Conservation Halton’s Post

🎉Every step in the right direction has to be celebrated. 🎉This week brought fantastic news for #marineconservation efforts in Ireland and Europe. With new financing secured for Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and the passing of the Nature Restoration Law, we're paving the way for a healthier #ocean ecosystem. 🌊 💶Ireland has secured €15.14million towards developing its network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in Irish waters as part of the European Commission LIFE Funding Program. Match funding of €10million will be provided by the Irish Government.🌎 💶This new funding is a great step in the right direction. A huge congratulations to all the team at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and partners at University of Galway, University College Dublin and University College Cork for securing this funding. European Funding is not for the faint-hearted, it requires huge dedication and diligence to secure. Last year Fair Seas published the first Sustainable Finance Report in Europe highlighting that Ireland needed to secure €55million to implement effective Marine Protected Areas. We're nearly halfway to our target of €55 million, thanks to this new funding. 🎯 This good news story in Ireland came just before the Nature Restoration Bill was passed in the EU this week. This bill aims to restore 20% of EU land and 20% of EU seas by 2030 and all ecosystems in need of restoration by 2050. This new European legislation coupled with our soon-to-be finalised national MPA legislation gives us hope for a brighter future for our ocean. 🌊 #FairSeas #30x30Ireland #RestoreNature P.S. The mini explorations continue down under, this photo was taken on the Gold Coast, exploring the sand and surf on Surfers Paradise Beach. The water was a balmy 26c and the surf was lively. This long stretch of beach is beautiful, it appears to go on forever with over 57km of beach and more than 40 Lifeguard stations. Very different and a bit colder than our usual West Cork beaches. 🙃

The Federal Government is investing $400,000 to help manage and protect our region’s unique Cuttlefish Coast Sanctuary Zone, helping ensure it can better cater for continually growing visitor numbers. The funding will help to develop a conservation management and tourism plan for the site, which sees thousands of Giant Australian Cuttlefish congregate along the four kilometres of shallow rocky reef each year. Led by the South Australian Government, in partnership with Whyalla City Council, this project will ensure the site is prepared for increased visitation and minimise impacts on the surrounding region. This is becoming increasingly important as numbers grow year-on-year, including a 25% increase from last year, with 2024 numbers edging close to 15,000 visitors. Read the full announcement here: https://bit.ly/4dPiT2o Tanya Plibersek; Karen Grogan

Investing in mangrove restoration and reforestation creates cascading effects for the whole town. Discover the impact of Israel Moras Narváez and the Cooperativa Carey as these #MangroveGuardians harness the power of community to guard the mangroves of Isla Arena...and build an ecotourism collective where all life-forms can flourish: https://bit.ly/3U5sqL6

Cornell STAMP's Megan Epler Wood and O'Shannon Burns collaborated with Nicole W. to publish "Measuring and managing the Invisible Burden of Tourism on Block Island, Rhode Island". A quick summary: Block Island in Rhode Island has nearly achieved the protection of 50% of the land mass of the island thanks to its property transfer tax which funds a land trust to protect valuable island biodiversity and help anticipate climate impacts. The island has become increasingly well known for its beauty and natural landscapes, and benefited during the pandemic from its proximity to major metro areas. It is now an important case in how to balance and protect nature based destinations from overtourism. This study investigates how Block Island can account for and manage its natural and socio-cultural treasures as part of its future planning for balancing tourism growth while taking into account their growing need to deliver more affordable housing, increase local safety and policing budgets, protect their water resources, and properly manage their municipal waste. Read more: https://lnkd.in/enJbfd3P.

🚨 DSG Research team member spotlight number 2!🚨 She is new to the team and ready to make an impact! Check out Emily Smith, M.S.'s fascinating thesis work on the importance of engaging tourism businesses, DMOs, elected officials, and nonprofits in assessing the impacts of state park management actions below!

Great idea right!! Not value destroying mining activities.

📢 Announcement! 📢 I am so pleased to announce that due to popular demand we have opened up another date for Billion Oyster Project #ClimateWeek Walking tours! Join us: 🗓 Saturday, September 21, 2024 🌇 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM 🌅 Bonus: Each tour ends at sunset! There’s nothing better than exploring social solutions to climate change while taking a scenic sunset walk on Governors Island About the Tours: Join us during #ClimateWeek for an enlightening walk that dives into the vital work of restoring New York Harbor's oyster reefs. These reefs play a significant role in bio-engineering solutions the increasingly extreme weather and fostering social change. Starting at the Public Exhibit House, we’ll give you an in-depth look at the Billion Oyster Project's mission to create a rich, diverse ecosystem in the harbor. https://lnkd.in/eg8MrwrU Let’s walk together toward a more sustainable future. 🌊🐚 --- ℹ FYI - We still available availability for group sign ups! 👯 **Special Opportunity for Educators and Community Groups:** If you're an undergrad/grad professor or someone who might have a group interested in attending a tour, we have Scheduled Walking Tours available for groups of 25-30. These tours offer a behind-the-scenes look at our operations and provide a detailed understanding of the Billion Oyster Project’s mission and the oyster restoration cycle at our facilities. Times vary based on the group’s needs. Please reach out to publicoutreach@billionoysterproject.org schedule your group’s tour. #ClimateWeekNYC #BillionOysterProject #Sustainability #OysterRestoration #SocialChange #GovernorsIsland #HigherEd #CommunityEngagement

What country does this flag belong to? New Zealand The flag of New Zealand features a dark blue field with the Union Jack in the canton, representing the country's historical ties to Great Britain. On the right, four red stars with white borders are arranged in the Southern Cross constellation, a prominent feature in the Southern Hemisphere sky. This design reflects New Zealand’s unique identity, blending its British colonial heritage with its distinct geographical and cultural characteristics. New Zealand, an island nation located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, comprises the North Island and the South Island, along with numerous smaller islands. Known for its breathtaking landscapes, ranging from rugged mountains and lush forests to stunning coastlines, New Zealand is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. The country is also renowned for its rich Māori culture, which is an integral part of its national identity. The Māori people, the indigenous inhabitants of New Zealand, have a profound influence on the nation’s language, arts, and traditions. In addition to its natural beauty and cultural richness, New Zealand is known for its progressive policies and high quality of life. The country consistently ranks highly in global indices for safety, education, and environmental sustainability. Its economy is diverse, with key sectors including agriculture, tourism, and technology. New Zealand's commitment to conservation and protecting its unique ecosystems is evident in its numerous national parks and wildlife reserves, which are home to many endemic species. The nation's vibrant cities, such as Auckland and Wellington, offer a mix of modern amenities and cultural experiences, making it an attractive destination for travelers and expatriates alike. Overall, New Zealand’s flag serves as a symbol of its history, culture, and natural wonders, embodying the spirit of a nation that is both welcoming and adventurous.

#Walesplan24 #RTPICymru Wales Planning Conference breakout sessions covered wide-ranging topics in the hope of providing something of interest to everyone. Jonathan Cawley led a session on sustainable tourism, which considered the car-use impacts of tourism on Eryri National Park and ways of addressing the local impact vs the risks of deterring visitors who opt for foreign holidays with a worse carbon footprint and no local economic benefit. Improved rail park and ride offers one opportunity. #FrancisTaylorBuilding provided a valuable update on relevant case law, including Finch, a ruling that emerged this morning. I'm always in awe of the brain capacity of barristers to absorb brand new information. Lindsay Christian and Amy Longford led a discussion on decarbonising Wales' 30000 Listed Buildings and other heritage buildings, recognising the importance of keeping buildings in use to preserve heritage assets. "There's always something you CAN do". And linking back to housing delivery, how can we align reuse of town centre heritage buildings for affordable housing with flexibility regarding WHQS to access funding. Nick Bennett and Rebecca Williams spoke about the economic benefits of decarbonisation in terms of direct and indirect job creation and investment.

one step closer to make peatlands real main characters in the mitigation of climate change.