National Parks Conservation Association’s Post

In the book of Deuteronomy. There's a clear message about the importance of protecting natural resources. It tells us that even in times of war, it's forbidden to destroy trees just to cut off an enemy's food supply. This principle goes even further in times of peace. Emphasizing that we shouldn't harm our natural environment without good reason. This teaches us to value and preserve nature. Allowing us to witness the wonders of G-d's creation in its pure form. Each nature reserve, with its unique beauty and purpose, highlights the importance of keeping some places untouched by development. In places like the Florida coast, where beach preservation is crucial, maintaining areas without excessive development allows us to enjoy the serene beauty of beaches as they were meant to be seen. While this might not appeal to everyone. For those seeking tranquility and a chance to appreciate nature in its original state, it's truly special. Check out our property to see what I mean: https://lnkd.in/daHFFFA4

Have you ever been awed by a rugged place? As I describe here, the California desert can take your breath away. Underground water nourishes its life-giving springs. For decades, Sen. Dianne Feinstein worked to protect the desert, its places sacred to Tribes, & its most vunerable aquifer. In this brief article, I ask who will take up her legacy to prevent the plunder of this splendor. It’s an unfolding story. https://lnkd.in/dDqjkFjp

11 Days of 11 Most: Wilderness Battlefield Area, Orange County, Virginia In 1864, the Battle of the Wilderness marked a turning point in the Civil War. Following the battle, Union General Ulysses S. Grant continued south, pursuing Confederate forces and forcing their surrender the next year. Today, the Battle of the Wilderness site is one of the most intact historic battlefields in the region, welcoming nearly 500,000 visitors annually. However, not all the area’s significant sites are protected, and new developments have the potential to negatively impact this historic landscape. In 2023, Orange County approved rezoning over 2,600 acres, some located within the historic battlefield boundaries, for the “Wilderness Crossing” development. As approved, the project may include millions of square feet of data centers, distribution warehouses, commercial space, thousands of homes, and road construction on previously undeveloped land where soldiers fought and died. Advocates—concerned about potential visual intrusions, noise, and traffic—have formed a coalition including the Journey Through Hallowed Ground, American Battlefield Trust, The Piedmont Environmental Council, National Parks Conservation Association, Preservation Virginia, and others. This area has experienced development threats before: in 2010, it made the 11 Most Endangered Historic Places list when a big box store was proposed. As a result, the Wilderness Battlefield Gateway Plan was created to guide new development, and the store was built elsewhere. Advocates encourage decisionmakers to build upon these efforts, heed community opposition, and avoid negative impacts to this historic landscape. Pictured: A canon on Wilderness National Military Park. Photo by Lori Coleman/American Battlefield Trust

Sag Moraine Partnership Alert: Prairie Tour and Restoration Effort at Shooting Star Prairie in Bridgeview The Village of Bridgeview Village of Bridgeview, Township of Lyons’ Clerk’s Office, Sag Moraine Native Plant Community, and Tallgrass Associates are embarking on an exciting project to restore a hidden gem that is often overlooked in Bridgeview! Bridgeview’s Shooting Star Prairie is located on Harlem Avenue and 76th Street and is 12 acres of remnant and restored prairie. There will be a tour of the Shooting Star Prairie on Friday, June 14th from 10am-11:30am with a meeting spot in the Shark’s parking lot, weather permitting. The Shooting Star Prairie is home to many rare species of native plants, moths, crayfish, and more. The Shooting Star Prairie is a historically significant location, and a hopeful example of how focused ecological management does work to improve species diversity even when surrounded by commercial land use! The Village of Bridgeview, Township of Lyons Clerk’s Office, Sag Moraine Native Plant Community, and the Tallgrass Associates have formed a coalition of interested individuals and organizations to assist in the restoration and development of this local historical treasure. Our five- year plan includes the removal of invasive species, building of decks and seating, creating walking paths, addition of more visitor parking, and construction of educational signage. The goal is to make Shooting Star Prairie an accessible nature preserve that hosts educational opportunities, scientific research, and a place where residents can submerse themselves in a beautiful piece of Illinois history. In addition to the tour on June 14th, there will be a Clean-Up-The-Prairie Day on Friday, June 21st from 10am-12pm, weather permitting, and an Invasive-Species-Removal Day on Friday, June 28th from 10am to 12pm, weather permitting. For more information, please email Lyons Township Clerk Elyse Hoffenberg at ehoffenberg@lyonsts.com. [Image description: Background is a photograph of a meadow with a variety of native plants in it, and monarch butterfly resting on a purple coneflower. In the top right corner is a text box that says, “New Partnership to Restore Shooting Star Prairie!” At the bottom of the image is the Sag Moraine Native Plant Community logo.] #NativePlants #Prairie #EnvironmentRestoration #Environment #Conservation #Ecosystem #Community

Happy National Forest Week!  As North Carolina’s population grows, the need for recreational land increases. Expanding public lands is a major part of Three Rivers Land Trust's mission. In 2 years, we’ve added 400 acres to the beloved Uwharrie National Forest and connected 4 out of the 5 gaps in its historic trail. Celebrate our national forests - hit the trail and enjoy this beautiful land! #ConnectedToTheLand  #CommittedToConservation #Uwharrie #NationaForestWeek #UwharrieNationalForest #UwharrieTrail #NationalForest See less

Help preserve Bevis Marks synagogue! With everything going on in the world at the moment, this request may seem trivial, but it is a way you can contribute to Sephardic continuity. We need your help once again to put in place lasting protections to save Bevis Marks Synagogue and secure its future. Five minutes of your time can make a difference! The London congregation has been fighting for the City of London to protect the synagogue within a new conservation area. They now have the agreement of the City of London to put one in place, and they have launched a consultation that runs from now until 6 November 2023. However, the City has decided to consult on three boundary options for the conservation area, only one of which properly protects the synagogue and its setting. This is their third option, which we shall refer to as option #3. This option is based on a proposal that the synagogue originally submitted to the City for consideration, and for which the City’s own planning committee have shown strong approval. We won the planning battle two years ago to overturn a 47-storey proposal from the developers of 31 Bury Street. The building would have diminished the synagogue’s remaining light and overshadowed its historic setting. We now have an opportunity to ensure this kind of proposal can never happen again. This is critical as the developers are now planning to re-submit their tower proposal on the site with only the most minor of alterations. As Jews are a protected class, the City can do better. We need the City to hear your voice! The online consultation is now live. Please follow the link below to participate and select option #3. This includes 31 Bury Street as well as the historic locations of the Great Synagogue (1690), the synagogue of the resettlement (1657), and remnants of the London Wall, all of which are excluded from the City’s preferred boundary. Collectively, their inclusion will help ensure that the history of Anglo Jewry is protected and respected. Please click the link below to take part in the consultation. It only takes a few minutes. We have some talking points at the end of this message which you may consider in arguing in support of option #3, though we ask you to use your own words if possible. https://lnkd.in/erVS5XCc Finally, if you are on social media, please share the consultation link and encourage others to select option #3 before the deadline of 6 November 2023. Suggested Responses are appended in the comments.

Striving to facilitate the coexistence of woodland management and nature https://lnkd.in/eqreRwYC

Dive into a brief history of how the Presidio Tunnel Tops came to be from WaterNow Alliance's Cynthia Koehler. The Tunnel Tops, located above CA-101, opened in 2022 and helped connect people to parks, wildlife, and the Bay. Green infrastructure, including native plants, helps capture stormwater and prevent pollution from entering our local waterways. Check out this quick clip to learn more about this beautiful and important green space!

The Top 8 State Parks in Illinois

The Top 8 State Parks in Illinois