The DDC Group’s Post

“To #rewild and repeople Scotland, we need to re-embrace Dùthchas: a sense of belonging to and responsibility for a place.” That’s the message behind this joint piece by Kevin Cumming (Rewilding Britain, The Scottish Rewilding Alliance and The Langholm Initiative) and Ailsa Raeburn (Community Land Scotland and the Isle of Eigg Heritage Trust). They call for the land reform and rewilding movements to explore their ‘‘extensive common ground” and work together to deliver shared goals. This includes helping Scotland become a world leader in restoring land and seas and empowering communities. Many communities are already re-embracing the Gaelic ‘Dùthchas’ concept and taking action. Highlighted are some of the inspiring rewilding initiatives that are recovering nature, creating jobs and supporting local economies, including Langholm, south Scotland’s largest community buyout, and Trees for Life’s Dundreggan Rewilding Centre. Explore what else could be achieved by embracing Dùthchas 👇 https://lnkd.in/exbfc7pb

#Rewilding isn't about removing communities, but restoring nature to their heart - something we've seen in action across our #Northwoods network. This joint position statement by The Scottish Rewilding Alliance and Community Land Scotland challenges the idea that land reform and rewilding should be at odds, and asks both to re-embrace Dúthchas: the deep-rooted bond between people, culture and nature: https://lnkd.in/gSytBxfA

In 2015, the Murray Darling Wetlands Working Group, The Nature Conservancy (Australia) and Kilter Rural, launched the Murray-Darling Basin Balanced Water Fund, the first investment vehicle in Australia to provide investors with the opportunity to achieve multiple objectives of securing water for agriculture, realising a financial return and restoring threatened wetlands. Below on the Riverspace site, you can see the wetlands and projects supported by donations of water we are managing in collaboration with many community and government organisations. The estimated 30,000 wetlands within the Murray-Darling Basin are highly diverse, ranging from vast floodplains, billabongs, and swamps to smaller wetlands and streams. The wetlands are home to a wide variety of plants and animals, including several threatened and endangered species. Please take a moment to consider making a donation that will go towards restoration and protection of our wetlands. https://riverspace.au/

With its latest evaluation report, the U.S. EPA Office of Inspector General continues its focus on the use of infrastructure funds at superfund sites. This report has monetary and health implications, noting that persistent deficiencies put IIJA funds at risk. #epa #oig #infrastructure #oversight #iija #superfund #npl #evaluation

RES is proud to be an inaugural member of the new partnership announced by the White House yesterday to conserve and restore our country’s rivers, lakes, streams, and wetlands. Sam Burley represented RES at the Water Summit, where this initiative was announced, and was impressed by the specific numerical goals – protecting, restoring, or reconnecting 8 million acres of freshwater wetlands and 100,000 miles of rivers and streams. Another point of pride for us: The event included an updated version of a short film, Restoring Balance, created by Swiftwater Films Inc. and RES. It’s an example of states, NGOs, and Tribes working together to remove dams and restore the river – in this case, the Klamath River in California and Oregon – improving critical salmon habitat and water quality as well as restoring the culture of Tribes dependent on the salmon. RES is spearheading the restoration following the breach of the dams in January. Restoring resiliency at a scale that matters, keeping nature in balance with our human footprint, is what RES and our industry is all about. New Restoring Balance Film (3 minutes): https://lnkd.in/gNDsxKk9 White House Freshwater Initiative Fact Sheet: https://lnkd.in/gdiAr_ST #freshwater #WeAreRES #KlamathRiverRenewal #KlamathRiverRestoration 

It is so simple....🌳🌿 No matter how many times it has been said getting outside, in nature, is just so beneficial. For nearly 2 years, I've volunteered with the Bournemouth National Trust Volunteers and every moment outdoors reaffirms the incredible impact of nature. 🌟 This Sunday, I joined a fantastic team of 15 at Brownsea Island, partnering with a National Trust park ranger to support their Countryside Stewardship scheme. 🏞️ Our tasks include trimming invasive rhododendrons and selectively thinning trees (not chopping them down!) to allow more light for heather growth. Heather, a vital habitat rarer than rainforests, holds immense importance for Brownsea's ecosystem. If not managed properly, it could succumb to tree species like Scots pine and birch. 🌲 Moreover, heathlands play a crucial role in carbon storage, boasting some of the highest levels per unit area among habitats. Protecting these areas is not only vital for biodiversity but also critical for maintaining carbon stocks. 🌍 Below is a short film I have created highlighting the beauty of the island and the work we carry out. Enjoy. Ps. By the way, I'm currently seeking opportunities to produce more video content for organizations involved in nature conservation. Equipped with the necessary tools and expertise, I'm eager to collaborate on projects that raise awareness for important causes. Feel free to reach out and connect if you have an engaging project in mind! 🎥 #NatureConservation #Volunteering #BrownseaIsland #Biodiversity #CarbonStorage #nationaltrust #conservation #greenplanet https://lnkd.in/de2CTDkB

❓ If you’re confused about everything going on in the Latrobe Valley, and the implications for the Durt’Yowan (Latrobe River), you’re not alone. From mine rehabilitation plans, to water reallocation to developing the vision for the water future for the Latrobe Valley – there’s a lot happening. Luckily West Gippsland CMA’s Strategic Lead – Latrobe, Anthony Goode (Goodie) is here to bring us up to speed as we continue our work to restore Durt’Yowan from a working river to a river that works again. What's been happening: 👉 Public consultation on the environmental effects of the Hazelwood Rehabilitation Project will open later this year. ✍️ We’ll keep you posted on your chance to have input. 👉16 gigalitres of water 💧 (that’s 16 billion litres) previously reserved for future mine expansion will be reallocated to Traditional Owners, irrigators and the environment. 👉Organisations across Gippsland’s water sector are scoping a joint vision and plan for the water future of the Latrobe River. This is an exciting opportunity to reimagine the water future of the Latrobe for the benefit of the whole Gippsland community and environment. We’ll also keep you posted on how this partnership is progressing and how you can be involved. 🤝 👉Want to know more? Get the full update at https://bit.ly/3TSaYtL 〰️ West Gippsland CMA is working with Traditional Owners, government, community groups and partner organisations to continue the long process of restoring Durt’Yowan (Latrobe River) from a working river to a river that works again. Find out more at https://bit.ly/3Vrsc2d #CMAsGetItDone #Latrobe #DurtYowan #Gippsland #WaterWednesday

Great to see Bi-Partisan progress in regard to protecting our limited water resources. A “net-zero” in wetland reduction is a tall task, especially when federal protections are minimized through SCOTUS rulings. Interested to watch the development of these lofty goals. #CleanWaterCleanWorld.

TSF is playing an important role in conserving, improving, and protecting our nation's cold water resources while providing angling opportunities for future generations. Take five minutes to learn more about TSF's work!

If you've ever been out to Caddo Lake, you know what a special place it is! Over the past year, I've had the pleasure of collaborating with Caddo Lake Institute (CLI) through our Conservation Wrangler program, and I'm excited to share this blog outlining a few of the things we have worked on together. Read more about how CLI is working to protect this ecological jewel for generations to come: