Conservation

Looking up at giant sequoias in Mariposa Grove in Yosemite National Park at sunrise with sun's rays coming through trees

Public Lands in the United States, Part One: “Redeemed From Wilderness”

This is part one in a blog series examining the history of public lands in the United States and their shifting role in the American psyche.

May 31, 2023 - Diana Ionescu

View of wetlands in South Carolina at sunrise or sunset

Supreme Court Limits Clean Water Act’s Power

A recent ruling ‘dramatically’ restricts the law’s reach when it comes to protecting wetlands.

May 31, 2023 - Politico

A bale if hay is rolled up in an expansive agricultural landscape.

Conservation Easement Program Protects 100,000 Acres of Agricultural Land in New York State

A state famous for its largest city is making a concerted effort to protect agricultural lands as part of a larger national push.

May 9, 2023 - Governor Kathy Hochul

Aerial view of Eel River running through California forest

The Nation’s Most Endangered Rivers

An annual list from American Rivers highlights the waterways most at risk from climate change, poor water management, pollution, and other dangers.

April 19, 2023 - American Rivers

Herd of bison grazing in green field with snow-capped Wyoming mountains in background

Public Lands Rule Would Center Conservation

After decades of protecting extractive interests, federal law could reverse course and put conservation on par with other uses.

April 16, 2023 - High Country News

A view of the Pacific Ocean and California coastline from high in the Santa Monica Mountains.

California's Wildlife Conservation Board Funds Projects to Restore and Protect Habitats

The Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) just approved approximately $51.83 million in grants to help restore and protect fish and wildlife habitat throughout California.

February 20, 2023 - California Department of Fish and Wildlife

Concrete walking and biking trail winding through trees and bushes

Data-Driven Effort to Re-envision Conservation and Prioritize Vulnerable Communities

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has approved the 2022 Parks Needs Assessment Plus (PNA+), which focuses on environmental conservation and restoration, regional recreation, and rural recreation.

December 28, 2022 - National Recreation and Park Association Open Space Blog

A small dam located in a rural location.

The Year in Public Lands

Public policy decisions that will impact land and water conservation in the American West.

December 27, 2022 - High Country News

View from half underwater and half above water in mangrove forest in Indonesia with red starfish on coral

Historic Conservation Agreement Reached on Last Day of COP15

The international framework pledges to protect 30 percent of land and water by 2030, but critics say it doesn’t go far enough to address the urgency of biodiversity loss and climate change.

December 21, 2022 - CNBC

View of park ranger with tan hat from behind, ranger looking out at Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Western Voters: Yes to Conservation, No to Extremism

Voters in Western states generally favored candidates who support public land conservation in this November’s election and rejected extremist rhetoric.

November 29, 2022 - High Country News

Colorful sunset viewed from rockly shoreline on Chesapeake Bay with dock in distance

Federal Protection Proposed for Chesapeake Bay

Two Maryland lawmakers will introduce legislation to create the Chesapeake Bay National Recreation Area to protect the region’s important ecological and cultural resources.

November 16, 2022 - The Washington Post

Aerial view of New Orleans port with cranes and barges and skyline in background

Proposed Legislation Sounds Alarm on Mississippi River Drought

Without concerted restoration efforts, the river’s historically low levels could dramatically impact shipping activities and economic development throughout the region.

November 15, 2022 - American Rivers

View of desert mountains with yucca plant and cholla in foreground

New National Monument Proposed South of Joshua Tree

The 700,000 acre monument would protect threatened species and important historic and cultural sites.

October 31, 2022 - The Press-Enterprise

Rolling green hills in San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles

New Parks Needs Assessment Standards in L.A. County

The report contains data and analyses in support of expanding land conservation and restoration, transit to parks, and other strategies to meet regional and rural needs in Los Angeles County.

September 19, 2022 - National Recreation and Park Association Open Space Blog

A view of the Pacific Ocean and California coastline from high in the Santa Monica Mountains.

Preserving More Hillside Land for Conservation and Biodiversity

The Los Angeles City Council recently approved an ordinance giving the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy first right of refusal to purchase any surplus hillside land owned by the city so it can be preserved.

June 27, 2022 - Beverly Press

View from the summit of Hazard Peak in Montana de Oro State Park, San Luis Obispo County, California

Chumash Tribe Opposes Offshore Wind in Proposed Marine Sanctuary

Environmentalists decry the proposed wind farm as harmful to the fragile ecosystem of the Central California coast.

March 24, 2022 - Los Angeles Times

Wastewater California

What Is CEQA?

Designed to assess the environmental impacts of new projects and provide mitigation measures, the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) has a controversial history, sometimes serving as a convenient tool for groups intent on stopping or slowing development.

March 16, 2022 - Diana Ionescu

Florida Everglades

Everglades Restoration To Receive $1.1 Billion in Federal Funds

An 'unprecedented' investment of more than one billion dollars will go toward efforts to restore and conserve the fragile and troubled South Florida ecosystem.

February 14, 2022 - Inside Climate News

Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

The Sixth Extinction Has Likely Already Begun

Scientists believe we have entered a sixth mass extinction event, calling for conservation and documentation of species before they are lost forever.

January 25, 2022 - Vice

A line of trees next to open grass land at the Ridges Sanctuary in Wisconsin.

Land Trusts Had a Big Decade

Land trusts are diversifying, racking up victories, and conserving millions of acres of land in recent years, according to a recent report.

January 11, 2022 - Penn Live

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