Posts Tagged ‘Conservation’

New “Sprinklers 101″ Website Provides Tools for Outdoor Water Conservation

Posted by admin on May 1st, 2013

SOURCE: Association of California Water Agencies

Association of California Water Agencies

SACRAMENTO, CA–(Marketwired – May 1, 2013) – The Save Our Water program is launching a new “Sprinklers 101″ web-based resource today to provide information and online tools about water-efficient residential irrigation. Timed to coincide with May’s Water Awareness Month, this new site (www.saveourh2o.org/sprinklers101) offers online, printed and video resources on water-efficient irrigation to homeowners and landscape professionals.

The Save Our Water program, which was created by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) and the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) in 2009, educates consumers on ways to reduce their household water use. Outdoor water use is a major focus of the program since, in many areas, 50% or more of residential water use goes to lawns and outdoor landscaping. 

“May is a time when people start spending more time outdoors,” said ACWA Deputy Executive Director for External Affairs and Operations Jennifer Persike. “Save Our Water’s new website gives consumers the information they need to improve the water efficiency of their sprinkler system. Even small changes can yield big water savings.” 

Sprinklers 101 provides information on installing and converting an existing system to drip irrigation, information on smart controllers and links to sprinkler controller manuals (for homeowners who may not know how to program their current controller). Landscape professionals will find information about water-wise gardening, professional licensing and education and more.

“Because Californians use the majority of water on their landscape, investing in a more water-efficient sprinkler system will save water today and for the long-term,” said DWR Director Mark Cowin. “After our unusually dry winter, it is critical that we all do our part to help stretch the state’s water supply.”

Dry Winter Makes Conservation Critical
Despite an extremely wet December, California’s winter ultimately turned out to be one of the driest on record. At the end of March (the latest snow survey), the snow pack was only 52% of the historical average. The last snow survey of the year is scheduled for May 2.

Water Awareness Month started as a joint effort between DWR and ACWA during California’s 1987-1992 drought as an effort to educate the public about the importance of water use efficiency and conservation. Today, DWR and local water agencies conduct public outreach and education events during the month of May to teach Californians new ways to save water.

To learn more about the Save Our Water program, visit www.saveourh2o.org or follow us on Facebook or Twitter. Save Our Water is a joint program founded and run by the California Department of Water Resources and the Association of California Water Agencies.

Marketwire – Environment

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How can tourism play an important role in Portuguese seabird conservation?

Posted by admin on April 26th, 2013
How can tourism play an important role in Portuguese seabird conservation?

by Nuno Oliveira

Since January, the Portuguese Society for the Study of Birds (SPEA; BirdLife in Portugal), together with Marlin Boat Tours are performing a monitoring scheme of birds at sea.

At Cabo Raso Marine Important Bird Area (IBA) located west of Lisbon, at the Berlengas Island IBA northwest of Lisbon or during a 5-6 days trip along the coast line, tourists have the opportunity to enjoy a bird watching adventure and give their contribution to the monitoring of several seabirds, including breeders, winters or migrants species. Such data is crucial to assess the number of seabirds that are currently frequenting Portuguese coastal waters and identify main factors that are affecting seabird survival. For instance, recent data identifies Portuguese waters as the most important wintering area to the critically endangered Balearic Shearwater. However, another recent study raises concerns in terms of by-catch in the fisheries industry. This highlights the need to implement a proper seabird monitoring scheme.

On-board a comfortable 15m sailing boat, tourists are invited help count birds, while learning the methodology to monitor birds at sea. Each trip is full of amazing surprises and great photo opportunities are provided, especially during pelagic or multiple days trips when chum (a kind of salmon) is used to attract birds to the boat. Experienced bird experts are available on-board to help detect and identify the seabirds.

Only with the support of tourists, SPEA and Marlin Boat Tours can continue this important monitoring. The survey agenda and trips prices are available on SPEA’s website www.spea.pt. SPEA kindly invites everyone who would like to offer a contribution to the daily or weekly surveys.

If you need any more information, please contact Nuno oliveira, Marine Program Assistant at SPEA.

This post was written by:

– who has written 4 posts on BirdLife Community.

BirdLife comprises more than 100 conservation organisations working together to promote sustainable living as a means to conserve biodiversity. Sociedade Portuguesa para o Estudo das Aves is the BirdLife Partner in Portugal.

Conservation of marines IBAs in West Africa

Posted by admin on April 19th, 2013
Conservation of marines IBAs in West Africa

Fou brun Alcatraz Guinée

The coastal area of West Africa is historically known to be highly important for seabirds and palaearctic migratory birds. This evidence was clearly highlighted by the gap analysis of the West African Marine Protected Areas Network (RAMPAO) conducted by the International Foundation of Banc d’Arguin (FIBA) in 2012 (l’analyse des lacunes du RAMPAO). Whilst most seabird nesting colonies are found on shore, to a great extent within Marine Protected Areas, their foraging and wintering areas are offshore outside existing MPAs with little or no protection measures. Furthermore, a greater percentage of the palaearctic migrants are found in unprotected coastal wetlands.

The FIBA Foundation, with the support of the MAVA Foundation has initiated a first step towards protecting these offshore areas and coastal wetlands through a seabird conservation project (Alcyon) that will support identification of critical sites and resources for seabirds. This 3-year collaborative project with BirdLife International will build on the on-going Conservation of Migratory Birds project (CMB).

Alcyon project  will promote the conservation efforts of La FIBA, BirdLife International and BirdLife project partners: Nature Mauritanie, Guinee Ecologie, Conservation Society of Sierra Leone, West Africa Bird Study Association (WABSA), Organização para a Defesa o Desenvolvimento das Zonas Humidas (ODZH).

Association Nature-Communautes-Developpement (NCD), Biosfera I – Associaçao para Defesa do Meio Ambiente. The project will provide an opportunity to monitor seabirds and to understand the threats to seabirds and use of seabirds as indicator of good fishing areas by artisanal fisher folks. Additionally, the project will contribute to identification of candidate MPAs in West Africa.

Puffins Almadies

Puffins Almadies

Written by: Julien Semelin

This post was written by:

– who has written 93 posts on BirdLife Community.

The BirdLife Africa Partnership currently operates in 23 African countries: Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Nigeria, Rwanda, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Appointments to Chilterns and Cotswolds Conservation Boards

Posted by admin on April 10th, 2013

New appointments to England’s Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Conservation Boards have been made by Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Owen Paterson. The appointments took effect at the start of April.

The post-holders are the national voice on the Conservation Boards, which have strategic responsibility for conservation and enhancement of the natural beauty of the AONB.  A Conservation Board’s purposes include increasing public understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of the area.  A Conservation Board must seek to foster the economic and social well-being of local communities within the AONB.

Three new members have been appointed for three-year terms:

• Cotswolds Conservation Board – Val Kirby;
• Cotswolds Conservation Board – Edward Macalister-Smith; and
• Chilterns  Conservation Board – Alison Doggett

Four existing members of the Cotswolds Conservation Board and three existing members of the Chilterns Conservation Board have also been re-appointed for terms ranging from one year to three years:

• Cotswolds Conservation Board – Reverend Jeffrey West;
• Cotswolds Conservation Board – Simon Randall;
• Cotswolds Conservation Board – Jo Burgon;
• Cotswolds Conservation Board – Christine Shine;
• Chilterns Conservation Board – Helen Tuff;
• Chilterns Conservation Board – Simon Mortimer; and
• Chilterns Conservation Board – Heather Barrett-Mold.

Additional information regarding the members listed will be made available on the individual AONB websites via:

http://www.cotswoldsaonb.org.uk/

http://www.chilternsaonb.org/

For information about Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), including appointments, visit:

http://www.defra.gov.uk/rural/protected/nationally/aonb/

Defra News

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New campus for world’s largest conservation ‘cluster’

Posted by admin on April 4th, 2013

An insightful lecture by Sir David Attenborough at the UK’s University of Cambridge Senate House marked the launch this week of the Cambridge Conservation Campus. The campus will become the hub for the world’s largest conservation cluster, the Cambridge Conservation Initiative (CCI) of which IUCN is a member.

IUCN – News

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Hundreds of hikers walking through Lebanon for the conservation of birds

Posted by admin on April 2nd, 2013
Hundreds of hikers walking through Lebanon for the conservation of birds

150 hikers are walking through Lebanon to promote new hunting regulations and raise awareness of the importance of bird conservation. Photo: Lebanon Mountain Trail Association

The Lebanon Mountain Trail Association (LMTA) launched on March 30, 2013 its fifth annual thru-walk from Andaket in North Lebanon.  This year, 150 hikers from 9 countries will spend up to 28 days on the trail, walking for birds and promoting new hunting regulations and sensitizing trailside communities (about 70 villages and towns) to the importance of birds and bird populations and the critical need to end hunting malpractices, including the massacre of migratory soaring birds.  Armed with Lebanon’s new hunting regulations, the group of hikers will present and discuss a string of new procedures during preset evening seminars.  These seminars are hosted in five different communities (Sir el Dannieh, Bsharre, Kfardebian, Maaser el Shouf, and Ibl es Saqi) and are organized in collaboration with the UNDP/GEF-funded Migratory Soaring Birds project which is implemented by the Ministry of Environment and BirdLife’s national partner, the Society for the Protection of Nature (SPNL).

lmta1

Additionally, the LMT group of hikers will organize two empty shell casing cleanup events on Sections 8 (Bsharre) and 12 (Kfardebian) of the LMT.  The objective is to clear tracts of landscapes and meadows that are used as hunting grounds.  The empty shell cases will be delivered to the nearest police station in an effort to remind the Internal Security Forces of their duties and responsibilities in relation to enforcing the country’s hunting regulations.  The month-long program also includes bird talks and bird watching in three of Lebanon’s protected areas two of which are also listed as Biosphere Reserves (Jabal Moussa and Al Shouf Cedars).

The group is expected to arrive in Marjayoun on April 28, 2013.

The (LMT) is the first long-distance hiking trail in Lebanon. It extends from Andaket in the north of Lebanon to Marjaayoun in the south, a 450-km path that transects more than 75 towns and villages at altitude ranging from 600 meters to 2,000 meters above sea level.  The LMT showcases the natural beauty and cultural wealth of Lebanon’s mountains, brings communities closer together, and expands economic opportunities in rural areas through environmentally and socially-responsible tourism.

lmta3

Hikers will also be clearing up empty shell cases and delivering them to police stations as a reminder to enforce the new hunting laws. Photo: Lebanon Mountain Trail Association

The objectives of the Lebanon Mountain Trail Association are to:

• Develop, maintain and protect the Lebanon Mountain Trail
• Protect the natural and cultural heritage and landmarks near the trail
• Enhance economic opportunities in trailside communities

To learn more about the trail and their activities, please visit www.lebanontrail.org

BirdLife Community

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Cambridge Conservation Initiative to create conservation campus to help transform understanding and conservation of biodiversity

Posted by admin on April 2nd, 2013
Cambridge Conservation Initiative to create conservation campus to help transform understanding and conservation of biodiversity

CCI Executive Director Dr Mike Rands (pictured right) said: “The Campus will drive a massive step change in our collaborations and in our worldwide impacts.

An insightful lecture by Sir David Attenborough (pictured left) in the University of Cambridge Senate House marked the launch of the Cambridge Conservation Campus, which will become the hub for the Cambridge Conservation Initiative (CCI), of which BirdLife International and the RSPB (BirdLife in the UK) are collaborators.
Speaking of the Conservation Campus, David Attenborough said: “The world’s biodiversity urgently needs research-driven, innovative and practical solutions for its conservation. By coming together on the Conservation Campus, CCI partners will be better able to integrate their distinct and complementary strengths to tackle the complex challenges facing the natural world in exciting new ways.”

CCI is a pioneering partnership formed between leading conservation organisations and the University of Cambridge. It seeks to transform the global understanding and conservation of biodiversity, to secure a sustainable future for all life on earth.

BirdLife is already involved in several CCI-funded projects such as “Building capacity in biodiversity conservation, ecosystems services and climate change”

This post was written by:

– who has written 51 posts on BirdLife Community.

Ade Long is Head of Communications at BirdLife International.

BirdLife receives leading international conservation award for IBA programme in the Americas

Posted by admin on March 30th, 2013
BirdLife receives leading international conservation award for IBA programme in the Americas

BirdLife received the award for its Important Birds Area (IBA) programme in the Americas

BirdLife in the Americas has received the award for Biodiversity Conservation Projects in Latin America from the BBVA Foundation (Fundación BBVA), which implements the corporate social responsibility programme of the Spanish-based BBVA banking group.

BirdLife received the award for its Important Birds Area (IBA) programme in the Americas, which “has proved of considerable aid in the design of protected-area networks in Latin America, since birds are a valuable biodiversity indicator,” according to the BBVA Foundation jury’s citation.

“Thanks to the scientific work conducted in tandem with teams and institutions in many countries, crucial information has been collated on more than 2,300 key sites in the geographical region boasting the world’s most diverse birdlife”, the citation continued. The initiative, it added, “is also providing a catalyst for new structures and organisations to work collaboratively on conservation issues across Latin American countries.”

Presenting the award, one of three with a total value of 580.000 euros, BBVA Foundation President Francisco González recognised the continuing efforts made by conservation organisations during the economic crisis.

The jury citation also highlighted the thorough scientific process and robust criteria used for the identification of IBAs.

The award was received by Amiro Peréz-Leroux, Director of the BirdLife International Americas Secretariat. “The IBA programme provides a framework for defining national and international conservation policies”, Amiro Pérez-Leroux explained. “The work of identifying IBAs is conducted on a network basis, involving multiple agents in addition to the BirdLife Partnership, but the process invariably starts at a local level.”

BBVA is a multinational group providing financial services in over 30 countries, with a strong presence in the Americas. Established in 2004, the BBVA Foundation Awards for Biodiversity Conservation recognise organisations carrying out environmental conservation programs in Spain and Latin America

This post was written by:

– who has written 40 posts on BirdLife Community.

BirdLife International has a network of NGOs and individuals in nineteen countries and territories in the Americas: Canada, Chile, United States, Bahamas, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Belize, El Salvador, Panama, Mexico, Suriname, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Bolivia, Uruguay, Paraguay, Argentina, Brazil and the Falkland Islands (Malvinas).

Review of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee

Posted by admin on March 21st, 2013

[unable to retrieve full-text content]A joint review on whether the JNCC is still needed, fit for purpose and offers value for money.
Environment and countryside

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Review of Joint Nature Conservation Committee to begin

Posted by admin on March 21st, 2013

A triennial review of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) starts today, Environment Minister, Richard Benyon announced.

The JNCC provides evidence and advice to underpin the Government’s environmental policies. The aim of the review is to look at how JNCC carries out its functions and how it might achieve better quality sustainable outcomes for the environment, the economy and for society. The review is being taken forward as a joint review with the Devolved Administrations. Defra has been working closely with JNCC and their stakeholders since December 2012 to help prepare for and inform the review.

Environment Minister Richard Benyon said:

“The evidence and advice provided by the JNCC is important in helping us achieve our nature conservation priorities both in the UK and internationally. Preserving nature for future generations is one of the greatest challenges we face as a society and we need good evidence and advice to inform how we do this.

This review gives us a chance to look at how this evidence and advice is currently provided and whether there is scope for improvement.  I want to gather ideas from people and organisations who really understand the importance of nature, its value to our economy and society.”

Defra and the Devolved Administrations are committed to conducting this Review in a timely and focussed way, allowing the JNCC to maintain usual business and provide high quality advice and evidence.

Views and supporting evidence are requested by 11 April 2013.

Preliminary conclusions will be published in the early summer.

The review documents can be found here.

Defra News

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