News & Events
USDA Invests $28 Million in New Projects to Help Restore Lost Wetland Functions, Benefits on Agricultural Landscapes
WASHINGTON, March 15, 2021 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $28 million in six new Wetland Reserve Enhancement Partnership (WREP) projects and four ongoing ones, which enable conservation partners and producers to work together to return critical wetland functions to agricultural landscapes. Partners will contribute $2.82 million, bringing the total investments to $30.82 million.
New Frameworks Guide Conservation Action
WASHINGTON, April 6, 2021 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is unveiling new action-based frameworks to increase conservation work to address threats facing America’s working rangelands. These frameworks are designed to benefit both agriculture and wildlife in sagebrush and grassland landscapes of the western United States.
Tennessee River Basin Network Annual Meeting Aug 10 & 11 2021
You are a vital part of our Network! Come join us virtually to continue our collective work towards a Tennessee River Basin where aquatic and human life thrive!
National Association of State Foresters Weekly Newsletter April 2, 2021
'Gold' drops from pines + more forest market news from your state!
National Association of State Foresters Weekly Newsletter March 26 2021
2021 Smokey PSAs released, MS and WV announce new Forest Action Plans...
Tip for Raising EQIP Payment Rate for Prescribed Burns
Potential approaches to raising payment rates for prescribed burns.
USDA Seeks Innovative Partner-led Projects Delivering Sustainable Agricultural Solutions
WASHINGTON, March 16, 2021 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking proposals to fund up to $75 million in new, unique projects under the Regional Conservation Partnership Program’s (RCPP) Alternative Funding Arrangements (AFA) that take innovative and non-traditional approaches to conservation solutions at the local, regional and landscape scales. In making selections. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will prioritize projects related to climate smart agriculture and forestry.
National Association of State Foresters Weekly Newsletter February 26, 2021
Partners announce #WMA winners, plus more 🌳 news!
Does Cattle Grazing Reduce Fire Fuels and Fire Danger?
The last few fire seasons have clearly demonstrated that fires are coming more frequently and at sizes that challenge our ability to fight and/or control them. While grazing has been considered and even sometimes used as a fire prevention tool, the actual success and impact have not been clearly documented. This research is another step in learning how to successfully use grazing to reduce fire danger. We’ll be sharing more on this topic in future issues. January 11, 2021
Tree map: Program catalogs every grove in the U.S. forest
Karin Riley, a fire researcher at the Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station, helped develop Tree Map, a computer program that catalogs data for wooded areas across the Continental United States. The program allows researchers and fire crews to study and react to fire patterns for better mitigation and suppression.
News from the South Atlantic Blueprint January 2021 Newsletter
In this Issue: The South Atlantic Blueprint in 2020: Last year in review.
USDA Announces Additional Assistance for Cattle, Row Crop Producers
USDA announced today more than $12 billion for the Pandemic Assistance for Producers, which will help farmers and ranchers who previously did not qualify for COVID-19 aid and expand assistance to farmers who have already received help. Farmers who previously submitted CFAP applications will not have to apply again. Sign-up for the new program begins on April 5.
Upcoming Webinar: Introduction to the Southeast FireMap
A free webinar for practitioners and the public to learn about the Southeast FireMap with representatives from USDA-NRCS, Tall Timbers Research Station, the Longleaf Alliance, the Southern Fire Exchange, and the University of Florida.
Webinar: Pine health issues in the southeastern U.S.
Several biotic and abiotic stressors, including insects, pathogens, and weather, can impact pine growth in the Southeast. Dr. David Coyle (Clemson University) will provide a general overview of identification, impact, and management strategies for pine health in the region.
Meet Lori Maloney, the new coordinator for Eastern Brook Trout Joint Venture
Landscape Partnership Featured Partner working in in brook trout habitat conservation
Invasive Zebra Mussels Found in Pet Stores in 21 States
Agencies, industry in coordinated response to help stores and consumers find and destroy troublesome shellfish
Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Center March 2021 Newsletter
WELCOME TO THE SOUTHEAST CLIMATE ADAPTATION SCIENCE CENTER’S MARCH 2021 NEWSLETTER.
National Association of State Foresters Weekly Newsletter March 12 2021
Forest & fire news from 34 states and beyond.
News from the South Atlantic Blueprint March 2021 Newsletter
Spring webinar schedule, ask me anything (about user support), Georgia dam removal handbook, and more
A Natural Treasure: Florida's Sandhills & Grasslands
Learn how local and state partners with USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service have permanently protected a pristine sandhill grassland ecosystem in north-central Florida from rapidly advancing development.
The Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Center's Global Change Fellows present: Disaster Recovery During a Global Pandemic
The Global Change Fellows of the Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Center have congregated a multi-disciplinary panel to address how COVID-19 has affected disaster recovery and community resilience strategies. The seminar will be structured as a panel discussion among scientists and professionals from the Eastern and Western regions of the United States, and the Caribbean. They will bring their expertise and experience as they answer questions provided by the Fellows and audience members. Our panelists will explore the changes and adjustments to disaster recovery due to COVID-19 and discuss the implications for future actions on disaster recovery and community resilience.
Cal FIre Incidents
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) responds to all types of emergencies. When the Department responds to a major CAL FIRE jurisdiction incident, the Department will post incident details to the web site. Major emergency incidents could include large, extended-day wildfires (10 acres or greater), floods, earthquakes, hazardous material spills, etc. This is a summary of all incidents, including those managed by CAL FIRE and other partner agencies.
USDA Launches Strategy to Continue Conserving the Gopher Tortoise and its Critical Habitat
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has released its new 5-year plan to conserve the Southeast’s threatened gopher tortoise by focusing on the conservation and restoration of its key habitat, the longleaf pine forests. Acting NRCS Chief Kevin Norton told Southeast AgNet the fate of the gopher tortoise is linked to habitat quality, and efforts to conserve habitat on private lands will be critical to its continued survival.
Scientists Uncover Secret In Centuries-Old Mud, Drawing A New Way To Save Polluted Rivers
A pair of east coast scientists met and fell in love over an interest in researching mud, years before producing a paper that would change how the Eastern United States conducts river restoration.
They Know How to Prevent Megafires. Why Won’t Anybody Listen?
This is a story about frustration, about watching the West burn when you fully understand why it’s burning — and understand why it did not need to be this bad.
A Prophet Of Soil Gets His Moment Of Fame
More than 40 years ago, in Nigeria, a young scientist named Rattan Lal encountered an idea that changed his life — and led, eventually, to global recognition and a worldwide movement to protect the planet's soil.
You're Invited! Perspectives on Prescribed Fire Management in Longleaf Pine Ecosystems
SE CASC & South Atlantic Spring/Summer Science Series July 16 2020.
National Association of State Foresters Weekly Newsletter July 3, 2020
NASF releases COVID-19 stimulus platform, backs bill to improve GNA...
WFSU FM Florida-Perspectives: Prescribed Burns
The recent and devastating fire near Eastpoint in Franklin County has led to a larger discussion about prescribed burns. Talking about it are: Kevin Hiers and Dr. Kevin Robertson from the Tall Timbers Research Station; and Dr. David Godwin with the Southern Fire Exchange at the University of Florida.
Outside Online-The Future of Fire
To reduce the intensity of megafires in America, we’d need to treat and burn about 50 to 80 million acres of forest. So, how do we do it? What would it cost? How long would it take? Is it possible? In this episode we look at whether or not there’s anything we can do about wildfires in the West—and the likelihood that we’ll take action on potential solutions.
National Extension Wildland Fire Initiative Quarterly Meeting
Join the National Extension Wildland Fire Initiative for our quarterly Zoom meeting. This meeting will feature brief presentations on emerging wildland fire Extension projects in Pennsylvania and Florida. We will also discuss ways NEWFI members across the country have adapted to offering wildland fire programming remotely due to restrictions related to COVID-19.
South Atlantic Blueprint Newsletter June 2020
Big improvements to Blueprint methods, forest retention analysis uses Blueprint, Piedmont prairie survey preview.
Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Center Newsletter June, 2020
Welcome to the Southeast CASC June 2020 Newsletter.
You're Invited - Clarifying Science Needs for Southeastern Grasslands: The Piedmont, Coastal Plain, and Beyond-June 18, 2020
Join us via Zoom for this collaborative webinar series hosted by the Southeast CASC and the South Atlantic Conservation Blueprint team. The SE CASC South Atlantic Spring/Summer Science Series will take the place of the South Atlantic Third Thursday Web Forum for the spring and summer months. We hope you will join us as we highlight some of the SE CASC funded science projects relevant to conservation throughout the Southeast and South Atlantic region.
Healing from the Inside Out
Perspectives from the first Indigenous woman to ever serve as a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Native American liaison
National Association of State Foresters Weekly Newsletter May 22, 2020
BeOutdoorSafe launches, agencies continue to grapple with COVID-19...
River Network River Rally
Hosted annually by River Network, River Rally provides an inspiring and energy-infused touchpoint for nonprofit groups from across the U.S. and beyond, as well as for agency and foundation representatives, industry innovators, philanthropists, academics, students, and community leaders. We bring thought leaders and practitioners together to accelerate progress towards an equitable and sustainable water future.
Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Center Newsletter May 2020
Welcome to the Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Center’s May 2020 newsletter.
National Association of State Foresters Weekly Newsletter May 15, 2020
This week in forestry and wildland fire news from NASF.
South Atlantic Conservation Blueprint May 2020 newsletter
Blueprint used in several recent successful grants, Piedmont Prairie Partnership video and survey
National Association of State Foresters Weekly Newsletter May 8 2020
Season heating up out West, in full force down South...
National Association of State Foresters Weekly Newsletter May 1 2020
This week in forestry and tree news is here!
Amazing Creatures in Longleaf Pine Flatwoods and Sandhills
A wide diversity of remarkable animals calls longleaf pine flatwoods and sandhills habitats home.
Conservation Corridor April 2020 Newsletter
In this issue-Science: Habitat fragmentation and microbes, Management: Roads and grizzly bears, Climate Change: Marine reserve network redesign.
South Atlantic Blueprint April 2020 Newsletter
2020 SECAS products, upcoming webinar series, landowner compliance with management incentives, and more.
Coronavirus and USDA Service Centers
We are committed to delivering USDA services to America’s farmers and ranchers while taking safety measures in response to the COVID-19, or new coronavirus, outbreak. COVID-19 is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. We will update this page with information related to the new coronavirus and current status of USDA Service Centers, online options for conducting business, and updates to USDA programs and services in response to COVID-19.
Conservation Corridor March 2020 Newsletter
Human-assisted migration for the genetic rescue of small populations; How do you build a corridor for invertebrates?; Human land use reduces climate connectivity; In the News; Current Digests; Useful Links
National Association of State Foresters Weekly Newsletter March 6, 2020
NASF launches NASF100.org, releases statement on Trillion Trees Act...
TRBN Webinar - Innovative collective action - Thrive Regional Partnership
We have the opportunity to visit with members of Thrive Regional Partnership, Joel Houser of Open Space Institute and Charles Mix from the University of Tennessee in Chattanooga.
National Association of State Foresters Weekly Newsletter February 21 2020
This week in #forestry and #wildlandfire news from across the country and around the world!
Wildlife Management Institute Outdoor News Bulletin February 2020
In this issue: Defining Waters of the United States, Cottontail restoration update, WNS goes digital, and more.
South Atlantic Web Forum on Thursday - How decision-makers view the evolution of wildlife conservation challenges in the Southeast
Join us on Thursday for a presentation by Kathryn Jewell, Graduate Research Assistant in Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology at North Carolina State University
South Atlantic Blueprint February 2019 newsletter
New habitat suitability maps for at-risk herps in longleaf, short videos on Piedmont prairies available
National Association of State Foresters Weekly Newsletter January 24 2020
Forestry and wildland fire news from your state and beyond!
National Association of State Foresters Weekly Newsletter January 17, 2020
Partners announce 2020 Wildfire Mitigation Awardees, NASF pens two letters and submits comments, plus forestry news from your state!
NCA4 Webinar Series Key Message 4 - Economic and Health Risks for Rural Communities
A Guide to Understanding Economic and Health Risks for Rural Communities in the Southeast. NCA4 Webinar Series - Key Message 4.
News from the South Atlantic Blueprint-December 2019 Newsletter
South Atlantic indicator improvements, winter web forum schedule, resilient coastal sites data, and more.
Conservation Corridor December 2019 Newsletter
Read the Conservation Corridor December 2019 newsletter online.
Gopher Tortoise Council Newsletter Summer 2019
In This Issue; Message From a Co-Chair; Announcements; Proposal Solicitations; Interview with a Herpetologist; In Appreciation of Dick Franz; Student Spotlight; Recent Research Citations; Education Corner; Georgia Joins in on Gopher Tortoise Day; Upland Snake Conservation Initiative Brochure.
Wildlife Management Institute Outdoor News Bulletin November 2019
November 2019 Edition | Volume 73, Issue 11 | Published since 1946
Oak Woodlands & Forest Fire Consortium Newsletter October, 2019
In this issue: Shortleaf Pine Conference; Research Brief; Heads Up!; Hot Spots; Spotlight; Upcoming Events.
National Association of State Foresters Weekly Newsletter November 15, 2019
New Mexico signs Shared Stewardship agreement, NASF releases biennial statistics report...
Landfire Postcard November 2019
As 2019 winds down, LANDFIRE offers a sincere thank you to all who contributed to the program this year. LF is a cornerstone of a fully integrated national data information framework that is developing and improving vegetation and fuels products to support strategic fire and resource management planning and analysis.
Conservation Corridor November 2019 Newsletter
Read the Conservation Corridor November 2019 newsletter online.
American Fisheries Society News November 15, 2019
AFS News: Call for 2020 Symposia, Captive Propagation of Imperiled Species, Blob Disturbance
News from the South Atlantic Blueprint-November 2019 Newsletter
News from the South Atlantic Blueprint November 2019 Newsletter Southeast Blueprint 4.0 finalized by Rua Mordecai, Coordinator, Southeast and South Atlantic Conservation Blueprints.
A New Way to Support EBTJV-Shop Select RepYourWater Merchandise to Further our Brook Trout Conservation Efforts
Shop Select RepYourWater Merchandise to Further our Brook Trout Conservation Efforts-The Eastern Brook Trout Joint Venture (EBTJV) is excited to announce its collaboration with RepYourWater, Beyond the Pond, and the Atlantic Coastal Fish Habitat Partnership (ACFHP) to further support fish habitat conservation from whitewater to bluewater.
Southeast Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Newsletter September 2019
September Newsletter-September 18, 2019.
New bill may mean more ability to conserve at-risk wildlife species in Arkansas
WASHINGTON, DC – Conservation of our nation’s wildlife may see a dramatic boost thanks to a bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives July 12 by Representatives Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE) and Debbie Dingell (D-MI). The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (H.R. 3742) was introduced with bipartisan support to devote additional money to wildlife conservation throughout the U.S.
Native grasses win performance tests
More than one study shows good gains and low costs from native forages.
Test Workshop
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Test Event
Test event description
Third Thursday Web Forum: Updates and applications of USGS Gap Analysis Project data
“Updates and applications of USGS Gap Analysis Project data” with Nathan Tarr, Research Associate at the Biodiversity and Spatial Information Center within the North Carolina Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit
Climate and Conservation Coffee
Join others in the Triangle area landscape conservation and climate change community for coffee and conversation on the 1st Thursday of each month at 9 am. In June, let’s meet at Cup a Joe in Mission Valley shopping center, probably at one of the outside tables. This is a new format for what used to be the Triangle Climate and Landscape Researchers’ Brown Bag lunch
Greg Judy Talks Electric Fencing and Gates for Sheep and Cattle
While Greg designed these fences to keep goats, sheep and guardian dogs in, they work for his cattle too. See what he’s using and consider how you’d adapt it to your operation.
Ag a perfect place to 'do science' (Editorial)
Using agriculture as a venue for science aligns perfectly with the “do science” mentality. The hands-on action-oriented learning in real-life conditions tricks young students into learning by stimulating their senses and curiosity. It exposes them to so many scientific realms that they often learn they like something they never knew about.
How the South Fights Fire with Fire, and What the West Can Learn
Most years Georgia intentionally burns around a million acres of forest. That’s about 30 times the size of California’s prescribed burns. Florida performs prescribed burns over twice that much land. That’s according to data from the national interagency fire center and compiled by the non-profit Climate Central.
Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Center May 2019 Newsletter
Welcome to the Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Center’s May 2019 Newsletter.
Tennessee —The Most Biodiverse Inland State - Photo Diary by Todd Amacker
370 FISHERIES | Vol. 43 • No. 8 • August 2018
Final Agenda & Notes (links) - Partners Meeting - 2018-04-19
Greater Appalachian Conservation Partnership Meeting - April 19th at NCTC 10:00-4:00
Conservation and Inspiration in the Tennessee River Basin
An article from the Tennessee River Basin Network's third annual meeting, highlighting the work being done in one of America's most biologically diverse watersheds.
New Handouts Summarize Tree Species Responses to Climate Change
NIACS created a series of 2-page handouts that summarize how individual tree species are expected to respond to climate change across the Northeast based on regional climate change vulnerability assessments. Each handout includes model projections based on future climate scenarios and models like the Climate Change Tree Atlas. We think they're a handy way to show a lot of information and get people thinking about managing climate change risk and opportunity. Handouts are available for subregions within each of the three project areas: New England and Northern New York Mid-Atlantic Central Appalachians
Adaptive Silviculture for Climate Change Project Now Underway
A new study is underway in New Hampshire's northwoods that will further our understanding of management options for climate change adaptation. The Adaptive Silviculture for Climate Change (ASCC) project is a collaborative effort among scientists and land managers to develop a network of experimental silvicultural trials in different forest ecosystem types throughout the United States, and the Second College Grant, located in the Northern Forest region of New Hampshire and owned and managed by Dartmouth College, is one of five ASCC study sites. The project was initiated last fall and launched into full-force this spring with pre-treatment data collection. Timber harvests began this summer to implement forest management treatments demonstrating the three adaptation options of resistance, resilience, and transition. Scientists and managers will be planting tree species that have been identified as future-adapted for the transition treatment next spring, which includes northern red oak, bitternut hickory, eastern white pine, eastern hemlock, basswood, black birch, bigtooth aspen, and chestnut. To learn more about the Second College Grant ASCC project, contact the Site Leads Tony D'Amato or Chris Woodall.
Northeast Climate Science Center Webinar Series
The Northeast Climate Science Center has a great lineup of interesting webinars scheduled for this fall. Topics will include invasive species, maple syrup production, and forest adaptation.
Evaluating Intraspecific Variation and Environmental Heterogeneity to Identify Seed Sources and Conservation Corridors Online Lecture
The eighth in the Eastern Seed Zone Forum's online lecture and discussion series aimed at providing both information about the creation of seed zones in general and a forum in which professionals, experts, and interested parties discuss the possibility of drafting seed zone guidelines for the eastern United States. Anantha Prasad, USDA Forest Service, will evaluate current and future habitat-fitness and colonization potential of intraspecific genetic zones from inferred evolutionary lineages. He will also illustrate how the colonization of suitable habitats can be modeled opportunistically in the landscape to identify potential future conservation corridors.
2018 Local Solutions: Eastern Climate Preparedness Conference
This conference will cover a range of climate preparedness and resiliency issues such as: sea level rise, urban heat, and both coastal and inland flooding issues. The conference is geared for small government planners and decision-makers striving to create healthy resilient communities with how to better handle severe weather and climate impacts. This conference guides local government planners on how to make climate resilience an aspect of their daily operations.
Climate Academy Online Course
This 8 week online course is designed to cover the fundamentals of climate science, provide an overview of tools and resources for climate adaptation, and increase climate literacy and communication skills. The course is designed to encourage networking among conservation professionals engaged in the management of fish, wildlife, habitat and cultural resources and provides participants an opportunity to interact with experts as they address case studies across multiple habitat types.
Forest Adaptation Planning and Practices Online Training
The popular Forest Adaptation Planning and Practices training will be available as an online, seven-week course for natural resource professionals working in New England and New York. Participants will use the Adaptation Workbook to create their own adaptation plans.
American Fisheries Society Newsletter
The AFS recently put out their newsletter for the month of October. See what the headlines are over at the American Fisheries Society...
Fall/Winter Invasive Plant Training Sessions
Please join the Blue Ridge PRISM to learn how to identify and manage invasive plant species during the fall and winter seasons. Training will consist of classroom and field portions and will emphasize management practices to implement during the fall and winter.
Fall/Winter Invasive Plant Training Sessions
Please join the Blue Ridge PRISM to learn how to identify and manage invasive plant species during the fall and winter seasons. Training will consist of classroom and field portions and will emphasize management practices to implement during the fall and winter.
Fall/Winter Invasive Plant Training Sessions
Please join the Blue Ridge PRISM to learn how to identify and manage invasive plant species during the fall and winter seasons. Training will consist of classroom and field portions and will emphasize management practices to implement during the fall and winter.
TN & KY Managers - AppLCC NatureScape Training
Find here information on the upcoming meeting with AppLCC staff and TN & KY Managers. Date: September 26th Time: 9:00am - 2:00pm Location: Land Between the Lakes - Administration Building, 100 Van Morgan Drive, Golden Pond, KY
Webinar: Effects of Climate Change on Inland Fish and Fisheries: Global, North American, and Management Perspectives
Join AFWA's Effects of Climate Change webinar coming up next Wednesday.
Recovery: Farm Bill Provides Hope for the Cerulean Warbler
With funding from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) available from the Farm Bill’s Regional Conservation Partnership Program the Appalachian Mountains Joint Venture (a partnership of state and federal agencies and NGOs including The Nature Conservancy) is helping private land owners restore cerulean habitat. Check out the original article at the Nature Conservancy's Cool Green Science blog: https://blog.nature.org/science/2017/08/15/recovery-farm-bill-provides-hope-for-the-cerulean-warbler/
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Northeast Region Updates Federal Endangered Species Act
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Northeast Region has recently published their quarterly update to the Federal Endangered Species Act. ESA Update #22 includes recovery planning and implementation methods, new Habitat Conservation Plans, information on reclassification, and other changes to the ESA.
New Article on the Influence of Arsenic and Sulfate on Freshwater Mussel Gene Expression
Results of the work on gene expression in mussels exposed to coal-related toxic substances has reached the literature.
The Soft Things - article from Oxford American
Find here a beautiful article on freshwater mussels written by Holly Haworth
"Nobody Trashes Tennessee" - TDOT sponsored litter removal campaign
Story submitted to the TRBN via David Withers
Northeast States Release Report on Hellbender Distribution
The Regional Conservation Needs (RCN) Grants Program funded project, Developing a coordinated research approach for hellbender conservation in the northeast, was completed in late 2016. The goals of the project were to better document hellbender distribution in the Northeast using environmental DNA (eDNA) surveys and to develop a communication framework and standardized methodologies to coordinate conservation efforts throughout the region. The final report as well as eDNA and egg rearing protocol are now available on the RCN project page.
Central Appalachians FLN Annual Workshop
Mark your calendars for our 2017 workshop and stay tuned for more information about lodging, registration and topics to follow soon.
“Report Card” to Assess Current Conditions, Ecological Health of Natural Resources in Tennessee River Basin
The Appalachian LCC is supporting researchers from the University of Maryland in developing an assessment of ecological health, or a “Report Card”, for the Tennessee River Basin.
Workshops Introduce New Way to Evaluate Changes to Benefits of Nature
The Appalachian LCC and the U.S. Forest Service held its initial workshops introducing a new way of evaluating ecosystem change and resilience via the Landscape Dynamics Assessment Tool (LanDAT).
Integrating Cultural Resources into Regional Conservation Planning
A collaborative research project sponsored by the Appalachian LCC, the National Park Service, and Penn State University (PSU) is integrating cultural resources, such as historic bridges and Civil War Battlefields, into landscape conservation planning and design.
Land Trusts are Vital Links for Regional Conservation Planning and Management
On April 24, Executive Director Rick Huffines of the Tennessee River Gorge Trust spearheaded a workshop among his network of partners focused on Appalachian LCC science and tools to enhance planning and management in the Gorge.
New Conservation Fellow Joins LCC Team
Our second Conservation Fellow, Dr. Madeline (Maddie) Brown, will be coming on board in the summer of 2017 and stationed at Penn State University under the direction of Dr. Tim Murtha and jointly supported by the Appalachian LCC and National Park Service.
Appalachian Conservation Heroes Retiring
This year we say goodbye to a number of individuals who were instrumental in the development and growth of landscape conservation in the Appalachians.
Saying Goodbye to a Central Component of the LCC Team: Communications Coordinator Moves onto New Opportunity at University of South Florida, St. Petersburg
Appalachian LCC Communications Coordinator Matthew Cimitile will be departing the LCC team after five years for a job opportunity with the University of South Florida, St. Petersburg as their communications and marketing manager/officer.
Ohio River Basin Fish Habitat Partnership FY 2018 Call for Project Proposals
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) anticipates receiving appropriations in FY 2018 to support the Ohio River Basin Fish Habitat Partnership (ORBFHP) and its efforts to complete on-the-ground, aquatic habitat protection, restoration, and enhancement projects.
Appalachian LCC Integrating Cultural Resources Research Webinar
Presentation by Dr. Tim Murtha of Penn State University on a collaborative research project sponsored by the National Park Service and the Appalachian LCC, which seeks to integrate cultural resources, such as historic bridges and Civil War Battlefields, into landscape conservation planning and design to emphasize both natural and cultural resources in defining conservation priorities.
FY 2018 Brook Trout Conservation Funding Opportunity
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Eastern Brook Trout Joint Venture are jointly requesting project proposals that are focused on Brook Trout conservation actions. Project applications must be submitted no later than 5:00 p.m. Eastern time on September 22, 2017.
Land Trusts: Bringing Landscape-Scale Resources to Local Communities
Work on a landscape scale can mean a number of things, but the main purpose is to create a network of people that share data and information, technology and tools, and lessons learned along the way to enhance conservation collaboration and make a greater impact on the landscape.
CumberlandRiverBasin.org
The Cumberland River Compact and The Nature Conservancy of TN have launched two new resources to help partner's achieve their goals and connect basin professionals and residents with available resources.
A National Experiment in Manager-Scientist Partnerships to Apply an Adaptation Framework
Forest managers across the U.S. are faced with implementing adaptation strategies in the face of severe droughts, wildfires, and other climate-related impacts.
Online Screening of "One Stick at a Time
This film follows land managers in the Methow Valley, Washington for over a year, from forests to rivers, from fires to snowfall, from beaver capture to release as they try to come to grips with the impacts of climate change and the possible adaptation options right in front of them.
NatureServe Enhances LandScope Chesapeake Conservation Tool with New Data and Content
With support from the North Atlantic Landscape Conservation Cooperative (NALCC), NatureServe recently completed a project to expand LandScope Chesapeake, a web-based mapping platform designed to protect and restore the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.
Welcome Aboard: Greg Sheehan Appointed as FWS Deputy Director
Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke announced on June 5 that Greg Sheehan, Director of Utah’s Division of Wildlife Resources, has been appointed to serve as Deputy Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Synthesis of Appalachian Fire History Webinar
Join us for a presentation from Charles LaFon (Texas A&M University) on how fires shaped Appalachian forests before the fire exclusion era.
Protected Areas Database of the United States Webinars
Would you like to find out about any park or protected area, anywhere in the U.S., all in one dataset that supports analysis, mapping, reporting or other needs? That's the vision for the Protected Areas Database of the United States
Chesapeake Executive Council signs resolution in support of Bay Program partnership
Today, at the annual meeting of the Chesapeake Executive Council, representatives from the six Chesapeake Bay watershed states, the District of Columbia and the Chesapeake Bay Commission signed a resolution in support of the Chesapeake Bay Program partnership.
AppLCC/USFS Landscape Dynamics Assessment Tool Workshop
The Appalachian LCC and the U.S. Forest Service wish to invite you to attend or nominate a representative to attend a 1-day hands-on roll-out of the Landscape Dynamics Assessment Tool.
Wildlife refuge biologist in West Virginia honored for endangered mussel conservation
Patricia Morrison of Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge has been selected as a 2016 Recovery Champion for her leadership in recovering freshwater mussels like the purple cat’s paw pearlymussel and orange-foot pimpleback.
AppLCC/USFS Landscape Dynamics Assessment Tool Workshop
The Appalachian LCC and the U.S. Forest Service wish to invite you to attend or nominate a representative to attend a 1-day hands-on roll-out of the Landscape Dynamics Assessment Tool.
Appalachian Mountains Joint Venture Technical Committee Meeting
Annual meeting of the AMJV Technical Committee, comprised of federal, state, NGO, and university partners to discuss science needs, barriers, and other technical issues surrounding bird conservation in the Appalachians.
Survey: Controlled Invasive Plants on Property
As you know, the Blue Ridge PRISM seeks to expand the control of invasive plant species in our ten-county region.
Request for Statements of Interest: Assessment of Natural Resource Condition for First State National Historical Park
Responses to this Request for Statements of Interest will be used to identify potential investigators for a project to be funded by the National Park Service which seeks to compile and assess existing information documenting the state of knowledge and known condition of natural resources within First State Historical Park (FRST).
Partners launch ‘Nature’s Network’ to guide conservation from Maine to Virginia
The North Atlantic Landscape Conservation Cooperative (LCC) brought together partners from 13 states to develop a regional conservation design that can help communities work with nature to sustain wildlife and people throughout the Northeast.
New Study Shows Americans’ Deep Appreciation for Nature, Barriers to Connection
The findings from an unprecedented national study of Americans’ relationship to nature reveal an alarming disconnection, but also widespread opportunities for reconnecting. The results are prompting nature conservation, environmental education, and outdoor recreation leaders to rethink how they work to connect people with nature.
The Adaptation Workbook - Building Your Climate Adaptation Plan
A collaboration between the Climate Learning Network and the Climate Science Initiative, this webinar provides an overview of the Adaptation Workbook, an online, interactive, and practical workbook that helps land managers develop their own custom built climate change adaptation plans (www.adaptationworkbook.org).
Executive Committee Meets to Thank Outgoing Chair and Vice Chair for Tremendous Leadership
For seven years, David Whitehurst and Paul Johansen valiantly steered the Appalachian LCC Steering Committee ship through its initial creation and tremendous growth as a regional partnership for landscape conservation.
Engaging State and Federal Agencies on Regional Science Information and Resources
In partnership with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Appalachian LCC staff recently conducted workshops in Crossville, Tennessee and Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge in Decatur, Alabama to introduce LCC-funded research products to resource managers and scientists.
Coordinator Highlights Landscape Conservation Design Effort for Emerging Risks Roundtable Discussion
Appalachian LCC Coordinator Dr. Jean Brennan was an invited panelist and speaker at a roundtable discussion put on by the National Institute of Mathematical and Biological Synthesis and hosted at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.
You can now “Like Us” on Facebook
Facebook currently has over 1 billion users, and the Appalachian Landscape Conservation Cooperative is now one of them!
Videos Around the Basin
A collection of more than 40 videos focusing on the ecology, threats, conservation efforts, and sense of pride in the Tennessee River Basin are now available on the Appalachian LCC Web Portal.
New GIS Staff to Support Science Delivery Efforts
We like to welcome on board Marilyn Knight to the Appalachian LCC team.
Key Member of Appalachian LCC Community to Retire
The Appalachian LCC would like to give a heartfelt thanks and best wishes to David Hartos of the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE), who after 39 years of experience with the federal government will be retiring in May.
Conserving the Tennessee River Basin: It Takes a Village
Nearly as diverse as the wildlife within the Basin are the people and organizations working to conserve it.
AppLCC/Tennessee River Gorge Trust Workshop
The purpose of this workshop is to familiarize participants with the Appalachian LCC and its work and resources available that can aide participants’ efforts to enhance efficiency and effectiveness of their local and regional conservation planning and management efforts.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Finds Yellow Lance Mussel Warrants Endangered Species Act Protection
A freshwater mussel native to waters from Maryland to North Carolina along the Atlantic seaboard is declining.
First-of-its-kind Interactive Map Brings Together 40 Years of Water-Quality Data
A new U.S. Geological Survey interactive map provides a comprehensive, long-term look at changes in the quality of our nation’s rivers and streams over the last four decades.
Revealing the Role of Local Stakeholders in Landscape Conservation Design: A Social Science Inquiry
What is the role of local stakeholders and social data in the Landscape Conservation Design (LCD) process?
Saving an Endangered Southern River
The Conasauga River courses through Jimmy Petty’s corn, bean and dairy farm near the Tennessee line.
Global Change Monitoring Portal Released
A new Portal provides scientists and the general public with access to information about the existence and operation of programs that monitor the effects of global change processes, such as climate and land use change, on important air, land, and water resources.
Putting aquatic species on the map: The eDNAtlas and Archive for aquatic taxa in Western North America
The ease, efficiency, and sensitivity of environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling of species in aquatic environments is leading to an explosion in its use across North America.
Human Dimensions Success Stories in Bird Conservation
The greater bird conservation community has identified a need for human dimensions success stories to be collected, organized, and shared with the community.
New Habitat Guidelines for Six Species of Eastern Wildlife
The American marten, Bicknell’s thrush, Canada warbler, rusty blackbird, scarlet tanager and wood thrush – six beleaguered northeastern forest animals – should get a boost from a new series of publications explaining how best to create and manage habitat for them.
Northeast States Release Report on Hellbender Distribution
The Regional Conservation Needs (RCN) Grants Program funded project, Developing a coordinated research approach for hellbender conservation in the northeast, was completed in late 2016.
LCC Network Receives Distinguished Landscape Practitioner Award
The Landscape Conservation Cooperative Network has been selected by the U.S. Chapter of the Association of Landscape Ecology (US-IALE) Awards Committee to receive the Distinguished Landscape Practitioner Award.
Resources Planning Act (RPA) Assessment Webinar: U.S. Forest Fragmentation and Land Cover Patterns
Forest fragmentation continues even as total forestland area remains relatively stable.
2017 Strategic Habitat Meeting
Join the Alabama Rivers and Streams Network (ARSN) in a review of a decade of strategic habitat unit (SHU) research, recovery, and planning efforts.
Northeast Climate Science Center Regional Science Meeting 2017
For our Regional Science Meeting, we will gather our scientists and partners to reflect on our collaborative work to incorporate climate science in the management of natural and cultural resources in the Northeast and Midwest and determine future directions and needs for our region.
You're Invited to Help Protect Mallows Bay!
Next week NOAA will hold public meetings as part of the process to designate Mallows Bay-Potomac River as the country's newest National Marine Sanctuary and the first-ever in the Chesapeake.
ACJV Flagship Species Initiative
With help from our Technical Committee and our vast network of partners, the ACJV Management Board considered several suites of priority birds and habitats at the May 2016 Board Retreat.
Tennessee River Basin Network Quarterly Webinar
The goal of this periodic webinar with the Network is to provide updates on the established Network framework and action items that have moved forward, showcase a partnership driven effort to conserve the TRB’s aquatic biodiversity, and share information regarding the 2017 Annual Meeting.
SECAS Leadership Team Meeting
The purpose of this meeting of the SECAS Leadership Team is to guide and support the continuing accomplishment of the SECAS initiative.
Story Map Illustrates Accomplishments of Migratory Bird JVs
Joint Ventures work together to build a healthy world for birds, other wildlife, and people.
Fire History of the Appalachian Region: A Review and Synthesis
This review and synthesis explores fire history from Alabama to New England, and provides a context for describing resilient forests of the future.
Appalachian Wildlife Center - Partnering for Wildlife and People in an Economically-Depressed Region
A collaborative new partnership between the Appalachian Wildlife Foundation, the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, and others is working to establish wildlife-related tourism in the southern Appalachian region of Kentucky and the surrounding states by building a state-of-the-art wildlife education facility designed to share with visitors the incredible natural resources of the region.
NFWF Monarch Butterfly Conservation Fund 2017 Funding Opportunity
The NFWF Monarch Butterfly Conservation Fund is now accepting applications for competitive funding.
A Conservation Action Map for the TRB Network
During the Tennessee River Basin Network’s 2016 annual meeting, members participated in exercises that helped produce a Conservation Action Map, showcasing the who, what, and where of conservation activities and projects in the Basin.
Biennial Spotlight on National Park Resources
A new area on our Web Portal is dedicated to a collection of talks and posters that celebrate the National Park Service Centennial and highlight the many accomplishments in natural and cultural resource management and stewardship.
LCC Science Helping to Target Restoration Sites to Improve Water Quality in the Susquehanna and Potomac Watersheds
The Natural Resources Conservation Service, the EPA, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania are investing $28 million in restoration activities – from wetlands to riparian buffers to floodplain reconnection - in the Susquehanna and Potomac watershed to improve water quality.
Putting LCC Products into Hands of Practitioners in the Southeast
Appalachian LCC Staff are working with partners in the Southeast to develop interactive workshops focused on delivering our funded science products and tools into the hands of practitioners working in applied conservation at the local and regional scale.
Learning from Each Other Within the LCC Family
Appalachian LCC Coordinator and Chief Scientist Dr. Jean Brennan recently served on a temporary, 60-day detail for the Arctic LCC helping to identify strategic programmatic and research direction and sharing current efforts to promote the LCCs science delivery in Alaska.
New Student Conservation Associate Provides Educational Outreach Capacity to LCC and Refuge
A recent graduate of George Mason University, Kelly René is working with both the Appalachian LCC and the Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge as a educational outreach specialist.
Appalachian LCC GIS Analyst and Information Manager Heads Out West
Jessica Rhodes, who helped to support our partnership’s extensive data management needs over the last couple years is moving on to a new position with the Bureau of Land Management in Wyoming.
Blue Ridge PRISM Update
An update on the Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management and information on a series of sessions around our 10-county area, which partners are welcome to attend.
Bringing Back Diversity in Eastern Forests for Landowners, Wildlife
What do biologists look for in a healthy forest? A diversity in the ages and composition of trees and occasional breaks in canopy to allow sunlight to reach understory plants.
Final EPA/USGS Technical Report: Protecting Aquatic Life from Effects of Hydrologic Alteration
A new report provides scientific and technical information related to protection of aquatic life from effects of hydrologic alteration.
Scientists: Strong evidence that human-caused climate change intensified 2015 heat waves
Human-caused climate change very likely increased the severity of heat waves that plagued India, Pakistan, Europe, East Africa, East Asia, and Australia in 2015 and helped make it the warmest year on record, according to new research published today in a special edition of the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society.
The Southeast Aquatic Conservation Strategy
The Southeastern Aquatic Biodiversity Conservation Strategy is a joint project of the UGA River Basin Center and the Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute to prioritize watersheds within the region to support future conservation investments.
What is Ecological Drought? Exploring its impacts on natural and cultural resources
In 2017 the National Climate Change and Wildlife Science Center (NCCWSC), in partnership with the National Conservation Training Center (NCTC), will be dedicating their webinar series to ecological drought with presentations from NCCWSC and the DOI Climate Science Centers (CSCs).
The U.S. Global Change Research Program Wants to Hear From You
The U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) seeks public comment on the draft of its Climate Science Special Report (CSSR).
Partnership Seeking Input for Projects to Strengthen National Defense and Preserve Working Lands
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) joined the Department of the Interior (DOI) and the Department of Defense (DoD) to announce the Sentinel Landscapes Federal Coordinating Committee will now accept applications for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 Sentinel Landscape designation process.
Responding to Drought and Water Challenges
Coldwater Fisheries and Climate Adaptation Case Studies in the Western and Eastern United States.
Appalachian LCC PI and Clemson scientists unveil software that revolutionizes wildlife habitat connectivity modeling
A trio of Clemson University scientists has unveiled a groundbreaking computational software called “GFlow” that makes wildlife habitat connectivity modeling vastly faster, more efficient and superior in quality and scope.
Secretary Jewell Announces Decision to Protect 75,000 Acres of Eastern Tennessee Mountains From Future Surface Mining
At the request of the State of Tennessee, the Department of the Interior has agreed to designate approximately 75,000 acres of mountain ridgelines as unsuitable for surface coal mining operations.
Looking Forward: Priorities for Managing Freshwater Resources in a Changing Climate
An updated report addressing ways to build resilience to climate change for water resources has been released by the federal Water Resources and Climate Change Workgroup.
Interior’s Office of Policy Analysis Seminar Wildland Fire Management—Past, Present, and Future
The Department of the Interior’s (DOI’s) wildland fire program coordinates and provides strategic leadership and oversight that is vital to DOI and the American people. This dynamic program has evolved over the past two decades through its policies, organization, management, and budget.
Central Appalachians FLN Annual Workshop
More than 80 participants, representing 21 di erent organization and agency units, gathered in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia for the annual two-day workshop of the Central Appalachians Fire Learning Network (FLN).
Appalachian Landscape Conservation Fellowship
The Fellowship offers a unique opportunity for new-entry professionals to be part of the emerging field of Landscape Conservation. This is a post-graduate level opportunity with career interests in applied landscape conservation science and management, working for the Appalachian Landscape Conservation Cooperative.
Plains & Prairie Potholes LCC - FY17 Notice of Funding Opportunity
The Plains and Prairie Potholes LCC is pleased to announce the FY17 Notice of Funding Opportunity for strategic science. Proposals targeting land use change dynamics and human dimensions aspects of conservation will be accepted via Grants.gov until January 23, 2017.
Cumberland Plateau Stewardship Fund 2017 RFP Available
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is seeking proposals within the Cumberland Plateau that will help accelerate the restoration and enhancement of critical forest and freshwater habitats and associated wildlife species in the region.
Southeast Aquatic Resources Conservation Science and Practice Webinar Series
Sound sheds light: How side scan sonar helps advance the aquatic conservation mission
Landscape Conservation Design Phase II: Assessing Aquatic Integrity
Over the last year, a coordinated series of consultations with experts across the region has resulted in priority aquatic species, habitats, and ecosystems into Phase II of the Appalachian LCC Landscape Conservation Design (LCD).
SECAS Version 1.0 Provides Regional Long-term Vision for Conservation
Leaders from state fish and wildlife agencies and federal and non-governmental partners came together at the 2016 Southeast Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (SEAFWA) Conference to release Blueprint Version 1.0 of the Southeast Conservation Adaptation Strategy (SECAS).
Demonstrating Value of Riparian Restoration Tool to Riparian Forest Buffer Advisory Committee
On October 27, Jessica Rhodes of the Appalachian LCC provided a demonstration of the Riparian Prioritization for Climate Change Resilience (RPCCR) decision support tool for the most recent meeting of the Riparian Forest Buffer Advisory Committee.
Steering Committee Work Groups Developing Major Goals and Objectives of Next 5-Year Work Plan
The Appalachian LCC community has identified and refined the major goals the Cooperative will work towards in the coming years, based on in-depth survey responses and focused discussions during workshop sessions at our most recent Steering Committee meeting in August.
Engaging Conservation Partnerships in the Vital Chesapeake Bay Watershed
Over the last two months, Coordinator Jean Brennan has worked with partners in the Chesapeake Conservation Partnership and Chesapeake Watershed Forum to introduce many to the diversity of LCC science products and tools that can benefit their important conservation work in this vital watershed.
Preserving Working Lands Conserves Habitats
Working lands not only provide food and fiber for our nation, but also an assortment of environmental benefits such as critical habitat for wildlife.
Appalachian LCC Research Update: Phase II of Landscape Conservation Design
Dr. Paul Leonard of Clemson University will provide a research update to the Appalachian LCC Steering Committee and interested partners on the results from Phase II of our Landscape Conservation Design.
USGS Study Reveals Interactive Effects of Climate Change, Invasive Species on Native Fish
A new USGS study shows non-native Brown Trout can place a burden on native Brook Trout under the increased water temperatures climate change can cause.
Finding the best science available on fire ecology and fire regimes in tallgrass prairie and oak woodland ecosystems
Managers and planners need scientifically sound information on historical fire regimes and contemporary changes in fuels and fire regimes in tallgrass prairie and oak woodland ecosystems to make informed management decisions.
Georgia's Revised Wildlife Plan Approved and at Work
A statewide strategy to help conserve hundreds of Georgia animal and plant species has been revised and is being put into practice following federal approval.
Request for Proposals - Conservation Web Map for the Little Tennessee River Native Fish Conservation Area Partnership
The Little Tennessee River Native Fish Conservation Area Partnership seeks a qualified contractor to collaborate with the Partnership to develop a web‐based watershed assessment, planning, and interactive mapping system that showcases conservation goals and target focus areas in the Little Tennessee River basin and also allows interactive collaboration, analysis, and data management of this web‐based watershed plan.
TWRA Partners Workshop
The Appalachian LCC, in partnership with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, provided a science delivery workshop to update Tennessee partners on the LCC and their recently developed decision-support products.
Chucky Madtom Draft Recovery Plan Available for Review
The Chucky madtom’s recovery now has a road map and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is looking for your input before it is finalized to be sure it gives conservationists the best chance to ensure the rare catfish once again thrives in East Tennessee.
Managing Forests for Birds Video Series
A new video series by the Ohio Bird Conservation Initiative highlights the importance of proper forest management in improving a diversity of habitat for birds and other wildlife.
Central Appalachians Fire Learning Network Annual Workshop 2016
An annual meeting for federal, state and private land managers working in a collaborative effort to enhance capacity to implement ecological fire management in the Central Appalachian Forest, Western Allegheny Plateau, and Cumberlands and Southern Ridge and Valley ecoregions.
Webinar: Navigating the Data Basin Platform: A Guided Tour
An introductory tour to demonstrate multiple ways to explore and create content in Data Basin.
Webinar: Tangible Landscape as a tool for modeling and science communication
In this webinar the Conservation Biology Institute introduce Tangible Landscape, a technology that links an interactive physical model with GRASS GIS through a real-time cycle of interaction, 3D scanning, geospatial computation, and 3D rendering.
Climate-Smart Seedlot Selection Tool Webinar: Reforestation and Restoration for the 21st Century
This project’s main objective is to produce an interactive mapping application that will help forest managers match seedlots with planting sites.
Land Trust Alliance is Calling All Filmmakers and Land Lovers!
Land Trust Alliance, TennGreen's accrediting body, is hosting a film-making competition about YOUR connection to the land.
New Web Tool Provides Climate-Smart Seedlot Selection Recommendations
The U.S. Forest Service, Oregon State University, and the Conservation Biology Institute have launched a free web-based decision-support tool to help natural resource managers match seedlots (seed collections from a known origin) with planting sites based on climatic information.
PFLCC is Hiring! Marine/Estuarine Conservation Target Project Lead & Prescribed Fire Spatial Database Project Lead
Two positions are currently open with the Peninsular Florida Landscape Conservation Cooperative (through the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission), with both closing on November 1, 2016.
Wheeler NWR Partners Meeting
The Appalachian LCC, partnered with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service of Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge, to provide an opportunity to introduce Alabama partners to the LCC and their recently developed decision-support products.
The Powell River gets Infusion of Freshwater Mussels in Restoration Effort
They're small, slimy and extremely slow moving. Freshwater mussels may not pass the eye test as one of nature's key players, but the unique filter-feeding creatures are vital to the ecological health of rivers and streams.
Successful Recovery and Removal from Endangered Species Act of Native Kentucky Plant a Victory for Conservation Partners
State of Kentucky and U.S. Forest Service played crucial role in recovering the white-haired goldenrod, adding to growing list of ESA successes
Create Wildlife-Friendly Spaces With Habitat Network
Today, The Nature Conservancy and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology launched Habitat Network, a free online citizen-science platform that invites people to map their outdoor space, share it with others, and learn more about supporting wildlife habitat and other natural functions in cities and towns across the country.
Family Forestland Short-course: Focusing on Land Transfer to Generation "NEXT"
Please join us for a hands-on workshop with free legal guidance from professionals experienced in intergenerational land transfer and landowner testimonials of estate planning steps & strategies they have used.
A Race Against the Clock for Brook Trout Conservation
Are brook trout destined for extinction? That is a future that Shannon White, a Ph.D. student working with Dr. Tyler Wagner at the USGS Pennsylvania Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit at Penn State University, is working to avoid.
Southeastern Conservation Adaptation Strategy Conservation Leadership Summit
The Summit will focus on ‘Why’ we need to define the conservation landscape of the future and 'How’ we go about achieving this goal.
The Wildlife Society Meeting
North Carolina will be hosting The Wildlife Society’s 23rd Annual Conference at the Raleigh Convention Center this fall.
Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Annual Conference
The annual conference of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies is a forum for the exchange of ideas and critical information regarding the management and protection of fish and wildlife resources primarily in the southeast.
New Landscape Conservation Fellow Comes Onboard
Gillian Bee is the new Appalachian LCC Landscape Conservation Fellow, stationed at Clemson University. In her current role she will be working with partners in the Tennessee River Basin to provide science-based decision support.
Managing Climate Change Refugia to Protect Wildlife
Natural and cultural areas that will remain similar to what they are today -- despite climate change -- need to be identified, managed and conserved as “refugia” for at-risk species, according to a study published today in PLOS One.
Stream Impacts from Water Withdrawals in the Marcellus Shale Region
A new study from the Appalachian Landscape Conservation Cooperative (LCC) and Cornell University looks at how the region's surface freshwater supply – and the health of natural systems delivering this resource – have been impacted and may be altered in the coming years under increasing water withdrawals.
Nations Celebrate Centennial of Landmark Migratory Bird Treaty
Agreement between U.S. and Canada responsible for many successes in bird conservation; will help us meet challenges that lie ahead.
Partners in Flight 2016 Landbird Conservation Plan Released
Scientists Document Widespread Declines, Urgent Need for Conservation of Landbirds in U.S. and Canada. Report calls for unprecedented partnerships across public and private sectors to reverse trends throughout bird’s life-cycles.
Tennessee River Basin Biodiversity Network Meeting
The Tennessee River Basin Biodiversity Network (Network) is a collaborative effort of conservation interests that is focused on increasing the efficiency, effectiveness, and durability of conservation actions in streams and rivers of the region.
American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting
This year’s theme is: Fisheries Conservation and Management: Making Connections and Building Partnerships.
Ohio River Basin Fish Habitat Partnership 2017 Call for Project Proposals
The Ohio River Basin Fish Habitat Partnership is currently accepting proposals to fund on-the-ground, aquatic habitat protection, restoration, and enhancement projects within the Ohio River Basin.
Tools and Resources for Addressing Energy Development in the Appalachians
On July 20, Jessica Rhodes of the Appalachian LCC gave an in-depth presentation to the Appalachian Mountains Joint Venture (AMJV) community on LCC-funded tools and resources that can address potential impacts of various energy development technologies on birds and other wildlife.
In Cities Across the U.S., Americans Will Gain Improved Access to the Health Benefits of Nature thanks to New, Expanded Urban Partnerships
Over $2 million for groundbreaking U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service-led partnerships to engage local communities, advance wildlife conservation, reach the next generation of conservation leaders
Healing Waters Regional Initiative Kick-off Meeting
This meeting will bring together organizations interested in working together in the Cacapon Watershed and the surrounding region to build mutually beneficial collaborations that will enhance land protection efforts.
In Hot Water: Climate Change is Affecting North American Fish
Climate change is already affecting inland fish across North America -- including some fish that are popular with anglers. Scientists are seeing a variety of changes in how inland fish reproduce, grow and where they can live.
Interior, Agriculture & Defense Team Up To Conserve Landscapes and Wildlife, Bolster Rural Economies, and Ensure Military Readiness
The Departments of Interior, Agriculture and Defense joined with state and federal partners today to announce the designation of three new Sentinel Landscapes to benefit working lands, wildlife conservation and military readiness.
FY2017 Brook Trout Conservation Funding Opportunity
The Eastern Brook Trout Joint Venture (EBTJV) is requesting project proposals that restore and conserve habitat necessary to support healthy and productive populations of wild brook trout.
Human Dimensions Foundations of Natural Resource Conservation
This course will foster a common understanding and application of human dimensions of natural resource conservation.
Communicating Science - Distilling Your Message
Learn to communicate more effectively about science with people outside your field, including the general public, policy makers, the media, donors, and prospective collaborators in other disciplines.
Negotiation Skills for Conservation Professionals: Building a Foundation
This training course provides participants with the basic principles, skills, and techniques used in natural resource negotiation.
Forest Service Honored for Leadership in Promoting Climate Change Adaptation
For their outstanding work in raising awareness and addressing the impacts of climate change on the nation’s natural resources, the Forest Service was honored today as the first-ever recipients of the Climate Adaption Leadership Award for Natural Resources.
NOAA, USGS and partners: Chesapeake Bay ‘dead zone’ to vary from average to slightly smaller
Scientists expect that this year’s mid-summer Chesapeake Bay hypoxic low-oxygen zone or “dead zone” – an area of low to no oxygen that can kill fish and aquatic life – will be approximately 1.58 cubic miles, about the volume of 2.3 million Olympic-size swimming pools. This is close to the long-term average as measured since 1950.
Competitive State Wildlife Grant Awarded for Eastern Hellbender Research
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) recently awarded a Competitive State Wildlife Grant (C-SWG) to the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (SEAFWA) to conduct research on the eastern hellbender (Cryptobranchus a. alleganiensis).
Mid-Atlantic Highlands Action Program: Realizing the Legacy
The Chesapeake Bay Field Office Coastal Program has published a document entitled “Mid-Atlantic Highlands Action Program Realizing the Legacy” that highlights past accomplishments of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Mid-Atlantic Highlands Action Program (HAP).
Amphibians Focus of New Statewide Study
A new study led by the U.S. Geological Survey and published this week offers compelling evidence that amphibian populations across the country are declining at a rate of almost 4 percent per year.
Understanding Ecosystem Services from a Geosciences Perspective
Assessment of ecosystem services—the benefits society receives from ecosystems—can be improved by including broader spatial and temporal scales of geosciences perspectives.
Southern Appalachian Forest Water Yield Down since 1970s
Climate change and forest disturbances are threatening the ability of forested mountain watersheds to provide the clean, reliable, and abundant fresh water necessary to support aquatic ecosystems and a growing human population.
SARP Announces FY 2016 Aquatic Habitat Restoration Project Awards
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has approved National Fish Habitat Partnership (NFHP) projects to receive USFWS-NFHP FY 2016 funding.
"Ecosystem Benefits and Risks" Research and Website Support Natural Resource Management across the Appalachians
The Appalachian Landscape Conservation Cooperative (LCC) and the U.S. Forest Service are releasing products from the first phase of an ongoing study assessing benefits of and risks to the region's "ecosystem services" -- natural assets valued by people such as clean drinking water, outdoor recreation, forest products, and biological conservation.
Connecting the Connecticut: Partners create science-based blueprint for conserving New England’s largest river system
It started two years ago as an experiment in combining big data with a big conservation vision for the 11,250 square-mile Connecticut River watershed.
Applying LCC Tools to Issues Impacting the Keystone State
Pennsylvania is a landscape filled with abundant forests and wildlife, thousands of miles of rivers and streams, and home to a productive energy industry that includes the emergence of natural gas and alternative energy sources. Natural resource agencies and conservation organizations increasingly see the value for proactive science and tools that help inform decisions both locally and regionally in order to best protect and conserve the lands, waters, and wildlife of the state while harnessing resources that benefit society and the economy.
Climate Science Centers and U.S. Geological Survey National Climate Change and Wildlife Science Center—Annual report for 2015
2015 was another great year for the Department of the Interior (DOI) Climate Science Centers (CSCs) and U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Climate Change and Wildlife Science Center (NCCWSC) network.
AppLCC LCD Phase II Aquatic Expert Consultations
The Appalachian LCC consultations with aquatic experts on our Landscape Conservation Design moves next week to the second discussion about aquatic metrics, models and data.
Tennessee River Valley Science Conference
Dr. Mary Davis, Appalachian LCC Assistant Coordinator, attended the Tennessee Valley Authority's (TVA) River Science Conference on April 11-12 at Montgomery Bell State Park near Burn, Tennessee.
2016 Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative - Mined Land Reforestation Conference
Perspectives on the Forest Reclamation Approach
Managing Invasive Species in Wetland Restoration Projects
The Association of State Wetland Managers (ASWM) is pleased to invite you to attend the next webinar in our popular Improving Wetland Restoration Success webinar series on “Managing Invasive Species in Wetland Restoration Projects.”
TRBN Science and Communications Teams Kick-Off Meetings
Assistant Coordinator Dr. Mary Davis represented the Appalachian LCC at two meetings that followed up on the Tennessee River Biodiversity Network (TRBN) workshop held in August 2015.
NEAFWA Workshop: Applying Information and Tools from LCCs in the Northeast
On April 3, 2016, the Appalachian LCC and the North Atlantic LCC partnered to deliver a hands-on workshop for applying information and tools developed by LCCs in the northeast region.
Mountain Streams Offer Climate Refuge
A new study offers hope for cold-water species in the face of climate change. The study, published today in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, addresses a longstanding paradox between predictions of widespread extinctions of cold-water species and a general lack of evidence for those extinctions despite decades of recent climate change.
2016 Spotlight on National Park Resources in the National Capital Region
To celebrate the National Park Service Centennial through talks and posters that highlight accomplishments in resources management and stewardship.
Landscape Conservation Design: Initial Products and Expert Consultations for the Appalachian Mountains and Western River Basins
Over the last couple years, the Appalachian LCC has supported the development of a science-based, regional-scale design commonly called a “Landscape Conservation Design (LCD)” or “Conservation Blueprint”.
Enhancing Our Reach: Assistant Coordinators to Develop Focal-landscape Communities
Building on identified focal landscape cores from the Clemson team’s landscape conservation design research, the Cooperative is focusing initial implementation efforts by targeting two core areas for engagement and collaboration.
New Climate Change Vulnerability Assessments Available for Species and Habitats
New climate change vulnerability assessments for 41 species and 3 habitats in the Appalachians are now available on the applcc.org Web Portal.
What Lies Beneath: Classification and Mapping of Cave and Karst Resources
“What Lies Beneath?” is not just a great name for a horror movie, but can describe the scientific and biodiversity challenges in protecting the distribution and richness of natural resources within karst landscapes.
A Refined Stream Classification System Generated for the Appalachians
Stream classification information is essential to develop and implement flow standards and water management recommendations that will sustain aquatic biodiversity.
LCC Boosts Relationships in the Ohio River Basin
The Ohio River Basin Fish Habitat Partnership convened its annual meeting in Columbus, Ohio this month and the Appalachian LCC was there to join the conversation.
Climate Adaptation Fund Announce Latest round of Grantmaking
Read the 2016 Request for Proposals, review the Applicant Guidance Document and submit a completed WCS Pre-proposal Application using our online application form no later than 5:00 PM EDT on Friday, April 8, 2016.
Conservation Connect LIVE
In March we’ll venture underwater to learn about freshwater mussels, American eels, and the electrofishing technology used to study aquatic creatures.
Stitching Together Work of LCCs across the Southeast
The Southeast Conservation Adaptation Strategy (SECAS) is a shared, long-term vision for the conservation future of the Southeast and Caribbean region of the United States.
Appalachian LCC Coordinator is Panelist at National Conference on Science, Policy and the Environment
Appalachian LCC Coordinator and Chief Scientist, Dr. Jean Brennan, participated as an invited speaker at the 16th National Conference and Global Forum on Science, Policy and the Environment in Washington DC.
Landscape Ecology Meeting
The US International Association of Landscape Ecology 2016 Annual Meeting will focus on “Landscape Change" and strives to capture the defining characteristic and the inherent nature of the modern world in the Anthropocene epoch.
WCS Climate Adaptation Fund Webinar
The Wildlife Conservation Society is pleased to announce the next round of grantmaking through the Climate Adaptation Fund. Interested organizations should carefully review the guidelines outlined in the Request for Proposals and the Applicant Guidance Document.
Service and partners announce science-based tool to help prioritize and target fish habitat conservation
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and North Atlantic Landscape Conservation Cooperative (LCC) today announce the availability of an online tool that enables users to target and prioritize fish habitat conservation in the face of climate and land use change.
Power Companies, Tribe, Agencies Take Steps to Save Rare Fish
Power companies, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, and state and federal agencies have come together to conserve the sicklefin redhorse, a fish found in only six Appalachian counties worldwide and being considered for the federal endangered species list.
Happy Birthday, National Wildlife Refuge System!
Hooray for America’s nature. One big reason it’s there to treasure: the National Wildlife Refuge System, the world’s premier network of public lands devoted to wildlife conservation. The Refuge System turns 113 on March 14.
Announcing Deadlines for Southeast Grants
The Open Space Institute is now inviting proposals for two complementary land conservation grant funds in the Southeast: Southern Cumberland Land Protection Fund and Southeast Resilient Landscapes Fund.
Water Rights & Wetland Restoration Webinar
Will share key terminology and the principles behind the Prior Appropriations Doctrine, as well as variations in the laws and water administration in the Western United States.
USDA, Partners to Invest $720 Million in Large-Scale, Targeted Conservation Projects across the Nation
Regional Conservation Partnership Program Pools Together $220 Million Investment from USDA, up to $500 Million from Local Partners to Improve Water Quality, Soil Health, Habitat and More
Where the Not-So-Mighty Chestnut Still Grows
A recent study by U.S. Forest Service, university, and state agency researchers provides baseline information on contemporary populations of American chestnut needed to support restoration of the tree to the forests it once dominated.
NASA, NOAA Analyses Reveal Record-Shattering Global Warm Temperatures in 2015
Earth’s 2015 surface temperatures were the warmest since modern record keeping began in 1880, according to independent analyses by NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Evaluating the Ecological Performance of Compensatory Mitigation
The Association of State Wetland Managers (ASWM) is pleased to invite you to attend the next webinar in our popular Improving Wetland Restoration Success webinar series on “Evaluating the Ecological Performance of Compensatory Mitigation.”
Biodiversity Critical to Maintaining Healthy Ecosystems
Researchers have found clear evidence that biological communities rich in species are substantially healthier and more productive than those depleted of species.
FWS Northeast Regional Director Comments on National Academy of Sciences Review of LCCs
On December 3, the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) released their Review of the Landscape Conservation Cooperatives (LCCs) conducted at the request of Congress.
2015 National Academy of Sciences Review of LCCs
The Appalachian LCC is collecting information for Steering Committee members and other interested parties to review information and materials related to the newly released National Academy of Sciences report, A Review of the Landscape Conservation Cooperatives.
National Academy of Sciences Releases Its Review of the Landscape Conservation Cooperatives
The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) today released its Review of the Landscape Conservation Cooperatives, which concludes that a landscape approach is needed to meet the nation’s conservation challenges and that the Landscape Conservation Cooperatives (LCCs) provide a framework for addressing that need.
Oak, Fire, and Global Change: What Might the Future Hold?
The pace of environmental and socioeconomic change over the past 100 years has been rapid.
Appalachian LCC Primary Investigators Study Conservation Easements in the Appalachians
Clemson scientists Rob Baldwin and Paul Leonard recently published a research article that examines the existing distribution of conservation easements in the Appalachian Mountains.
Forest Service Report Highlights Restoration Progress Made Despite Growing Challenges
The U.S. Forest Service has increased the pace and scale of forest restoration by nine percent since 2011, according to a report released today. The significant progress comes in the face of mounting challenges to the agency including record droughts, longer wildfire seasons and the increasing percentage of the agency’s budget spent fighting wildland fires.
TWRA Announces Availability of Riparian Tree Planting Grants
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency announces the availability of grant dollars to assist cities, schools, community organizations, civic groups, watershed organizations, and conservation groups, etc., with riparian tree planting projects.
BIG DATA as an engine for aquatic information creation
The smartest thing, the only thing really, we can do to conserve & preserve fisheries and aquatic biodiversity as the climate warms this century is to invest our limited resources wisely.
The eDNA revolution & developing comprehensive aquatic biodiversity archives
Measuring & understanding the effects of climate change on aquatic life requires an accurate baseline status assessment that can serve as a benchmark for comparisons through time.
Climate-informed management of oak ecosystems in the Central Hardwoods region
Global climate changes will lead to local impacts on oak ecosystems throughout the central hardwoods region, including shifts in habitat suitability for different species, changes in soil moisture regime, and effects on insect pests, diseases, and species invasion.
Bald Eagle Nest Monitoring Program Launched by Maryland Bird Conservation Initiative
The recovery of our national symbol, the Bald Eagle, is considered one of the greatest conservation successes of the 20th century.
LANDFIRE Data Applications for Research in Fire Ecology and Forest Management
Brandon Collins is on deck for the second in a series of webinars that LANDFIRE is co-hosting with the California Fire Science Consortium. Scheduled for noon PT, the November 2 webinar will examine LANDFIRE data applications for research in fire ecology and forest management.
Conservation Efforts Successful Thanks to Hunters & Anglers
Every time a hunter or angler purchases a sporting license, or buys hunting and fishing equipment or related items, they are participating in a subtle, yet successful conservation program that has been at work for more than 75 years.
Prescribed Fire and Bats Webinar
With bat populations declining due to white-nose syndrome and other factors, it is critical to strike a balance between the use of prescribed fire for managing natural areas and the need to protect bats and their critical habitats.
Save Grassy Cove Celebration
A Kick-off Celebration to Save 1,000 Acres in Grassy Cove.
Webinar on Wetland Restoration in Urban & Highly Disturbed Landscapes
The Association of State Wetland Managers (ASWM) is pleased to invite you to attend the next webinar in our popular Improving Wetland Restoration Success webinar series on “Wetland Restoration in Urban and Highly Disturbed Landscapes.”
Endangered Species Act Protection Not Needed for 10 Species in the Southeast
The Cumberland arrow darter, Shawnee darter, Sequatchie caddisfly, American eel, and six Tennessee cave beetles do not need protection under the Endangered Species Act.
Celebrate National Wildlife Refuge Week from October 11–17, 2015
To celebrate the nation’s enduring connections to the natural world and the unique ways nature touches everyone’s lives, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is celebrating National Wildlife Refuge Week from October 11-17, 2015.
Steering Committee Advances Landscape Conservation Planning and Design in the Appalachians
At the 2015 Appalachian LCC Steering Committee meeting, resource managers and wildlife administrators from throughout the region formally designated priority ecosystems and associated resources to focus the LCC’s landscape conservation efforts.
Tennessee River Basin Network Workshop and Awards Celebration
The Tennessee Valley Authority and the Tennessee Aquarium sponsored a first-of-its-kind meeting that gathered regional conservation partners to celebrate successes conserving aquatic biodiversity in the Tennessee River Basin and to facilitate discussions among partners for greater cooperation and strategic effectiveness.
LCC Names New Executive Committee Members
We have tallied all the votes for the election of our next slate of officers who will serve as the Appalachian LCC Chair, Vice Chair, and Executive Committee Officers beginning in April 2016.
Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries Convenes Meeting with 3 LCCs
For the first time outside of Alaska, staff from multiple LCCs overlapping the same state met with a state agency to solicit feedback and share updates on their cooperatives’ products and tools.
Appalachian LCC Conservation Planning Specialist Earns PhD
Paul Leonard received a PhD in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology from Clemson University for his dissertation focused on habitat connectivity, mapping gene flow, and using supercomputing to speedup conservation planning.
Managing for Species Adaptive Capacity
A new paper authored by researchers at federal agencies, regional partnerships, and universities, including Appalachian LCC Coordinator and Senior Scientist Dr. Jean Brennan, proposes a new conceptual paradigm for adaptive capacity.
Appalachian LCC Science Delivery Workshop
The Appalachian LCC is setting up a science delivery workshop to share recently develop products and train partners in decision support planning tools.
SARP Seeks Habitat Restoration Coordinator/Project Manager for Native Black Bass Initiative Program
The Habitat Restoration Coordinator is responsible for coordinating the implementation of the NBBI Business Plan with a primary focus on habitat restoration to benefit shoal bass in the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint (ACF) river basin.
Environmental Educator Broadcast: Landscape Conservation Cooperatives
On August 26th, Appalachian LCC Coordinator Jean Brennan, National LCC Coordinator Elsa Haubold, and National LCC Communication Coordinator Laura McClean participated in a live broadcast that provided an update on the work of Landscape Conservation Cooperatives (LCCs) to environmental educators.
SEAFWA Conference
The annual conference of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies is a forum for the exchange of ideas and critical information regarding the management and protection of fish and wildlife resources primarily in the southeast.
Southeast Conservation Adaptation Strategy (SECAS) Symposium
This symposium will present recent progress and suggest important next steps for key elements of this conservation adaptation strategy, 1) network of landscapes and seascapes, 2) conservation collaborations, and 3) landscape change information.
Appalachian LCC part of Premiere Climate Education and Literacy Training Program
The inaugural Educator Climate and Conservation Colloquium (or EC3) brought together 50 teachers and school decision makers from across the nation to receive training on campus sustainability and wildlife conservation issues to better serve schools and communities.
Global Vulnerability of Forests to Climate Change-Related Tree Mortality is Widely Underestimated
Forests worldwide are vulnerable to growing risks of drought- and heat-induced tree mortality and forest die-off because of a rapidly warming Earth, according to just-published research in the scientific journal Ecosphere. The paper is an invited “ESA Centennial Paper” to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Ecological Society of America.
Environmental Education Update - Landscape Conservation Cooperatives
This session will feature Elsa Haubold, National LCC Coordinator, Jean Brennan, Appalachian LCC Coordinator and Laura McClean, Science Applications Communications Manager presenting an update on the Cooperatives and sharing information about environmental educational resources available for use by educators.
FishBrain and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Partner to Create App-powered Citizen Science Engagement Opportunity Tracking Endangered Species
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – the federal government agency dedicated to the conservation of fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats – has teamed up with FishBrain – the world’s largest free-to-use app and social network for anglers – to launch a new feature of the app that will help the American public identify and document threatened, endangered and candidate species.
Conserving imperiled species in the Upper Tennessee River Basin
When we think of river life, for many of us a handful of animals may come to mind – trout, smallmouth bass, muskie. But in the Southern Appalachians, waters of the Upper Tennessee River Basin are alive with a whopping 255 species of fish and mussels.
Feedback Requested on Park Values
The National Park Service is starting the process of preparing a Foundation Document for Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The park would like to invite park stakeholders to join in this effort.
Survey design and techniques for sampling native bees
Wedge Watkins ( USFWS Midwest Region Pollinator Coordinator) discusses and demonstrates field survey techniques that are being used to sample native bee populations.
Tennessee River Basin Network Workshop and Awards Celebration
The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) has engaged multiple partners in hosting a Tennessee River Biodiversity Network Meeting.
Appalachian LCC Steering Committee Meeting
The major goals and outcomes of this meeting include celebrating progress of the last year, agree upon priority resources or the process for deciding on priority resources within the Appalachian landscape, and approve project funding for 2015.
ASWM Webinar - Using Beaver as a Wetland Restoration Tool
Restoration Lessons Learned and an Introduction to the Beaver Restoration Assessment Tool
Researchers Seek a Sneak Peek Into the Future of Forests
In May 2015, scores of scientists from dozens of research institutions descended on a patch of forest in central North Carolina, taking samples of everything from ants and mites to other microbes – samples they hope will offer a glimpse into the future of forest ecosystems.
Geodiversity Key to Conserving Biodiversity Under Climate Change
The physical factors that create diversity (landform, bedrock, soil and topography), collectively known as geodiversity, might be the key to conserving biodiversity under a changing climate.
Partnership benefits two Kentucky landscapes
The Forecastle Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to preserving areas of abundant biodiversity, today begins a new charitable partnership with The Nature Conservancy’s Kentucky Chapter.
Maryland DNR Helps Fund New Stream Restoration Monitoring Program
Efforts to produce measurable water quality data and results.
Environmental Educators Update broadcast on LCC
Broadcast to introduce the National Conservation Training Center about Landscape Conservation Cooperatives and the conservation evolution to a new landscape and community engagement focus and strategic habitat approach to conservation.
Genetics Provide New Hope for Endangered Freshwater Mussels
A piece of the restoration puzzle to save populations of endangered freshwater mussels may have been found, according to a recent U.S. Geological Survey led study. Local population losses in a river may not result in irreversible loss of mussel species; other mussels from within the same river could be used as sources to restore declining populations.
Monthly carbon dioxide levels hit new milestone
NOAA scientists reported that in March 2015 the monthly average global carbon dioxide level went above 400 parts per million for the first time.
New Farm Bill Guide Now Available
The North American Bird Conservation Initiative released the 2014 Farm Bill Field Guide to Fish and Wildlife Conservation.
National Adaptation Forum
The National Adaptation Forum is a biennial gathering created by a group of professionals from the private and public sectors concerned about the need to respond to and prepare for the effects of climate change.
Webinar on Riparian Restoration Tool showcases Appalachian LCC Science
On April 22, Appalachian LCC GIS Analyst and Information Manager Jessica Rhodes gave a webinar presentation to 80 resource managers, scientists, and conservationists during the “Safeguarding Wildlife from Climate Change” web series.
National Cave and Karst Management Symposium
The theme for the Symposium is "Hidden Landscapes – Hidden Challenges", with particular emphasis on management issues related to human impact on karst.
Land and Water Conservation Fund Secures View from Virginia's Spy Rock, One of the Most Scenic Overlooks along the Appalachian Trail
Today, United States Department of Agriculture Deputy Under Secretary Arthur "Butch" Blazer joined representatives of The Conservation FundThis is an external link or third-party site outside of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) website., and the U.S. Forest Service to celebrate the protection of property within George Washington-Jefferson National Forests along the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. Funding support was provided through the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF).
New National Wildlife Refuge Established to Protect Some of Appalachia’s Rarest Places
The Mountain Bogs National Wildlife Refuge became America’s 563rd refuge today.
U.S. Protected Lands Mismatch Biodiversity Priorities, Implications for the Southeast
Former NCSU researcher Clinton Jenkins will present a webinar discussing the Southeast implications of his recent paper published in PNAS.
USFWS Region 5 Endangered Species Act Update
A periodic update pertaining to recovery planning and implementation, incidental take, and other information related to the Endangered Species Act within Region 5 of the USFWS.
A Complex Landscape has both Vulnerabilities and Resilience to Climate Change
Central Appalachian forests have been experiencing the effects of a changing climate for decades, and effects such as more heavy rainfall events, more drought, and more hot days are likely to continue, according to a new vulnerability assessment for the region by the U.S. Forest Service and many partners.
AppLCC Riparian Restoration Tool for Climate Change Resiliency Webinar
Part of the Safeguarding Wildlife from Climate Change web series hosted by USFWS and National Wildlife Federation, this presentation will highlight an innovative riparian planting and restoration decision support tool, funded by the Appalachian Landscape Conservation Cooperative that is now available to the conservation community.
Assessing climate-sensitive ecosystems in the southeastern United States
The southeastern U.S. contains a unique diversity of ecosystems that provide important benefits, including habitat for wildlife and plants, water quality, and recreation opportunities. As climate changes, a better understanding of how our ecosystems will be affected is vital for identifying strategies to protect these ecosystems.
Endangered Species Act Protections Proposed for Two Appalachian Crayfishes in Kentucky, Virginia and West Virginia
Just as the central Appalachian landscape was beginning to undergo changes related to early 20th century mining, logging and population growth, researchers documented a number of crayfish species in the streams of this area known for its natural beauty and diverse wildlife. Two of these crayfishes, the Big Sandy crayfish and the Guyandotte River crayfish, are now in danger of extinction.
Forest Service partnership effort improves health of America's Forest
The U.S. Forest Service announced today that 1.45 million acres of America's forests and watersheds – an area larger than Delaware – are healthier as a result of collaborative partnerships to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires.
Pacific Region Climate Change Learning Opportunities - Nov 2014 Issue
A monthly e-newsletter aimed at helping you stay connected to climate change science learning opportunities relevant and integral to your conservation work.
Secretary Jewell, American Express Announce Major Commitment to Increase Volunteerism on America’s Public Lands
As part of the Interior Department’s bold youth initiative to engage the next generation of outdoor stewards, Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell today announced a new $5-million commitment from American Express to help the Department reach its goal of one million volunteers on public lands annually.
Watershed Decision Tool Webinar Series (UPDATE)
The USFWS Southeast Region Office is sponsoring a webinar series on Watershed Decision Tools with the aim of promoting awareness of the many various watershed prioritization tools available to assist in planning conservation actions and fostering discussion about how each tool is or could be used, applicability and limitations, and possible future improvements and needs. We currently have 4 remaining webinars scheduled and hope to add more. We have switched to a new webex platform to enable recording and archiving of webinar presentations, so login details for the series has changed.
Webinar: South Carolina Stream Assessment Tool
Watershed Decision Tool Webinar Series Topic: South Carolina Stream Assessment Tool Presenter: Dr. Mark Scott, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources
Human-side of Restoration Webinar
Grand finale for the Human-side of Restoration Webinar Series. Please join us on Thursday, March 12th from 10:30-12:00 (Mountain) for Learning from our Ancestors: Combining ancient knowledge systems and modern science to achieve restoration.
New Study Looks at Future of Appalachian Energy Development
A new study and online mapping tool released by the Appalachian Landscape Conservation Cooperative (LCC) and The Nature Conservancy are intended to inform discussions among conservation agencies and organizations, industry, policy makers, regulators and the public on how to protect essential natural resources while realizing the benefits of increased domestic energy production.
Workshop Planning Call: Thu Feb 19, 2015 10:30am – 11:30am (EST)
Fourth planning call to discuss Brook Trout - Stream Temperature workshop to be held April 7 - 8th 2015 in Hadley MA.
Planning Team call: Brook Trout - Stream Temperature workshop
Changed: Brook trout - stream temperature workshop planning - one hour Earlier than usual!!!! Call in number: DOI: 703-648-4848 code: 87245# Non-DOI: 855-547-8255 code: 87245#
100 Case Studies Published Today Show How Communities Are Preparing Our Roads, Airports, and Transit Systems for Climate Change
One hundred case studies released today by the Georgetown Climate Center demonstrate how leaders are responding to the growing threats from climate change to America's roads, airports, transit systems, and infrastructure.
AppLCC and FWS Host Marxan Workshop
The Appalachian LCC and Virginia Field Office of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service jointly hosted a two-day Marxan learning session on February 3rd and 4th, 2015 at the National Conservation Training Center in Shepherdstown, West Virginia.
Midwest Fisheries Center Seeks New Director!
The Midwest Region of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking applicants for the Director of the Midwest Fisheries Center in Onalaska, WI.
[Event] Brook Trout and Stream Temperature Modeling Workshop
April 7th and 8th -- Stream Temperature Modeling Workshop Meeting in Hadley MA.
Improving Wetland Restoration Success Webinar Series
The Association of State Wetland Managers (ASWM) is pleased to invite you to attend the sixth presentation in our popular Improving Wetland Restoration Success webinar series.
Tennessee State Wildlife Action Planning 2015 Partner Meeting
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) is required by Congress to revise the State Wildlife Action Plan by October of this year.
AMJV Partnership Receives $8 Million RCPP Award to Enhance Cerulean Habitat
A project proposal from the Appalachian Mountains Joint Venture (AMJV) Partnership was one of 115 high-impact projects to receive in total more than $370 million as part of the new Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today.
Online course and conference offered to Virginia forest landowners
Virginia forest landowners looking to gain an understanding of how to keep their woods healthy and productive can do so in the comfort of their own home.
Secretary Jewell Announces New Wildlife and Climate Studies at the Northeast Climate Science Center
Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell announced recently that Interior’s Northeast Climate Science Center (NE CSC) is awarding nearly $700,000 to universities and other partners for research to guide managers of parks, refuges and other cultural and natural resources in planning how to help species and ecosystems adapt to climate change.
LCC Coordinator is Invited Speaker at Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission Meeting
On October 30th, Dr. Jean Brennan was the invited speaker at the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission meeting in Greenville, TN, where she presented an overview on the National LCC Network and an update on the work of the Appalachian LCC.
Ensuring Climate Resilient Aquatic Communities
Partners of the Appalachian LCC presented the “Riparian Restoration Climate Change Resilience Tool” to the aquatic management and research community at the Annual Eastern Brook Trout Joint Venture (EBTJV) meeting in early September.
Reviewing Studies of Caves and Subterranean Biodiversity
A status review of studies from the cave and karst classification and mapping research project examined an array of research regarding cave environments, cave/karst biodiversity, and previous techniques for mapping and modeling such ecosystems.
Steering Committee Advances the Cooperative’s Conservation Planning Process
Appalachian LCC Steering Committee Members and natural and cultural resource experts met at the National Conservation Training Center on September 3-5 to advance the Cooperative’s landscape planning initiative.
Acquiring Information on the Climate Vulnerability of Appalachian Species and Habitats
A new report out of the Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment research project addresses how the Cooperative should acquire information about the climate vulnerability of Appalachian species and habitats and share with its partners.
Data Needs Assessment Research Delivers Suite of Conservation Planning Products
The Data Needs Assessment research project was undertaken to review conservation planning tools, datasets, and methods to provide packages of products, data, and identified data gaps to improve conservation planning in the Appalachian LCC region.
Reviewing the Literature on Freshwater Classification Frameworks
A “Literature Review of Freshwater Classification Frameworks” by Principle Investigators at The Nature Conservancy and Oak Ridge National Laboratory reviewed aquatic and hydrological classifications and frameworks that have been developed at a variety of spatial scales and evaluates which could be applied for use by the Cooperative.
Reviewing Existing Tools and Data on Hydrologic and Ecologic Flow Models
The Aquatic Ecological Flows project reviewed existing tools and gathered available data within the project area on hydrologic and ecological flow models that would be suitable to use for the region.
NC Wildlife Seeking Division Chief of Information, Education, and Marketing
The NC Wildlife Resources Commission is seeking a highly-qualified individual to serve as Chief of the Information, Education & Marketing (IEM) Division.
SARP Celebrates Decade of Aquatic Habitat Conservation
A decade-long regional effort in the southeastern United States, led by the Southeast Aquatic Resources Partnership (SARP), to preserve globally significant aquatic species and the habitats they need to survive before they are lost forever have produced a sleuth of success stories.
New Recommendations Help Improve America’s Resilience to Climate Change
This week, the White House released the recommendations of the President’s State, Local and Tribal Leaders Task Force on Climate Preparedness and Resilience. It also announced new tools and actions to help planners build healthy and resilient communities, including a web-based Climate Resilience Toolkit that provides simple access to federal tools that can help planners incorporate a changing climate into their decisions.
GOT TREES? Building Climate-Ready Agriculture.
Agricultural lands are having to meet ever-increasing production and conservation targets. At the same time agriculture’s capacity to deliver these services is being challenged by shifting climate, changing markets, and evolving environmental conditions.
Climate Change's Growing Threat to Public Lands
Secretary Jewell attended the 2014 World Parks Congress in Australia, where she stressed the need for international cooperation on public lands and the growing threat of climate change.
AMJV Partnership Successes for Song Birds and Game Species
The benefits from managing habitat for game species and managing habitat for songbirds are not mutually exclusive. Creating and enhancing a variety of habitats supports a diversity of wildlife and activities, from birdwatching to hunting.
Climate Resilience: What to Expect, How to Prepare, and What You Can Learn from Others
Join us for a webcast on climate resilience – the capacity of an individual, community, or institution to dynamically and effectively respond to shifting climate impacts while continuing to function at an acceptable level.
Managing Urban Forests in a Changing Climate
Register now to learn how you can help your urban forest and your community prepare for the effects of climate change at The Morton Arboretum Urban Tree Conference, “Managing Urban Forests in a Changing Climate,” November 18 and 19, 2014, in Lisle, Illinois.
Listening for the Rain
Listening for the Rain starts a pluricultural conversation in which some Indigenous people who live in the central United States of America discuss their observations and understandings of, as well as responses to, climate change and variability.
LCC Network Releases 2014 Strategic Plan
The Landscape Conservation Cooperative (LCC) Network has developed a strategic plan that articulates a path for the next five years to achieving the LCC Network’s vision and mission to conserve and maintain landscapes and seascapes capable of sustaining natural and cultural resources for current and future generations.
All the Salamanders #SmokiesCool
Middle school children created three cool songs about salamanders in the Smokies and the threats to them - including pollution!
President Recognizes Role of Private Forests in Climate Action Plan
We are writing to you, as members of the Forest‐Climate Working Group, to thank you for the central role that you have created for U.S. forests and forest products in your Climate Action Plan and the new natural resources policy proposals that you have announced this week.
Virginia Field Office Student Trainee (Biological Science) Position
This is an Indefinite Pathways Student Intern position in the Division of Ecological Services (ES), Virginia Field Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, located in Gloucester, Virginia.
Building community resilience by strengthening America’s natural resources and supporting green infrastructure
President Obama has made it clear that we have a moral obligation to our children and future generations to leave behind a planet that is not polluted and damaged. That is why, as part of his effort to combat climate change, the President launched a Climate Action Plan last year to cut carbon pollution, prepare communities for the impacts of climate change, and lead international efforts to address this global challenge.
Climate Change in America's National Parks
Tracking forest and landscape change from space using the ForWarn system.
Climate Change in America's National Parks
Reaching Common Ground: Communicating with Disbelieving Managers about Climate Change Impacts and Options.
Landscape Conservation Cooperatives: Building a Network to Help Fulfill Public Trust Obligations
The Landscape Conservation Cooperative (LCC) network (Network), comprised of 22 conservation partnerships spanning North America and U.S. Islands, is uniquely positioned to assist government members in fulfilling their public trust obligations to sustain natural and cultural resources for current and future generations by (a) ensuring inclusivity of broad stakeholder participation in conservation decision-making, and (b) building capacity for public trust to work in conservation, thus increasing the chance for successful and lasting conservation outcomes.
Landfire Webinar Series
Assessing Needs - Understanding the recent and potential future threats to ecosystems is vital for prioritizing management activities in the Southeast.
OSU Climate Change Webinar
Exploring Snowfall in the United States.
Association of State Wetland Managers Webinar
History of Wetland Drainage in the U.S.
Northeast CSC Webinar
Developing forest adaptation strategies for northern forests in an uncertain future.
Climate-Aquatics Blog
New report describes data collection protocols for continuous monitoring of temperature & flow in wadeable streams.
Regional Science Efforts Highlighted in National Climate Adaptation Strategy Progress Report
Report includes several projects in the northeast and the Chesapeake Bay among 50 nationwide examples that illustrate a long-term vision for adaptive management in the face of climate change.
Video: Climate Change The Cost of Inaction
The Earth's climate is changing at an unprecedented rate. Climate change is already having impacts on people's lives across the country.
Cheat Canyon is West Virginia’s Newest Conserved Natural Area
The Conservation Fund, The Nature Conservancy, and the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources – allies in the permanent conservation of West Virginia’s Cheat Canyon – gathered today with funding partners and the community to celebrate this conservation success story and participate in the dedication of the canyon to the people of West Virginia.
The Audubon Climate Change Report at a Glance
A new Climate Change report by Audubon is a comprehensive, first-of-its kind study that predicts how climate change could affect the ranges of 588 North American birds.
Oak Woodlands & Forests Fire Consortium Webinar
Using prescribed fire to manage wildlife habitat in the Mid-South.
$35 Million in Grants to Boost State Endangered Species Conservation Efforts Funding to 20 states will help collaborative efforts to conserve America’s most imperiled species
Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Dan Ashe today announced nearly $35 million in grants to 20 states to enable collaborative efforts to conserve many of America’s imperiled species, ranging from the red cockaded woodpecker in the Southeast to a variety of bat species in the Midwest to a colorful flower in the Rocky Mountains.
USDA Provides $328 Million to Conserve Wetlands and Farmland, Boost Economy
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that $328 million in conservation funding is being invested to help landowners protect and restore key farmlands, grasslands and wetlands across the nation. The USDA initiative will benefit wildlife and promote outdoor recreation and related sectors of the economy.
Central Appalachians Fire Learning Network Annual Meeting
Tackling the Burning Questions: the future of fire and forests in the changing complex social and ecological setting of the Central Appalachians
Land managers to gain tools to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions
Trees take in and store a lot of carbon dioxide, or CO2, a greenhouse gas. Being able to measure forestry and agricultural intake and emissions of CO2 is critical to developing a strategy for addressing climate change by reducing greenhouse gases.
Primary Influences on Water Temperature for Inland Streams
The COMET Program is pleased to announce the publication of the new lesson, "Primary Influences on Water Temperature for Inland Streams". The temperature of inland streams, rivers, and reservoirs affects aquatic wildlife, riparian vegetation, and infrastructure.
Science Applications: Fostering Science Excellence for the Service
This video answers two questions: 1. What does the Science Applications program work on and; 2. Why is it important to the public and the staff of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Fracking Components Affect Thyroid Hormone Receptors
A subset of chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing can interfere with thyroid hormone receptors, according to a study presented at the joint meeting of the International Society of Endocrinology and the Endocrine Society.
USGS Releases a New U.S. Karst Map
USGS has released a digital map compilation, database and report delineating areas of the United States, including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, having karst or the potential for development of karst and pseudokarst.
Hot Topics Summer 2014
A quarterly newsletter developed by Southeast Regional Climate Change program.
GIS & Conservation Planning Portal Overview
Dr. Paul Leonard provides a general overview of the GIS & Conservation Planning section within the Appalachian LCC Web Portal.
Pricing the Priceless: Ecosystem Services Science at USGS
Nature's products and services are essential not only to the ecosystems that provide them, but also to the people and societies built on them. Factoring their value into cost-benefit analyses is an important part of smart planning. But that raises a new question—how to assign value to ecosystem services?
FY2015 Brook Trout Conservation Funding Opportunity
The Eastern Brook Trout Joint Venture (EBTJV) is seeking project proposals focused on conserving the habitats needed to support healthy and productive wild Brook Trout populations.
BioClimate
Periodic News from the National Climate Change and Wildlife Science Center (NCCWSC) and the DOI Climate Science Centers (CSCs)
The Important Mission of USFWS
Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell shares her thoughts on “What makes the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service different from other bureaus with the Department of the Interior?” She also has a special message for Service employees.
The Planning for Growth and Open Space Conservation Webinar Series
Session #26: Using Social Marketing and Micro Targeting to Engage and Move Woodland Owners to Stewardship.
2015 NOAA Funding Opportunity
NOAA's Climate Program Office (CPO) supports competitive research through four major Programs: Climate Observations and Monitoring (COM); Earth System Science (ESS); Modeling, Analysis, Predictions, and Projections (MAPP); and Climate and Societal Interactions (CSI).
Kentucky partnership with Tennessee, Ohio and West Virginia will restore mussels in 180 miles of the Licking River
Imperiled species will benefit from a total of $5.6 million in grants for 16 projects in 12 states through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s competitive State Wildlife Grants program. The grants, which focus on large-scale conservation projects yielding measurable results, will be matched by more than $2.9 million in non-federal funds from states and their partners for projects that work to conserve and recover wildlife identified by states as Species of Greatest Conservation Need and their habitats.
Obama Administration dedicates nearly $10 million to help tribes prepare for climate change
As part of President Obama’s Climate Action Plan and continued commitment to support Native American leaders in building strong, resilient communities, Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell and Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs Kevin Washburn today announced the Administration has dedicated nearly $10 million this year to help tribes prepare for climate change through adaptation and mitigation.
Department of the Interior’s Activities Generate $360 Billion in Annual Economic Activity, Support 2 Million Jobs, New Report Reveals
Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell capped off a weeklong series of events discussing the President’s vision for full, permanent funding of the Land and Water Conservation Fund by releasing a report today showing that the various activities of the Department of the Interior contributed $360 billion to the U.S. economy in 2013, supporting more than 2 million jobs in communities across the country.
New Guide Helps Conservationists Address Uncertain Future
A new publication by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) aims to help natural resource managers plan for a variety of long-term threats to America’s wildlife and habitats.
Support Available for Activities at the National Institute for Mathematical and Biological Synthesis
September 1, 2014 is the next deadline for requests for support for Postdoctoral Fellowships, Working Groups, Investigative Workshops, Sabbaticals, and Short-term Visitors for activities beginning spring/summer/fall 2015 at the National Institute for Mathematical and Biological Synthesis (NIMBioS).
First Participants in Conservation Stewardship Program can Renew
Producers with expiring U.S. Department of Agriculture Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) contracts have from July 11 until Sept. 12, 2014 to renew and add conservation activities that will support their natural resource improvement activities and fine-tune their conservation plans.
Researchers map fishing resources to assist land managers, anglers
Anglers in North Carolina and Virginia who are looking for privacy at good fishing spots should head for the mountains, according to a Virginia Tech study of the capacity, quality, and demand of freshwater recreational fishing sites in the two states.
LCC Coordinator Gives Keynote Address at Earth Day Celebration
Appalachian LCC Coordinator Dr. Jean Brennan was a featured speaker for the Distinguished Lecture Series at Northwest Missouri State University during its annual Earth Week Celebration.
First Stewards 2014 Symposium
Our major goals for this symposium are threefold: Promote and discuss how our Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) becomes a stronger part of the climate change conversation; Explore how we as indigenous peoples can unite to have a stronger voice since our communities will disproportionately feel the impacts of climate change; and Plan how our youth can be promoted to take the lead on this conversation in the future.
Scientists Locate Natural “Strongholds” across Southeast US that Could Protect Nature in the Face of Climate Change
A new study by The Nature Conservancy has identified a series of natural “strongholds” across the Southeastern United States that are predicted to withstand the growing impacts of climate change and help ensure nature’s survival.
Innovative Regional Conservation Partnership Program to Bring Resources to Private Lands in Critical Conservation Areas
U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack launched the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), a public-private partnership designed to focus conservation efforts on the most critical watersheds and landscapes.
Climate.gov wins two Webby Awards and a People’s Voice Award!
NOAA Climate.gov was selected by the International Academy of the Digital Arts & Sciences to receive two Webby Awards in the "Government" and "Green" categories. They also garnered a People's Voice Award in the "Green" category (placing second overall in the "Government" category).
Work by researchers to monitor, protect bats critical as millions perish
A fungus that infects bats as they hibernate is killing them by the millions, placing three species in the East perilously close to being declared endangered — or perhaps beyond, towards extinction.
Our Changing Climate – Third National Assessment Released
The Third National Assessment Release (NCA) report was released today. The report was written by 240 authors who worked in author teams reflecting their expertise, who also selected additional contributing authors, including several scientists and experts from USDA.
US Forest Service Proposes New Management Practices for Stewardship of Water Resources
The U.S. Forest Service today announced its intent to strengthen agency management direction for groundwater resources and the use of best management practices to improve and protect water quality on national forests and grasslands. This action is an integral component of watershed stewardship and land management.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Region 5 Endangered Species Act Update
Featuring general news, incidental take permit, and classification information pertaining to the Endangered Species Act in Region 5.
NJ Landscape Project Training and Information Session
The Landscape Project is an interactive ecosystem-based mapping tool that assists government agencies, planners, conservation groups, the public and others in making decisions that will protect imperiled and special concern wildlife.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Announces Completion of National Wetlands Database and Interactive Mapping Tool
To coincide with American Wetlands Month, which begins May 1, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is announcing the completion of the most comprehensive and detailed U.S. wetland data set ever produced, capping a 35-year effort by the Service to map the extent of the nation’s wetlands.
NE CSC Fish Habitat Data Viewer Planning
The PIs of the NE CSC funded project A Decisions Support Mapper for Conserving Stream Fish Habitats of the NE CSC Region, will be holding a Stakeholder’s webinar: "NE CSC Fish Habitat Data Viewer Planning".
Introducing the USGS National Climate Change Viewer
Jay Alder will be presenting the second revision of the recently released USGS National Climate Change Viewer (NCCV), which is a web application used for visualizing climate change for the Continental US at the state, county and watershed scale.
National Workshop on Large Landscape Conservation
Join conservation practitioners and policy makers from across North America to share ideas on the challenges and opportunities in implementing large landscape conservation, as well as the most effective tools, strategies and science available to inform large landscape initiatives.
AMJV Technical Committee Meeting
The AMJV Technical Committee meets once a year and helps to identify priority areas and actions to benefit priority birds.
AMJV Management Board Meeting
The AMJV Management Board meets twice a year to discuss the major issues, accomplishments, and future direction of the partnership.
New Report: USFWS Habitat Restoration Programs Create 3,973 New Jobs, Pump $327.7 Million into Local Economies
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today that a peer-reviewed analysis finds that the agency's habitat restoration programs are extraordinary engines for the U.S. economy.
OSMRE Appalachian Region Launches New Website
OSMRE's Appalachian Region has redesigned its website. The new site allows users to find information quickly and easily, and applies a consistent look and feel to the bureau’s web pages. The redesigned site incorporates several new features to make AR's website easier to navigate and user-friendly.
On Earth Day, U.S. Forest Service Seeks Applications for Wood to Energy Projects
As part of the national observance of Earth Day, the U.S. Forest Service today announced that it is seeking proposals that expand wood energy use and support responsible forest management. Also today, the Forest Service released a Wood Energy Financial App for use by community and business leaders seeking to replace fossil fuel with wood energy.
Ecology Team Improves Understanding of Valley-wide Stream Chemistry
A geostatistical approach for studying environmental conditions in stream networks and landscapes has been successfully applied at a valley-wide scale to assess headwater stream chemistry at high resolution, revealing unexpected patterns in natural chemical components.
Secretary Jewell Releases Landscape-scale Mitigation Strategy
The strategy, which will advance landscape-scale, science-based management of America’s public lands and wildlife. seeks to provide clarity and consistency to more effectively avoid, minimize and compensate for impacts on public lands. The strategy strongly aligns with the mission and goals of Landscape Conservation Cooperatives.
Putting the Nation on a Path for Climate Resilience and Preparedness: NOAA's Information and Expertise
Information seekers can turn to NOAA personnel on the ground to access and apply available information to specific questions and needs. NOAA provides a wide range of climate information through monthly, seasonal and decade forecasts and data tailored to the specific needs of different sectors. NOAA uses this same information to take direct action to increase the resilience and facilitate adaptation of the nation’s valuable marine and coastal resources and the people that depend on them.
Communications, Outreach & Visitor Services Training Workshop: Telling Stories, Making Connections
Our public lands and work in natural resource conservation is rich with stories. These stories grab the attention of our audiences and capture their hearts and imagination. This training introduces innovative communications, outreach and visitor services tools, including storytelling, to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service community and encourages staff to integrate them into their work to build and maintain relationships with key audiences.
South Atlantic LCC Web Forum
Can forests take the heat? Managing pests and ecosystem services in a warming climate
Restoration biologist Jess Jones receives Rachel Carson Award
Jess Jones, a restoration biologist in the College of Natural Resources and Environment, co-director of Virginia Tech’s Freshwater Mollusk Conservation Center, and an integral part of the Appalachian LCC, received the Rachel Carson Award for Scientific Excellence from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Service Provides More Than $47 Million in Grants to States, Territories for Sensitive, Imperiled Species
Sensitive and imperiled species across the nation will benefit from $47,877,598 in grants through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s State Wildlife Grants (SWG) program. The funds are apportioned annually to all states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and American Samoa. Apportionments are determined by a formula based on land area and population. States and their partners provide a non-federal funds match for projects that help species of greatest conservation need and their habitats.
Progress toward reducing oil and gas air emissions in Ohio
New rules will help reduce air pollution that harms public health and contributes to climate change.
IPCC Working Group II Report Released
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) issued a report today that says the effects of climate change are already occurring on all continents and across the oceans. The world, in many cases, is ill-prepared for risks from a changing climate. The report also concludes that there are opportunities to respond to such risks, though the risks will be difficult to manage with high levels of warming.
Mapping Climate Change in the Oceans
NOAA Research and NOAA Fisheries collaborate on new method to assess fish vulnerability to climate change
Webinar Series on State Wildlife Action Plan Revision
A webinar series to help states as they revise their SWAPs. Webinars will take place monthly on Thursdays from 1:00-2:30pm eastern.
Interior Releases First National Interactive Map of Onshore Wind Turbines
USGS Scientific Tool to Aid Landscape-Level Planning, Responsible Renewable Energy Development, Support Climate Action Plan
Wood Thrush Meeting
Two day meeting coordinated by the Appalachian Mountains Joint Venture, Smithsonian, USFWS, Audubon and other partners to provide researchers the opportunity to share information, identify knowledge gaps, and discover ways to utilize Wood Thrush as a focal species in full-life-cycle conservation.
Fish and Wildlife Service conducts five-year status reviews of 33 southeastern species
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will conduct five-year status reviews of 25 endangered and eight threatened species occurring in one or more of the 10 states in the Southeast and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. The public is invited to provide written information and comments concerning these species on or before May 27, 2014.
AAAS Kicks Off Initiative to Recognize Climate Change Risks
AAAS is announcing the launch of a new initiative to expand the dialogue on the risks of climate change.
2014 ARRI Reforestation Conference
This year conference is focusing on mine land reforestation for water quality enhancement
Maryland Land Conservation Conference
The 14th annual Maryland Land Conservation Conference will take place on April 3-4, 2014. The annual conference is the only state-wide land conservation conference and training workshop of its kind in Maryland, attracting board members, volunteers, and staff from Maryland’s many land trusts and conservation organizations, as well as environmental advocates, elected officials, and planners from federal, state, and local governments
Bats and Wind Energy Workshop
Bat Conservation International (BCI), in partnership with the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies (AFWA), is proud to announce our upcoming Bats and Wind Energy Workshop in Portland, Maine. This event will combine science, conservation and education to provide participants with the latest research and monitoring techniques.
Urban Wildlife Initiative Engages Communities
American society is more ethnically and socially diverse than any other time in history, and this diversity will only increase into the future. However, visitors to the National Wildlife Refuge System, in general, have not been representative of this change. In order to build a connected conservation community that recognizes values for people and wildlife, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has embarked on a multi-faceted Urban Wildlife Refuge Initiative to reflect the diverse perspectives, values and cultures of America.
Jess W. Jones Wins U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Science Excellence Award
Dr. Jess W. Jones, a national leader in freshwater mussel conservation and restoration and an integral part of the Appalachian LCC, has received one of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s top awards for scientific excellence.
North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference
Join other industry leaders dedicated to the conservation, enhancement and management of North America's wildlife and other natural resources.
'Climate Hubs' Will Provide Regional Networks on Climate Science, Forecasting Impacts as Part of President's Climate Action Plan
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today the creation of the first ever Regional Hubs for Risk Adaptation and Mitigation to Climate Change at seven locations around the country. "Climate Hubs" will address increasing risks such as fires, invasive pests, devastating floods, and crippling droughts on a regional basis, aiming to translate science and research into information to farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners on ways to adapt and adjust their resource management.
Federal Programs Offer Opportunities for Wildlife, Forestry Improvements
For persons interested in performing active management on their property to establish or improve wetlands, riparian (streamside) areas, forest lands, or other upland habitats for wildlife and pollinators, now is the time to request a plan and apply for financial assistance if desired.
NRCS and Forest Service Partner to Improve Forest Health
Agriculture Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment Robert Bonnie announced today a multi-year partnership between the U.S. Forest Service and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to improve the health and resiliency of forest ecosystems where public and private lands meet across the nation.
Appalachian LCC Winter Newsletter
The 2014 Winter Newsletter highlights how the Appalachian LCC and its partners are addressing landscape issues and bringing together a community to find sustainable solutions.
North Atlantic LCC Announces Science Delivery RFP
Request for proposals addresses a key science need by advancing application of landscape conservation science products at multiple scales across the North Atlantic region.
Southern Instream Flow Network Update
Update On Instream Flow Issues In The Southeast
EISPC Energy Zones Mapping Tool Newsletter
Detailing the webinars, maps, and analysis highlights from the Energy Zones Mapping Tool.
Mark Thurman: Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Biologist Mark Thurman explains how having a landscape Cooperative helps state agencies understand how their work on the ground feeds into a larger project area and the hope that the LCC can develop a landscape-level plan that incorporates the conservation activities and goals of all partners.
Clyde Thompson: U.S. Forest Service
Forest Supervisor for the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia, Steering Committee member Clyde Thompson explains how having the platform of the LCC can make the conservation community collectively stronger and direct each agency in the same direction.
Gwen Brewer: Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Science Program Manager in the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Wildlife and Heritage Service, Steering Committee member Gwen Brewer discusses how being part of the LCC will provide states with the key information and direction necessary to support regional initiatives and why she became involved with landscape conservation issues.
Working with SAMAB on Revitalization Initiative
The Appalachian LCC Coordinator recently joined a meeting of the Southern Appalachian Man and the Biosphere (SAMAB) Executive Committee in Asheville, NC as they reviewed the organization’s 25-year history and launched into a new “Revitalization Initiative.”
Building Climate Solutions: 14th National Conference and Global Forum on Science, Policy and the Environment
Join over 1,200 key individuals from many fields of sciences and engineering, government and policy, business and civil society to advance solutions to climate change.
Nexus 2014: Water, Food, Climate and Energy Conference
The Water Institute at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and collaborators will host the Nexus 2014: Water, Food, Climate and Energy Conference to examine the thoughts and actions related to a nexus approach.
LCC Network Announces National Council Members
The LCC National Council will work to provide national-level coordination to identify ecological and institutional challenges and successes across the network of 22 LCCs.
Energy & Security Seminar: Climate Change: Understanding and Communicating the Science
Global climate change poses not only environmental haz-ards but profound risks to planetary peace and stability as well. Our ability to meet these challenges is handicapped by the fact that climate change science is relatively new and highly complex and that a significant number of Americans (23% in 2010) deny that there is such a phenomenon as global warming.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Seeks Proposals from States: For FY 2014 Endangered Species Grants
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking proposals from states and U.S. territories for federal financial assistance for conservation activities that benefit endangered species.
Longleaf Pine Restoration Cost Share Applications Available to Landowners
The Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division (WFF) of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) is currently accepting applications through its Landowner Incentive Program (LIP) to continue longleaf pine restoration efforts in Alabama. The grant was awarded through a partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and will be made available to qualifying landowners for longleaf pine restoration on private lands.
Event Convenes Kentucky Conservationists and Waterways Transportation Industry
On December 12th, the Ingram Barge Company and the Crounse Corporation convened more than 45 representatives from the waterways transportation industry at an event they hoped would serve as a catalyst for future collaborations with The Nature Conservancy throughout the Mississippi River Basin.
Interior Announces FY 2013 Climate Science Center Research Projects
In 2013 the Climate Science Centers are awarding nearly $7 million to universities and other partners for research as part of President Obama’s Climate Action Plan to reduce carbon pollution, move our economy toward clean energy sources and begin to prepare our communities for the impacts of climate change.
NYSDEC: Partnerships Now Span the State to Prevent the Spread of Invasive Species
Every area of the state now has a partnership working to combat invasive species at the local and regional level, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Joseph Martens announced today. New York State recently finalized a contract establishing the final of eight Partnerships for Regional Invasive Species Management (PRISM) in Western New York, achieving the important statewide milestone. Each PRISM is funded by the state Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) and has a full time coordinator.
Conservation easement protects Randolph County 'land bridge'
A 555-acre stretch of private land in high country of Randolph County connecting the Laurel Fork Wilderness to the Seneca Creek Backcountry has been protected through a permanent conservation easement.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and The Nature Conservancy Establish New National Agreement for More Controlled Burning
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) and The Nature Conservancy announce a new partnership that will for the first time increase and better coordinate controlled burn activities, also known as prescribed fire, on their respective lands to enhance wildlife values. The agreement will encourage more efficient use of personnel and equipment while treating lands that might otherwise not get the benefit of controlled burning.
What are Future Climate Projections for Precipitation and Temperature for Your County?
For the first time, maps and summaries of historical and projected temperature and precipitation changes for the 21st century for the continental U.S. are accessible at a county-by-county level on a website developed by the U.S. Geological Survey in collaboration with the College of Earth, Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences at Oregon State University.
Oak, Fire and Mesophication: Past, current and future trends of oak in the eastern United States
Fire has been a preeminent force over much of the eastern United States for multi-millennia. As such, pyrogenic vegetation types dominated this region in pre-European times, including oak, oak-pine, and pine savannas/woodlands/forests and tallgrass prairies.
The Nature Conservancy Releases Country-Level Temperature and Precipitation Data for Climate Resilience and Adaptation Planning
The Nature Conservancy has released a new country-level dataset for its online Climate Wizard mapping tool that enables users to visualize future climate conditions using the most recent modeled data from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
Coalition Renews Drive for Federal Funding of Conservation, Recreation and Historic Preservation
Yesterday afternoon, the America’s Voice for Conservation, Recreation and Preservation (AVCRP) coalition sent a broad letter urging Congress to invest in natural resource conservation, outdoor recreation, and historic preservation. More than 500 organizations, representing millions of citizens with diverse political backgrounds and areas of interest, have united behind a shared understanding that federal investments in these critical sectors are vital to the future of our nation and historic heritage.
Gaining Support and Attracting Participation through Communication
EPA’s State and Local Climate & Energy Program will host a three-part webinar series on communications December 4, 11, and 18, 2013 from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. EST. The series will provide information on communications strategies and methods that state and local governments can use to ensure the ongoing success of climate and clean energy programs.
Helping to Facilitate CASRI and SASRI Coordination
Working at a landscape scale requires close coordination with multiple partners.
Become Part of the Appalachian LCC Network
Contribute to sustainable landscape-level conservation by joining and adding your information to the database!
National Wildlife Refuges Support Over 35,000 Jobs, Pump $2.4 Billion into Local Communities
America’s national wildlife refuges continue to be strong economic engines for local communities across the country, pumping $2.4 billion into the economy and supporting more than 35,000 jobs, according to a new national report released today by U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell.
Executive Order -- Preparing the United States for the Impacts of Climate Change
President Obama signed an executive order that will begin to prepare the Nation for the impacts of climate change by undertaking actions to enhance climate preparedness and resilience.
Interior Secretary Offers Vision for Conservation
Secretarial Order underscores LCC role and commitment to landscape-scale planning and design to conserve the Nation's land, water, wildlife and cultural resources in the face of climate change.
EPA Releases Agency Plans for Adapting to a Changing Climate
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today released its draft Climate Change Adaptation Implementation Plans for public review and comment. In support of President Obama’s Climate Action Plan and Executive Order on Preparing the United States for the Impacts of Climate Change announced today, the Implementation Plans provide detailed information about the actions EPA plans to take across the country to help communities adapt to a changing climate.
The Planning for Growth and Open Space Conservation Webinar Series
What planners need to know about planning for wildfire protection
First-ever Report on USDA Efforts to Expand Agroforestry Practices
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today released the first-ever report on USDA's role advancing agroforestry. Agroforestry: USDA Reports to America details how agroforestry practices are helping farmers, ranchers and woodland owners enhance agricultural productivity, protect the environment and increase profits.
OSM Launches Redesigned Website
The new site allows users to find information quickly and easily, and applies a consistent look and feel to the bureau’s web pages.
Observed Changes in Phenology Across the United States - Northeast
Phenology — the seasonal timing of life cycle events in plants and animals such as flowering, hibernation, and migration — has been linked to shifts in the timing of allergy seasons, public visitation to National Parks, and cultural festivals. Change in phenology, recognized as a bio-indicator of climate change impacts, has also been linked to increased wildfire activity and pest outbreak, shifts in species distributions, spread of invasive species, and changes in carbon cycling in forests. Phenological information can and already is being used to identify species vulnerable to climate change, to generate computer models of carbon sequestration, to manage invasive species, to forecast seasonal allergens, and to track disease vectors, such as mosquitoes and ticks, in human population centers.
Oak Woodlands & Forests Fire Consortium Webinar
Reconstructing pre-European fire regimes, forests and wildlife habitats in the eastern United States: Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky
USFS Landscape Science Webinar
Predicting long-term wildlife effects across complex landscapes.
Wetland Link International Webinar
The Association of State Wetland Managers is a member of Ramsar U.S. As a member we have been working with Wetland Link International to provide an opportunity for wetland education and interpretive centers in North America to have a common venue for sharing information and collaborating on issues of common concern.
Scott Robinson: Southeast Aquatic Resources Partnership
Coordinator Scott Robinson addresses the obstacles of data collection, preparation, and development and how the LCCs can help standardized this process for all partners to use that will help professionals implement conservation actions.
Scott Smith: Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Wildlife Ecologist Scott Smith talks about the vital importance of the Appalachians for the survival of salamanders, how the LCCs can facilitate issues between jurisdictions, and help different agencies prioritize conservation efforts.
Todd Jones-Farrand: Central Hardwoods Joint Venture
Science Coordinator Todd Jones-Farrand highlights how Joint Ventures and LCCs can work together in a complimentary fashion and how both partnerships share a collaborative nature that will benefit landscape-scale conservation.
A bold plan: The story of WVU and the salvation of a historic home for brook trout
A team at WVU has been working for years with the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources to examine all of the factors that led to warmer temperatures, a wider and shallower stream and other changes that over time threatened the brook trout productivity of this important natural and economic resource.
Interior Department Proposes Expansion of Hunting, Fishing Opportunities in National Wildlife Refuge System
In advance of National Hunting and Fishing Day on September 28th, Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell today announced that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing to expand fishing and hunting opportunities throughout the National Wildlife Refuge System, opening up new hunting programs on six refuges and expanding existing hunting and fishing programs on another 20 refuges. The proposed rule also modifies existing refuge-specific regulations for more than 75 additional refuges and wetland management districts.
Appalachian LCC Chair David Whitehurst Receives Seth Gordon Award
David Whitehurst, Steering Committee Chair of the Appalachian Landscape Conservation Cooperative (LCC) and Director of the Bureau of Wildlife Resources for the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, has been awarded the Seth Gordon Award at the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies' (AFWA) 103rd Annual Meeting held September 10th in Portland, Oregon.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Lists Neosho Mucket as Endangered and Rabbitsfoot as Threatened
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is listing the Neosho mucket as endangered and the Rabbitsfoot as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Both species are freshwater mussels found in river systems in the eastern half of the United States.
Kimberly Terrell: Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute
Kimberly Terrell describes her work studying the biological constraints of salamanders to adjust to climate change and how the regional nature of the LCC can ensure efficiencies for conservation efforts as well as bring managers and researchers together to work towards common conservation goals.
Cindy Schulz: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Virginia
Cindy Schulz highlights the value of bringing together many federal, state, and NGO groups to establish relationships and how acquiring access and knowledge of GIS and other information-sharing tools can greatly benefit conservation work being done around the region.
Jim Schaberl: Shenandoah National Park
Jim Schaberl talks about specific research projects taking place in Shenandoah, what he hopes the LCC can accomplish, and why the National Park service is involved in this endeavor
Thomas Minney: The Nature Conservancy
Thomas Minney discusses the potential of the Appalachian LCC, how this organization can address large-scale issues like climate change, and the need to achieve common conservation goals.
Nels Johnson: The Nature Conservancy - Pennsylvania
Nels Johnson discusses how LCCs are important vehicles for increasing efficiencies in conservation, and through collective capacity how LCCs can address environmental challenges that are beyond the ability of any one organization.