All of today’s articles about saving wildlife contain good news. The first features conservation work for wild salmon rivers.

Saving Wildlife: Adam's River Salmon Run 2010 - Adam's River just outside of Kamloops. (Image couresty of http://www.flickr.com/photos/ carolbrowne/5074387898/)

Conservation of rivers key to protecting wild salmon
Record-Searchlight
John Spencer is a longtime north state resident and angler. He can be reached at john.spencer2010@hotmail.com. It’s now late October and the salmon are on the spawning runs in the top four rivers of the area: Sacramento, Feather, Trinity and Klamath. … See all stories on this topic »

Would you believe rare Rocky Mountain, Mexican, and Red wolves in New York State? Well, read on…

Saving Wildlife: In this Oct. 6, 2011 photo, Alawa, a Rocky Mountain wolf, walks through the grass at the Wolf Conservation Center in South Salem, N.Y. - AP Photo/Seth Wenig (From: http://www.ajc.com/news/nation-world/rare-wolves-raised-near-1212708.html)

Rare wolves raised near NYC for return to the wild
Atlanta Journal Constitution
In this Oct. 6, 2011 photo, Alawa, a Rocky Mountain wolf, looks though a fence at the Wolf Conservation Center in South Salem, NY The Wolf Conservation Center in South Salem is raising and breeding endangered Mexican and red wolves. … See all stories on this topic »

I couldn’t help but grin as I read the name of these huge salamanders… until I got to the ‘jelly-slick skin’! Yuck…

Saving Wildlife: The Ozark hellbender is one of the largest salamanders in the world. Found in the rivers of the Ozark Plateau in Missouri and Arkansas, it has been proposed for listing as an endangered species. (Image courtesy of: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ usfwsmidwest/5371066350/)

Georgia Hellbender Project Aimed AtConserving Hefty Salamander
AmmoLand.com (press release)
Hellbenders may have more unflattering nicknames than a cross-county football rival, but these big salamanders with the jelly-slick skin are attracting some positive, and needed, conservation attention. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources began … See all stories on this topic »

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Offshore wind energy development-Good for bobcats and other wildlife

Hold on to your hats, because offshore wind energy development could actually make it!

Today’s guest article describes it best… ‘This week the push to provide the offshore wind industry with badly needed financial support took an important step forward. A bipartisan bill was introduced in the House of Representatives… to provide an investment tax credit for offshore wind projects.’

It’s hard to imagine, but we have here the makings of bipartisan support for a global warming solution! Check out this terrific article…

Image courtesy of online.nwf.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=17245&security=4061&news_iv_ctrl=-1

Action on Offshore Wind Good News for Bobcats

By: Jennifer Janssen
This week marked an important step towards decreasing global warming pollution from fossil fuels that threatens the habitat of bobcats and other wildlife.

Bobcats’ shoreline habitats are threatened by global warming. As the sea level rises, too much salt-water enters the tidal swamps–killing trees and plants that depend on the ecosystem’s delicate balance of freshwater and seawater. 

Offshore wind power is a critical part of the solution to cutting global warming pollution from fossil fuels, and there are nearly a thousand turbines creating jobs and clean energy overseas. But here in America, the offshore wind energy industry is suffering from a lack of investment that is critical to its growth. (Read the rest of this encouraging article… )

Kudfos to those forward-thinking Congressmen! If this bill passes, it will offer a huge incentive to those eager to invest in environmental projects. It looks like offshore wind energy development here in the USA can really surge forward!

Today’s articles about saving wildlife starts with sad news. Evidently, the decision to kill this bear was made after weeks of trying to change her suddenly destructive, dangerous behavior. The rest of the articles have good news for wildlife.

Saving Wildlife: A file photograph of Jeanie the black bear from 2001. Michael Allen/Postmedia News (Image from: http://news. nationalpost.com/2011/10/25/ jeanie-whistlers-most-famous-bear-shot-dead-by-conservation-officer/)

Jeanie, Whistler’s most famous bear, shot dead by conservation officer
National Post (blog)
By Sean Sullivan VANCOUVER—The most famous bear in Whistler, BC, is dead after being shot by a conservation officer. Jeanie the black bear, known for a triangle-shaped patch of white fur on her chest, a camera-friendly personality and an astonishing … See all stories on this topic »

Now for some hear warming news…

Saving Wildlife: Paul Marinari holds up a baby black-footed ferret at the National Black-Footed Ferret Conservation Center where he and the staff have been able to successfully bring this native species back from the brink of extinction. (Image from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ 26234682@N05/2463164493/)

National Zoo wants public to vote on names for 6-month-old endangered ferret
Washington Post
A 6-month-old endangered black-footed ferret born at the SmithsonianConservation Biology Institute in Virginia needs a name, so her keepers are asking for help. The National Zoo’s conservation center is asking for votes on four different names for the … See all stories on this topic »

Looks like this holiday season we can indulge our sweet tooth to help polar bears!

Saving Wildlife: Coca Cola cans will be white this winter to raise money for polar bear conservation. (Image from: http://summitcounty voice.com/ 2011/10/26/31328/)

Coca Cola steps up support of polar bear conservation
Summit County Citizens Voice
Coca Cola cans will be white this winter to raise money for polar bear conservation. By Summit Voice SUMMIT COUNTY — With Arctic sea ice dwindling and no relief from increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, polar bears need all … See all stories on this topic »

The next article features a funny little lizard. During a summer drought a few years ago, my husband provided meal worms and grubs for the lizards and toads and birds in our yard. Within 2 or 3 days, the horned toads (lizards) were eating right out of his hand. When the drought finally ended, all these little critters were able to continue foraging for their natural foods.

Saving Wildlife: Image courtesy of: http://www.flickr.com/ photos/adamdale/3612673022/in/ photostream/

Wyoming Conservation Stamp Art Competition centers on Greater short-horned lizard
The Republic
Wyoming’s state reptile, the Greater short-horned lizard, will be the subject for the 29th Wyoming Conservation Stamp Art Competition. The short-horned lizard is commonly referred to as the horned toad. Each year Wyoming Game and Fish selects one … See all stories on this topic ».

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Saving Wildlife: Pet alligator found in New York creek (Courtesy of: http://www.wgrz.com/news/ article/139336/37/Niagara-County-Man-Finds-Alligator-in-Creek)

Niagara County Man Finds Alligator in Creek
WGRZ-TV
Wilson, NY – The Department of Environmental Conservation confirms an alligator was found in a creek in Niagara County, and an investigation is underway. Ken Champion called the DEC when he spotted an alligator in a creek near his home … Read rest of story

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Saving Wildlife: Bobwhite Quail released in the Lenox Place neighborhood of Decatur, GA as part of the Bobwhite Quail Initiative. Captured here about a week after release. (courtesy of: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ leshoward/3427158275/)

Sargent: Bring back the bobwhite quail
Florida Today
Scenes like this may become more common in Florida if a new program by the National Bobwhite Conservation Initiative is successful in rebuilding populations of bobwhite quail. / Shane Wellendorf/For FLORIDA TODAY In this photo provided by the … Rest of the story

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Saving Wildlife: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=US9NXA6PhTA

Saving Kenya’s lions
Al Jazeera
Many are poisoned by cattle herders, trying to protect their livestock. But now, a conservation programme, working with the herders, is having major success. As part of Al Jazeera’s Earthrise series, Nick Clark reports from eastern Kenya … WATCH the video story

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Environmental science education

Finally… environmental science education is now officially a part of the federal K-12 education policy!

In July 2011, two senators and a congressman representing both parties introduced the No Child Left Inside (NCLI) bill. It will ‘assist states in the development of an implementation of environmental literacy plans for K-12 students’.

Today’s guest article expands on this encouraging development in environmental education…

Image courtesy of www.nwf.org/News-and-Magazines/Media-Center/News-by-Topic/Get-Outside/2011/10-21-11-A-First-for-Education-ESEA-to-Include-Environmental-Literacy.aspx

A First for Education: Reauthorized ESEA to Include Environmental Literacy

Max Greenberg

‘Well-rounded’ piece marks first formal inclusion of environmental education in K-12 federal education policy

The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee has voted to include environmental education provisions in an amendment to the reauthorized Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), marking the first time environmental education has been formally included in federal K-12 education policy.

“This bill is a bellwether for American education—it signals that K-12 schooling is entering a new phase, one that embraces a broadened curriculum that is focused on increasing 21st century skills such as critical thinking and innovation which is key to our success in the global clean energy economy” said Kevin Coyle, Vice President for Education and Training at NWF. “We know that experiential learning about the natural world boosts student performance and creates a pipeline into science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) professions. Soon, hopefully, we’ll implement that.” (Read the rest of this guest article… )

As the article stated, ‘While historic, the inclusion of environmental education in ESEA is merely the latest illustration of a nationwide trend toward recognition of environmental education’s importance.’ Our young people, actually all of us, will certainly benefit from this environmental science education!

Saving Wildlife: North American Porcupine (also Candian Porcupine and Common Porcupine) (Erethizon dorsatum) East of Marley Lake, along the Alaska Highway, British Columbia, Canada. Photographed on 28 August 2009 -(Image courtesy of: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ arthur_chapman/3986445266/)

Police, conservation officer in New Hampshire remove arrow from porcupine’s back
Star Tribune | Nation (AP Article)
DANVILLE, NH — A porcupine is getting around a bit easier after a New Hampshire Fish and Game conservation officer and local police chief helped pull an arrow out of its back. Danville Police Chief Wade Parsons tells the Eagle-Tribune …

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Fuel Tank Removal

Oil tank removal is best left to the experts! Make arrangements with a licensed tank removal service to be certain that all safety and environmental considerations are met.

This holds true for government and businesses, but especially for residential oil tank removal.

Today’s guest article offers some excellent tips and information…

Removal of Abandoned Underground Fuel Storage Tanks

Abandoned underground gas storage tanks can cause troubles on home properties, business lands, (like closed down gas stations) and also farms). These tanks are made of steel and might at some point rust and leak their contents. The objective is to mitigate the impact at site by elliminating the source of contamination, (remove buried fuel storage tank), and any fill material located within the tank itself.

In the past 40 years, countless numbers of holding fuel tank systems for petroleum and allied petroleum products have been installed on federal government lands, mainly to support an expanding transport sector. Many of these holding tank systems were produced from carbon metal devoid of corrosion protection. As these systems age, they are far more likely to malfunction owing to corrosion.

Leaks from storage tank systems can have devastating environmental and financial impacts. Little quantities of diesel and gasoline can cause offensive odours, contaminate ground and subsurface soils, render drinking water from aquifers non-potable and produce explosive build-ups of vapours in basements and other underground structures.

At your home, you may discover an increase of usage in your home heating oil consumption. This may be a sign that the tank may be leaking. Even if the tank is not leaking, it is quite likely that the tank may leak the older it gets. You want to avoid oil leaks as they can cause concern to your family, neighbors and the environment. Having your storage tank removed sooner, rather than later, can help provide peace of mind in the long run.

The ideal action to take is to seek out a qualified below ground holding tank removal company to quote on the removal. The cost of the removal will rely on the volume of the tank, its situation and how easilyquickly it could be reached. You may want to examine quotes from diverse specialists and be sure to evaluate solutions offered and to check references. A qualified tank removal service provider will obtain all vital permits before getting rid of the below ground oil tank.

As you can see, this is not a DIY process! Leave oil tank removal to the experts!

Saving Wildlife: Image courtesy of: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ gillianjc/728642397/

Southern Company Supports Operation Migration to Conserve Endangered Whooping Cranes
PR Newswire (press release)
ATLANTA, Oct. 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — A group of 10 young whooping cranes has taken to the air on an annual migration to help conserve the species, and Southern Company is standing behind them. As part of its commitment to environmental stewardship, … Read rest of story

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