The United States is expected to experience as much sea-level rise by the year 2050 as it witnessed in the previous hundred years. That’s according to a NOAA-led report updating sea level increases for the U.S. The Sea Level Rise Technical Report provides the most up-to-date projections for all U.S. states and territories by decade for the next 100 years …
Nationwide Program Helping Restore and Sustain Healthy Natural Ecosystems
The nationwide program helping restore and sustain healthy natural ecosystems. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The National Resources Conservation Service – or NRCS – operates 25 Plant Materials Centers, each based in ecologically distinct areas. The purpose of the Plant Materials Center is to assemble, evaluate, and release new plant materials for conservation use. As well as …
Agricultural Associations Seek to Block Chlorpyrifos Ban
Several agricultural associations filed suit in federal court Feb. 10 seeking to block the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from prohibiting the use of the pesticide chlorpyrifos on food crops beginning Feb. 28. The Georgia Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association is among those seeking the action. According to the American Soybean Association, which is one of those suing, the agricultural associations …
Alabama Announces Signup for EQIP WLFW Eastern Hellbender Initiative
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Alabama has announced signup is underway for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Working Lands for Wildlife (WLFW) Eastern Hellbender Initiative. Alabama is joining Tennessee, Virginia, and North Carolina in this initiative which will include practices to improve water quality within streams. The Eastern Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis) is the largest salamander in the U.S. with some reaching a weight of 2 …
ACEP Working to Protect Wetlands in Florida
While wetlands are some of Florida’s treasures, over the years we’ve seen an acreage decrease of nearly half. According to a U.S Fish and Wildlife Service report, over 20 million wetland acres have been lost since settlers began draining and diking them back in the 19th century. And of course now, population growth continues to threaten what remains. USDA’s Natural Resources …
GCC, UGA Extension Remind Growers About the Importance of Soil Sampling
By Clint Thompson The Georgia Cotton Commission (GCC) and University of Georgia Extension remind growers about the importance of soil sampling this time of year. With fertilizer prices skyrocketing in recent months, producers need to have a plan about what nutrients are needed in their soils, says Glen Harris, University of Georgia (UGA) Professor and Extension Agronomist in Environmental Soil …
Ag Groups Sue EPA Over Chlorpyrifos
A group of U.S. agricultural organizations had filed a lawsuit against the Environmental Protection Agency over chlorpyrifos. DTN says the 21 groups want the agency’s pending ban on the product to be halted and eventually revoked. The lawsuit was filed as the EPA will finalize its rule revoking the food tolerances for the insecticide on February 28. That will effectively …
Predators that Threaten a Beekeeper’s Hive on the Farm
The common predators that can threaten a beekeeper’s hive on the farm. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Wild animals and insects prey on bees. One of the biggest bee predators is a Bear. They can destroy an entire hive by ripping it apart or tipping it on its side to get to the honey. Skunks enjoy eating …
DeSantis Takes Aim at Senate Environmental Proposal
(TALLAHASSEE, FL/NSF/Feb. 10, 2022) — Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday opposed a controversial Senate budget bill that critics say could affect Everglades restoration. But Senate President Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby, defended the bill as protecting restoration efforts, including a massive reservoir. Members of the Senate Appropriations Committee on Wednesday approved the bill (SB 2508), which drew opposition from environmentalists, charter boat …
Signup Now for Expanded Conservation Program Opportunities
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is offering several new and expanded opportunities for climate-smart agriculture in 2022. This includes availability of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Conservation Incentive Contracts option and a Climate Smart Agriculture and Forestry Initiative. These improvements to NRCS’ working lands conservation programs, combined with continued program opportunities across the …