Celebrate the Chinese New Year
The Chinese New Year is the second New Moon after the winter solstice.
January 29 is the first day of the new year in 2006.
2006 is the Year of the Dog.
The symbol at right is the Chinese word for "Spring." The Chinese call the New Year's Celebration the "Spring Festival."
http://www.chinapage.com/newyear.html

What’s in Your Closet? The Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC), a nonprofit organization dedicated to rechargeable battery and cell phone recycling, conducted a survey to pinpoint Americans’ stockpiling habits and give guidance on how they can simplify their lives by recycling much of the clutter. Here are some of the major findings:
	Roughly 25% (1 in 4) of Americans are still holding on to their “skinny jeans” in hopes of being able to wear them once again.
	Only 6% of those surveyed still had old love letters and pictures of ex-boyfriends and girlfriends.
	Aside from old textbooks and yearbooks and the clothes of yesteryear, electronics were the most widely stockpiled item found under the bed and in the closet.
	Nearly half of those surveyed (45%) said they were hoarding old cell phones in their homes. When asked if they knew they could recycle their used rechargeable batteries and old cell phones, almost three-quarters (71%) said they did.
	In a survey conducted by NOP World in April 2005, consumers surveyed use an average of six wireless products in their day-to-day lives, and over 30% of consumers own and use eight or more wireless products.
http://www.call2recycle.com/releases/PR_11_21_05.html

New Tools and Publications

PA Volunteer Monitoring Database Announced

The Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers (POWR) announced the release of the PA Watersheds Data System, an online warehouse that will store data collected by volunteer watershed monitors statewide. This tool will allow groups to store the data that they have collected in a common database, where neighboring groups can compare monitoring locations and results for data quality verification. The system stores basic chemical parameters like nitrate and phosphorous as well as biological components such as mayflies and freshwater mussels. POWR will be working with groups and hosting workshops across the State in 2006. http://www.pawatersheds.org 

NY Invasive Species Task Force Report Available

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has released the final report of the New York State Invasive Species Task Force. The report explains the problems that can and do happen when species invade; discusses the many things that government, industry, conservation groups, homeowners, academia, and others are doing to prevent or control invasive plants and animals; and makes recommendations on how New York State can improve its defenses against invasive species. http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dfwmr/habitat/istf/istfreport.html 

EPA Releases Urban Runoff Control Guidebook

The U.S. EPA  released a new guidebook on managing runoff pollution caused by urban activities. National Management Measures to Control Nonpoint Source Pollution from Urban Areas is an information source for states and cities to use in their pollution management programs for protecting waterways. Included are subjects such as: watershed and site protection, new development, on-site wastewater treatment (septic) systems, transportation, construction, bridges and highways, construction site erosion, sediment, and chemical control, existing urban areas, pollution prevention, operation and maintenance and program evaluation. http://www.epa.gov/nps/urbanmm/ 

Wetlands Biodiversity Report Published

Some of the wetlands and other waters that are "isolated" from navigable waters are no longer under the jurisdiction of the Clean Water Act as a result of a 2001 Supreme Court decision (SWANCC, 2001). NatureServe has recently completed an assessment of the potential impacts of the SWANCC decision on the at-risk species and communities that are associated with these isolated wetland systems in all 50 U.S. states. The information and analyses contained in this study are designed to assist policymakers and land managers at federal, state, and local levels to better understand the biodiversity value of isolated wetlands in their jurisdiction and plan for their protection. http://www.natureserve.org/publications/isolatedwetlands.jsp 

F. X. Browne, Inc. performs wetlands assessments and delineations for a wide variety of clients. Please contact us at info@fxbrowne.com if you would like more information.

Great Lakes Science Curriculum Available Online

Educators can now access a comprehensive online curriculum covering everything from the Great Lakes aquatic food web to wetlands and fisheries. The dynamic lessons are part of Fisheries Learning On the Web, Project FLOW, developed by the Michigan Sea Grant at the University of Michigan. Project FLOW lessons are geared toward educators who teach upper elementary and middle school students. Each lesson features a hands-on classroom activity. http://www.projectflow.us