Editor's Notes:

Photo credit:  naturegirl 78 on Flickr.com http://www.flickr.com/photos/nightamazon/2761529052/ More information on the West Nile Virus: Pennsylvania’s West Nile Virus Control Program http://www.westnile.state.pa.us/ CDC Epidemic/Epizootic West Nile Virus in the United States:  Guidelines for Surveillance, Prevention, and Control http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/resources/wnv-guidelines-aug-2003.pdf CDC Fact Sheet http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/wnv_factsheet.htm   More information on mosquito habitat: Rutgers – Larval Habitats of Mosquitoes http://www.rci.rutgers.edu/~insects/habitat.htm NDSU – Mosquito Management http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/pubs/plantsci/pests/e472w.htm Mosquito Biology for the Homeowner http://www.entomology.cornell.edu/MedEnt/MosquitoFS/MosquitoFS.html

The West Nile Virus is a growing concern.  Though state agencies are putting forth efforts to control this threat, there are simple things that we can do to decrease the spread and help protect ourselves.    ·   Empty any containers or items that could hold water after each rain event. ·   Clean out your roof gutters. ·   Aerate small ponds or stock it with fish and/or tadpoles. ·   Protect yourself from being bitten. ·   Treat any standing water that does not have a natural balance.   Because of the balanced nature of most naturalized ponds/wetlands, they typically do not harbor mosquitoes due to the natural predators that live there and/or because the water is kept moving and does not go stagnant.    If you would like to improve an existing water feature or are interested in adding one to your property, please contact us at www.fxbrowne.com.  We can design a stormwater basin, pond or wetland based on the specific conditions of your site.  When designed and maintained well, these features can be a great attribute to your property without the concern of infectious mosquitoes.    ~ Lisen Cummings, Sustainable Environments Editor/Designer

Topic of the Month:

Utilizing Wetlands for Stormwater Management

Wetlands are a natural solution to offset impacts caused by development.  They uptake nutrients, improve water quality, increase evapotranspiration, provide wildlife habitat, increase biological diversity, and are aesthetically pleasing.    Engineers are taking advantage of this natural BMP, and are using existing wetlands or creating new wetlands for stormwater management.   More...

NASA, Japan release Most Complete Topographic Map of Earth

Utilizing detailed measurements from NASA’s Terra spacecraft, a new digital topographic map of Earth has been released, and covers more of our planet than ever before. More... 

 

 

My Emissions Exchange This web site is a personal carbon exchange to allow you to save money by reducing your carbon emissions.  Once you create a CO2 profile, you can track and hopefully lower your output.  These reductions are certified as carbon credits to be traded on the global carbon offset market.  You can earn money and do something good for the environment.  Does it get any better? http://www.myemissionsexchange.com/   Photo credit:  N-O-M-A-D on Flickr.com http://www.flickr.com/photos/lingaraj/2777126731/

Policy Updates:

	Delaware River Basin Partners Announce Enhanced Protections for Wildlife and Water The Flexible Flow Management Program governs New York City and the Delaware Basin reservoir diversions and releases.  Two agreements were made between Pennsylvania, New York City and other states within the Delaware River Basin.  The first agreement (for this summer only) protects trout by increasing cold water releases.  The second agreement reduced rapid increase or decrease in reservoir release rates. PA DEP Daily Update, May 29, 2009 http://www.depweb.state.pa.us/news/cwp/view.asp?a=3&q=546969
	Strong Support for Wetlands On June 10, the House Interior appropriations Subcommittee approved President Obama’s request for more than $52 million for the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA).  Since NAWCA started in 1989, over 23 million acres of wetlands and waterfowl habitat have been conserved.  Every dollar provided from the federal government must be matched by another source, making this a good investment in our environment. Erosion Control Magazine, June 10, 2009 http://www.erosioncontrol.com/the-latest/wetlands-restoration-funding.aspx
	FEMA Provides $5 Million In Grants To Reduce Flood Risks Along Delaware River  The Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is providing $5.1 million to elevate 24 homes and to acquire and demolish four others throughout Bucks, Leigh, and Pike Counties.  www.fema.gov, June 19, 2009 Release Number R3-09-013 http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=48840
	Water Quality Monitoring Network Formed – River Alert and Information Network (RAIN)  By utilizing a $75,000 grant from the PA DEP, RAIN will develop a water quality monitoring network and source water protection program for the Monongahela River.  They will utilize a computer network to monitor the temperature and quality of water at 13 locations along the river. http://www.ahs2.dep.state.pa.us/newsreleases/default.asp?ID=5535 http://www.3rain.org/
	New York's Right to Strictly Regulate Ballast Water Validated The New York State Supreme Court has upheld the state’s authority on regulating ballast water in state waters at a stricter standard than federal regulations.  Ballast water is dangerous because it has the potential of harboring aquatic invasive species.  Invasive species reproduce at a rate that can overwhelm native species, causing population declines. Environment News Service, June 3, 2009 http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/jun2009/2009-06-03-092.asp
	DOT Secretary Ray LaHood, HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan and EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson Announce Interagency Partnership for Sustainable Communities The Partnership for Sustainable Communities has stated livability principles to be utilized as a basis for interagency coordination.  These livability principles consist of more transportation choices, equitable/affordable housing, economic competitiveness, supporting existing communities, coordinating policies/leverage investment, and valuing communities/neighborhoods. US Department of Transportation, Office of Public Affairs, June 16, 2009 http://www.dot.gov/affairs/2009/dot8009.htm

 

 

The above photos were provided courtesy of Christopher Cummings.

 

Grants and Awards: Click on a grant for more information) Only currently available grants are listed on the grant page   Grants: Fund for Wild Nature Foundation For Pennsylvania Watersheds Grants EJ Small Grants Program Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Electronic Grants System Small Business Low-Interest Rate Loans Keystone Historic Preservation Grant Program Conservation Easement Assistance Program Chesapeake Bay Watershed Initiative Growing Greener Plus - PA DEP Watershed & Flood Protection Grants Growing Greener - Watershed Grants American Water Environmental Grant Program 1675 Foundation Bridgestone Americas Trust Fund William Penn Foundation Grants Upper Delaware Council – Technical Assistance Grant (TAG) Program Climate Showcase Communities Grants – EPA The Maryland Urban and Community Forest Committee (MUCFC) Grants WWEMA/WWD 2009 Student Scholarship PennVEST Loans – Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority EPA – FY 2009 National Wetland Program Development Grants RFP NJ DEP – Local Government Greenhouse Gas Reduction Grant Program   Awards: The Nature Conservancy’s 2009 Photo Contest $250 Grants for Growing Greener Stories

Green Guide Quizzes   This site provides over 20 quizzes for testing yourself to see how eco smart you really are.  Topics include food, travel, sustainable living, houses and more!    http://www.thegreenguide.com/quizzes?source=email_gg_20090624 Photo credit:  SUFS Region 5 on Flickr.com http://www.flickr.com/photos/usfsregion5/3598029211/

Adopt a Crittercam See the world through the eyes of an endangered species.  The Crittercam program mounts cameras on endangered species in order to provide us with information about their lifestyles.  With a donation, you can adopt a Humpback Whale, Elephant, Gray Seal, Loggerhead Turtle or White Shark.  https://donate.nationalgeographic.org/SSLPage.aspx?pid=861 Photo credit:  coda on Flickr.com http://www.flickr.com/photos/coda/380361/

If you are interested in restoring, enhancing or creating your own vegetated swales, F. X. Browne, Inc. can help!  We can design a beautiful vegetated swale to control stormwater runoff that will also enhance the aesthetic and ecological value of your property.

Tools and Publications:

DEP Division of Fish and Wildlife’s Endangered and Nongame Species Program (ENSP) - Two Video Reports

One video features the red knot, a small shorebird as they travel to breeding grounds in the Arctic.  Another video features the recovery of Bald Eagles in New Jersey.  Links can be found at http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/ensphome.htm.

USGS Landsat 7 Archive

Users can download standard-format scenes at no charge.  Previous imagery from Landsat 1 through Landsat 5 is also available at no charge.

http://landsat.usgs.gov/

NOAA’s nowCOAST Web Portal

This site compiles weather related data and provides it as a geo-referenced map overlay in real time.   The latest update allows users to view cumulative rainfall in various time increments, up to 24 hours.  If using GIS, you can connect to an ArcIMS server and have the data streamed to your desktop.

http://nowcoast.noaa.gov/

Photo Slideshow - How Climate Change Threatens Coral Reefs

This photo slideshow features coral reefs, their importance, what’s threatening them and how we can preserve and restore these precious natural features.  It is narrated by Rod Salm, a conservancy marine scientist.

http://www.nature.org/popups/features/art28658.html

To celebrate World Ocean’s Day, this site features great information on our oceans and their habitat.

http://www.nature.org/initiatives/marine/features/art28542.html

Eastern Pennsylvania Birding and Wildlife Guide

This free publication provides information to find, identity and enjoy eastern Pennsylvania’s wildlife.  It highlights sites for birding and recreational opportunities such as hiking and biking. 

http://blog.delawareandlehigh.org/2009/06/03/birding-guides-now-available/

http://www.schuylkillriver.org/EastPA_BirdingWildlife_Guide.aspx

LandScope America:  Open Space Maps and Data

This online resource provides maps, data, tools, resources, photos and stories about America’s open spaces to inspire conservation. 

http://www.landscope.org/

Sustaining Rural Places Toolkit

This website provides many tools for those interested in conservation easements, public participation, land use planning and watershed information.

http://www.sbcouncil.org/Publications/Sustaining-Rural-Places-Toolkit

The Golf Course Water Resources Handbook of Best Management Practices

This handbook details the environmental benefits that can be obtained through using Best Management Practices (BMP’s). 

http://www.pecpa.org/gchandbook

National Parks Guide

National Geographic has created this guide on 58 national parks, providing photo galleries, maps, quizzes, travel tips and more.

http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/places/parks/index.html?source=email_inside_20090625

16th Annual Secchi Dip-In June 27-July 19, 2009   Volunteers can take transparency measurements from lakes, reservoirs, estuaries, rivers and/or streams.  The data is used to examine trends in transparency over time.  To join the efforts, visit the website below.   http://dipin.kent.edu/ Photo credit:  Nicholas_T on Flickr.com http://www.flickr.com/photos/nicholas_t/2712504190/