Metcalf Institute’s Post

Grays Harbor Conservation District is working on two large-scale restoration projects as part of the Chehalis Basin Strategy— a plan focused on reducing flood risks and restoring aquatic habitats in the region. The district is addressing issues along the lower Satsop River, improving salmon and steelhead trout habitat and reducing riverbank erosion. These projects involve placing engineered log jams, planting riparian forests, and controlling invasive species to restore the river's connection to its floodplain and enhance its resilience to climate change. To learn more about this work, read The Chronicle's recent article: https://bit.ly/4cMAcQt. 📸: Office of the Chehalis Basin

Big win for #conservation to finally be considered as a land use on par with other land uses, no longer "less than." We're finally codifying that our earth has value in simply existing; not just in what we can extract from it or build on top of it. Thanks, CalWild for your decades of work to push for this #policy #change.

For #WorldWetlandsDay, we're sharing this thoughtful op-ed from Margaret Renkl on the wetlands that nourish us.🌊 "Wetlands offer outsize benefits to human beings, as well, providing drinking water, filtering storm water runoff and serving as a buffer against hurricanes and storm surges. Nevertheless, too many wetlands have no or insufficient legal protections, and the creatures that live there are paying the price. Just since 1970, according to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, an intergovernmental treaty on the conservation of wetlands and their sustainable use, 81 percent of inland wetland species and 36 percent of coastal and marine species have declined. Some 25 percent of wetland species are facing extinction." Read more in The New York Times: https://lnkd.in/g7vWcbNX

Today, February 2nd is Wetlands Day. So what are Wetlands and why are they important? Up to us to educate ourselves. Here a 2 min brief. On 30 August 2021 the UN General Assembly adopted Resolution 75/317 that established 2 February as World Wetlands Day. According to the World Wetlands Day website: "Wetlands are land areas that are saturated or flooded with water either permanently or seasonally. Inland wetlands: Marshes, lakes, rivers, floodplains, peatlands and swamps  Coastal wetlands: Saltwater marshes, estuaries, mangroves, lagoons and coral reefs Human-made wetlands: Fish ponds, rice paddies and salt pans" They are very important for biodiversity, flood and erosion control, to name a few benefits, part of this ecosystem we all share. https://lnkd.in/gMUUvzza

We've been busy!! -Sustainable Management of Public Lands: More balanced management will help restore tainted lands / waters & boost the health of 300 birds & other wildlife species. -Reining in Oil and Gas Drilling on Public Lands: In addition to moving O&G devo further from wildlife habitat & cultural resources, minimum bids/fees would be brought in line with what many states require, speculative leases with little development potential would be curbed. -Protecting Alaska: AK is home to 223M acres of pristine public lands that dozens of treasured bird species like Golden Eagles & Peregrine Falcons call home. A new DOI rule will strengthen protections for 13M acres in the National Petroleum Reserve region - an invaluable breeding ground. Supporting Migratory Birds:  The Migratory Birds of the Americas Conservation Enhancements Act will help conserve more than 350 species of birds.  -Protecting Coastal Communities: The bolstered Coastal Barrier Resources Act that protects undeveloped beaches, wetlands and other coastal areas will now extend its protections for communities and vulnerable bird populations further along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts from coastal storms and flooding. -Preserving Desert Treasures: New legislation was introduced to designate a new Chuckwalla National Monument across 620,000 acres of wildlife habitat east of Joshua Tree National Park & and expand JT by ~18K acres.  Thank you National Audubon Society

News Alert! Waterfront Alliance has united with environmental advocates to express deep concern over proposed funding cuts in H.R. 7408, "America’s Wildlife Habitat Conservation Act." This misleading legislation aims to cut $700 million from NOAA: National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration crucial funds designated for conservation, restoration, and protection of coastal and marine habitats. These resources are vital for enabling our coastal communities to brace against extreme storms and adapt to changing climate conditions, supporting diverse projects that nurture marine life and ecosystems. We're calling on Congress to recognize the severe implications of undercutting NOAA's funding, which underpins projects essential for resilient coastlines and marine conservation. Join us in standing against these cuts to ensure our coastal and marine habitats receive the protection and support they deserve. Our resilience against climate change hinges on this crucial funding. Read the letter here: https://bit.ly/3PhWtfP

Exploring the potential for fire water pointscto act as refugia for native species in a drying climate 

We will continue to see this type of shift as temperatures warm. As WTD move further northward, the chance of CWD spreading to new cervid populations is very real. Plant species will also be affected as those that have evolved in traditionally cooler climates may have difficulty surviving. Species from warmer climates will most likely outcompete and replace them.

NOAA: National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration’s announcement of nearly $220 million for conservation and restoration projects across the country demonstrates how transformational policies such as the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act continue to yield benefits for people and nature. We’ve already seen the success and real-world benefits of projects supported by the first round of these grants that NOAA released last year. Now, with a new infusion of funding for projects around the country, we will be able to advance proven science-based solutions that address the dual threat of climate change and biodiversity loss. We’re also excited to announce that TNC was among today’s awardees. This new funding will support vital TNC-led conservation and restoration efforts in California, Connecticut, Hawaii, the Gulf, North Carolina and Washington. These projects – which include restoration work for wetlands, coral reefs and wildlife habitats – will leverage nature-based solutions to improve community resilience to threats like flooding as well as improve the health of local ecosystems.

Our article out today highlights the ongoing threat of habitat loss in NSW, with threatened species extinction risk worsening from logging activities. #WWF-Australia https://lnkd.in/gbK8aGKe