(Kansas City, Kan., Nov. 1, 2011) - Anyone along the Mississippi River will see the steady-moving push boats moving along America's inland waterways, carrying commodities from as far north as St. Paul, Minn. to ports as far south as New Orleans, La.  Push boats run 24 hours a day, seven days a week moving goods to markets at inland ports along the river.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a $494,978 grant to Southeast Missouri Regional Planning Commission (SEMO RPC) to replace engines on a push boat operated by SCF Marine.  The boat's old engines are from 1953 and 1960, decades before emission standards went into effect.  The new engines will meet EPA Tier II standards, resulting in reduced health impacts for port workers and communities along the Mississippi River.  The EPA grant is part of a $1 million project.

The Tier 2 vehicle and gasoline sulfur program is part of a series of major initiatives that reduce emissions from passenger vehicles, highway trucks and buses, and nonroad diesel equipment. The result will be reduced emissions, cleaner air, and improved human health.

SEMO RPC is also working with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources to reduce emissions on trash haulers and switch locomotives in southeast Missouri.

EPA has awarded $50 million for clean diesel projects as part of its ongoing campaign to reduce harmful emissions in the air and better protect people's health. These efforts will replace, retrofit or repower more than 8,000 older school buses, trucks, locomotives, vessels, and other diesel powered machines. Reducing emissions from existing diesels provides cost-effective public health and environmental benefits while supporting green jobs at manufacturers, dealerships and businesses across the country.

Diesel engines emit 7.3 million tons of smog-forming nitrogen oxides (NOx) and 333,000 tons of soot annually. Diesel pollution is linked to thousands of premature deaths, hundreds of thousands of asthma attacks and millions of lost work days. While EPA's standards significantly reduce emissions from newly manufactured engines, clean diesel projects funded through these grants will work to address the more than 11 million older diesel engines that continue to emit higher levels of harmful pollution.

 

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Environmental educators, naturalists and park interpreters from across the country gathered in St. Paul, Minnesota, November 8-12 for the National Association of Interpretation Workshop. 

Greg Wolf with Davenport Parks and Recreation was one of 56 members of the Iowa Association of Naturalists who received scholarships to attend the workshop in St. Paul.

Presenters and attendees shared new ideas, talents, and examples of actions to enhance existing programs and develop new methods to engage families, schools, and other groups in natural resource education and recreation. 

Concurrent session topics ranged from how to utilize "apps" to promote recreation opportunities by iPhone users to nature-based activities for pre-schoolers. "I was able to attend a number of sessions during the workshop," noted Mr Wolf. "Thanks to a REAP Conservation Education Program/Iowa Association of Naturalists Scholarship, I was able to benefit from experiences and ideas of the presenters and other workshop attendees from across the U.S. and Canada.

These sessions will help me improve the outdoor education and recreation opportunities we provide for area residents and visitors."

Iowa's Resource Enhancement and Protection Program (REAP) provides funding to public and private partners for natural and cultural resource projects, including water quality, wildlife habitat, soil conservation, parks, trails, historic preservation, and more. The Iowa Association of Naturalists promotes education about natural and cultural environments.

For more information about the environmental education opportunities in Davenport, contact Greg Wolf at 563-326-PARKS. For more information about the REAP program, contact Tammie Krausman, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Wallace State Office Building, Des Moines, IA 50319 (Tammie.Krausman@dnr.iowa.gov ).

Local foods key to growing economy

CHAMPAIGN - October 27, 2011. At an award ceremony celebrating 25 of the greenest public, private and non-profit organizations and businesses in Illinois, Lt. Governor Sheila Simon said good environmental practices strengthen the state's economy.

"These awards recognize leaders in sustainability, and they also recognize smart economic policy for businesses and governments," Simon said at the 25th Annual Governor's Sustainability Awards Ceremony hosted by the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center at the University of Illinois.

Among those recognized was Uncommon Ground in Chicago, which runs two restaurants serving locally grown food from its 2,500 square foot rooftop farm. The group received a Continuous Improvement Award, given to organizations that have won awards at previous Sustainability Award Ceremonies.

Simon noted that Uncommon Ground helps keep local food dollars in the state. Simon, who chairs the Governor's Rural Affairs Council has targeted building opportunity in Illinois by promoting local foods.  Illinoisans spend roughly $46 billion annually on food, but only $2 billion of that amount on food grown in Illinois.

The awards have been presented since 1987 by the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center (ISTC) at the University of Illinois. Awards are given to organizations for their efforts in implementing green practices such as technology and energy conservation.

"The efforts of these businesses and organizations demonstrate that it is possible to meet social and economic needs while minimizing impacts on the environment," ISTC Director Manohar Kulkarni said. "Present and future generations will appreciate their foresight."

A Sustainability Award, which recognizes first-time winners, was given to the University of Illinois Retro-commissioning Group, which is comprised of engineers, field technicians and tradesmen. The group has spent $6 million making 27 campus buildings more energy efficient. The team's efforts have resulted in an average energy savings per building of 26 percent and a total $9.7 million reduction in utility costs since 2007.

Four community colleges - John A. Logan College, Lewis and Clark Community College, Rock Valley College and Southwestern Illinois College - all received sustainability awards for implementing energy efficiencies on campus.

"More efficient energy use in community colleges means more opportunity for students to get the education they need to be ready for the workforce," Simon said.

The winners are:

·         ActOnEnergy Business Program, Peoria

·         Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne

·         Cabot Corporation, Tuscola

·         City of Evanston, Evanston

·         City of Naperville, Naperville

·         DuPage County, Wheaton

·         Earth Friendly Products, Addison

·         Elmhurst Park District, Elmhurst

·         Gabriel Environmental Services, Chicago

·         GE Healthcare IT, Barrington

·         Harris Corporation, Quincy

·         J.L. Clark, Rockford

·         John A. Logan College, Carterville

·         Lewis and Clark Community College, Godfrey

·         Lincoln Park Zoological Society, Chicago

·         NOW Foods, Inc., Bloomingdale

·         PortionPac Chemical Corporation, Chicago

·         Rock Valley College, Rockford

·         Solberg MFG., Itasca

·         Southwestern Illinois College, Belleville

·         The Sherwin-Williams Company, Effingham

·         Uncommon Ground, Chicago

·         University of Illinois at Chicago, c/o Office of Sustainability, Chicago

·         University of Illinois Retro-commissioning Group, Champaign

·         Village of Hoffman Estates, Hoffman Estates

 

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Nebraska City, Neb. (October 26, 2011) - Scott County Family Y-Palmer Learning Center outdoor classroom earned the national designation of a certified Nature Explore Classroom from the Arbor Day Foundation and Dimensions Educational Research Foundation.

The national certification places Scott County Family Y in a select circle. The first Nature Explore Classroom is located in the Tree Adventure attraction at Arbor Day Farm, the Arbor Day Foundation's interactive conservation venue in Nebraska City, Neb.  Nature Explore Classrooms are part of the Nature Explore program, a collaborative project of the Arbor Day Foundation and Dimensions Educational Research Foundation. Developed in response to the growing disconnect between children and nature, certified Nature Explore Classrooms are designed to help fill the void by educating young children using research-based principles for integrating nature into their daily learning.

These classrooms, which are being developed across the country, offer interactive elements - including musical instruments made of natural materials, climbing structures, wooden blocks, small waterways, garden areas, and natural materials for building and creating art - that give children important and inspiring nature experiences. While connecting children with nature, such unstructured play and activities are shown to enhance concentration, develop creativity and problem-solving, relieve stress, and improve skills in many areas.

The Scott County Family Y-Palmer Learning Center is located at 724 Harrison Street in Davenport, IA. Outdoor classrooms that are designed according to principles described in the Dimensions Foundation's Learning With Nature Idea Book are eligible to become certified Nature Explore Classrooms. In a certified Nature Explore Classroom, children can create visual masterpieces in a nature art area, build with natural materials, climb on natural structures, and practice their balance, agility, and creativity in areas designed for music and movement.

"Scott County Family Y has taken an important leadership role in a profoundly needed initiative to connect young children with nature, setting a wonderful example for education centers across the country," said Susie Wirth, Nature Explore outreach director for the Arbor Day Foundation. "Everyone at Arbor Day Foundation and Dimensions Educational Research Foundation appreciates the commitment that Scott County Family Y has made to the Nature Explore program and to providing nature education opportunities for young children."

About the Arbor Day Foundation: The Arbor Day Foundation is a nonprofit education organization of more than 1 million members, with a mission to inspire people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees. More information on the Foundation and its programs can be found at arborday.org.

About Dimensions Educational Research Foundation: Dimensions Educational Research Foundation was formed in 1998 to study how science, math and literacy learning can be enhanced by the addition of more visual-spatial activities into classrooms and homes. For a number of years, the Foundation has conducted and collected research on how children best develop visual-spatial skills and how teachers and families can optimally support this development. Dimensions Educational Research Foundation's goal is to create and deliver unique educational programming to 1) Help people better understand and appreciate the natural world by developing visual-spatial skills; and 2) Improve science, math and literacy learning through visual-spatial skills.

Join the celebration at the Eastern Avenue Branch Library on Tuesday, October 18 at 1:00 p.m. as the library celebrates receiving the LEED Silver designation by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC).

 

Bruce Hamous from the Eastern Iowa Branch of the Iowa Chapter of the United States Green Building Council will present the award to the library.  Representatives involved with designing and constructing the beautiful, environmentally friendly library will be present, as well as the mayor and members of the city council.

 

For more information on the library's celebration, contact LaWanda Roudebush at 563.326.7832.

Event Date: October 18, 2011

Join the celebration at the Eastern Avenue Branch Library on Tuesday, October 18 at 1:00 p.m. as the library celebrates receiving the LEED Silver designation by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC).

Bruce Hamous from the Eastern Iowa Branch of the Iowa Chapter of the United States Green Building Council will present the award to the library.  Representatives involved with designing and constructing the beautiful, environmentally friendly library will be present, as well as the mayor and members of the city council.

For more information on the library's celebration, contact LaWanda Roudebush at 563.326.7832.

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Finding The Best Fall Colors

The USDA Forest Service can help you find the best Fall colors

A new TV feature is available on the USDA FTP site

Filename: Fall Color feature

Download instructions:

The host: ftp://ocbmtcmedia.download.akamai.com

User name: usdanews

Password:  Newscontent1

The new file is in QuickTime Movie (H.264 ), MPEG 4, MPEG2 and HDV.

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twNOResyOWU&feature=channel_video_title

video podcast: http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/usda-down-to-earth-video-podcast/id461819504?uo=4

RSS feed: http://downtoearth.usda.libsynpro.com/rss

Please email bob.ellison@usda.gov if you have problems or suggestions.

Also, use this free ftp client if you have problems.

http://filezilla-project.org/download.php?type+client

FEATURE - FINDING THE BEST FALL COLORS

INTRO: Leaf viewing season is upon us and the U-S-D-A's Forest Service has information on the best colors. The U-S-D-A's Bob Ellison has more. (1:25)

 

FALL IS HERE AND PEOPLE WANT TO SEE THE CHANGING LEAVES. BUT HOW DO YOU KNOW WHERE AND WHEN TO SEE THE BEST FALL COLORS? THE U-S DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE'S FOREST SERVICE CAN HELP WITH ITS FALL COLORS WEB PAGE AND HOTLINE.

 

Tom Tidwell, Chief, USDA Forest Service: So you don't have to spend any time trying to wonder if this is the right weekend to get out. Call our hotline. We do have a website that you can go to that you can get the best up to date information. We keep it up to date and we're going to tell you when the Fall colors are peaking in the area where you want to visit.

 

MANY FACTORS INFLUENCE FALL COLORS SO THE FOREST SERVICE RELIES HEAVILY ON EYEWITNESS REPORTS.

 

Tidwell: And each year depending on how the weather develops in the Fall that helps dictate the color changes. So not only do have the science but we also have folks out there observing when these colors are changing so we can give you the best up to date information that's available.

 

AND WHILE FALL COLORS CAN BE ENJOYED IN MANY PLACES, TIDWELL SAYS SOME OF THE BEST VIEWING OPPORTUNITIES ARE IN THE NATIONAL FORESTS.

 

Tidwell: Where you have the variety of both the hardwoods and also of our conifers. So you get that combination of the brilliant, magnificent Fall colors also with that solid green color from our conifer trees.

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO F-S DOT FED DOT U-S FORWARD SLASH FALL COLORS OR CALL ONE EIGHT HUNDRED THREE FIVE FOUR FOUR FIVE NINE FIVE. FOR THE U-S DEPARMENT OF AGRICULTURE, I'M BOB ELLISON.

By Johnathan Hladik, johnathanh@cfra.org, Center for Rural Affairs

Here at the Center for Rural Affairs we talk a lot about clean energy transmission. We've long recognized that improved transmission infrastructure is the key to job creation and economic development, in rural and urban communities alike.

Fortunately, others do too. Last week the Obama administration announced a plan to fast-track the approval of much-needed electric transmission lines. This follows the creation of two USDA Rural Development loan programs designed to improve transmission facilities in rural areas.

What does this mean for rural residents? It means that now is the time to become engaged. Each proposed line offers an opportunity for you to become involved almost every step of the way.

Before a project moves forward, the developer will look for input from the community. Each will hold educational meetings and open house events to share information and better understand your needs.  Objectives will be discussed, as will route estimations.

Next, most states require the developer to demonstrate project need, and to prove the project is in the public interest.  This determination is made by a state regulatory agency, most often the public service commission or a variation thereof.

Finally it will be time to determine the route. This offers yet another opportunity to weigh in and submit comments to your state regulatory agency. Your concerns will be taken into account and influence the final determination.

To get you started, we've created a transmission map. Visit http://www.cfra.org/clean-energy-transmission-map to find projects in your area and learn more about those affecting you.

Ducks Unlimited Campaign for Wetlands and Waterfowl Habitat Conservation
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is supporting Double Up for the Ducks -  a new campaign by Ducks Unlimited encouraging duck hunters and all persons who would like to make a difference for wildlife conservation to purchase two federal Duck Stamps this year to help conserve habitat for wild ducks, geese and other waterfowl.

"The Service certainly appreciates this effort being undertaken by Ducks Unlimited to further waterfowl and wetlands conservation across the country," said Service Director Dan Ashe. "The Duck Stamp program has been one of the most successful conservation programs in history and buying not one but two duck stamps is one of the best ways around to protect wildlife and waterfowl habitat."

"The Federal Duck Stamp has been an important tool in waterfowl habitat conservation for 77 years, but its ability to purchase and conserve important waterfowl habitat has been greatly diminished by inflation and rising land prices," Ducks Unlimited CEO Dale Hall said.
Since 1934, sales from the Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp, commonly known as the Federal Duck Stamp, have helped to acquire more than 5.3 million acres of waterfowl habitat for the National Wildlife Refuge System.  Ninety-eight cents out of every dollar is spent to acquire land and protect waterfowl habitat.  Stamp revenues benefit waterfowl and countless other wildlife species as well as people by expanding opportunities and access for wildlife dependent recreation.

The cost of the Duck Stamp has remained the same since 1991. Based on the Consumer Price Index, the stamp would need to cost more than $24 today to have the same buying power that $15 had in 1991. In 1991, revenue from the Duck Stamp enabled the Service to acquire 89,000 acres of habitat for the National Wildlife Refuge System at an average cost of $306 an acre. In 2010, the Service was able to acquire only 32,000 acres because land values had tripled to an average of $1,091 an acre.

There are many easy and convenient ways to buy Duck Stamps:

•       Call or order online from the United States Postal Service at 1-800 STAMP-24 (1-800-782-6724) or online at http://shop.usps.com

•       Visit your local post office

•       Call or order online from Amplex Corporation at 1-800-852-4897 or online at www.duckstamp.com

•       Contact the Federal Duck Stamp Office at 703-358-1784 or duckstamps@fws.gov

•       Duck Stamps can also be purchased at most major sporting goods stores that sell hunting licenses.

Review the Service's Federal Duck Stamp video: http://www.fws.gov/video/flash/ds_promo.html

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals, and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov. Connect with our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/usfws, follow our tweets at www.twitter.com/usfwshq, watch our YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/usfws and download photos from our Flickr page at http://www.flickr.com/photos/usfwshq.

(Kansas City, Kan., Sept. 19, 2011) - Entries are now being sought for the 2011 President's Environmental Youth Awards (PEYA), which recognize individuals, school classes (kindergarten through high school) and youth organizations for protecting our nation's air, water, land and ecology.

The program, which honors a variety of environmental projects developed by students, is open to students in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska through EPA Region 7 in Kansas City, Kan.

The program has two components: the regional certificate program and the regional award winner.  Regional certificates are awarded by each of the regional offices of the EPA. Each regional office also selects one first-place project as its regional award winner.

Projects must be postmarked by December 31, 2011. Program guidelines, eligibility information and applications are available online at http://www.epa.gov/enviroed/peya/index.html or by contacting Denise Morrison, 1-800-223-0425. Regional award winners will be notified in February 2012.

The PEYA program promotes awareness of our nation's natural resources and encourages positive community involvement. It is one of the most important ways EPA and the Administration demonstrate commitment to environmental stewardship efforts created and conducted by our nation's young people. Winning projects in the past include environmental science projects, recycling programs in school and communities, construction of nature preserves and major tree planting programs.

 

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