Look West: Public lands and energy news from the Center for Western Priorities
** What are 'ecosystem services' and why should you care about them?
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Thursday, February 29, 2024
Green River in Northeast Utah. Bob Wick, BLMUtah, Flickr ([link removed])
On Wednesday, the White House finalized ([link removed]) guidance directing agencies to weigh the impacts of proposed projects, policies, and regulations on human health and people's enjoyment of the outdoors.
These contributions to human welfare from the environment are known as ecosystem services, and the finalized guidance ([link removed]) will provide agencies with the latest research and methodologies to ensure that ecosystem services are accurately accounted for. For example, a hydropower project could benefit human health by being a less-harmful alternative to burning fossil fuels, but it could also prevent fish migration, which can decrease biodiversity and reduce angling opportunities.
With a wide variety of imaginable outcomes for any proposed project, ecosystem service impacts can be difficult to measure. That's why the guidance ([link removed]) lays out a general methodology to help agencies factor ecosystem services into their already-required cost-benefit analyses, like measuring direct and indirect impacts on the ways people benefit from nature.
New podcast episode: What Western voters want in 2024
In the latest episode ([link removed]) of The Landscape, Kate and Aaron are joined by pollsters Lori Weigel and Dave Metz to discuss the 14th Annual Colorado College State of the Rockies Project Conservation in the West Poll. ([link removed]) The poll surveys voters in Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Utah and Colorado on their environmental views. This year, it found support for conservation of nature is higher than ever.
** Quick hits
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Environmental groups sue Forest Service over timber harvest goals
Asheville Citizen Times ([link removed]) | E&E News ([link removed])
Wyoming proposal ties Grand Teton parcel to contested BLM land-use plan
E&E News ([link removed])
ExxonMobil is suing investors who want faster climate action
NPR ([link removed])
Manchin renews push to speed up, expand energy permitting on public lands
E&E News ([link removed])
Wyoming students hope to clear confusion around outdoor recreation funding bill
WyoFile ([link removed])
Study: Even during intense wildfires, beaver-dammed waterways provide major wildfire protection
Boise State Public Radio News ([link removed])
Scientists create new idea on how to hack a warming planet: Drying the upper atmosphere
Associated Press ([link removed])
The best live wildlife cams to celebrate World Wildlife Day
Sierra ([link removed])
** Quote of the day
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” People have become much more acutely aware of the value of nature over the last several years since the pandemic, and it really shows up in this year's data.”
—Lori Weigel, pollster and principal of New Bridge Strategy, The Landscape ([link removed])
** Picture This
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@lakeclarknps ([link removed])
Congratulations to our Second Place Winner in our 2024 Photo Contest, Summer and Brandon Jackman!
Title: "Tiny Treasure" by @high_mountain_exposure ([link removed])
Description: Brandon and Summer Jackman are a husband-and-wife photography team from Idaho. On their first visit to Lake Clark in 2023, Brandon captured the moment when a young cub proudly showed off a clam shell to her mother and sibling, who were just out of the frame.
Thank you to all who participated in #LACLThroughMyLens ([link removed]) . Whether you entered, voted, shared with friends, or all three, we deeply appreciate your support of our annual photo contest and showing love to all of our outstanding entries. The winning photos will be on display in our park’s Visitor Center in Port Alsworth all summer long.
NPS/Photo Contest Submission
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