By purchasing 954 acres of forested land, the Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest has added to its swath of the map in the neighborhood of Louisville and Fort Knox.
"In an action designed to help conserve a bat population facing depletion by disease and lost habitat, Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest has annexed a 954-acre wooded plateau for $1.4 million," reports Sheldon S. Shafer in Louisville. The addition is the largest addition to the Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest since its creation in 1928. "The new land — mostly a mesa called the Big Level — brings the Bernheim holdings near Clermont to 15,625 acres," adds Shafer.
Funding for the purchase came from grants administered by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service's Imperiled Bat Conservation Fund. Eventually, the land will be open for guided hikes and educational programs, but will be mostly restricted to access for researchers.
The issue of habitat protection for bats is important in this part of the country. Bats feed on moths and insects that pose a threat to crops. The new land is home to 12 species of bat, according to Shafer, "[i]ncluding the Indiana bat that is a federally endangered species and the northern long-eared bat that is threatened."
FULL STORY: Bernheim Forest makes major land acquisition to protect bats
Desert Species, Endangered by Climate Change and Renewable Energy, Create Controversy
The wind strewn and sunny parts of California are home to many species threatened both by climate change and renewable energy facilities like wind and solar power facilities. What is an environmentalist to do?
Trump Administration's New CA Water Plan Chooses Farmers Over Fish
A plan to divert water to farmers in California, released at the end of October, would allow for the annihilation of winter-run Chinook Salmon.
Trump Administration Finds a Way to Divert California Water to Farmers
A new federal program will clear the way for more water to be delivered to the state of California's agriculture industry, overruling environmental safeguards that protected fish.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning
SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.
The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs
The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.
Vehicle-related Deaths Drop 29% in Richmond, VA
The seventh year of the city's Vision Zero strategy also cut the number of people killed in alcohol-related crashes by half.
Seattle's Plan for Adopting Driverless Cars
Equity, safety, accessibility and affordability are front of mind as the city prepares for robotaxis and other autonomous vehicles.
As Trump Phases Out FEMA, Is It Time to Flee the Floodplains?
With less federal funding available for disaster relief efforts, the need to relocate at-risk communities is more urgent than ever.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)