A growing body of evidence suggests that biodiversity loss increases our exposure to both new and established zoonotic pathogens. Restoring and protecting nature is essential to preventing future pandemics. So reports a new Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) paper that synthesizes current understanding about how biodiversity affects human health and provides recommendations for future research to guide management. [Read more…] about New Study Considers Wildlife Diversity And Zoonotic Disease
Nature
Bald Eagle Numbers On The Rise
In March, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced the latest population estimate for Bald Eagles. Some 316,000 eagles now cruise the skies in the Lower 48 — more than four times the previous estimate, from 2009. [Read more…] about Bald Eagle Numbers On The Rise
Salmon Net Pen-Rearing Projects set for Lake Champlain, Ontario
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is deploying two new pen-rearing projects for Atlantic salmon to begin this spring. In an effort to improve post-stocking survival and imprinting to the stocked water, experimental Atlantic salmon pen-rearing projects will be conducted in the Saranac River estuary in Lake Champlain and in the Salmon River in Lake Ontario. [Read more…] about Salmon Net Pen-Rearing Projects set for Lake Champlain, Ontario
New Technology Being Deployed At Lake Agawam Algal Blooms
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced the start of a new research project to evaluate the potential efficacy of ultrasonic devices to reduce harmful algal blooms (HABs) on Lake Agawam in the village of Southampton on Long Island. [Read more…] about New Technology Being Deployed At Lake Agawam Algal Blooms
New York’s Whaling Industry: Some History
In 2011, the nonprofit Gotham Whale recorded just five humpbacks spotted off New York City. Since then, the number has soared. By 2018, sightings had jumped to 272. Less than a year later, 377 whales of different species were observed.
A recent Discover Magazine article cites two main factors that drive the increasing presence of whales. [Read more…] about New York’s Whaling Industry: Some History
The Northern Harrier: One Unusual Hawk
Erie was perched on a sunny branch when I met her on a cold day in March. She turned her head this way and that to survey her surroundings at the Vermont Institute of Natural Sciences (VINS).
She is a slender hawk, brown above, with a dark-streaked, buff breast and a long, barred tail. A ring of light-colored feathers surrounds her face, giving her a facial disc similar to that of an owl. [Read more…] about The Northern Harrier: One Unusual Hawk
Tips For Green Spring Cleaning
It’s spring cleaning time. Do it in a green way. There are natural household items that make terrific cleaners – beneficial to saving time, money, and the environment. [Read more…] about Tips For Green Spring Cleaning
2021 New York State Camping Guide Released
New York State Parks and the Department of Environmental Conservation have released the 2021 New York State Camping Guide digital version, an online tool to explore the 120 campgrounds in New York State. [Read more…] about 2021 New York State Camping Guide Released
Prescribed Burns Planned at Saratoga Battlefield
Saratoga National Historical Park is planning a series of prescribed fires in the coming weeks. The areas to be burned this year include approximately 40 acres of grasses, shrubs, and woodlands on the hillsides around Stop 3 and Stop 9 on the Park Tour Road. [Read more…] about Prescribed Burns Planned at Saratoga Battlefield
Grants Available For ‘High Hazard’ Dam Repairs
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced $650,000 in grant funding is now available to assist eligible dam owners with technical, planning, design, and other pre-construction activities associated with the rehabilitation of eligible dams classified as High Hazard.
New York State has 425 dams classified as High Hazard. [Read more…] about Grants Available For ‘High Hazard’ Dam Repairs