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Latest Posts tagged with "New York"

Our forests as fuel? The devil is in the details

July 14, 2010 By Nora Johnson

Biomass project in Lambert Creek, Oregon. Courtesy BLM.

Some folks argue that burning trees as an energy source — either for heat or electricity — is a “carbon neutral” resource — one that takes away as much carbon as it releases. It seems logical — new trees grow in the place of those that were cut down, and the new ones can absorb whatever carbon was released when the original tree was cut and later burned. However, as with many things, the devil is in the details. Read more

The Wilderness Society Attends Youth Conservation Summit

June 24, 2010 By M'Shae Alderman

This weekend, hundreds of young people travelled from around the country to Central Park, to discuss the future of conservation at the Outdoor Nation Youth Summit. The goal of the summit was to grow “a cultural movement where youth are empowered to redefine, reclaim, and rediscover the outdoors.” Read more

America’s Great Outdoors can grow a new generation of conservationists

June 23, 2010 By Christina Wong

Young women at Outdoor Nation event in Central Park.

Five-hundred young Americans from across the United States converged on Central Park this weekend for Outdoor Nation — a national youth conservation summit and festival. Having hundreds of young people in Central Park isn’t a particularly big deal. What is significant is that the Obama administration has wisely decided that the Outdoor Nation event would provide a great forum for a youth-oriented listening session for its America’s Great Outdoors initiative. Read more

Maple syrup: Climate change takes another victim

June 21, 2010 By Neil Shader

Maple trees in New Hampshire. Photo by r_gallant, Flickr.

Climate change is bringing the fight to one of the sacred places of American culture — the breakfast table, or more specifically to maple syrup. Pancakes, waffles, and French toast are all at the mercy of the climate changes that are altering the amount and way maple syrup — the only, proper topping for these delicious breakfast staples — is collected throughout America’s northeastern forests. Read more

HBO’s Gasland tells alarming tale - Interview with filmmaker Josh Fox

June 18, 2010 By Mary Krueger

Anyone who wants to know more about the public health dangers of oil and gas  development simply must catch HBO’s documentary ‘Gasland’ when it premieres this Monday, June 21 at 9pm EDT. In this Sundance award winning film, Gasland filmmaker Josh Fox traveled throughout the United States to document the impacts of natural gas development on local communities and drinking water. What he finds is alarming.  Read more

Youth unite! Outdoor Nation happens at Central Park this weekend

June 18, 2010 By William H. Meadows

This weekend, hundreds of young people from across the United States will travel to New York to attend Outdoor Nation – a national youth conservation summit and festival in Central Park.  The mission is to “unite young people from across the country with a common mission: to champion the outdoors and start a youth-driven movement.” Read more

Cornell University Outlines Environmental and Economic Concerns With Hydraulic Fracturing

March 16, 2010 By Jessica Goad

Marcellus shale well. Courtesy New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

Last month, researchers from Cornell University held a Congressional briefing and released a set of materials that helped shed new light on the potential risks of drilling for natural gas and hydraulic fracturing. Read more

Wildlife Refuges — Not Just for the Birds! Serving up a taste of America’s history

July 22, 2009 By Kathy Westra

Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) worker. Courtesy USFS.

America’s National Wildlife Refuges — 549 of them, scattered throughout the 50 states and U.S. territories — are best known for the wildlife they protect: thousands of species of animals, birds, reptiles, fish, wildflowers, and trees. What’s less well known is that many refuges also offer a glimpse into America’s past — encompassing the story of our land beginning with the native people who lived here long before the first European settlers, and continuing through the major events of our nation’s history. Read more