Ecology in Classrooms & Outdoors (ECO)’s Post

Happy Pollinator Week! This annual celebration, initiated by our friends at Pollinator Partnership, reminds us of the indispensable role pollinators play in nurturing our ecosystems. From the humble bee to the majestic butterfly, these vital creatures ensure the proliferation of fruits, nuts, vegetables, and seeds that sustain life as we know it. At the Monarch Joint Venture, we're deeply committed to conserving monarchs and their habitats, knowing that their well-being reverberates throughout the entire ecosystem. Below are ways you can support the conservation of monarchs and other pollinators. 🌱Create habitat: Plant milkweed and other native flowering plants. 🐝Report observations: Participate in community science projects, such as tagging or habitat monitoring. 🧑🏫Educate others: The Monarch Joint Venture offers monthly webinars and a variety of free education resources for teachers and the general public. 🤝Make Connections: Consider the circles of people and groups in your life and invite them to connect with the MJV and our growing partner network. 💰Contribute financially: Donate today and help ensure that resources are available to help the Monarch Joint Venture and other conservation-focused organizations implement the science-based recommendations in the Monarch Conservation Implementation Framework. 🏃Walk, run, hike, roll, or paddle. As an individual or with a team, participate in Miles for Monarchs to help raise funds and awareness for monarch conservation. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/gJCANV_V #PollinatorWeek #Bees #Butterflies #Pollinators #GardenForPollinators #ProtectPollinators #PlantForPollinators #MonarchButterflies #SaveTheMonarchs #MonarchConservation #ButterflyMigration #ButterflyConservation #MonarchLovers #MonarchWaystation #ButterflyGarden #PlantNative #PlantDiverse #Plantmilkweed

🐣 For anyone who joined an egg hunt this past weekend, did you find all the eggs? 🌳 What about a tree hunt? On March 23rd & 24th a team of Community Scientists set out to find 129 trees out of 25,600 in our Carbon Study! How did we do it? Technology and maps! During our Big Tree Measure in October 2023, each of the individually bar-coded trees in our study was geopositioned, giving us an accurate location for each tree. Thanks to Ellaline Luzby, a Masters of Geography student at Swansea University, this data was converted to easy-to-use maps, showing us the location of the trees. 🌱 Once discovered the trees were replaced and remeasured. Why replace trees? In 2023 Glandwr Forest (and much of the UK) experienced 6 weeks without rainfall early in the growing season. This was the largest drought we have experienced since our carbon study began and a number of trees did not make it, particularly in exposed areas with thin topsoil. 💚 A big THANK YOU to all the volunteers who came out to join us! Mission accomplished. ⬇️ Full story in our latest blog. #EggHunt #Trees #CitizenScience #Volunteering #Geopositioning https://lnkd.in/g6u9bWdz

I have a new paper out in Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly (ARNOVA)!   Nonprofits are vital to the implementation of social policy, and their location can determine service access and the allocation of auxiliary benefits, such as civic infrastructure which can enhance collective efficacy.   In this paper, I conceptualize ecological processes at the local level and in the context of neoliberal developmental regimes. I build constituent legitimacy from the process of cognitive legitimation, and consider nonprofit founding rates over space and time in small areas (neighborhoods) over 7 years in one Northeast Ohio county.   I implement a GMRF to handle spatial and temporal variation which result from the communication patterns underlying constituent legitimacy. I find that the density dependence hypothesis is broadly supported among smaller areas, however, I argue the estimated function shows that competition is diffused throughout the region, while legitimacy is a local phenomenon. I also find founding rates are lower in areas with higher levels of economic disadvantage and higher shares of Hispanic or Latino residents, which I suggest result from market-oriented developmental regimes. My thanks to the editors and reviewers for their helpful comments and support of the work!

Echofy – Environment, Ecology & Solar Energy HTML5 Template #activism, #animal, #charity, #donation, #eco, #ecology, #environment, #environmental, #event, #foundation, #fundraising, #html #template, #nonprofit, #renewable #energy

A Universe of Moon Jellies in Puget Sound 🌊 Have you noticed an increase in "jellies" while out on the water? Working with Tribal fishers during salmon harvest revealed that Moon Jellies (Aurelia labiata) are more numerous than they used to be. Researchers started to notice an intensification of the blooms after the marine heat wave in 2015-2016 Moon Jellies play an interesting role in Puget Sound's ecology. These gelatinous creatures may be less susceptible to changes in water quality and climate impacts, making them resilient inhabitants of our marine environment. Their presence can indicate shifts in the ecosystem, often thriving where other species struggle. Understanding and protecting the delicate balance of Puget Sound is crucial. At EarthViews Conservation Society, we are dedicated to documenting and preserving this unique marine habitat. Your support helps us continue this vital work. Join Us in Protecting Puget Sound! Donate to support our conservation efforts. Learn more and get involved by visiting our website: Link in Bio - earthviewsociety.org #MoonJellies #PugetSound #MarineConservation #ProtectOurWaterways #EarthViewsConservation #ClimateChange #Donate #JoinUs

“The rewilding of South Georgia amounts to the single most uplifting environmental story in the world” - Ted Cheeseman, Travel Expert and founder of conservation project happywhale.com South Georgia is a beacon of hope for conservation – it shows so powerfully that ecological restoration is possible and that nature heals when given the chance. We hope you can donate today or this week as part of the Green Match Fund campaign. You can make the most of the matched funding pot so you can make one donation and have twice the impact at South Georgia! Please follow the link below or in our bio to make a donation to SGHT. https://lnkd.in/ehSeUWNM The South Georgia Heritage Trust worked for over a decade with the Government of South Georgia & The South Sandwich Islands (GSGSSI) and Friends of South Georgia Island to rid the island of invasive rodents brought to the island during the sealing and whaling years during the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries. The island was declared rodent-free in 2018 after years of fundraising and operational delivery. It has given native bird species a chance to recover after some were at the brink of extinction. Many are bouncing back at remarkable rates. But beyond the island’s birds’ fledgling comeback there’s a story in the seas that’s as powerful – South Georgia’s whales are returning the island’s waters after being hunted to oblivion in the first half of the twentieth century. There’s still much work to be done through the delivery of scientific research and conservation projects on island and in its seas to help species continue along the road to recovery. There’s also work to be done to share the story of South Georgia’s birds and whales recovering from persecution. Link in our bio to make a donation to SGHT. #whale #whalelover #whales #HumpbackWhale #HumpbackWhales #SaveTheWhales #SouthGeorgia #GreenMatchFund #BritishAntarcticSurvey #nature #FrozenPlanet #antarctica #polar #SouthGeorgiaIsland #instanature #rewilding #EcologicalRestoration #EcologicalRecovery #ReversingBiodiversityLoss @BigGive @biggiveorg @BigGive.org

🌿🌍 A groundbreaking global study led by the University of Surrey has revealed the remarkable impact of wetlands, parks, and botanical gardens on cooling cities during heatwaves 🌡️ Professor Prashant Kumar, Director of Surrey's Global Centre for Clean Air Research (GCARE), says green spaces and waterways have a significant role in cooling urban environments. From the shade provided by trees to the air-cooling effect of evaporating water, the study provides a detailed understanding of why these areas are essential for mitigating heat. Key findings from the study show that botanical gardens can lower city temperatures by an average of -5°C during heatwaves, with wetlands and parks following closely with -4.7°C and -3.2°C averages, respectively. The research emphasizes that the impact varies based on local factors but highlights the potential of creating 'green corridors' by connecting green spaces for even greater cooling benefits. 🌳 Support our project to restore waterways in our towns and cities and help us preserve and expand green spaces for a cooler and more sustainable urban future: https://lnkd.in/gfA-emjE https://lnkd.in/gFhrcyqZ Source: Global Study: Wetlands, Parks Key to Cooling Cities in Heatwaves | Mirage News #Biodiversity #GreenInfrastructure #ClimateResilience

🌿 Today is World Rewilding Day! 'Rewilding' is NOT just a fashionable term some ecologists use lightly without real context so let’s explore what Rewilding really is. And let’s do it with a nod to our dearly missed friend Frans de Waal - it all begins with empathy. 🦫 So what is rewilding? Put simply, rewilding is the act of restoring an area of land (or sea!) to a more ‘natural’ state. This may involve reverting human-sculpted landscapes, reintroducing lost or extinct species and supporting struggling natural processes. Some specific examples include re-wiggling straightened rivers or bringing back beavers or wolves. ✨ What rewilding is NOT? Contrary to what some might imagine, rewilding is not just walking away from an area and leaving nature ‘to take over’. Humans have changed our landscapes and ecosystems so much that we have made it near-impossible for nature to restore itself without a little help. There are lots of brilliant benefits to rewilding. (It’s basically a win-win for people, the planet, flora, fauna, and funga!) Discover some of these advantages in the infographic and examples below. 💪 How can I support rewilding? If you’d like to support rewilding efforts, check out organizations like Global #RewildingAlliance, #Rewild or #sanctuarylife and see what you can do to help. (Normally donating funds or your time is a pretty good place to start!) If you’re as fascinated by rewilding as I am, you’ll find some more info in the partnership & programs our #SisterSanctuaries offer! And of course help us #RelistWolves www.RelistWolves.org All Wolves Matter just as all species matter in ecosystem health! National Geographic Society #rewilding #worldrewildingday #restoration #nature #environment #sustainability #regeneration

5 quick facts about the benefit of Buffalo, a #keystonespecies: Buffalo primarily inhabit grasslands, prairies, and plains. These ecosystems are characterized by their rich biodiversity, including a variety of grasses, flowering plants, and shrubs. The presence of buffalo plays a crucial role in maintaining and improving the biodiversity of these habitats. By grazing, buffalo help control plant growth, preventing any single species from dominating. Their movement across the landscape promotes soil health through natural fertilization and aeration, encouraging a diverse range of plant species to thrive. This, in turn, supports a wide array of wildlife, including insects, birds, and other mammals, contributing to a balanced and vibrant ecosystem. The reintroduction of buffalo to certain areas has been shown to restore degraded grasslands, enhance plant diversity, and improve the overall health of the environment. 🦬 You can help support our efforts such as solar-powered wells for our rancher partners! No amount is too small to help them have better access to water for their herds. You can donate here: https://lnkd.in/g_Zc-mWu #TankaFund #LandsLivesEconomies #Donate #Buffalo #Bison #TheReturn #NativeAmerican #Indigenous #Resilience #ClimateRestoration #CommunityEmpowerment #EnvironmentalSustainability #SustainableRanching #BuffaloRanching #CulturalRevitalization #Biodiversity #TankaImpact

THE 2ND CASEBOOK OF DR. D. R. SLATER No. 97: A Shady Afternoon Of Tree-Related Learning There are a lot of good insights one gets when teaching for years, of which these two are worth bearing in mind: 🔸Everyone attending a teaching session comes away with something different that they have 'learnt'; different and individualized compared with what has been learnt by any other person attending, whatever the teacher tries to achieve in that session 🔸Often, an unprepared session of teaching works a lot better than one that is highly pre-planned and prepped Bearing both of these factors in mind, I had a good time talking about woodland and trees at Freeman's Wood, Lancaster, yesterday (Sunday) - meeting with a group of Lancastrians with general interest in this site - and in trees. This is a secondary woodland that has generated on the site of an old linoleum factory after it was demolished, connecting on its northern side to a popular cycle-track. Threatened with development several times, it has been saved as a natural resource for the citizens of Lancaster - and the Friends group is very active in making environmental improvements to the site (which is still seriously littered with industrial levels of linoleum and other contaminants. Key aspects of my talk were associated with how the site could gain greater biodiversity through planting and management. Currently, there are only four dominant woody species on this site: hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna), sallow (Salix caprea), sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus) and ash (Fraxinus excelsior) - the latter often exhibiting signs of ash dieback. We considered meandering woodland boundaries, ecotones, creation of snags and coppicing, as well as introducing new (mostly native) species to this limited mix of woody plants. This unplanned walk-and-talk seemed to go well - lots of good questions from those attending - and a lot of time spent in the shade, which was good on a hot afternoon in Lancashire 😎🌞🌳🌳 LESSON LEARNT: The best teaching sessions are not necessarily the highly planned ones: rather, there is a meeting of minds and discussion that is productive for all. #casebookofdrslater #trees #arboriculture #Lancaster #woodlandmanagement #teaching #insights #ecosystems #charity #ecotones #snags #biodiversity #greenerfuture