#wetlands — Public Fediverse posts
Live and recent posts from across the Fediverse tagged #wetlands, aggregated by home.social.
-
Feral pig problem raises bird flu fears in famous wetlands
By Zaarkacha Marlan and Kim GoldsmithLandholders fear the Macquarie Marshes feral pig problem could make a bird flu outbreak harder to contain as concerns grow about the potential impact on the internationally recognised wetlands.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-14/macquarie-marshes-landholders-prepare-bird-flu/107133908
#AvianInfluenza #Birds #Wetlands #NatureReserves #Environment #WildlifeDiseases #RuralandRemoteCommunities #ZaarkachaMarlan #KimGoldsmith
-
Polesian wolves have extremely long tails so their caretakers can easily pull them out of bogs.
-
HELP!
Finland’s first licence to #mine a #Natura2000 site would set a deadly precedent for #EU #nature #protection
#wetlands #conservation #Viiankiaapa
Please share.
Finland’s first licence to min... -
-
-
-
-
-
Protected wetlands can’t keep microplastics out https://www.earth.com/environment/protected-wetlands-cant-keep-microplastics-out/
#nature #environment #wetlands #plastic #microplastics #PlasticPollution
-
Protected wetlands can’t keep microplastics out https://www.earth.com/environment/protected-wetlands-cant-keep-microplastics-out/
#nature #environment #wetlands #plastic #microplastics #PlasticPollution
-
Protected wetlands can’t keep microplastics out https://www.earth.com/environment/protected-wetlands-cant-keep-microplastics-out/
#nature #environment #wetlands #plastic #microplastics #PlasticPollution
-
Protected wetlands can’t keep microplastics out https://www.earth.com/environment/protected-wetlands-cant-keep-microplastics-out/
#nature #environment #wetlands #plastic #microplastics #PlasticPollution
-
Protected wetlands can’t keep microplastics out https://www.earth.com/environment/protected-wetlands-cant-keep-microplastics-out/
#nature #environment #wetlands #plastic #microplastics #PlasticPollution
-
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/sep/12/uk-summer-climate-messaging-communities-government; https://climateoutreach.org/btc/2025/report/10-adaptation/. There is a very clear distinction between #climate #mitigation, on the one hand, & climate #adaptation, on the other. The former entails reducing the #extraction & #burning of #fossilfuels, #deforestation, #destruction of #wetlands & #animal #agriculture. The latter entails adapting to the #effects of #Climatechange, rather than doing anything to prevent further climate change. If people haven't understood THAT, they've understood NOTHING!
-
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/sep/12/uk-summer-climate-messaging-communities-government; https://climateoutreach.org/btc/2025/report/10-adaptation/. There is a very clear distinction between #climate #mitigation, on the one hand, & climate #adaptation, on the other. The former entails reducing the #extraction & #burning of #fossilfuels, #deforestation, #destruction of #wetlands & #animal #agriculture. The latter entails adapting to the #effects of #Climatechange, rather than doing anything to prevent further climate change. If people haven't understood THAT, they've understood NOTHING!
-
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/sep/12/uk-summer-climate-messaging-communities-government; https://climateoutreach.org/btc/2025/report/10-adaptation/. There is a very clear distinction between #climate #mitigation, on the one hand, & climate #adaptation, on the other. The former entails reducing the #extraction & #burning of #fossilfuels, #deforestation, #destruction of #wetlands & #animal #agriculture. The latter entails adapting to the #effects of #Climatechange, rather than doing anything to prevent further climate change. If people haven't understood THAT, they've understood NOTHING!
-
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/sep/12/uk-summer-climate-messaging-communities-government; https://climateoutreach.org/btc/2025/report/10-adaptation/. There is a very clear distinction between #climate #mitigation, on the one hand, & climate #adaptation, on the other. The former entails reducing the #extraction & #burning of #fossilfuels, #deforestation, #destruction of #wetlands & #animal #agriculture. The latter entails adapting to the #effects of #Climatechange, rather than doing anything to prevent further climate change. If people haven't understood THAT, they've understood NOTHING!
-
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/sep/12/uk-summer-climate-messaging-communities-government; https://climateoutreach.org/btc/2025/report/10-adaptation/. There is a very clear distinction between #climate #mitigation, on the one hand, & climate #adaptation, on the other. The former entails reducing the #extraction & #burning of #fossilfuels, #deforestation, #destruction of #wetlands & #animal #agriculture. The latter entails adapting to the #effects of #Climatechange, rather than doing anything to prevent further climate change. If people haven't understood THAT, they've understood NOTHING!
-
World-first trial finds floating wetlands can cut greenhouse gas emissions
By Jack Colantuono, Zaida Glibanovic, and Mim HookA floating garden of native plants in Victoria's east cuts a wastewater lagoon's emissions by about 30 per cent, with researchers now testing the approach on farm dams.
#Wetlands #GreenhouseGases #EarthScience #WaterPollution #WaterPlants #JackColantuono #ZaidaGlibanovic #MimHook
-
World-first trial finds floating wetlands can cut greenhouse gas emissions
By Jack Colantuono, Zaida Glibanovic, and Mim HookA floating garden of native plants in Victoria's east cuts a wastewater lagoon's emissions by about 30 per cent, with researchers now testing the approach on farm dams.
#Wetlands #GreenhouseGases #EarthScience #WaterPollution #WaterPlants #JackColantuono #ZaidaGlibanovic #MimHook
-
World-first trial finds floating wetlands can cut greenhouse gas emissions
By Jack Colantuono, Zaida Glibanovic, and Mim HookA floating garden of native plants in Victoria's east cuts a wastewater lagoon's emissions by about 30 per cent, with researchers now testing the approach on farm dams.
#Wetlands #GreenhouseGases #EarthScience #WaterPollution #WaterPlants #JackColantuono #ZaidaGlibanovic #MimHook
-
World-first trial finds floating wetlands can cut greenhouse gas emissions
By Jack Colantuono, Zaida Glibanovic, and Mim HookA floating garden of native plants in Victoria's east cuts a wastewater lagoon's emissions by about 30 per cent, with researchers now testing the approach on farm dams.
#Wetlands #GreenhouseGases #EarthScience #WaterPollution #WaterPlants #JackColantuono #ZaidaGlibanovic #MimHook
-
World-first trial finds floating wetlands can cut greenhouse gas emissions
By Jack Colantuono, Zaida Glibanovic, and Mim HookA floating garden of native plants in Victoria's east cuts a wastewater lagoon's emissions by about 30 per cent, with researchers now testing the approach on farm dams.
#Wetlands #GreenhouseGases #EarthScience #WaterPollution #WaterPlants #JackColantuono #ZaidaGlibanovic #MimHook
-
Also in #GorhamME -- it looks like the local government is pushing ahead with the #AmazonWarehouse , despite citizen opposition (and why our town is considering a moratorium on big warehouses along with datacenters)! And, if this is built, you can bet that the #GorhamConnector will be built -- cutting through forests and farms ( #SmilingHillFarm ), and inducing more sprawl!!!
Amazon representatives detail warehouse plans at Gorham board meeting
by Jane Park
Updated Mon, August 3, 2026"The Gorham Planning Board discussed potential changes to an Amazon warehouse proposal, including reducing parking spaces to protect #wetlands.
"The Gorham Planning Board met Monday night to continue discussing possibly building an Amazon warehouse.
"The facility would be on a 94-acre of land off Main Street.
"Representatives for #BluewaterPropertyGroup, who are developing the Amazon facility, appeared at the meeting and said they are proposing changes to the scale of the operation amid criticism from residents.
"The changes include reducing the number of parking spaces at the site to help preserve wetlands. However, representatives said this would result in fewer deliveries because Amazon trucks would have less parking available.
" 'We also showed some alternative site plans that relocated van parking to the other areas of the site, but studying this led to further disturbance of wetlands, leaving the board, the DEP, and the community to choose between residents or resources,' Alexandra Escamilla, Bluewater Property representative, said.
"Board members also raised traffic and noise concerns at the meeting. They shared concerns of traffic during school and work hours, as well as whether the noise of the facility would be disruptive to nearby residents.
"Amazon representatives responded by saying the deliveries would not begin until after 10 a.m., and they are using technology and fences to try to mitigate the noise.
"The board will have another meeting about the warehouse on Sept. 14."
https://www.yahoo.com/news/us/articles/amazon-representatives-detail-warehouse-plans-015818432.html
#NoisePollution #Traffic #IncreasedTraffic #MainePol #InducedSprawl #GorhamBypass #LessTraffic #MoreBuses #CommuterRail #NoAmazonWarehouse #NoGorhamConnector #SaveRedBrook #SaveTheForests #SaveTheFarms #SaveSmilingHill
-
EPA seeks more public comment on water rule
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Environmental Protection Agency is seeking additional public comments as it tries to redefine the…
#NewsBeep #News #Headlines #APTopNews #ChantellSackett #Climate #Climateandenvironment #Courts #DonaldTrump #Generalnews #Governmentregulations #Industryregulation #JonDevine #SupremeCourtoftheUnitedStates #U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency #UnitedStates #Us #USA #Washingtonnews #wetlands
https://www.newsbeep.com/719180/ -
Two new pages of the #carnivorousPlant #zine are up! Click the link for the whole thing :)
Edited to replace the second page where I somehow managed to line up the text around the image without realizing I had duplicated an entire paragraph, because I'm sooo professional.
https://tippitiwichet.wordpress.com/bog-monsters-how-carnivorous-plants-do-the-things-they-do/
#sciArt #tardigrade #wetlands #frogs #goblincore #bogwitch #illustration #humanMadeArt #art #wetlands #ecology #nature
-
Two new pages of the #carnivorousPlant #zine are up! Click the link for the whole thing :)
Edited to replace the second page where I somehow managed to line up the text around the image without realizing I had duplicated an entire paragraph, because I'm sooo professional.
https://tippitiwichet.wordpress.com/bog-monsters-how-carnivorous-plants-do-the-things-they-do/
#sciArt #tardigrade #wetlands #frogs #goblincore #bogwitch #illustration #humanMadeArt #art #wetlands #ecology #nature
-
Two new pages of the #carnivorousPlant #zine are up! Click the link for the whole thing :)
Edited to replace the second page where I somehow managed to line up the text around the image without realizing I had duplicated an entire paragraph, because I'm sooo professional.
https://tippitiwichet.wordpress.com/bog-monsters-how-carnivorous-plants-do-the-things-they-do/
#sciArt #tardigrade #wetlands #frogs #goblincore #bogwitch #illustration #humanMadeArt #art #wetlands #ecology #nature
-
Two new pages of the #carnivorousPlant #zine are up! Click the link for the whole thing :)
Edited to replace the second page where I somehow managed to line up the text around the image without realizing I had duplicated an entire paragraph, because I'm sooo professional.
https://tippitiwichet.wordpress.com/bog-monsters-how-carnivorous-plants-do-the-things-they-do/
#sciArt #tardigrade #wetlands #frogs #goblincore #bogwitch #illustration #humanMadeArt #art #wetlands #ecology #nature
-
Two new pages of the #carnivorousPlant #zine are up! Click the link for the whole thing :)
Edited to replace the second page where I somehow managed to line up the text around the image without realizing I had duplicated an entire paragraph, because I'm sooo professional.
https://tippitiwichet.wordpress.com/bog-monsters-how-carnivorous-plants-do-the-things-they-do/
#sciArt #tardigrade #wetlands #frogs #goblincore #bogwitch #illustration #humanMadeArt #art #wetlands #ecology #nature
-
Rewilded land remains green amid drought-stricken English countryside, images show https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/aug/21/somerset-rewilding-holnicote-estate-wetlands-rivers-resilience #Rewilding #Wetlands #Rivers #Somerset #Water #Wildfires #TheNationalTrust #Environment #UkNews #England #Conservation #TreesAndForests #Wildlife
-
Rewilded land remains green amid drought-stricken English countryside, images show
By Sandra LavilleNational Trust’s Holnicote estate says restored wetlands and rivers offer proof of resilience to drought, wildfires and flooding
#Rewilding #Wetlands #Rivers #Somerset #Water #Wildfires #TheNationalTrust #Environment #UKnews #England #Conservation #Treesandforests #Wildlife #TheGuardian #SandraLaville
-
Widespread Landslide Activity in an Extreme Wet Season and Implications for Regional Sediment Management, Eastern San Francisco Bay Area, California
--
https://doi.org/10.1029/2026EA005227 <-- shared paper
--
H/T @amy East, Ph.D., P.G. | Researcher integrating geoscience and climate-change preparedness
“[This paper (link above) is] a collaboration with [the H/T’s] colleagues from [the] USGS Landslide Hazards Program, who mapped over 8,900 landslides in the eastern San Francisco Bay Area during an extreme wet winter.
How much sediment does such an extreme winter produce, from landslides or in stream discharge? How does that compare with long-term sediment production and landscape denudation rates?
[They] f[o]nd that landslide sediment mobilization is comparable to long-term denudation rates, emphasizing the role of extreme events in long-term sediment production. However, one extreme wet year has a negligible effect toward counteracting ongoing problems of sediment deficit in San Francisco Bay: to keep pace with sea-level rise, extreme wet conditions would need to occur in 50 out of the next 75 years…”
--
"PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY: Watersheds will likely produce more sediment in a warmer future with more extreme rain, primarily through landslides in steep terrain. This study examines how an extremely wet season affected sediment production and transport in the eastern San Francisco Bay area, California. By mapping and measuring 8,928 landslides, [they] found that rare, extreme rain conditions are likely responsible for the vast majority of long-term hillslope erosion rates in this region. However, due to long residence times for sediment on hillslopes and in stream channels, a maximum of 1%–2% of that newly mobilized landslide material could have potentially contributed to sediment carried by streams into the Bay that year. Even extremely wet years cannot provide enough sediment for Bay wetlands and shorelines to keep pace with rising sea levels. To meet the demand for sediment in the Bay, such extreme rain and sediment production would need to occur in most years, which is not realistic. To restore wetlands and protect shorelines, managers likely will need to supplement the coastal system with repurposed dredged material…”
#massmovement #soil #water #hydrology #hydrography #geology #soils #geomorphometry #hydrogeomorphology #geomorphology #landslide #masswasting #climatechange #extremeweather #precipitation #rainfall #weather #climate #mapping #engineeringgeology #mapping #SanFrancisco #BayArea #USA #California #fedscience #fedservice #oublicgood #sediment #stream #discharge #extremewinter #sealevelrise #SLR #hillslope #erosion #sedimentation #tidal #wetlands #coast #coastline #shoreline #GIS #spatial #spatialanalysis #spatiotemporal #watershed
#USGS | #USGSLandslideHazardsProgram -
#Florida's Hidden Gem: See #photos of Pan's Garden in #PalmBeach
by Meghan McCarthy, April 13, 2025
"The all-native botanical garden was established in 1994 by the Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach."
#SolarPunkSunday #SpendTimeInNature #BotannicalGardens #Mangroves #Wetlands #NativePlants #PansGarden #Bloomscrolling #Gardens
-
Today is #WorldSnakeDay! #Wetlands control floods and purify water. In #Nigeria they're home to birds #crocodiles snakes and #hippos which nurture the rainforest. Protect them with your wallet #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife https://palmoildetectives.com/2022/06/12/nigerias-nature-reserves-need-more-help-to-protect-biodiversity/?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=Palm+Oil+Detectives&utm_campaign=publer
-
The battle over peat: why do some gardeners still insist on using it?
By Rachel DixonPeat bogs are essential to the environment, holding twice as much carbon as all the world’s forests. But in the UK, 80% are damaged, most of what is extracted is used in horticulture – and some campaigners fear the problem is getting worse
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jul/15/peatlands-carbon-horticulture-peat-free-planting
#Environment #Plants #Greenhousegasemissions #Climatecrisis #Food #Farming #Supermarkets #Retailindustry #Vegetables #Fruit #Gardens #Lifeandstyle #Wetlands #Soil #Compost #Environmentalactivism #TheGuardian #RachelDixon
-
The battle over peat: why do some gardeners still insist on using it? https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jul/15/peatlands-carbon-horticulture-peat-free-planting #Environment #Plants #GreenhouseGasEmissions #ClimateCrisis #Food #Farming #Supermarkets #RetailIndustry #Vegetables #Fruit #Gardens #LifeAndStyle #Wetlands #Soil #Compost #EnvironmentalActivism
-
How to Explore India for Birds & Wildlife? The Ultimate 2026-27 Guide for Travelers
India, with its vast landscapes, diverse ecosystems, and rich biodiversity, is a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts and birdwatchers alike. From the dense forests of Central India to the wetlands of the North East, India offers unrivaled opportunities for observing iconic wildlife species and rare birds in their natural habitat. Whether you are seeking a luxury wildlife holiday in India or a focused birdwatching tour, this guide will help you plan your ultimate wildlife adventure. Question: […] -
How To Study Coastal Evolution
Researchers reviewed what’s known about how coastlines are changing and made recommendations for how to learn more
--
https://eos.org/research-spotlights/how-to-study-coastal-evolution <-- shared technical article
--
https://doi.org/10.1029/2024EF005833 <-- shared paper
--
#coast #coastal #coastline #change #prediction #spatiotemporal #spatialanalysis #USA #extremeweather #storm #stormsurge #sealevel #sealevelrise #SLR #risk #hazard #mitigation #shorelines #habitat #ecosystem #inlets #flood #flooding #wetlands #processes #ecosystems #community #planning #policy #coordinated #framework #management #decisionmaking #overview #naturalprocesses #innundation #damage #infrastructure #landforms #CoastalScience #ClimateChange #SeaLevelRise #EarthsFuture #AGU #CoastalResilience
@USGS @NOAA @NOAA Centers for Coastal Ocean Science -
#Wetlands 🫧🌊 control floods, replenish groundwater, stabilise shorelands, purify water. In #Nigeria 🇳🇬 they're home to birds 🦆🪿🦉🦜#crocodiles snakes 🐍 #alligators 🐊 and #hippos 🦛 Protect them with your wallet #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife https://palmoildetectives.com/2022/06/12/nigerias-nature-reserves-need-more-help-to-protect-biodiversity/?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=Palm+Oil+Detectives&utm_campaign=publer
-
#Wabanaki group restoring 245-acre farm in #SwanvilleME as food hub
#Niweskok, a Wabanaki-led #FoodSovereignty organization, recently bought the farm to aid its work reinvigorating traditional crops and land management.by Gillian Graham, May 8, 2025
"A Wabanaki-led food sovereignty organization recently acquired a 245-acre farm in Swanville, marking the return of Wabanaki stewardship to ancestral lands in the Penobscot Bay region.
"Niweskok: From the #StarsToSeeds, a collaboration of Wabanaki #FoodAndMedicine providers, has focused for years on reinvigorating #TraditionalCrops and #LandManagement strategies, distributing #TraditionalFoods and hosting workshops. But they did not have a permanent land base until buying the farm." 'Now, with this land, we have permanency of place — and the ability to continue this work for generations to come,' said #AliviaMoore, a #PenobscotNation citizen and Niweskok co-director.
"Niweskok (which translates to 'dried seeds for planting' in the Penobscot language) raised more than $1.8 million in just three months to buy the farm, which had been used to raise cattle and board horses. The group continues to raise money toward its $3 million capital campaign goal.
"Acquiring the land in January was a major step toward restoring the #PenobscotBay region as a Wabanaki food hub and allows Indigenous communities to reconnect with #TraditionalFoodways, #medicines and #ecological #stewardship. Niweskok sees the land as an intergenerational center where Wabanaki values of care, reciprocity and sustainability can flourish.
Moore said the land will allow Niweskok to go much deeper in its food production work. The group’s plans for the land include educational programming, #SeedSaving, #WildHarvesting and cultural camps."Moore said the land itself would determine the name of the farm. The farm was selected because it is close to the ocean and Penobscot territory.
'Penobscot people have been, through the process of #colonization and #genocide, thoroughly removed from coastal access,' Moore said. 'So for us to truly have healthful economies, healthful social structures and political systems, we need to be able to engage in our coastal ecology.'"The land, with access to the #GooseRiver, includes agricultural #fields, 140 acres of #forest, #wetlands and ponds. There are miles of riding trails through the woods, which Niweskok staff will map and decide which to maintain and whether more are needed for waterway access.
"Niweskok staff members have been preparing the soil for future planting and harvesting. Moore has been working on a 1-acre welcome garden that includes #perennials, #FruitTrees, #SweetGrass, #blueberries and other plants. Last week, she planted 70 #asparagus seedlings and 35 #rhubarb plants.
"Plans also are underway to spruce up a #farmstand where Niweskok will share #FreeProduce with neighbors.
"Moore has also been focused on working to restore the forests as #FoodForests — a process that will take years — and has started selective cutting to support existing #hazelnut groves and #BlackCherries.
"Niweskok will also create outdoor classrooms for community members to engage with the land, including demonstrations on plantings and #agroforestry techniques.
" 'An outdoor kitchen is one of our high-priority areas because so much of our time and how we want to support our community is being with our foods and outside as much as possible,' Moore said. 'Cooking over open fire is not only a way we want to engage with folks, but an important, culturally significant and really beautiful way to be together.'"Niweskok this month was awarded the #EspyHeritageAward from the #MaineCoastHeritageTrust, an annual award that recognizes those who make outstanding contributions to #LandConservation while inspiring others. It was the first time the award was given to an #Indigenous-led group.
"Angela Twitchell, director of partnerships and public policy for Maine Coast Heritage Trust, said Niweskok’s work to restore the Penobscot Bay region as a Wabanaki food hub is 'an inspiring example of how land conservation is evolving.'
"For decades starting in the 1950s, land conservation was centered on ecological and species protection and protecting lands from people and development. It has since evolved to center its work in community, Twitchell said.
" '(Niweskok’s) work embodies resilience and a deep commitment to healing and nourishing both the land and the community,' she said. 'The collaborative work between #LandTrusts and Niweskok stands as a model to be replicated.'
"Moore said the award acknowledges the leadership of Niweskok, and added that other incredible Wabanaki-led land work is happening in the region. Moore hopes the award indicates that Maine conservation groups will continue to find ways to support Wabanaki leadership in conservation.
"Having the land has been a 'beautiful invitation' for the #NonWabanaki community 'to support Wabanaki food sovereignty and be in support of our leadership in care of the land,' Moore said."Archived version:
https://archive.md/Ii0au#WabanakiConfederacy
#MaineFirstNations #LandBack #FoodSecurity #FoodSovereignty #sovereignty #Wabanakik #WabanakiAlliance #Decolonize #SolarPunkSunday #LandStewards #stewardship #NatureEducation #Foraging #Maine #IndigenousPeoplesDay -
Wetland (Habitat 🌄)
A wetland is a distinct semi-aquatic ecosystem whose groundcovers are flooded or saturated in water, either permanently, for years or decades, or only seasonally. Flooding results in oxygen-poor processes taking place, especially in the soils. Wetlands form a transitional zone between waterbodies and dry lands, and are different from other terrestrial or a...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wetland
#Wetland #Habitat #Wetlands #BodiesOfWater #AquaticEcology #FreshwaterEcology
-
#ScarboroughMaine Town Council rescinds support for #GorhamConnector
The 6-1 vote on the resolution follows increasing opposition among town residents to the controversial $331 million, 5-mile highway, which would affect 35 property owners in town.
by Drew Johnson
10/2/2024"The vote was not unexpected; a majority of councilors had voiced support for the resolution at a meeting last month.
"Myles Smith, a member of the #MainersForSmarterTransportation group that organized a rally outside Town Hall Wednesday night, commended the council for taking up the resolution.
"'We’ve heard a lot of people say, ‘There’s nothing we can do about this project,’ ‘It’s a done deal,’ or ‘It’s decided by the state,’ ' Smith said. 'But that’s not true. When people come together and stand up for what they believe in, and our elected leaders listen to their concerns, we can make changes that people want to see in their community.'
"The resolution rescinds the council’s support for the connector, citing the failure of the #MaineTurnpikeAuthority to fulfill the terms of its agreement with Scarborough and three other communities, as well as town residents’ widespread opposition to the project.
"The resolution is not binding on future councils and leaves open the possibility of collaborating with state and regional transportation groups to resolve traffic issues should such efforts garner significant public support.
"The Maine Turnpike Authority, Scarborough, Gorham, South Portland and Westbrook signed an agreement in May 2022 pledging support for the project. While those other communities have not officially considered withdrawing their support, officials in the other municipalities have been watching the Scarborough council’s deliberations closely as public opposition to the project mounts.
"The project, estimated to cost at least $331 million, was proposed by the turnpike authority to alleviate traffic congestion through the Gorham area and has been contentious from the outset.
"The four-lane, 5-mile connector would stretch from Route 114 at the Gorham Bypass into Scarborough with interchanges at County and Running Hill roads before linking up with Interstate 95 at Exit 45 in South Portland. It’s designed to alleviate traffic in other parts of those communities, such as on Route 114 and Route 22, which provide connections to the highway.
"According to a turnpike authority presentation to the Scarborough council in February, about 50 landowners would be impacted by the project via easements, 35 of them in Scarborough. The connector also would weave through #wetlands in the northern portion of town, sparking #environmental concerns.
"The preferred path also is set to cut through a portion of #SmilingHillFarm in #WestbrookMaine, a family-owned farm on 500 acres that has been in the Knight family for 13 generations, which spurred widespread opposition to the project.
"'I’m hoping today that the Town Council members decide to put a pause on this and to talk to the MTA about finding alternate routes or scrapping this project altogether,' Ben Wallace, a 12th-generation farmer at Smiling Hill Farm, said ahead of the vote."
Original article:
https://www.pressherald.com/2024/10/02/scarborough-town-council-votes-to-rescind-support-for-gorham-connector-project/Archived version:
https://archive.md/dkvkB#selection-2485.0-2541.254#Maine #MaineNews #SaveSmilingHillFarm #GorhamBypass #SaveSmilingHill #GorhamSpur
#Maine #RapidTransit #LightRail #SaveTheFarms #ProtectTheForest #InducedDemand #Sprawl #SaveRedBrook #ProtectTheWetlands #BrookTrout -
Another sign of spring! Hope this post works. Video of a meadowlark trilling on our wetlands. Turn up your volume. Such a hopeful song. It was a bit shy so couldn’t get too close. This song woke me every morning as a child living on the prairies. #meadowlark, #spring, #nature, #wetlands,
-
How #NoisePollution from humans is wreaking havoc on U.S. #wildlife
Nation Jul 18, 2017 2:20 PM EDT
"As transportation networks expand and urban areas grow, noise from sources such as vehicle engines is spreading into remote places. Human-caused noise has consequences for wildlife, entire #ecosystems and people. It reduces the ability to hear natural sounds, which can mean the difference between life and death for many animals, and degrade the calming effect that we feel when we spend time in wild places."
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/noise-pollution-humans-wreaking-havoc-u-s-wildlife
#biodiversity #GorhamConnector #SaveSmilingHillFarm #SaveRedBrook #SaveTheForest #WorkingFarms #MaineTurnpikeAuthority #Sprawl #InducedDevelopment #GorhamSpur #Wetlands #Meadows #EnvironmentalImpact
#SaveTheWoods #Maine #GorhamMaine #ScarboroughMaine #WestbrookMaine #AnthropogenicNoise -
Understanding Wildlife Behavioral Responses to Traffic Noise and Light to Improve Mitigation Planning
Product Type: Policy Brief
Publication Date: June 09, 2020"As roads and other developed land uses proliferate, the resulting habitat fragmentation and loss of wildlife connectivity hinder animals’ ability to forage, establish new territories, and maintain genetic diversity. Wildlife crossing structures such as culverts and bridges theoretically can reduce these impacts by allowing species to effectively cross highways. However, previous research has shown that traffic presence and density can disrupt wildlife use of highway crossing structures, and that noise and light from human activities can affect animal behavior. Researchers at the University of California, Davis, Road Ecology Center measured traffic noise and light levels and placed motion- and heat-triggered cameras at 26 bridges and culverts along four interstate highways, 11 state highways and one major county road across California. The presence and behavior of animals at these highway crossing structures were compared to those detected at sites unaffected by roads to understand the effects of noise and light from a highway on wildlife behavior. This policy brief summarizes findings from that research and provides policy implications.
"Traffic moving on transportation corridors affects wildlife connectivity. Many wildlife species move across road surfaces, or through culverts and bridges, with varying levels of success depending on species, infrastructure and traffic levels. As roads and other developed land uses proliferate, the resulting habitat fragmentation and loss of wildlife connectivity hinder animals’ ability to forage, establish new territories, and maintain genetic diversity. Wildlife crossing structures such as culverts and bridges theoretically can reduce these impacts by allowing species to effectively cross highways. However, the physical roadway barrier may not be the only deterrent. Previous research has shown that traffic presence and density can disrupt wildlife use of highway crossing structures, and that noise and light from human activities can affect animal behavior."
#GorhamConnector #SaveSmilingHillFarm #SaveRedBrook #SaveTheForest #WorkingFarms #MaineTurnpikeAuthority #Sprawl #InducedDevelopment #GorhamSpur #Wetlands #Meadows #EnvironmentalImpact
#SaveTheWoods #Maine #GorhamMaine #ScarboroughMaine #WestbrookMaine #RapidTransit -
I'm planning on submitting a summary of these studies as part of my arguments against the #GorhamConnector. I grew up near a 4-lane highway, and the vibrations and noise pollution were constant -- I hadn't realized how bad it was until I went back home a few years ago and camped in my old backyard -- and felt every speeding tractor trailer truck going by.
Evidence of the impact of noise pollution on biodiversity: a systematic map
By Romain Sordello, Ophélie Ratel, Frédérique Flamerie De Lachapelle, Clément Leger, Alexis Dambry & Sylvie Vanpeene
Environmental Evidence volume 9, Article number: 20 (2020)
"Ecological research now deals increasingly with the effects of #NoisePollution on #biodiversity. Indeed, many studies have shown the impacts of #AnthropogenicNoise and concluded that it is potentially a threat to the persistence of many species. The present work is a systematic map of the evidence of the impacts of all anthropogenic noises (industrial, urban, transportation, etc.) on biodiversity. This report describes the mapping process and the evidence base with summary figures and tables presenting the characteristics of the selected articles."
https://environmentalevidencejournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13750-020-00202-y
#SaveSmilingHillFarm #SaveRedBrook #SaveTheForest #WorkingFarms #MaineTurnpikeAuthority #Sprawl #InducedDevelopment #GorhamSpur
#Wetlands #Meadows #EnvironmentalImpact
#SaveTheWoods #Maine #GorhamMaine #ScarboroughMaine #WestbrookMaine #RapidTransit -
So, what's going on with the #GorhamSpur seems a lot like what happened with the #CMPCorridor (which #Mainers voted against). Despite public opposition, #MTA will say, "Oh, well we already bought most of the land, so we have to keep going!" The same tactic was used with the CMP corridor through the North Woods, when CMP said, "Well, we already started the project -- we plan on completing if, even if the public opposes it!"
#MainePolitics #Maine #JanetMills #PeterMills #Corporatocracy #Overreach #TheWillOfThePeople #WorkingFarms #MaineTurnpikeAuthority
#Sprawl #GorhamSpur #GorhamConnector #Wetlands
#Meadows #EnvironmentalImpact #SaveSmilingHillFarm #SaveTheNorthWoods -
Opinion: #GorhamConnector plan threatens river #Ecosystem, #HeritageTrout
Building a new road along the banks of #RedBrook will render barren a unique stretch of riparian #shoreline – with all the adverse consequences you might expect.
by C. Ian Stevenson
February 27, 2024"While proponents tout the toll-road Gorham Connector as promising to shorten commutes and relieve traffic pressure in #GreaterPortlandMaine, there has already been substantial pushback to the concept. Regardless of how much (or for how long) travel-based advantage the new roadway might bring, as proposed it will have pronounced, unambiguously negative effects to the area.
"Maine is known for its sense of place. Many components contribute to what makes the state unique and desirable. Among these is the built environment, such as the 13th-generation Smiling Hill Farm in Westbrook, which the proposed route threatens to erode, if not entirely extinguish, as an economically viable vestige of Maine’s once robust agricultural heritage. Others have amply sounded the alarm about this issue.
"But the route introduces other threats to the more naturalistic landscape. Starting at #SmilingHillFarm and running south-southeasterly to I-295 is a five-mile section of Red Brook that mostly nestles in #DenseForest. Between County Road and Running Hill Road, in particular, Red Brook occupies one of the few contiguous #undeveloped #Riverine stretches in #SouthernMaine. While unassuming in scale, Red Brook is nevertheless remarkable for supporting one of the last remaining native populations of #BrookTrout in this part of the state.
"The proposed road will immediately abut the river, sitting nearly on its banks, for as much as a mile south of the County Road Interchange. This will degrade habitat, destroying the trees whose overhanging foliage provides shade and cooling effects for these temperature-sensitive fish and creates shelter from predators. It will make barren riparian shoreline that supports the aquatic and terrestrial insects that provide the primary trout food sources. The road itself will also contribute oil, salt and other #runoff to the river, #polluting the water. As a result of these factors, this connector will likely #exterminate this population of brook trout.
"Why should we care about a small river and its brook trout? Although this is not the official state fish, the fishing community widely considers it the prize species to catch, with so-called wild populations assuming even more cherished status. Brook trout provide a link across generations and cultural traditions and belong to everyone. Human inhabitants of Maine – from the original #Wabanaki to European colonists to modern Americans – have been catching these 'native' fish for millennia. Other parts of Maine, especially further north and west, have healthy native brook trout fisheries, making Maine highly regarded nationally as a destination to catch them.
"The fact that Red Brook, in the heart of #GreaterPortland, belongs to this orbit is no small feat. Most of the area’s waterways have already succumbed to habitat loss, development, predatory introduced species, warming temperatures and increased flooding due to #ClimateChange. Red Brook provides an opportunity for future #Mainers who might not have access to brook trout streams further afield to enjoy this natural amenity. Even if you do not care about fishing, this road promises to annihilate a population of one of our state’s heritage species, as well as its scenic habitat that also contributes to #Maine’s sense of place.
"#PeterMills, the executive director of the #MaineTurnpikeAuthority, claims his organization has 'gone to great lengths to minimize impacts to Red Brook,' but clearly it hasn’t gone far enough under the current proposal. There are yet solutions.
"Citizens can express concerns at a hearing planned for March or via the Maine Turnpike Authority’s online portal. If the connector is to be built, planners need to re-route to establish a buffer zone between the connector and river – even a few hundred feet would have a positive impact. While less ideal than a complete reworking of the route, this would at least retain the primary shoreline flora and fauna and allow for run-off infrastructure. And we could re-route the road to save Smiling Hill Farm at the same time. Or better yet, we could re-consider the whole project’s merit entirely."
MTA website (make your opinion known!):
https://www.maineturnpike.com/Projects/Planning/Gorham-Connector.aspx#WorkingFarms #Sprawl
#GorhamSpur #InducedDemand #GorhamConnector
#Wetlands #Meadows
#EnvironmentalImpact #Extinction #Ecosystem
#SaveSmilingHillFarm
#SaveTheWoods #SaveTheFarms #Maine #Wetlands #Woods #LessCars #MoreLightRail -
Some folks a lot older than myself are planning on #DirectAction to protect #SmilingHillFarm! One woman said she would chain herself to the bulldozers. I'll be right there with them!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHeYiD2rnsg
#SaveSmilingHillFarm #GorhamConnector #Sprawl #LessCars #MoreLightRail #BikeLanes #BusService #MaineTurnpikeAuthority #ProtectFarmland #SaveTheForest #Maine #WorkingFarms
#MaineTurnpikeAuthority
#InducedDemand
#GorhamSpur
#GorhamConnector
#Wetlands
#Meadows
#EnvironmentalImpact