Insignia Environmental’s Post

Interesting read.

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

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

The modern fire problem we face requires a deep shift in our societal understanding of wildland fire and how we leverage it. Unbalanced, overgrown, and ecologically stressed landscapes are increasingly susceptible to extreme fire behavior. Putting good fire back into these ecosystems can result in a wide range of ecological and cultural benefits – from promoting growth of culturally-significant plants to mitigating future wildfire risk. Intentional fire, a subset of beneficial fire, is one key approach we can take to better cultivate a relationship with the land, build community around stewardship practices, and improve overall resilience to catastrophic wildfire. To help you learn more about this approach and how it impacts our landscapes, we’ve launched a new, educational website centered on intentional fire. Click here to explore: https://lnkd.in/gX7MHz5z. #climateandwildfire #wildfire #wildlandfire #extremefire #firerisk #firemanagement #intentionalfire #beneficialfire #goodfire #prescribedfire #culturalfire #fireecology #landstewardship #landscaperesilience

Old-growth forests, like the Tongass Natl. Forest, are significant for sustaining life on Earth. Air quality, water quality, food quality, soil quality, LIFE quality. 🌲 #interconnected #sustainability #biodiversity #doyourpart #littlethingsmatter #roots #ecology #soilhealth #biome

Interesting article. 🦫

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

As it’s International Day of Action for Rivers today, we thought we’d boast a bit about the impact that our riparian woodlands can have on the rivers they’re planted along. Trees help to stabilise riverbanks and reduce erosion and sediment load flowing downstream. This, in addition to the shading and woody debris they provide as they grow, is hugely beneficial to species that live in these ecosystems. Bowshiel is a great example of such a project, which has a section of woodland planted along a waterway. “Already, the water quality is noticeably different. There are more brown trout, newts and butterflies, otters, birds of prey, adders…” Watch the video for more: #internationaldayofactionforrivers #naturebasedsolutions #woodlands #rivers

Longleaf pine were once the dominant species over vast areas of the southeastern United States. Natural fire from lightning strikes during growing seasons which burned unchecked until stopped by natural barriers shaped the savanna’s , promoting the growth of fire resistant/ dependent pines, forbs, and grasses. To re-establish this ecosystem, fire will once again have to be a predominant management tool. Society will have to be educated to the benefits and need of fire to recover what once was. #longleafpines #prescribedfire #ecosystemrestoration #foresteducation

OPINION: Fighting Fire With Fire: The Demise of Prometheus As the wildfire crisis in the American West reaches a tipping point, it’s time for a candid conversation about the role of federal agencies in managing forests and fighting this plague of devastating fires. LAKE TAHOE, NV.  As the American West grapples with an unprecedented wildfire crisis, a sobering reality emerges: our approach to forest management is not just flawed, but potentially catastrophic. The concept of using fire to fight fire, once hailed as innovative, now stands as a testament to our hubris in the face of nature’s raw power. With over 100 million acres of national forests dead or dying, we’re sitting on a powder keg. https://lnkd.in/gcaNSDFi