Confluence of States’ Post

History is in the making at Bears Ears National Monument, but park advocates need to speak out to make it happen. The Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service recently released a historic draft Resource Management Plan for Bears Ears, created in collaboration with five Native American Tribes. The first-of-its-kind plan for the monument’s 1.36 million acres of public land balances preservation and use — such as how the monument’s lands and resources will be cared for and protected, what recreational opportunities will be allowed, and where motorized vehicles can go and livestock can graze. These federal agencies and the Tribes are seeking your input on the draft plan, which will direct how the land will be managed for decades. The opportunity to influence the management and protection of our national monuments doesn’t come around often. That’s why it’s critical that park advocates speak out in support of Bears Ears once again. Learn more about how you can help on our blog, as well as how we got here. #BearsEars #TribalComanagement #NationalParks #ProtectOurParks #ParkAdvocacy

Did you know that the UK has 18 different species of rays that can be found around our shores? We’re excited to show off some of the incredible species spotted on the Baited Remote Underwater Videos (or BRUVs for short) sponsored by GreenTheUK business partners. Thanks to the generous support from the following businesses, we’ve sponsored 28 underwater kelp survey sites with Blue Marine Foundation and the University of Sussex along the Sussex coastline as part of the Sussex Kelp Recovery Project: Stephens Rickard, Leaders Romans Group, OMGTea Organic Matcha Green Tea, Wildscreen, Coolstays, esure Group and ARgENTUM apothecary In March 2021 the Nearshore Trawling Byelaw 2019 was approved creating one of the largest inshore areas closed to trawling in England and the first kelp recovery project in the UK. Sir David Attenborough lent his support in the early stages providing a voice over for the campaign film and welcomed the byelaw as a “landmark decision for the management of the UK’s coastal waters.” These survey sites are critical to monitoring the recovery of the kelp forest and changes in biodiversity since the local ban on trawling went into effect. Not only have we seen early signs of kelp recovery with kelp washing up on beaches for the first time in years, we’ve also seen an explosion in different marine species from undulate rays to smooth hound sharks, to whole schools of mackerel and black seabream returning in greater numbers. Check out some of the incredible species we’ve spotted here: Numerous rays and fish - https://buff.ly/49qmuBR Smooth Hound - https://buff.ly/49uCO4n Close up big ray - https://buff.ly/48BqoX7 Multiple cuttlefish - https://buff.ly/49S6TLf #marine #wildlife #conservation #kelp #kelpforest #bluemarine #greentheuk #stingray #shark #cuttlefish #climatechange #ukwildlife

Last year’s fire season was historic. While #fire is a natural part of #Alberta’s forest ecosystems, wildfires burned nearly 3.3 million hectares, or 6.6 % of the forested area, of Alberta in 2023. For reference, this is approximately equivalent to: 🔥the area burned in the previous 11 fire years combined, 🔥the size of Vancouver Island, or, 🔥50 times the size of the City of Edmonton. In response to this significant wildfire season, the ABMI has produced a science letter, “Effects of 2023 Wildfires in Alberta”. Within this letter, you will find a summary of the 2023 #wildfire season and an analysis of the ecological changes resulting from the fires, including: 🌲metrics on the extent of area burned, 🌳the percentage burned by habitat type, 🌲the shifts in average forest age, and, 🌳the impacts on various wildlife species. Read the full science letter here: https://ow.ly/tasY50R7B4y 📸 Kirstan Tereschyn

Today is #WorldWetlandsDay — a day to celebrate and raise awareness of the importance of wetland habitats and their functionality. Wetland habitats perform many key functions that serve as an ecological powerhouse in the broader ecosystem. Examples of these wetland functions include: • 🌧 Flood control • 🏞 Surface water storage • 🌎 Toxicant, nutrient, and sediment retention and removal • 🏖 Bank and shoreline stabilization • 💧 Groundwater discharge/recharge • 🕊 Recreation (hunting, fishing, etc.) • 🌻 Habitat for a variety of general and sensitive plant/wildlife species • 🐟 Aquatic habitat and thermal cover for fish species Since 1977, some form of a “no net loss” wetlands policy has been in place in the U.S. that benefits the entire planet. Ensuring that these critical ecosystems remain intact and properly functioning will continue to benefit humanity for generations to come. In his personal story of preservation, wetland scientist Erik Nyquist shares how his love for stream and wetland restoration has and will continue to have a positive impact on his home state of Montana. Check out his article here: 👉 https://lnkd.in/gVD3qZWv #WetlandsRestoration #CleanWaterAct #Wetlands #ActForWetlands

The BLM released the Rock Springs Draft Resource Management Plan that will determine future habitat management, access, and development on 3.6 million acres of BLM Lands in Wyoming for the next 20 years. These working landscapes contain important seasonal habitats and migration corridors for mule deer, elk, pronghorn, greater sage grouse, wild trout, and other species that call the region home. Help ensure hunt-fish priorities are included in the final management plan. Learn more and take action: https://bit.ly/3RUyiVz

Interesting read.

Really looking forward to following this monthly insight into invertebrates from our team! We’re excited to launch our brand new #SpeciesInTheSpotlight series! Each month, our benthic lab will take a closer look 🔍 at the weird and wonderful world of marine invertebrates. First up: the flame 🔥 shell (𝘓𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘢 𝘩𝘪𝘢𝘯𝘴). 📍 Westcoast of Scotland. These beautiful bivalves get their name from the flame-like orange tentacles emerging from the shell. They produce tough threads which weave together sediment and debris to form protective ‘nests’. Despite flame shells being only 3-4 cm in size, adjoining nests can create beds covering many hectares of the seabed!💦 These beds are considered important, and are often protected, as they increase #Biodiversity by providing a habitat for hundreds of other plants and animals. #MarineBiodiversity #EnvironmentalServices #SafeAndLiveableWorld #Fugro

Introduction I used ArcGIS Online to identify suitable cougar habitats based on two sets of criteria. I then developed two models that are visualized as maps to illustrate results and share these results within a story created using ArcGIS StoryMaps. Scenario The first map shows habitats as defined by criteria from the Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW). The second map shows potential cougar habitats as defined by criteria from the state park and I decided to use ArcGIS StoryMaps to create a story that includes both maps. https://lnkd.in/e5JSgiSW

What's new in your neck of the woods, John Day (Basin)? Glad you asked—hopefully, an increased mule deer population is in my future. 👀 With our friends at the John Day Basin Partnership, we wrapped up a years-long uplands prioritization that identified and prioritized mule deer habitat restoration projects. Why this species in particular? Because they are excellent indicators of upland health in the John Day landscape. The overarching premises guiding the project were that: 1️⃣ Restoration funds should be prioritized based on biological benefit. 2️⃣ Restoration programs should be able to demonstrate that the right work is implemented in the right place. Because land and water activities have a circular impact, our land work has trickled down to support restoration efforts in streams and riparian areas from the uplands. This means we're achieving the ridge-to-ridge approach the partnership aims for. "What I think is unique and really great about this project is that it combined local professional expertise from technical work group members, and we supplemented their input with GIS data and analysis," said Jennifer Axelrod. #UplandRestoration #WildlifeConservation #HabitatPreservation #EnvironmentalStewardship #gisanalysis

As we near the end of May, we wanted to take time to reflect on American Wetlands Month. Wetlands play a vital role in slowing, spreading and sinking water in a watershed. They also filter water, control floods and erosion, and are essential habitat for migratory birds and other wildlife. The Klamath Basin is widely recognized as an ecological gem; Teddy Roosevelt called it the “Everglades of the West”. However, we have lost 80% of our wetlands, mostly due to development in the early 20th century. It’s no coincidence that peak numbers of migratory birds in the Basin have also dropped by over 80% in the last ~60 years. Watershed Row looks to wetlands as a model: the building and site will capture, clean and recirculate all water that flows through. More broadly, Watershed Row will be a space to slow down and connect to what’s around us. Why are wetlands important to you? #AmericanWetlandsMonth