Supreme Court denies Alaska’s bid to revive the copper and gold Pebble Mine proposal blocked by EPA
The Supreme Court on Monday rejected Alaska’s bid to revive a proposed copper and gold mine that was blocked by the Environmental Protection Agency.
The justices did not comment in turning away the state’s attempt to sue the Biden administration directly in the high court over its desire to revive the proposed Pebble Mine in the state’s Bristol Bay region.
Endangered orange-bellied parrots return to Melaleuca in Tasmania's south-west in unexpectedly high numbers
It is a species so endangered that just five years ago only 20 birds returned from the species' annual migration.
But 81 orange-bellied parrots have returned to Melaleuca in Tasmania's remote south-west from the mainland to breed, the largest number seen in 15 years.
It is a turning point for critically endangered species, which requires considerable human intervention to avoid extinction.
"It's looking like a healthy season ahead in terms of breeding," program manager Dr Shannon Troy said.
"The population does seem to be really growing now."
Conservation Success Stories From 50 Years of the Endangered Species Act
Fifty years ago this week, President Richard M. Nixon signed into law one of the most powerful and profound pieces of environmental legislation in history—the Endangered Species Act.
"To better safeguard, for the benefit of all citizens, the Nation's heritage in fish, wildlife, and plants," the Act stated in its opening section, federal agencies would "seek to conserve endangered species and threatened species."
Half a century later, the Endangered Species Act (ESA) has kept hundreds of species from blinking out of existence and has helped dozens of them return to a healthy status.
New government pledges to create Poland’s first new national parks in two decades
Poland’s new government has announced plans to create the country’s first new national parks in over two decades, as well as to enlarge existing ones.
“This is and will continue to be a priority for us,” climate and environment minister Paulina Henning-Kloska told broadcaster TVN24 yesterday.
Henning-Kloska is a deputy leader of the centrist Poland 2050 (Polska 2050), one of the parties that makes up the new ruling coalition led by Donald Tusk that took power earlier this month.
Green and noisy, restored island offers hope for Black-capped Petrel
The landing at Desecheo Island requires visitors to leap from a small boat in deep water onto black, volcanic rocks. We had delayed the trip once due to 10-foot seas generated by Hurricane Lee. Today, I was lucky, and our 90-minute boat ride from the west side of Puerto Rico was glassy calm, making the 12-mile crossing quick and the jump onto the island from the small dingy relatively easy. It was an auspicious start to a long-standing goal of attracting Black-capped Petrels to nest on the island.
Galveston Bay Foundation Acquires and Protects West Galveston Island Property
The Galveston Bay Foundation has permanently protected 63 acres of critical coastal habitat on Galveston Island, known as Redfish Cove. This special piece of land includes coastal wetlands, prairie, and upland buffers, all of which are important to the native wildlife on Galveston Island. The acquisition was funded by the National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program, administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and supported by the Galveston Bay Estuary Program. This conservation project supports the West Bay Conservation Initiative to acquire and protect critical habitats surrounding West Galveston Bay before they are lost.
Major Milestone Reached in Seal River Watershed Alliance’s Journey to Establish an Indigenous Protected Area
Today the Seal River Watershed Alliance, the Sayisi Dene First Nation, Northlands Dene Nation, Barren Lands First Nation, and O-Pipon-Na-Piwin Cree Nation, the Manitoba Government, and the Government of Canada took a major step toward protecting the watershed.
Representatives signed a memorandum of understanding that includes conducting a feasibility study for the Indigenous Protected Area and an interim land withdrawal from mining claims while the study is underway.
Norway becomes one of the few countries with a large national park right next to its capital
“I've really enjoyed this job," Egil Bendiksen admits. He is a researcher at the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA).
The government has just announced the new Østmarka National Park.
Bendiksen – along with several other colleagues – has had the main responsibility for documenting and planning what will now become a 71 square kilometre protected national park and outdoor recreation area southeast of Norway's capital Oslo.
Norway will be one of the few countries in the world that can boast a large national park right outside its capital.
Group secures largest conservation easement in Kentucky history
Last week, the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, The Nature Conservancy and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation announced that they had secured the largest conservation easement in Kentucky history.
The 55,000-acre Cumberland Forest Wildlife Management Area includes areas of Bell, Knox and Leslie counties in Appalachian Kentucky.
Conservationists say that the Appalachian Mountains are a critical area to protect as a key migratory corridor for a variety of wildlife. They are some of the most intact temperate hardwood forests remaining in the world, according to TNC.
Rwanda's mountain gorillas: A conservation success Story
Rwanda's mountain gorilla population is making a remarkable recovery after decades of facing threats from humans. Once endangered due to poaching, armed conflicts, and diseases, the primates are now flourishing thanks to dedicated conservation efforts. In the heart of the Virunga Mountain range, rangers guide a group through the rainforest, seeking one of the world's most endangered species: the mountain gorilla. Despite the challenging weather, the group presses on, guided by Patience Dusabimana, an experienced gorilla guide.
Rhinos Return To Assam's Laokhowa-Burachapori Wildlife Sanctuaries After 40 Years
Kaziranga National Park (KNP) Director Sonali Ghosh said two rhinos have been spotted in the Laokhowa-Burachapori wildlife sanctuaries, which are part of 'Greater Kaziranga', after almost a gap of 40 years.
Oceana applauds the designation of seven new marine protected areas in Spain
These sanctuaries are havens of biodiversity and serve as safeguards against climate change; To be effective, the designation must be coupled with good management.
Oceana celebrates the announcement by Spain’s Ministry for Ecological Transition to establish seven new Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). Rich in biodiversity and home to vulnerable ecosystems, these areas will be included in Natura 2000, a network of protected areas covering Europe’s most valuable and threatened species and habitats. Scientific data from Oceana’s expeditions in several parts of the country helped make these designations a reality.
Oceana celebrates the creation of Bajos del Norte National Park
The new Natural Protected Area will be the largest in the Gulf of Mexico
Oceana, an organization dedicated to protecting the oceans, celebrated the Mexican government’s decision to create the Bajos del Norte National Park, the first 100% marine Natural Protected Area in the Gulf of Mexico that seeks to conserve the reefs and allow the sustainable use of the marine resources in the area.
Miguel Rivas, Habitat Campaign Director for Oceana in Mexico, said, “this is great news for the future of the oceans and the people that rely on them. With this decision, Mexico comes closer to achieving its goal to protect 30% of its marine territory by 2030 and guarantee a source of employment and food for thousands of families.”
Ireland’s largest protected area for birds to be created along Co Wexford coast
National Parks and Wildlife Service says move ‘another determined step’ by Ireland to protect marine birdlife
A huge expanse of more than 305,000 hectares of marine waters along most of the coast of Co Wexford is to become Ireland’s largest protected area for birds.
The Seas off Wexford Special Protection Area (SPA) - which are special sites designated under the EU Birds Directive to protect vulnerable and migratory birds - will be bigger than the county itself.
Minister of State for Nature Malcom Noonan said it would be the largest area to be protected for birds in the history of the State. The new protection area adjoins eight other sites already designated in that area, four of which seek to protect breeding seabirds.
National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) director general Niall Ó Donnchú said the move was “another determined step by Ireland” to protect its marine birdlife.
Kenya to translocate 21 black rhinoceros to boost population
The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has said it plans to translocate 21 female and male black rhinoceros to Loisaba Conservancy, located about 190 km north of the national capital of Nairobi, before the end of January to boost the population of the iconic species.
