFWF has been engaged in, including sagebrush conservation that benefits mule deer, and how important this is to help keep agriculture viable and conserve important fish and wildlife habitat. We then hear about NFWF’s new grant initiative offering $2.7 million for on-the-ground habitat conservation efforts needed to help implement Secretarial Order 3362 on big game migration corridors. Projects support specific needs identified by state fish and wildlife agency plans that were developed in response to the Order. Some of the efforts could include work on transportation projects to help wildlife crossings, easements to conserve corridor bottlenecks or stopover sites, fire restoration, and more. The funding for the new NFWF grant program came through the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Conoco-Phillips. More information about the grant program, including a link to the request for proposals, and the state plans can be found at www.nfwf.org/westernmigrations. The grant deadline is in early January with plans to announce grants in March in order to get these habitat conservation and restoration projects on the ground by next summer. We also talk about a capacity grant that the Mule Deer Foundation just received from NFWF to implement an initiative within the organization for these types of boots-on-the-ground projects to benefit mule deer.

Nate Wiese is fishery biologist with the US Fish & Wildlife Service, and manager of the Mora National Fish Hatchery. On April 20, I volunteered to help with some maintenance at the hatchery, and was able to learn a lot about native fish management and species recovery.

Dr. Bruce Beehler is an ornithologist and Research Associate in the Bird Division of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History. Bruce spends much of his free time outside and immersed in nature. He enjoys playing tennis, going for hikes, and kayaking, as well as watching wildlife at the feeders outside his home. Writing scientific books is a big part of Bruce’s current work. He and two colleagues have begun planning for a comprehensive synthesis of all the available data for a particular mountain in New Guinea. This rich dataset on one location, will serve as a benchmark for future research studies. In terms of field work, Bruce is now solely focused on the birds of the boreal conifer forests of the U.S. and Canada. He is interested in understanding how the permanent resident birds survive in these forests year round. Bruce completed his undergraduate studies in American Civilization at Williams College and received his Masters and PhD degrees in Biology from Princeton University where he studied behavioral ecology of the birds of paradise. Afterwards, Bruce worked for ten years at the Smithsonian’s Natural Museum of Natural history. Before returning to the Museum in 2014, Bruce worked for Conservation International, the Wildlife Conservation Society, the U.S. Department of State, Counterpart International, and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Bruce is a Fellow of the American Ornithologists Union, and he is the author of eleven books including a field guide and a taxonomic checklist of Birds of New Guinea and the recently released book North on the Wing. In our interview, Bruce shared some of his fantastic stories about life and science.

News for Mid-October Hello Listener! Thank you for listening. If you would like to support the podcast, and keep the lights on, you can support us whenever you use Amazon through the link below: It will not cost you anything extra, and I can not see who purchased what. Or you can become a Fluffle Supporter by donating through Patreon.com at the link below: Patreon/Hare of the Rabbit What's this Patreon? Patreon is an established online platform that allows fans to provide regular financial support to creators. Patreon was created by a musician who needed a easy way for fans to support his band. Please support Hare of the Rabbit Podcast financially by becoming a Patron. Patrons agree to a regular contribution, starting at $1 per month. Patreon.com takes a token amount as a small processing fee, but most of your money will go directly towards supporting the Hare of the Rabbit Podcast. You can change or stop your payments at any time. You can also support by donating through PayPal.com at the link below: Hare of the Rabbit PayPal Thank you for your support, Jeff Hittinger. Busy bunny bussing around London causes commuter commotion https://www.dailydot.com/unclick/bunny-rabbit-bus-london/ Have you heard the one about the London Overground and the hare? One fluffy bunny is going viral after hopping aboard a London bus and casually going for a ride, without an owner in sight. Twitter user Matt Hepburn captured the Petter Cottontail (or Cottontransit, perhaps? Cottontrain?) aboard the bus with a single photo and the only caption that could possibly describe the seriousness and serendipity of the situation: “There’s a rabbit on my bus.” Naturally, the internet wanted to know, where did he come from? And where did he go? Where did he come from, this Cottontail Joe? Well, apparently this li’l bun gets around and was spotted on the Overground once before. Perhaps the bus bunny was bugging out over being a tad bit tardy for a seemingly momentous occasion? Could it have been related to at least one of these bunnies in Manchester? It’s OK though—Hepburn was able to talk to the bunny’s owner, and as it turns out, this is like, a normal day for it. “Apparently he does this often,” Hepburn wrote, stating the owner was sitting a few seats away. However, though it’s not completely clear if the hare is the one who “does this” and rides the bus often, or if the owner rides the bus with the bunny often, but just gives it space. In fact, this “laid back space hippy” of an owner has sparked more questions than answers: If he rides with the rabbit, does he wait for the rabbit’s signal to hop off the bus? If the rabbit rides alone, how does it reach the buttons letting the driver know it would like to get off at the last stop? What circumstances in this world have brought together a bus-riding rabbit and a space hippy? The world may never know.   Steampunk Alice in Wonderland coming to Bristol http://www.itv.com/news/westcountry/2017-09-29/steampunk-alice-in-wonderland-coming-to-bristol/ Rehearsals are gathering pace for a production of Alice in Wonderland... with a twist! The young actors at ITV WEST Television Workshop are bringing a steampunk-themed family version of the classic tale to Bristol next week. The show will be performed by a cast of more than 30 actors aged from 9 to 59. It is suitable for all ages. Alice is bored. Sitting on the riverbank with her Sister who has her head stuck in a book. Again. Nothing exciting ever happens to Alice. Ever. That is, until a sarcastic and frenetic White Rabbit appears with a waistcoat and a pocket watch, obsessing over how late he is. I mean, have you seen a rabbit with a watch before? Alice hasn't! Then he rudely disappears down a rabbit hole... Should Alice stay on the riverbank, bored out of her mind? Or follow him down into a utopia of Steampunk madness - with grinning cats, chaotic twins, mad tea parties and a crazy Queen who's lost some tarts? Boredom loses. Curiosity wins. Welcome to Wonderland. – ITV Television Workshop Alice in Wonderland is being performed at the Redgrave Theatre in Clifton from Tuesday 3rd to Thursday 5th October @ 7.30pm. Tickets are priced at£10/£12 and are available by calling the box office on 0117 3157800 or from the Redgrave website at www.redgravetheatre.com.   Fish and Game to take ownership of New England cottontail habitat http://www.unionleader.com/article/20170928/NEWS01/170929214/-1/mobile?template=mobileart MANCHESTER — The endangered New England cottontail has found a friend in the state Fish and Game Department, which soon is expected to own a prime piece of the rabbit’s habitat. The Fish and Game Department said it is glad to take over ownership of 57 acres of conservation land near the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport, saving the airport about $30,000 a year. “We’re happy to take it,” said Glenn Normandeau, executive director of the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department. “We’re actively doing management at the property to help with the rabbit situation.” The endangered cottontail needs thick shrub cover, which can be found on the site, to avoid predators, which is “pretty much everything,” he said. Airport officials are working to transfer ownership to Fish and Game. Deputy Airport Director Tom Malafronte said the airport was spending $30,000 annually in recent years to maintain the site, including picking up discarded tires and construction materials. In 2001, the airport purchased the property in Manchester and Londonderry for $1.1 million to offset filling in 13 acres of wetlands as part of expanding the southern portion of the airport’s north-south runway more than a decade ago. “Preserving the New England cottontail habitat was an important consideration for NH Fish and Game, and one of the reasons that we felt strongly that they would be best suited to own and manage the property,” Malafronte said. To protect the endangered species, the state has closed off areas of the Merrimack Valley area from Concord south as well as a section of Rochester south to near Exeter from hunting any cottontail rabbit year-round to avoid any confusion. “Just because it’s difficult to tell them apart” from other more populated rabbit species, Normandeau said. The protection means people can’t harm, harass, injure or kill the rabbits, which run 15 to 17 inches long with brown and gray coats. Humans sometimes confuse them with Eastern cottontails. “I’m not aware we’ve ever prosecuted anyone for the taking of a listed species, but we certainly try to discourage it,” said Normandeau, who’s been to the property several times. He called the parcel southwest of the airport “a good wildlife spot in the middle of what’s become a pretty significantly developed area.” The Londonderry-Merrimack area “is definitely one of the hot spots of their existing populations,” Normandeau said. A notice in the Federal Register last week said Fish and Game would “continue to maintain the property in its natural state as a wildlife corridor in perpetuity.” Had homes or businesses been built on that land, it “would probably eliminate the rabbit’s habitat, which in effect means they’re going to disappear, leave the area,” Normandeau said.     The innocent reason Hefner named Playboy girls ‘bunnies’ http://nypost.com/2017/09/28/the-innocent-reason-hefner-named-playboy-girls-bunnies/ Hugh Hefner’s Playboy empire was as famous for its “Bunnies” as it was for its saucy centerfolds. The stunning waitresses, dressed in skin-tight bodices with rabbit ears and tails, became an iconic part of the mogul’s brand — serving at his parties, his clubs and even on his private jet. But have you ever wondered why they were called “Bunnies” in the first place? According to the magazine mogul — who died Wednesday at the age of 91 — the real inspiration behind the Playboy Bunny was a student bar from his college days. When Hefner was a student at Illinois University, in the 1940s, his favorite hangout was a bar called Bunny’s Tavern named after its original owner, Bernard “Bunny” Fitzsimmons. The bar, which opened in 1936, was a favorite for poverty-stricken students because of its 35-cent daily food specials and draft beer for 10 cents a glass. When Hefner set up his Playboy empire, in the 1950s, he came up with his rabbit logo and consequently the Bunny girls as a tribute, which he revealed in a letter to the bar which now hangs on its wall. However, he also admitted that the Bunny costume was a saucy reference to the sexual reputation of rabbits. The iconic costume was designed by Zelda Wynn Valdes and made its formal debut at the opening of the first Playboy Club in Chicago in 1960. Bunnies, who were chosen after a series of auditions, were given designated roles — so they could be a Door Bunny, a Cigarette Bunny, a Floor Bunny or a Playmate Bunny. There were also trained flight attendants, known as Jet Bunnies, who served on the Playboy Big Bunny Jet. Every Bunny went through a strict training regimen and had to be able to identify 143 brands of liquor and know how to garnish 20 cocktails. They also had to master the “Bunny stance” — with legs together, back arched and hips tucked under — as well as the “Bunny perch” for sitting on the back of a chair and the “Bunny dip,” which required them to bend their knees to serve drinks elegantly. Dating customers was forbidden and clients were banned from touching the girls in the clubs.     Giant rabbit, moon sculptures welcome coming Mid-Autumn Festival in Jinan, East China’s Shandong http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1068642.shtml Inflatable sculptures of a moon and rabbit are displayed on Baihuazhou lake in Jinan, East China’s Shandong Province on September 27, 2017. The illuminated moon model measures six meters tall, while the rabbit stands at a respectable four meters.   Ikea’s Latest Acquisition Will Help Assemble Your Ikea Furniture http://fortune.com/2017/09/28/ikea-task-rabbit/ One of the most popular jobs on TaskRabbit, a service that lets you hire workers for quick gigs, is assembling Ikea furniture. So perhaps it's no surprise that the Swedish retail giant has reportedly acquired the startup for an undisclosed price. TaskRabbit has only a few dozen full-time employees, but it is a platform for a large number of independent contractors who help customers with all sorts of errands, handymen tasks and, of course, furniture assembly. According to tech news site Recode, Ikea will treat TaskRabbit, which is reportedly profitable, as an independent subsidiary and keep on its CEO Stacy Brown-Philpot. Recode sees the deal as a strategic acquisition at a time of rapid change in the world of retail and home delivery: The purchase of TaskRabbit was fueled by Ikea’s need to further bolster its digital customer service capabilities to better compete with rivals likes Amazon, which has stepped up its home goods and installation offerings. The purchase is Ikea’s first step into the on-demand platform space. TaskRabbit had already struck a pilot partnership with Ikea around furniture assembly in the United Kingdom and also had marketed its workers ability to put together Ikea items in the U.S. and elsewhere. TaskRabbit has received investments from a number of prominent venture capital firms, including Shasta Ventures, Lightspeed Venture Partners and Founders Fund. Currently, customers are able to hire "rabbits" in around 40 U.S. cities. TaskRabbit is one of the most high profile of the so-called "gig economy" companies, which connect customers with workers on an independent contractor basis. Other such companies include home cleaning service Handy, and the car-hailing services Uber and lyft. The "gig" business model is popular with investors because it can grow quickly, and allows companies to try to avoid the costs and legal entanglements of hiring staff. In recent years, however, workers on such services have won several court challenges claiming they are not contractors, but are instead employees. Ikea did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the acquisition.     The Peter Rabbit film trailer has been released - and it looks incredible http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/whats-on/film-news/peter-rabbit-film-trailer-been-13676775 The new trailer for the forthcoming Peter Rabbit movie has been released. The jaw-dropping trailer ahead of the CGI/live-action film has left viewers stunned - and fans ready to see it. The film is being shot in Cumbria and takes in the stunning scenery of Windermere and Ambleside that inspired Beatrix Potter to write her stories. Billed by Sony Pictures Animation as a 'contemporary comedy with attitude', it follows the story of Peter Rabbit, the mischievous and adventurous hero who has captivated generations of readers. Starring James Corden as the voice of the titular bunny, Peter Rabbit promises thrills, spills and badgers playing darts with hedgehogs. The film features voice roles played by Corden, Margot Robbie, Daisy Ridley and Elizabeth Debicki, and live-action roles played by Domhnall Gleeson, Rose Byrne and Sam Neill. The film is scheduled to be released on February 9, 2018.   5 Rabbit Cervecería Papi Chulo Bottle Release Details https://thefullpint.com/beer-news/5-rabbit-cerveceria-papi-chulo-bottle-release-details/ (Bedford Park, IL) – At 8.5% abv, Papi Chulo was produced using the Solera method by incorporating 3 vintages blended over 4 years. It is aggressively sour. Acerola, also known as Barbados cherry, is native to Central and South America and is considered a superfood due to its nutritive value and antioxidant powers. If you love sour beers, you do not want to miss this release! 5 Rabbit Papi Chulo The bottle release will take place at our brewery in Bedford Park, on Saturday 10/7/17 at 2pm. These bottles are limited and we will do our best to spread them out as much as possible. We are anticipating to offer 2 bottles per person, however if turnout is larger than expected this number may change. Thank you in advance for understanding.     Short Film Friday: ‘Rabbit’s Blood’ Is The Best Kind Of Weird Read more at Film School Rejects: https://filmschoolrejects.com/short-film-friday-rabbits-blood-best-kind-weird/#ixzz4uJc3hxBW Lynchian” doesn’t really begin to describe it. A stark, darkly funny animation whose styles evoke those of Japan and Eastern Europe, Rabbit’s Blood creates an odd world at the intersection of cartoonishness and realism. The fluctuating colors filling in the clothes combined with the jarringly natural sound design make for an uneasy viewing experience that can create moments of fear and humor as easily as it puts us on edge. Animator Sarina Nihei finds a bit of Don Hertzfeldt and David Lynch, then jostles them together with a repugnant cuteness that’s almost too much to watch. https://vimeo.com/232458407       After the latest supermarket chicken scandal, is it time to reappraise the humble bunny? http://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/after-supermarket-chicken-scandal-time-554274 In 1947 the Government came up with a cunning way of measuring inflation. The Retail Price Index took a typical British shopping basket and measured the average cost of its contents. This exercise, carried out annually, allowed statisticians to work out inflation and its effect on the public. Alongside the corned beef, herrings, boiled sweets and cauliflower that typified the diet of the day was wild rabbit. Since the 12 Century, when bunnies were introduced to this country to be raised in managed warrens, they had been a staple of the British diet, particularly in rural areas. We may refer to modern times as “austerity Britain” but with a gourmet burger joint on every corner and supermarket shelves groaning I think the levels of austerity in this country pale into insignificance compared to the post war era, when rabbit would have provided a welcome and tasty protein hit. I’m not sure why rabbit fell out of favor. The deliberate introduction of myxomatosis in an attempt to control burgeoning bunny populations probably had something to do with it, even though this horrible disease apparently doesn’t affect the meat. The introduction of battery farming made the price of poultry tumble, and steadily chicken has replaced rabbit on the nation’s dinner table. With the latest story about dodgy practices at one of the country’s largest processing plants I wonder if it’s time to reappraise the humble bunny. Trendy chefs tell us we’re supposed to eat lean, sustainable, local, organic produce, something our grandparents were doing decades ago when they tucked into a rabbit stew. I was going to describe the Guardian’s revelations about 2 Sisters as shocking, but really only the naive can be even surprised at their undercover reporter’s findings. We all know that cheap meat involves an “ask no questions” pact between producer and consumer. When Aldi sells you a kilo of chicken for £1.79, it’s with a nudge and a wink – we’re getting ridiculously cheap meat – just so long as we don’t glimpse behind the plastic curtains of the processing plants it uses. Evacuee Teddy Neale, 14, with a catch of rabbits on August 10,1944. And the real shame is that while chickens live out pointless and short lives in unpleasant conditions, farmers are obliged by law (The Pests Act 1954 if you’re interested) to kill the rabbits that run wild in the fields next to the battery sheds. There are between 35m and 45m in this country and they breed like, well, rabbits. Yet because there is no longer a market for these animals most will end up buried and rotting – it’s an incredible and epic waste of a natural resource and I think something of a national scandal. So next time you pass a proper butcher why not invest a couple of quid in an animal which has led a wild and free life in a field close to your home?     TOKiMONSTA puts forth her beat-making savvy on ‘Lune Rouge’ after nearly losing it all http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music/tokimonsta-brings-beats-losing-musical-abilities-article-1.3532927 TOKiMONSTA is back — and doing better than ever. The seasoned Los Angeles producer, real name Jennifer Lee, has reemerged with her third full-length record after a tumultuous time in her life — she had two surgeries for a rare brain disorder called Moyamoya she was diagnosed with in 2015. Lee penned an essay detailing her experience regaining the ability to speak as well as comprehend and make music after the surgeries, the first time she publicly addressed her health scare. The artist, whose name translates to rabbit monster (toki means rabbit in Korean), caught up with the Daily News at Panorama over the summer to talk about her love of making beats and “Lune Rouge,” which officially drops Friday. “In a generation where everyone is very playlist-focused, I would say that this album is a playlist of songs for one person,” Lee said. “It represents who I am right now as an artist, how I’ve progressed over the many years that have passed since the last one … I just set the intentions to make the kind of music that makes me happy.” The new music will likely make listeners happy, too. “Lune Rouge” offers 11 hypnotizing tracks suited for the likes of hip-hop and R&B collaborators Yuna, Joey Purp and Isaiah Rashad. MAD creates inflatable pavilion shaped like a rabbit's head https://www.dezeen.com/2017/10/01/mad-inflatable-pavilion-rabbit-ears-beijing-design-week/ For this year's Beijing Design Week, architecture studio MAD has created an inflatable pavilion with two big floppy ears. Beijing-based MAD created the giant-rabbit-shaped pavilion in a hutong – one of the city's old courtyard-house neighbourhoods – near Lama Temple. Titled Wonderland, it is designed to provide a public space where children in the area can meet and play with each other. Beijing Design Week pavilion by MAD architects. The inflatable structure is white and its two lop ears protrude at a jaunty angle. "Through the form of a rabbit, Wonderland brings a carefree spirit and sense of whimsy to this old Beijing neighbourhood," said MAD. "Its playful attitude provides an escape from reality." Beijing Design Week pavilion by MAD architects. At night, the interior of a structure is illuminated with a white light that provides a safe environment for children to socialise. "Surrounded by its soft walls, under the blue sky and green trees, children can play, daydream and drift off into their own fantasy wonderland, in pursuit of happiness," added MAD. Beijing Design Week pavilion by MAD architects. Led by architect Ma Yansong, MAD is best known for projects including the undulating Harbin Opera House, the horseshoe-shaped Sheraton Huzhou Hot Spring Resort and the twisted Absolute Towers. The firm – which ranked at number 61 on the inaugural Dezeen Hot List – is currently working on a variety of projects in California, including the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, which recently gained approval from Los Angeles city officials. Let sleeping dogs – and their masters – lie http://www.kansas.com/living/health-fitness/article177536371.html President John F. Kennedy’s family had several dogs that cuddled with Caroline and John-John (as well as a beer-swilling rabbit that was a gift from a magician) while they were in Washington. Calvin Coolidge had nine canines lodged in the White House’s family quarters. And the Obamas’ Portuguese water dog, Bo, was allowed to sleep on the bed with the first lady when the president was out of town. Meet the People Rescuing Cuban Cuisine https://www.cntraveler.com/story/meet-the-people-rescuing-cuban-cuisine Even if you’ve never been here, you probably know that only 20 years ago the people on this island just 90 miles from Florida were starving. When the 37-year-old Soto was growing up, during the “special period” when resources vanished after the collapse of the Soviet Union, he and his parents, both government employees, lived on little more than bread, rice, and occasionally beans. Sometimes a meal was simply sugar water. “Cuba has the most complicated relationship with food,” Soto says. “People will tell you there’s no food in Cuba. Or there are no traditions anymore; we lost all our traditions”—of hearty lunches of Caribbean staples like roasted suckling pork or rich gumbos. As food became increasingly scarce, cooking techniques and recipes were forgotten. “And I thought, Even the absence of food is a story about food.” But when he started work on the film two years ago, Soto discovered a new turn in Cuba’s culinary evolution: Young entrepreneurs have picked up the mantle from Nuñez del Valle to open dynamic, pulsating restaurants like O’Reilly 304 and Otramanera that serve lamb burgers and sous vide lobster and innovative takes on standards like pressed pork sandwiches. As the regime has loosened restrictions on private businesses, and as tourists come flooding in from around the world, Cuban cuisine is in the midst of a remarkable renaissance. The question is whether this ambitious new generation of restaurant rookies will chase gastronomic trendiness or help restore and reinterpret all that was lost—the kind of deeply satisfying simplicity that travelers are hungering for today. The difference today is that some can—and that travelers are coming here to eat it, too. “Enrique is the godfather of the new paladares,” says Soto, the Havana-born producer-director of the forthcoming documentary Cuban Food Stories and an expert on the island’s cooking. Back when Nuñez del Valle opened one of the country’s first paladares, or privately owned restaurants, they’d just been legalized by the regime and were limited to 12 seats. Now, La Guarida (“the Animal Den”) has expanded to 100, with an elegant shaded patio that’s drawn the likes of Prince Albert II, Jack Nicholson, and Julian Schnabel—plus today’s young crowd in cool summer garb. After a lunch of lobster ceviche, roasted rabbit with caponata sauce, and pavé of suckling pig with crispy skin, Nuñez del Valle sits down with us for coffee and a selection of Montecristos and Cohibas. His own fat cigar in hand and a glass of Havana Club Selección de Maestros close by, the godfather settles into his chair but doesn’t want to take too much credit for what he’s started. “It’s the new generation that’s trying to do gastronomy differently,” he says in Spanish as Soto translates. “They’re doing a great job of rescuing Cuban cuisine. Like thousands of others, Cano jumped at the chance to list his place on Airbnb, which started operating in Cuba in 2015, and which suddenly turned his relatively modest farm into an ecotourism destination, on the radar of people worldwide. (During my visit, a German-Australian couple happens to be staying in Cano’s $33-a-night one-bedroom cabin. “We love it,” they tell us before setting out on a hike, “though it’s very rustic.”) Cano also puts on epic lunch spreads, given enough notice through Airbnb, centered around a young pig rubbed with garlic and salt and roasted over a wood fire until the skin crackles. As Soto and I watch, Cano plops the cooked pig onto a wooden table and swiftly hacks the meat into hand-size pieces with a machete. His wife, who goes by “China,” then lays out a plastic tablecloth and platters of avocado, black beans, cucumber-and-tomato salad, rice, taro chips, and yucca. We eat overlooking the fields, the thatched tobacco-curing hutch, and chickens pecking at the dirt. It’s a fabulous country spread, made all the more remarkable in that Cano grew all of the food himself—and raised the pig. After our meal, we have coffee from beans he grew, lightened with milk he collected at 5 a.m. Cano then pulls out a white plastic bag filled with tobacco leaves he cultivated and cured, and he rolls us each a cigar. Considering the surroundings and the straight-from-the-field leaf, it rates as the best I’ve ever smoked.   Will the Bunny Park become a housing complex? https://citizen.co.za/news/1681935/will-the-bunny-park-become-a-housing-complex/ The park will keep at least 50 sterilised rabbits. More than 2 000 rabbits were donated from Benoni Bunny Park to Johannesburg Zoo as food for carnivores. Fifty rabbits were, however, left behind at the bunny park so that visitors could enjoy still enjoy them, but they are not happy with current small number of bunnies, Benoni City Times reports. One of the visitors John Priestley wrote to the media as follows: It saddens me greatly to read about the ongoing saga of our beloved Bunny Park. For a facility that has given joy and happiness for decades to so many children, to be limited to 50 sterilised rabbits in an enclosure, is a travesty. A child might as well sit at home and look at pictures of bunnies and farm animals on a computer screen. The fun was when a child could spend a day outdoors running around clutching a carrot trying to feed the ever-elusive rabbit and seeing farm animals up close. The outing, costing no more than a few vegetables, made it accessible to all. Well done to the council for spending money on the park and making it more attractive, but please don’t let the whole concept of a bunny park be destroyed by the ‘experts’. You cannot but wonder if all these changes means authorities have an ulterior motive planned for the future. Perhaps a housing complex?   Age before beauty – Grants bring attention to need for ‘young forests’ in N.H. http://www.concordmonitor.com/young-forests-ecology-environment-cottontail-songbird-12908739 YoungForest.org is the name of a website created by the institute and a number of other organizations to help convince people that healthy forests in New Hampshire and other locations need trees with a mix of ages – even if that requires cutting down a lot of trees now and then so that new ones can grow. “We don’t have a lot of age diversity in our forests,” said Scott Hall, a senior bird conservation biologist for the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, noting that most of New England’s forest were cut a century ago for logging or farmland and have since grown back. “We have a resilience problem when all the trees you have are 60 to 100 years old. You need more diversity.” The topic came up last week when the NFWF said it was giving about $1.2 million to 10 environmental projects in New England, combined with $1.4 million in contributions from private partners including Eversource. Several projects focused on the effects of successional forests. In ecological circles, “succession” refers to the gradual replacement of one type of ecological community by another in the same area – in this case, that means trees growing up in areas that had been cleared by human activity, fire, flooding from beavers or other causes. Young forests, defined loosely as those with most trees less than two decades old, are valuable for a number of species that depend on the plants, insects and animals drawn to them. Those species include the New England cottontail, a small rabbit that is the target of restoration efforts in southeastern New Hampshire, a project that received $175,000 in NFWF grants. The grants will help UNH researchers study how best to estimate the population of this elusive rabbit in 28,800 acres of restored habitat, using capture-recapture methods and “pellet surveys,” in which piles of rabbit fecal pellets are collected or counted. Getting $103,000 is an ongoing UNH project studying songbird populations in rights of way for power lines, to see how they can function as long, skinny strips of young forest. A summer’s worth of counting and banding songbirds caught in nets underneath Eversource transmission towers in Strafford found at least 68 species in the brushy, tangled growth, according to UNH graduate student Erica Holm, working with professor Matt Tarr. “It seems that the rights of way contribute as many species as a clearcut,” she noted. The counter-intuitive idea of the environmental benefits from huge power-line towers reflects the complexity of creating and maintaining young forests. For one thing, they don’t stay young very long – when the trees get too big, the environmental benefits change. Williamson said the Wildlife Management Institute’s goal is to have 10 percent of forestland in the region be young forest – the best they’ve done so far is 6 percent in some areas. “In 10 or 15 years, it’s going to be gone. This is not something we can do once and stop,” Williamson said. “We’re always thinking, “Where can we go next so I have a constant supply of this habitat?’ ” In New England, that requires dealing with private landowners, convincing them to cut down the mature trees and put up with scrubby, bramble-filled properties that don’t have obvious value. “It’s tough to sell the first three years after a clear cut,” Williamson said. “Commercial forestry has to be the driver on this,” he added, noting the effect of commercial firewood prices on woodlot owners’ decision whether to cut mature trees. “When the firewood market goes down, we just sit on our heels,” he said. But he argued that education can change people’s views about the value of even the ugliest of scrubland. “There was a time when people were afraid of wetlands,” Williamson noted. “Old-growth forests were once regarded as a waste of the value of the forest. Native grasslands – another area that we didn’t use to think had any value.” The grants were awarded through the New England Forests and Rivers Fund, a public-private partnership. Kung fu rabbit game Overgrowth adds story mode in final beta version http://deathrattlesports.com/kung-fu-rabbit-game-overgrowth-adds-story-mode-in-final-beta-version/98623 More than nine years after it was announced, Overgrowth’s surreal mix of wild animals, fast-paced martial arts, stealth, and gore is nearly upon us. The last beta version before a proper release arrived this week, bringing with it the game’s full story mode. Those who have purchased the game early will be able to play through the full campaign now, which sees our rabbit hero Turner fight to protect the island of Lugaru from slavers. Expect hand-to-hand combat that relies upon timing and counters, segments where you sneak through shrubbery, and lots of blood. The amount of gore in the game is emphasized by another tweak in this beta: you can now be impaled by spikes. That means some pretty gory clips of Turner’s limp body sliding down a wooden spear, blood spurting. Other changes will make the game’s different animals more distinct. Cat enemies, for example, can now throw smaller weapons such as daggers, while rats can attach bits of the environment to their head as camouflage. Developer Wolfire Games has fixed lots of bugs, too, and added new settings options including a brightness slider. The full change log is here. Overgrowth is currently £22.99/$29.99 on Steam and the Humble Store. There’s no word on a final release date, but it shouldn’t be too long.   One-Of-A-Kind Rabbit Brings $18,000 At Alderfer Auction https://www.antiquesandthearts.com/one-of-a-kind-rabbit-brings-18000-at-alderfer-auction/   HATFIELD, PENN. —Alderfer Auction conducted a two-day auction of dolls on October 3 – 4 both online and at its auction gallery. On October 4 a bisque-headed rabbit with no ears came to the block with a $500/750 estimate—it went on to sell for $18,000 including premium. “This is a wonderful piece—fashioned after the 1920s ‘Jack Rabbit’ series of books by ‘Uncle Dave,’ David Cory, and published by Grosset & Dunlap,” according to Ranae Gabel of Alderfer Auction. The 18-inch tall, rabbit has big stationary brown eyes and an open smiling mouth. It sports a curly gray wig, cloth body with white leather arms, and individual fingers on its hands. It sports a curly gray wig, cloth body with white leather arms, individual fingers on hands. Dressed in cotton plaid dress, red petticoat, white pantaloons and bonnet, the rabbit has on brown oilcloth heeled shoes. The winning bidder said it was a “one-of-a-kind.” Inclusive art studio hides 200 rabbit sculptures in Rochester parks http://wxxinews.org/post/inclusive-art-studio-hides-200-rabbit-sculptures-rochester-parks Sarah Beren is a licensed creative art therapist and owns Spotted Rabbit, a studio with art classes, art therapy and an apprenticeship program for a population within the disability community she saw was underserved. "I went to a training about job development for them. And I started asking, 'Well, what about these people that need staff with them or are nonverbal who can’t be left alone in the community?' " What she found was hardly anything. To fill this void, Beren created the program, which she says gives people who are highly functional yet can’t quite work independently a purpose, a structured schedule and a job - artists sell their work around Rochester. Ellie Anolik is one of those artists; she said her favorite medium is clay. "I like how you can get mad at it, and you can take it all out on the clay.” Beren said they would like to do more shows and participate in galleries, but many art spaces in the city are more “do it yourself”-type spaces presenting a number of challenges to their artists. Allergies are an issue, or how maintained the buildings are; whether or not snow is plowed in the winter. "A lot of the galleries are on the second floor with no wheelchair accessibility. So we've had a lot of potential partnerships with folks, but then it’s like well, our artist can’t come to her own show opening.” The latest project to come out of the studio, with the help of a Livingston Arts grant, is 200 rabbit sculptures. For seven months, artists molded and glazed and baked 200 rabbits, giving them names and hiding them in 41 parks around Rochester. "The idea was that we would have individuals who don’t normally have an opportunity to make public art, make public art. And then also people who may not have an opportunity to go see art or own a piece of artwork actually be able to find it in their local park, pick it up, and take it home." Beren says they have heard back from only 45 owners who have found rabbits, meaning there are many more out there waiting for a new home. Word of the Week: Sterile Plant of the Week: Bread © Copyrighted

Nick Mrzlak from Team Rubicon joins Dan Zehner to talk about this unusual disaster-relief organization. We learn about the group’s trick of teaming veterans and first responders and its mission to focus on the underserved. With his background of serving in the U.S. Navy, working as an emergency medical technician, teaching EMTs, and volunteering with FEMA, Mrzlak is skilled and eager to help. A volunteer with Team Rubicon since 2010, he’s worked in places like Haiti, where he trained local civilians as EMTs. He has worked full-time for Team Rubicon since December 2017. “There’s not much we can’t do,” Mrzlak says. Team Rubicon volunteers are a special breed. “A tribe,” Mrzlak laughs. In one of their first deployments, in Haiti, the Team Rubicon founders realized that pairing veterans and first responders made for especially effective teams. “These types of people want to help, and they have unique skills.” Plus, these particular volunteers crave a sense of purpose and community. Light and nimble, Team Rubicon bridges the gap between disaster and the arrival of established aid organizations, like FEMA. Mrzlak describes current work in the Houston area post-Harvey. 400-450 volunteers are still in the first phase of recovery: clearing debris, sawing down trees and hauling stuff away. They are mucking out homes, removing drywall and salvaging what’s possible – often for residents who do not have a lot to begin with. In these desperate situations, Mrzlak says, Team Rubicon volunteers form meaningful bonds with each other and with the people they help. Team Rubicon has 60,000 volunteers in the U.S. Mrzlak says 13,000 people have volunteered since Hurricane Harvey alone. In this year’s busy disaster season, teams are deployed in Texas, Puerto Rico, Florida, the Caribbean and in the Mexico City area. Mrzlak describes organization’s data-gathering and logistics. The group depends heavily on volunteers in affected regions, like local EMTs, firefighters and police. They also leverage help from corporate partners, like Home Depot, who can ship equipment and supplies to local stores. “We often set up operations in Home Depot parking lots,” Mrzlak explains. Other partners include Tyson Foods, Walmart, the National Fish and Wildlife Service, and Palantir – which provides software for mapping and tracking work orders and assets. Links from the episode: https://teamrubiconusa.org/response/capabilities-services/ https://teamrubiconusa.org/operation/operation-hard-hustle/#overview https://www.palantir.com/

Clems Fish Restaurants reach the final three in the National Fish and Chip Awards 2017, Durham City Homes has been accredited for commitment to support people affected by domestic violence and trench cake and Anzac biscuits were among the recipes competing for top prize at a First World War-themed Bake Off.

In this episode, host Doug Parsons speaks with Davia Palmeri, Climate Change Coordinator with the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies.  Davia talks about the unique role that state agencies play in conserving wildlife. We learn a bit of the history behind wildlife management in the United States.  Doug and Davia then dig into the role state agencies have played in adaptation planning at the state and national level.  Davia explains the role of AFWA’s Climate Change committee and how it provides resources for adaptation planning to the states.  We discuss missed opportunities for long term wildlife funding with the failed Cap and Trade Bill.  Davia also discuss some of her favorite climate change resources, ranging from the Climate Smart report, to the Climate Change Academy hosted by the National Conservation Training Center.  We also discuss the National Fish, Wildlife and Plant Adaptation Strategy: the first of its kind.  Davia also highlights the new National Adaptation Leadership Awards and the upcoming call for nominations.  Finally, we discuss opportunities for rank and file state employees, conservationists from NGOs, and Federal employees, on how they can get involved with adaptation planning in their regions.  Davia was an amazing guest, with a passion for working with states on ways to conserve wildlife in a changing climate. Listen in on all these topics and more!  And stick around to hear what Davia’s favorite wildlife species are, and how they’ll fare under climate change! For more information on this podcast, visit our website at www.americaadapts.org and don't forget to subscribe to this podcast on Itunes. Also, consider following us on Facebook at America Adapts!  Check us out, we’re also on YouTube!

Sheila Smith presents #CommunityProfile - the show that talks to people making a difference in London on ZoneOneRadio. On this week's show, London's markets and the people who work on them. Sheila heads to Brixton to talk to stall holders on the Brixton Station Road Market and new recruit Adam went to Alfie’s and in door antiques market in Marylebone. Sheila laso speaks to Pat Newland of Poppies fish and chip restaurant which is up for a National Fish and Chip Award -- http://www.twitter.com/sheila555 and http://www.twitter.com/z1radio http://www.ZoneOneRadio.com http://www.facebook.com/ZoneOneRadio Etta James - Market Place Intro Sophie Ellis Bextor - Young Blood 4:28 Duran Duran – Save a Prayer 3:47 Adam Tucker visits Alfie Antiques Market in Marylebone David Gray – Sell, Sell, Sell Pink – Try The Spectum – Portobello Road 2:19 Jools Holland – Brick Lane 5:33 Sheila visits Brixton Station Market Eddy Grant – Electric Avenue 3:44 John Newman – Love Me Again 3:54 Sheila speaks to Pat Newland of Poppies Fish and Chips Outro Chuck Berry - Johnny B Good

Sheila Smith presents #CommunityProfile - the show that talks to people making a difference in London on ZoneOneRadio. On this week's show, London's markets and the people who work on them. Sheila heads to Brixton to talk to stall holders on the Brixton Station Road Market and new recruit Adam went to Alfie’s and in door antiques market in Marylebone. Sheila laso speaks to Pat Newland of Poppies fish and chip restaurant which is up for a National Fish and Chip Award -- http://www.twitter.com/sheila555 and http://www.twitter.com/z1radio http://www.ZoneOneRadio.com http://www.facebook.com/ZoneOneRadio Etta James - Market Place Intro Sophie Ellis Bextor - Young Blood 4:28 Duran Duran – Save a Prayer 3:47 Adam Tucker visits Alfie Antiques Market in Marylebone David Gray – Sell, Sell, Sell Pink – Try The Spectum – Portobello Road 2:19 Jools Holland – Brick Lane 5:33 Sheila visits Brixton Station Market Eddy Grant – Electric Avenue 3:44 John Newman – Love Me Again 3:54 Sheila speaks to Pat Newland of Poppies Fish and Chips Outro Chuck Berry - Johnny B Good

In honor of National Fish Week, Susan shows the best way to use parchment paper.