Volume 12, Issue 4 Fall 2010
Rural Mountain West Takes the Lead on Climate AdaptationBy Jeff Morris
With the local economy tied to natural resources utilization, especially tourism, effective delivery of scientific data to the entire community, including federal partners, is a significant asset. Commissioner White, who also sits on the NACO Public Lands Committee, attests, “during the last thirty years, we have witnessed changing climate patterns in this region and we’re lucky to have an organization that is on the leading edge of much of the data collection and analysis.”
to Model Forest Policy Program’s Community Coordinator, Will Paddock, and state elected leaders such as Colorado State Senator Bruce Whitehead. Dave Erley, Mayor of Castle Valley, Utah, and 2010 Climate Solutions University participant, was also a featured speaker.
Bidwell also acknowledged that while MSI has always had a strong core of science, the tools provided by Climate Solutions University have given them new strategies to engage the community by utilizing scientific methods for problem solving. CSU tools also helped MSI local government and regional partners. “Our mission is to match the needs of our community with the best available science in a way that makes it meaningful and effective,” says Bidwell. “We’re thrilled with the support we’ve received from our local government and federal agency partners in the region~ It’s really great to see.”
Moisture, in the form of rain and snow, is coming later and leaving earlier. This reality is supported by both anecdotal observations by community members like Commissioner White and data collected by MSI and their partners. “We can all see it, but seeing it and understanding the impacts are two different things,” says White. “That’s why MSI is so important to us. By combining scientific data and community needs we can be sure that we’re working towards the best outcomes for our people and our place.” For more information on Mountain Studies Institute visit:
For more information and resources on Climate Solutions University visit: http://www.mfpp.org/csu - Jeff Morris is the Communications Coordinator for the Model Forest Policy Program. Recreation and Education Benefits of Wetlands
Did you know? At least $18 billion in economic activity is generated annually by the 17 million Americans that participate in coastal wetland-dependent recreational fishing. County Spotlight – Worcester County, Maryland Accounting for 473 square miles, this small but growing coastal county has a unique population composition. Eight months a year the county has an estimated 70,000 full- and part-time residents, however, during the summer months the influx of summer residents and tourists visiting Ocean City MD create a population surge to upwards of 300,000 people. In 2001, Worcester County was awarded a $9,000 Five Star Restoration Grant to restore county stream banks through its Stream Restoration, Enrichment and Attitudes for Success (SEAS) program. SEAS offered at-risk youth the opportunity to participate in scientific research by restoring stream banks and monitoring water quality. The students removed non-native vegetation from approximately 1,400 feet of three area stream banks and monitored an additional 7.5 miles of stream bank. The success of the program was featured on the local television station and has received additional support through the Maryland Coastal Bays Program to continue in the future. To learn more about Worcester County’s program access www.mdcoastalbays.org. Reprinted with permission, National Association of Counties.
Protecting Biodiversity in San Miguel County, CO By WildEarth Guardians Commissioner Joan May takes her job seriously. Seriously enough that on a wintry spring morning, she rose before dawn to witness one of nature’s more unusual spectacles—Gunnison sage-grouse engaged in elaborate courtship displays at one of their few remaining leks in Colorado.
San Miguel County, working with their constituents, leads a coalition of conservation, bird protection and government accountability organizations to protect Gunnison sage-grouse and their habitat. Interestingly, diverse constituents including conservationists and ranchers are unified in preserving the species. Locally appropriate regulations protect habitat while ensuring that all stakeholders have opportunities for input. The county’s leadership on sage-grouse conservation also extends beyond its borders. In 2006, after six years of deliberation, the Bush II Administration declined to list Gunnison sage-grouse under the Endangered Species Act. The San Miguel County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to join a notice of intent to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service over the negative listing decision. Five months later the county became lead plaintiff in a lawsuit challenging the decision, and also enacted additional local land use regulations to protect the grouse. In August 2009, the Fish and Wildlife Service agreed to reconsider its negative listing decision for Gunnison sage-grouse, and San Miguel County was at the head of the table for those settlement negotiations. The Service finally announced the new listing decision for Gunnison sage-grouse last month, having decided that Gunnison sage-grouse are “warranted but precluded” from listing at this time. Once again, San Miguel County led local voices in criticizing the resultant lack of federal protection for the species. As a leader in Gunnison sage-grouse conservation, San Miguel County has influenced innumerable conservation efforts and decisions in southwest Colorado. The county has achieved its vision for maintaining resident’s quality of life while protecting the biodiversity that is the foundation for healthy communities and the environment. In the meantime, Commissioner May gets out into the field as often as possible. She is amazed by the creative ways people have protected sage-grouse. In some cases they work on increasing habitat, in others they work on ways to reduce non-native predators. In every case, she sees thoughtful and innovative work as people collaborate to achieve their goals. For more information, go to: www.wildearthguardians.org/.
As with most charities, it’s been a rough year for the Conservation Leaders Network. Foundation funding continues to be low; new members are hard to come by as everyone hunkers down with the bad economy. But the good news is that the Conservation Leaders Network has survived, when many other organizations have disappeared. I think it has to do with the fact that we have always been a very lean organization and have always remained true to our founding purpose. When other charities were advised to cut programs that didn’t advance their mission, the Conservation Leaders Network didn’t need to make adjustments, as we have never had projects that didn’t advance our mission. When other groups were told to eliminate staff, the Conservation Leaders Network kept our staff but reduced hours. True, it has been a challenge, and we aren’t out of the water yet. You will see that our list of accomplishments this year is shorter than last year, and that’s a direct result of the economy and reductions in revenue and staff time. What we accomplished this year:
Investing Cap-and-Trade Proceeds in Local Climate Action Climate Communities is a national coalition of local government entities working for strong national cap-and-trade legislation that supports investment in a sustainable, clean energy American economy. This should include a substantial investment in local government climate action. The Critical Role of Localities in Meeting the Climate Challenge Local and regional governments have been at the forefront of the movement to combat climate change. Mayors from more than 900 cities have signed the Mayors’ Climate Protection Agreement pledging to take actions in their communities to cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Approximately 40 counties representing over 35 million people have joined a Cool Counties and pledged to reduce GHG emissions by 80 percent by the year 2050. [The Conservation Leaders Network is the home of Cool Counties. Learn more at our website: www.conservationleaders.org/cool.counties.) More than 425 local elected officials have signed the Climate Communities’ “Empowering Local Government Climate Action: A Blueprint for President Obama and the 111th Congress.” Local leadership is critical to addressing America’s climate change challenge. More than any other sector, localities have the ability to promote, encourage and lead the effort to reduce GHG pollution:
If localities are not able to foster substantial reductions in GHG emissions in their jurisdictions, America will fail to meet the climate challenge.
Permission to reprint granted by Climate Communities, www.climatecommunities.us.
The Endangered Species Act: Conserving Montana’s Natural Heritage Since 1973, the Endangered Species Act has protected and restored rare plants and animals and their habitat across America. Just some of the many beneficiaries have been Rocky Mountain gray wolves, California condors, and rare wildflowers, as well as millions of Americans who now have opportunities to enjoy irreplaceable wildlife. Below are a few Montana species helped by this landmark law.
Fish and Wildlife Service, photo by Mike Lockare 1978: 12 pairs in the state 2005: 316 pairs in Montana Bald eagles are “going gangbusters” in Montana, says a state wildlife biologist. In 1963, just 417 pairs were counted in the entire U.S. Following the ban of the pesticide DDT and Endangered Species Act protection and restoration, eagles rebounded nationwide. In 1999, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service upgraded the eagle’s status to the less-imperiled threatened category. Removal from the endangered species list is now pending. [Editor's Note: The bald eagle was removed from the endangered species list in June, 2007. Although this is not a new article, we decided that the good news needed to be more widely shared, and good news is something we can all use these days! In order to reprint this article, we were required to reprint it verbatim.] “I was privileged enough . . . to have had on more than one occasion the majestic, patriotic and humbling experience of viewing a bald eagle soar overhead. This should be an experience that every American should partake in and only through strengthening our Endangered Species Act will this be able to continue.” —Chris Henderson, Missoula, Montana “I moved to western Montana 25 years ago as I love outdoor activities . . . At that time you might go an entire winter and only see 2 or 3 bald eagles. Now you may see 60 to 80 a season! . . . I have also seen a mountain lion and a variety of bears, even a couple of grizzlies . . . Wildlife diversity is very important to me, as is protecting wild habitat. We should not stand by, nor legislate, that some species are not important enough to deserve our protection.” —Christine Daum, Stevensville, Montana “Growing up in Washington DC, I was well aware of our national bird, but I had never seen one. To me, the bald eagle was [merely] an emblem—not something that existed in reality. It was not until I moved to Montana that I became acquainted with the bald eagle as something more than a symbol. Now, hiking in Paradise Valley or paddling down the Gallatin River, I have seen several bald eagles, and each time I do, my heart skips with excitement and wonder. I don't think I will ever tire of spotting these huge and striking birds. .” —Evan Louise Rick, Bozeman, Montana
Late 1970s: 0 peregines nesting in the state 2004: At least 59 pairs in Montana After peregrines nearly vanished from the lower 48 states, a ban on the pesticide DDT allowed them to nest successfully again. The Peregrine Fund, a private organization, contributed captive-bred and captive-reared peregrines to the recovery effort, and worked with government agencies to reintroduce them. In Montana, peregrines were released in the Centennial Valley beginning in 1981. In 1984, the first wild pair to return to Montana nested on a Centennial Valley cliff.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, photo by William Campbell
Over the past decade, the reintroduction and recovery of the gray wolf in Yellowstone exceeded projected benefits for the local economy and ecosystem. Wolf tourism contributes $23 million a year to Yellowstone gateway communities alone, according to a 2005 estimate by University of Montana economists. Biologists have noted that the wolf’s return to Yellowstone changed elk grazing patterns, resulting in more plant growth on stream banks and in aspen stands.
That, in turn, expanded songbird habitat. On ranchlands, Defenders of Wildlife compensates livestock owners with market value for proven losses from wolf depredation. National Wildlife Refuges such as Red Rock Lakes and Medicine Lake generate local income from both Montana residents and tourists who come to see endangered and other birds. Local partners work together to help Montana’s rare species and habitats Across the nation, there’s growing recognition that cooperative partnerships and incentives for private landowners are the most effective ways to recover endangered species, and in many cases keep species from ever becoming endangered. That’s the case in Montana, where farmers, ranchers, and businesses are joining with conservation groups and local, state, and federal government agencies to conserve rare wildlife and habitats. A couple of examples: • In the Blackfoot River Valley, ranchers, government agencies, timber companies, and conservation organizations formed the Blackfoot Challenge, with a goal of preserving ranches, the rural lifestyle, and the river and valley. Using government programs, some with financial incentives, these landowners are improving grazing and irrigation systems, protecting habitat, and finding that incentive programs not only benefit wildlife but also can make businesses more cost-effective. • Rancher Kent Throntveit is using U.S. Department of Agriculture conservation funds to benefit the federally threatened piping plover on his cattle ranch. Implementing a rest-rotation grazing system turned out to be a good choice economically as well as environmentally, the rancher says. Other landowners helping the plover are receiving U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Private Stewardship Grants Program funding. More good news in Montana • Following Endangered Species Act protection, the Yellowstone grizzly bear population has tripled from about 200 bears to an estimated 600, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed removing it from the threatened species list. In Montana, state and federal agencies are funding private landowners who volunteered to help grizzlies by establishing a secure travel corridor, which lessens the potential for bear-human conflicts. • Programs helping the Arctic grayling may make Endangered Species Act listing unnecessary for the rare fish. State Wildlife Grant funding is helping the grayling, and a Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances is nearing completion. The Agreement encourages landowners to volunteer to help grayling on their lands.
Copyright 2006 Environmental Defense, used by permission. For more information, call 202-387-3500 or see www.environmentaldefense.org
1. Restoring Rivers: Stream Barrier Removal Grants American Rivers and NOAA Community-Based Restoration Program River Grants
Deadline: December 8, 2010
This Partnership funds stream barrier removal projects that help restore riverine ecosystems, enhance public safety and community resilience, and have clear and identifiable benefits to diadromous fish populations.
For more information go to: http://www.americanrivers.org/our-work/restoring-rivers/dams/background/noaa-grants-program.html
2. San Francisco Bay Area Water Quality Improvement Fund
Deadline: January 28, 2011
During the last three decades, there have been notable successes in protecting the environmental health of San Francisco Bay. However, substantial environmental challenges remain. To help, Congress has appropriated funding since 2008 to EPA for a competitive grant program that leverages additional funds to protect and restore San Francisco Bay and its watersheds. To date, EPA has supported 28 projects and leveraged almost $12 million to achieve significant environmental results related to wetlands, water quality and green development.
For more information go to:http://www.epa.gov/region9/water/watershed/sfbay-delta/index.htmll
3. Water Conservation Field Service Program
Deadline: January 31, 2011
Description: This program provides support to a variety of cooperative activities, demonstration programs, and pilot projects to promote and implement improved water management and conservation in the Upper Colorado Region. Priority will be given to proposed activities that address one of the following, listed in order of funding preference: water management planning, implementation of efficiency measures, demonstration projects, and water conservation education and training activities.
For more information go to: http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=58611
4. Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act
Deadline: December 13, 2010
The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) requests interested entities to submit restoration, research and Regional Project proposals for the restoration of Great Lakes fish and wildlife resources, as authorized under the Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act (16 USC 941c). The purpose of the Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act (Act) is to provide assistance to States, Indian Tribes, and other interested entities to encourage cooperative conservation, restoration and management of the fish and wildlife resources and their habitats in the Great Lakes Basin. Regional Projects are authorized activities of the Service related to fish and wildlife resource protection, restoration, maintenance, and enhancement impacting the resources of multiple States or Indian Tribes with fish and wildlife management authority in the Great Lakes Basin.
For more information go to: http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do;jsessionid=55VLMTYhkJt1tF1Khknd2g3DMGPv5YFjLVnX4vh1XbKL5YzLMb52!-530104428?oppId=58505&mode=VIEW
5. Fish and Wildlife Service: Urban Conservation Treaty for Migratory Birds Program Deadline: January 7, 2011 Description: This program provides support to protect, restore, and enhance urban/suburban habitats for birds; reduce hazards to birds; educate and engage citizens in monitoring, caring about, and advocating for birds and their conservation; foster youth environmental education with a focus on birds; manage invasive species to benefit and protect birds; increase awareness of the value of migratory birds and their habitats, especially for their intrinsic, ecological, recreational, and economic significance For more information go to: http://www.grantstation.com/Members/Toolkit/gov_deadlines/2011q1.asp#jan
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Please note:
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The
first thing La Plata County Commissioner Wally White can say
when asked about the Mountain Studies Institute (MSI) is,
“boy are these people dedicated”. White
should know. In addition to being a county
commissioner
for the last 6 years, for the last 12 months he has
also been a governing board member for the rural scientific
research station. Serving communities in the San Juan
Mountains, White characterizes the rural mountainous area of
Southwestern Colorado as a “heart and soul location” for a
scientific research station. 
Climate
variability and its effect on the forests, watersheds and
communities of the west has been a significant focus for the
institute and this was further highlighted this October when
MSI held its 3rd regional Climate Conference:
For the last seven months MSI has also been participating in
MSI
Executive Director Marcie Bidwell, who is the lead on the
project, emphasized how the CSU tools helped MSI collaborate
over wide landscapes with varied ownership.
“Although we always intellectually knew this was the case,
getting a visual picture of how these organizations were
involved in the same landscapes and watersheds really made a
difference not only in our outreach to those managers but
also in communicating that reality to our local community,”
says Bidwell. 
“We
want to achieve three goals out of this conference,” says
Bidwell. “We hope that this results in an online tool box
for the San Juan Mountains, advances our collaborative
relationships, and drives overall landscape planning between
the local, state and federal agencies, all in the context of
climate adaptation.” 
Wetlands
enhance natural aesthetics and provide recreational venues
for fishing, swimming, boating, hiking and much more.
Wetlands also provide educational opportunities for school
children and opportunities for academic research, thus
serving as living laboratories to learn about organisms,
ecosystems and the environment as a whole. They serve as an
outdoor classroom where students can apply what they learn
in various subjects to their environment.
Gunnison
As
you know, the Conservation Leaders Network is the only
nationwide organization that focuses on working with county
commissioners to protect America’s natural resources.
Peregrine falcons off the endangered list
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For Counties