Stopping biodiversity loss is possible
Look West: Public lands and energy news from the Center for Western Priorities
** Scientists: Conservation works
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Monday, April 29, 2024
A black footed ferret released by members of the Crow Tribal Nation. USDA Photo by Kristy Bly, World Wildlife Fund ([link removed]) .
In a first-of-its-kind study ([link removed]) , scientists from dozens of research institutes reviewed more than 600 trials of conservation efforts around the world, dating as far back as the 1890s. They found that conservation efforts are effective at reducing global biodiversity loss.
“This study provides the strongest evidence to date that not only does conservation improve the state of biodiversity and slow its decline, but when it works, it really works,” said Dr. Penny Langhammer ([link removed]) , a co-author of the study.
In two thirds of the cases studied, conservation work had a positive effect on biodiversity. In one out of five cases, however, the targeted species declined—but even that wasn't entirely bad news.
“One of the most interesting findings was that even when a conservation intervention didn't work for the species that is was intended, other species unintentionally benefited,” Dr. Langhammer told the BBC ([link removed]) .
In 2022, nearly 200 countries agreed to protect 30 percent of the world's lands and oceans by 2030, in order to stop the decline of nature. In the U.S., one of the fastest ways to increase the number of protected acres is for the president to declare new national monuments using the Antiquities Act ([link removed]) . As of Monday morning, it has been 265 days ([link removed]) since President Biden last designated a new national monument.
More praise for BLM Public Lands Rule
In the two weeks since the Bureau of Land Management finalized a rule putting conservation on equal footing with extractive uses of public land, praise continues to come in for the agency's action.
The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel editorial board ([link removed]) weighed in over the weekend, saying “We think there’s wisdom underlying these changes. The Public Lands Rule acknowledges that there’s no use without sustainability.”
The Sentinel took the long view, noting that “Historians may well look back on this month as a point when the Bureau of Land Management became fully actualized to manage public lands for both conservation and consumption—‘multiple use and sustained yield.’”
** Quick hits
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It's anti-conservation week on the House floor
E&E News ([link removed])
Hickenlooper praises 'two good days' of input on Dolores monument proposal
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel ([link removed])
BLM finds more agreement than outrage on Wyoming sage-grouse plan
WyoFile ([link removed])
In the Permian, the ground is swelling and buckling from fracking
Wall Street Journal ([link removed])
Texas drillers are paying people to take their methane as prices go negative
Fortune ([link removed])
Arizona utility looks to build natural gas turbines without environmental approval
12News ([link removed])
Colorado River Tribes sign historic water rights agreement with feds, Arizona
KJZZ ([link removed]) | AZ Family ([link removed]) | Native News Online ([link removed])
Bureau of Reclamation doesn't want 60,000 acres it took from Tribes — will they get it back?
Wyoming Public Media ([link removed])
** Quote of the day
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” ...mining is not a stable economic base for the West End [of Montrose County]. The West End struggles economically. The proposed monument will provide another opportunity to develop a more stable economy.”
—Retired mining engineer Tony Bates, Grand Junction Daily Sentinel ([link removed])
** Picture This
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@mypubliclands ([link removed])
Out of the 245 million acres of public lands we manage, 58 million are forest and woodlands that require ongoing reforestation and annual projects. 🌳🌲
In 2021, we partnered with the Arbor Day Foundation to plant trees across public land. The partnership has already supported several projects, including reforestation in Colorado and Oregon.
📷 The sun sets behind trees at Sacramento River Bend Area, Bureau of Land Management California; Bob Wick.
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