Natural Resources Bulletin - March 30, 2009

(National Wildlife Federation)March 30, 2009 - Please view in HTML for proper formatting

IN THIS ISSUE:

1. House subcommittee holds adaptation hearing
2. The rebirth of the American Chestnut
3. Everglades land deal likely to be slashed
4. Headlines in brief

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1. Congress holds hearing on adaptation

Last week saw a milestone for proponents of adaptation planning as the House Energy and Environment Subcommittee held a hearing on the issue.  It was the first adaptation hearing by a committee writing cap and trade legislation.  Among those called to testify was Larry Schweiger, President and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation, who framed the issue in no uncertain language. "Today's hearing," said Schweiger, "is essentially about whether Congress will ensure our children and grandchildren are not left with a world fundamentally different than the one we have enjoyed." He and other witnesses emphasized the need to fund adaptation projects quickly, before habitats and natural systems are overwhelmed by the effects of global warming.

Dissenters included Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX), who argued against regulating the greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming and also dismissed scientists' warnings by proclaiming that "adaptation to shifts in temperature is not that difficult." In contrast, testimony from researchers, conservationists, and representatives of the faith community stressed proactive responses to the climate crisis. Overall the hearing was a positive step toward including adaptation measures in upcoming global warming legislation.

For more, visit: http://www.nwf.org/news/story.cfm?pageId=3F2DE2F2-5056-A868-A08BA8447ECE932F
http://www.businessandmedia.org/articles/2009/20090327130416.aspx
http://markey.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3579&Itemid=15

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2. American Chestnut primed for a comeback

The American Chestnut, growing to 150 feet tall and 10 feet in girth, dominated the forests of the eastern United States until a fungus almost wiped out the species in the early 1900s. Now, after decades of research and selective breeding, scientists are attempting to reintroduce the trees to their historic range. A hybrid Chinese/American Chestnut has so far proven resistant to the fungus, boosting the hopes of foresters and conservationists. 1,200 seedlings have been planted across the Southern Appalachians, where they will be carefully monitored for signs of blight and other problems. Stacy Clark, leader of the study for the US Forest Service, has high hopes for the project. "If we can restore this tree to its natural habitat," says Clark, "it will be the greatest success story in natural resource conservation."

For more, visit: http://www.suntimes.com/news/nation/1479260,w-chestnut-appalachian-tree031609.article

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3. Budget problems in Florida threaten Everglades purchase

The Everglades mega-deal between Florida's government and US Sugar Corp. is on thin ice. Governor Charlie Crist had sought to make the land purchase - which would have safeguarded 180,000 acres of ecologically priceless land - the centerpiece of his environmental legacy, but he will likely be forced to make significant cutbacks. Conservation groups point to the economic and cultural significance of a healthy Everglades, but, as property tax revenues decline and the global recession continues to push state coffers further into the red, the $1.34 billion price tag appears less feasible than ever. Kirk Fordham, CEO of the Everglades Foundation, says that scaling back the purchase would be a serious blow to conservation efforts in the region. "If a third party buys U.S. Sugar and undercuts the state," says Fordham, "in all likelihood, the opportunity to restore the Everglades as we've envisioned here might be forever lost."

For more, visit: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29897481/

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4. In Brief:

Loggers Try to Adapt to Green Economy - Opportunities and problems abound as the timber industry catches up to environmental and economic realities
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/29/business/energy-environment/29forests.html?pagewanted=2&ref=science

Wildlife Officials Worried About Whooping Cranes - Drought affects crane populations along the Gulf Coast of Texas
http://www.fortmilltimes.com/124/story/502216.html

Hundreds of Killer Whales Seen in Gulf of Mexico - Researchers may be able to revise local population estimates upward
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/K/KILLER_WHALES_GULF?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2009-03-25-07-11-33

Scientists Find New Species in Papua New Guinea - Conservation International researchers have discovered 54 new animals in a remote, mountainous region of the country
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/AS_PAPUA_NEW_GUINEA_NEW_SPECIES?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2009-03-25-07-30-35

Ninety Years of Bird Watchers' Notes Going Online - USGS creates citizen-science database that could give insight on effects of climate change
http://edition.cnn.com/2009/TECH/science/03/26/pp.bird.usgs/index.htm