Blog Archives - TAYLOR PARKER

Conservation News ~ 30 October 2020

10/30/2020

Gray Wolves to be removed from Endangered Species List
Norway funds satellite map of world's tropical forests
It's Official: Solar Is the Cheapest Electricity in History
The next generation of power plants will be virtual
Scientists discover a 'weird' molecule in Titan’s atmosphere that could be a precursor to complex compounds that form or feed possible life on the Saturn moon
A new reef discovered in the Great Barrier Reef and it’s taller than the Empire State Building
240 Million year old marine predator species with fang like teeth uncovered in China
Lawsuit launched to force Feds to update recovery plan for endangered California fish
Efforts to tackle shark fin trade need to focus closer to shore
South African activist killed as contentious coal mine seeks to expand
Antarctic Ice Sheet is primed to pass irreversible climate thresholds
American Forests CEO Jad Daley: We are one nation under trees
EPA oks soybean, cotton farmers use of dicamba weedkiller
White House buries dozens of clean energy studies
South Korea’s targets carbon neutrality by 2050
Researchers find a new species of gall wasp – a possible parasite of a parasite
Two arrested in Chetumal with drugs and endangered species specimens
Lawsuit launched to stop damaging hunting practices from killing endangered wildlife on refuges
Sleeping giant - Arctic methane deposits starting to release
Discovery adds new species to Rice lab’s ghoulish insect menagerie
Researchers discover new species of gall wasp
Land restoration can profoundly benefit people and the environment
Latest estimate shows 11 percent decline in North Atlantic right whale population
As their population plummets, right whales verge on extinction
Godfather of Peruvian falcons uncovers peregrine’s epic journey from the Arctic
Court allows referendum on mining in the Ecuadoran Andes to go forward
Sea ice has yet to form off of Siberia, worrying scientists
USFWS removing Endangered Mexican Wolves from the wild to protect cows
Water on the moon could sustain a lunar base
New species of Echinops found in Sahyadri mountains
Endangered White Rhino born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park
In Madagascar, endangered lemurs find a private refuge
Galapagos sees record rise in penguins, flightless cormorants
Cherokee Nation gives eco0friendly boost to community centers
3 Sanparks staff members arrested on suspicion of rhino poaching
Over 5,600 fossil fuel companies have taken at least $3bn in US COVID
More than 7,000 dead seals found along Namibian beach
Congress acknowledges 155-year-old betrayal of Warm Springs and Wasco Tribes
Only 1% of British Columbia’s old growth forests remain
Himachal: 9 new animal species discovered; one named after high school student
EU votes to allow veggie meats to be called ‘burgers’ and ‘sausages’
Atlantic trends can predict Amazon drought 18 months away

Conservation News ~ 23 October 2020

10/23/2020

Groundbreaking study finds 13.3 quadrillion plastic fibers in California’s environment
Zimbabwe has gone 12 months without an elephant being killed by poachers at Mana Pools National Park
Oregon’s only coal-fired power plant closes for good
Philippine court upholds open-pit mining ban in Mindanao
Orangutan conservationist from Hull honoured by the Queen
Locals warn derelict barge ‘Nabarima’ about to spill 55 million gallons of oil and no one is helping
Tropical cyclones moving faster in recent decades
Latest evaluation shows Europe's nature in serious, continuing decline
Japan to release radioactive Fukushima Water into ocean
Madagascar experiments with drones for its massive reforestation effort
To protect nature, bring down the walls of fortress conservation
Ozone Hole over Antarctica has grown much deeper and wider in 2020
Lawsuit – Feds ignore risk of huge spills to endangered species
Madagascar shuts down illegal gold mine but activists remain in legal limbo
Digital land grab deprives traditional LatAm people of ancestral lands
US climate report moves ahead after complaints about delays
The Big Oil side hustle – where renewable money is really going
Scientists discover a way to turn plastic waste into clean fuel
Seven new species of diatoms discovered from Western Ghats
China says environment still grim despite 5 years of progress
Endangered Species protection sought for snake-like Central California lizard
Department of Energy picks two advanced nuclear reactors for demonstrations projects
Ecuador Indigenous accuse state of crimes against humanity
At-risk Cerrado mammals need fully protected parks to survive
Research links individual pig farming and virus outbreaks
China’s rare birds may move north as the climate changes
Poland’s once-mighty coal industry is in retreat
Gray Wolf will lose endangered species protection contrary in scientific evidence
A new bacteria from diseased walnut discovered in Portugal
Researchers discover three new species of damselflies in the Western Ghats
Dragon snakeheads – strange new underground fish – discovered in India
French dairy giant accused of polluting country’s famous rivers for years
Harvest of Horseshoe Crabs for blood challenged at SC Wildlife refuge
White House reverses decision to reject California request for wildlife relief
Judge invalidates Pendley’s BLM decision
Wildfire smoke in US exposes millions to hazardous pollution
Shippers close to global deal to cut greenhouse gas pollution
Galapagos: Chinese fishing fleets and COVID threaten a natural wonder
After 20 years, aquarium finds out its rays are a new species
Lawsuit says trophy hunting hurts giraffe populations
Wildfire emergency in Bolivia as fires threaten animal sanctuary
Singapore’s plan to plant 1 million native trees will protect species
Oregon’s last coal plant shuts down for good as wind power progresses in Virginia
Researchers discover fossils of new species in Arizona
New species of listeria genus discovered and baptized
In Guatamala, refugees find new calling as park rangers
Gorongosa National Park is being reforested via coffee and agroforestry
Climate change likely drove early human species to extinction
Millions of animals may be missing from scientific studies
Canada’s last breeding pair of endangered spotted owls found in valley slated for imminent logging
Unsealed docs show Union Carbide leaked toxics into creek for years
Shuffle of EPA’s science advisors elevates those with industry ties
Earth breaks September heat record
Wind-stoked wildlfire in Colorado is largest in state history
Japan to release Fukishima’s contaminated water into sea
Polluted air killing a half a million babies a year across globe
We’ve built enough fences to stretch to the sun – but still don’t understand their effects here on Earth
1st-ever footage of giant pandas mating in the wild is not ‘cute and cuddly’
Crucial meeting could expand protection of Antarctic waters
Whale poo is powering the world’s rainforests
Paper giant APRIL linked to Borneo forest clearing despite zero-deforestation vow
Illegal industrial and mining activities continue in great Indian Bustard’s habitat in Maharashtra
Spain unveils climate law to cut emissions to net xero by 2050
Alarm as sea ice not yet freezing at latest date on record
Famous Australian cattle station once owned by Kerry Packer earmarked for massive solar farm
Advocates welcome ‘inspiring; ocean-based climate solutions act as exactly what America needs right now
California’s mega fires have arrived 30 years early
Greta Thunberg accuses MEPs of ‘surrender on climate and environment’
3D scan brings near-extinct Sumatran species to virtual life
US Defense Department wants to expand Air Force bombing operations at the largest wildlife refuge
British Columbians want more parks, even if it means less mining and logging

Conservation News ~ 16 October 2020

10/16/2020

Harvard fund evades justice in land-grabbing case over Cerrado farm
Researchers discover fossils of new species of reptile in Arizona
AG Opposes White House’s Proposal Against Endangered Species Act
Burn scars, winter storms threaten rare and endangered species in San Gabriel Mountains
Animal conservation groups to sue federal government over dwindling giraffe population
Professor Claire Kremen wins the coveted Volvo Environment Prize 2020
Critically Endangered Red Wolf Illegally Killed in August; Only 7 Known to Remain in Wild
Maui has begun the process of managed retreat and it wants big oil to pay the cost of sea level rise
NASA and international partners sign Artemis Accords
Imperiled desert tortoises join California’s endangered list
Bobcat fire aftermath threatens endangered species in San Gabriel Mountains
Michigan poacher who killed 18 wolves and bald eagle gets hunting license revoked for life
Greener play areas boost children’s immune systems
In the horn of Africa, conflict and illegal trade create a ‘cheetah hell’
The Great Barrier Reef has lost half its corals
Indonesia’s new deregulation law to hurt small fishers, coastal communities
Canada will ban plastic bags by end of next year
China still allowing use of pangolin scales in traditional medicine
Israel moves to ban ‘immoral’ animal fur trade
3,500 tuna held in cages illegally for a year finally released
Over 30,000 sea turtles eggs seized from trick in Oaxaca
Judge strikes down Obama-era rule limiting methane pollution, Big Oil is ‘overjoyed’
Environmentalists and dam operators, at war for years, start making peace
New aloe species discovered from a desert in northwestern India
Terrifying new species of turkey-like dinosaur discovered in the Gobi Desert
Indonesia is putting business before the environment and that could be disastrous for its rainforest
God intended it as a disposable planet: the US pastor preaching climate change
Sumatran bridge project in elephant habitat may exacerbate degradation
Nobel laureate who helped save the ozone layer dies
Tucson heat prompts AZ leaders to consider declaring a Climate Emergency
CA Exide battery recycling plant left big toxic mess, could it walk away
COVID-19 outbreak kills nearly 10,000 minks on Utah fur farm
David Attenborough leads call for world to invest $500 billion a year to protect nature
Public lands chief refuses to leave his post despite judge’s order
BLM acquisition boosts access by public along Gunnison River
Researchers map the anatomy of the mysteriously shaped beetle
New species of ancient maritime predators discovered in Morocco
Conservationists condemn US failure to protect wolverines
When the US and China fight, it is the environment that suffers
Carbon capture ‘moonshot’ moves closer as billions of dollars pour in
Maryland will become the first state to ban foam food service products
Six new species of butterflies add colour to Kondapalli reserve forest
Real and imminent extinction risk to whales
People, not carbon emissions, should be at the heart of the west’s climate action
Puerto Rican Harlequin Butterfly proposed for Endangered Species Act protection
RBC becomes first major Canadian bank to refuse to fund oil drilling in Arctic refuge
Hidden beneath the Ocean’s surface, nearly 16 million tons of microplastic
The Marangoni effect can be used to obtain freshwater from the sea
New evidence suggests China’s dark vessels poached in Galapagos waters
Madagascar’s top court criticizes government handling of mining project
Brazil reports lower deforestation, higher fires in September
Mining covers more than 20% of Indigenous territory in the Amazon
We’re not protecting enough of the right areas to save biodiversity
On a Philippine mountain, researchers describe a ‘fire flower’ orchid species
The Union of BC Indian Chiefs has released a resolution about the fate of old-growth forest in BD

Conservation News ~ 9 October 2020

10/9/2020

Environmental group sues Fort Huachuca to release documents about harm to river
A new species of Darwin wasp from Mexico named in observance of the 2020 quarantine period
New species of aquatic mice discovered, cousins of one of the world's rarest mammals
USFWS pulls wolverine protection proposal
Increased extinction in the emergence of novel ecological communities
Mr. Pail Mafabi, a leader in Ecosystem Management, passes away
Public can speak on Nashville Crayfish Endangered Status
Britain, Canada, EU throw weight behind 2030 biodiversity protection goal
95% of Marine Life on Sea Floor killed in Kamchatka Eco-Disaster
New biochemical research shows past tropical forest changes drove megafauna and hominin extinctions
Eastern Black Rail gets federal protection under Endangered Species Act
Up to 1,500 birds flew into some of Philly’s tallest skyscrapers one day last week
Vietnam conservation regulations improving but much work remains
Blooms driven by climate change threaten to smother marine life in Arabian Sea
Sumatran bridge project in elephant habitat may exacerbate degradation
In the Horn of Africa, conflict and illegal trade create a ‘cheetah hell’
Federal government admits killing over 1.2 million native animals in 2019
New plant species in the Swiss Alps
Rare Nevada Fish one step closer to endangered species protection
Antarctic Commission pursues largest conservation action ever taken
Fires raze nearly half of indigenous territories in Brazil’s Pantanal
Brazilian frog believed ‘extinct’ for 50+ years, found with Edna testing
Stock indices let Brazil meatpackers shed ties to deforestation, draw investors
Automakers fueling deforestation, dispossession in Paraguay’s Gran Chaco
Indonesia’s food estate program eyes new plantations in forest frontiers
More than 470 oil spills in the Peruvian Amazon since 2000
Green Hydrogen from renewables could become cheapest ‘transformative fuel’ within a decade
New species of spider with a striking blue face and eight eyes
Fears for endangered species after hole cut in Zealandia sanctuary fence
Massive, 50-year-old great white shark dubbed ‘Queen of the Ocean’ found off Nova Scotia
Wyoming officials call for endangered species reform with grizzly population booming
Nevada dam changes give rare trout new life 115 years later
Investors to protect the Amazon, conservation group finds
We now know why naval sonar leads to mass whale strandings
6 dolphins found dead in ‘historic’ stranding in Alabama after Hurricane Sally
Chernobyl fungus eats nuclear radiation via radiosynthesis
Cambridge University makes $4.5 billion fossil-fuel divestment promise
Russian rocket fuel likely cause of marine animal deaths
Lead cleanup near water source prompts federal indictment of NC city official
Tasmanian devils return to mainland Australia for first time in 3,000 years
Boris Johnson to unveil plan to power all UK homes with wind by 2030
Pope Francis Laments failures of market capitalism in Blueprint for Post-COVID world
Endangered wildlife, habitat burned in Washington’s wildfires
New study shows where we should grow more forest to fight climate change
Researchers probe memory of the Venus flytrap
Natural gas pipeline explodes in Trinity River
Scientists put GPS trackers inside fake sea turtle eggs to catch poachers
Greenpeace drops 1.5 ton rock outside Defra HQ in fishing protest
Climate lawsuits are finally headed to the Supreme Court
Amazon near tipping point of switching from rainforest to savannah
Tasmanian Devils roaming Australia for the first time in 3,000 years
With activists silenced, China moves ahead on Big Dam project
France to ban use of wild animals in circuses, marine parks
2 new species of pipeworts discovered by scientists in Western Ghats
Endangered tree species rediscovered in Kerala grove 184 years after first collection
Planetary ‘safety net’ could halt wildlife loss and slow climate breakdown
As atmospheric carbon rises, so do rivers, adding to flooding
Huge 300-million-year-old shark skull found deep inside an underground Kentucky cave
Geologists uncover history of lost continent buried beneath Europe
Indian embassy in Madagascar becomes first to go fully solar
NYC’s newest proposed building would be the city’s tallest – and will act as a carbon emissions filter
Cheating birds mimic host nestlings to deceive foster parents
New plant species discovered in China’s Yunnan
California landowners developers: Western Joshua Tree incidental take permits now required
DEC seeks public input on proposed endangered species protections
SCDNR brings awareness to endangered Carolina Heelsplitter
Recognition of Indigenous alliance group most recent in a series of big wins for the Amazon
Hotter tropics may worsen climate change; reforestation could lessen it
As predators return to Sweden’s wild, ecotourism looks to change mindsets
Oil tanker fire in Sri Lanka’s rich waters highlights need for preparedness
Land grab, logging, mining threaten biodiversity haven of Woodlark Island
Ghost frog not seen for 80 years rediscovered in desert hot spring
Physicists build circuit that generates clean, limitless power from graphene
David Attenborough leads call for world to invest $500 billion a year to protect nature
Europe is building a digital twin earth to revolutionize climate modelling
Climate emergency drives noctule bat northwards
Beaked whale shatters record with 3-hour 42 minute dive

Awesome Conservation Jobs ~ 4 October 2020

10/4/2020

Project Drawdown, remote – Director of Drawdown Lift: https://drawdown.org/careers/director-of-%E2%80%9Cdrawdown-lift%E2%80%9D
Friends of Trees, PDX Oregon – Executive Director: https://www.conservationjobboard.com/job-listing-executive-director-portland-oregon/1972806436
Pacific Land Trust, Bay Area – Executive Director: https://www.pacifica-land-trust.org/2020/09/17/the-plt-is-hiring-an-executive-director/
Pacific Wildlife Care, Morro Bay – Executive Director: https://apply.workable.com/pacific-wildlife-care/j/2C78DEC205/apply/
The Nature Conservancy, Idaho – Conservation Director: https://careers.nature.org/psc/tnccareers/APPLICANT/APPL/c/HRS_HRAM_FL.HRS_CG_SEARCH_FL.GBL?Page=HRS_CAREERS_FL&Action=U&FOCUS=Applicant&SiteId=1&PortalActualURL=https%3a%2f%2fcareers.nature.org%2fpsc%2ftnccareers%2fAPPLICANT%2fAPPL%2fc%2fHRS_HRAM_FL.HRS_CG_SEARCH_FL.GBL%3fPage%3dHRS_CAREERS_FL%26Action%3dU%26FOCUS%3dApplicant%26SiteId%3d1&PortalRegistryName=APPLICANT&PortalServletURI=https%3a%2f%2fcareers.nature.org%2fpsp%2ftnccareers%2f&PortalURI=https%3a%2f%2fcareers.nature.org%2fpsc%2ftnccareers%2f&PortalHostNode=APPL&NoCrumbs=yes&PortalKeyStruct=yes
Conservation International, remote – Blue Carbon Finance Fellow: https://chu.tbe.taleo.net/chu04/ats/careers/v2/viewRequisition?org=CONSERVATION&cws=39&rid=1379

Conservation News ~ 2 October 2020

10/2/2020

Judge Removes Public Lands Boss for Serving Unlawfully
Area of zero tolerance enlarged to protect endangered vaquita
Land defenders are killed in the Philippines for protesting Canadian mining
At least 28 extinctions prevented by conservation action in recent decades
Nordstrom officially bans fur and exotic animal skins
Marion conservation area renamed to honor Iowa Native American pioneer in women’s rights
40 percent of world’s plants at risk of extinction
Oregon State researcher IDs 4 new species of wasp that lived 25 million years ago
New ‘forever chemicals’ contaminating the environment
Lawsuit filed to put Louisiana Black Bear back on endangered species list
New NY state law adds level of protection to endangered species
Brazil revokes mangroves protections, triggering alarms
Coral’s resilience to warming may depend on iron
Study finds a Mexico-sized swath of intact lost to human pressure
California bans rodenticide in a win for California wildlife
A quarter of all reptile species, many of them endangered, are sold online
New species of millipede discovered at Caw Caw
Toxins in plastic blamed for heath, environment hazards
Revival of endangered bird provides bit of good environmental news
Vietnam creates new nature reserve, possible home to elusive ‘Asian unicorn’
Brazil moves toward transfer of deforestation/fire monitoring to military
Indonesia’s new intelligence hub wields data in the war on illegal fishing
World leaders endorse ‘Pledge for Nature’ to address planetary emergency
A Philippine stingless bee helps boost coconut yields and empower women
Archaelogists determined the step-by-step path taken by the first people to settle the Caribbean Islands
US emissions reductions slowed after US pulled out of Paris Accord
World leaders urged to ban all trade in wild animals and birds for eating to prevent pandemics
World leaders pledge to protect 30% of the planet by 2030
New study shows converting to electric vehicles alone won’t meet climate targets
Canada pledges to stem biodiversity loss and ensure pandemic recovery is ‘green’
Joe Biden to make almost every policy a climate change policy
Two new species of wetland plant discovered from Western Ghats
New species of cockroach-killing wasps discovered in 25-million-year-old amber
China fires back at US over environment, South China Sea
Mussel species in Virginia could be added to Endangered Species Act
Saudi Arabia sends blue ammonia to Japan in world-first shipment
White House to reopen largest National Forest to development, rejecting environmental and cultural importance
In lead up to biodiversity summit, big commitments to nature
Plastic-eating enzyme ‘cocktail’ heralds new hope for plastic
Shark fin trafficking ring busted as trade ban comes into effect in Florida
Mass elephant die-off caused by cyanobacteria
Canada’s Liberal government to spend $10B on clean energy infrastructure to fuel pandemic economic recovery
REI Co-op achieves 14-year carbon neutrality commitment, announces ambitious new climate pattern
India makes Amazon pay for plastic pollution
Ray at Kagoshima aquarium revealed as new species
Feds to relax protections for red-cockaded woodpecker since 1970
New partnership brings high-resolution satellite imagery of the tropics to all
World’s plants and fungi a frontier of discovery, if we can protect them: Report
World’s protected areas lack connections, recent study finds
Brazilian dry forests are chronically degraded even in non-deforested areas
Kenya earmarks $3.7 million to boost rhino protection
The massive ocean blob anomaly has our fingerprints all over it
A new mass extinction has been discovered, wiping out life 233 million years ago
20 new species of fauna recorded on Pulua Ubin, including new type of spider
New beetle species named after Alexandria resident James Sherald
Sen. Udall introduces ‘Plastic Pellet Free Waters Act’
Mining companies stand to win from Peru-China FTA that neglects environment
Ikea faces Swiss complaint over wood believed to have been illegally logged
Researchers show conscious processes in birds’ brains for the first time
30 retired elephants will live out their days at Nassau County wildlife refuge
Koala may be given endangered listing as numbers plummet
US House passes sweeping clean energy bill
Emails show how pesticide lobby influenced US position in health talks
Relocated Isle Royale wolves form groups, reduce moose herd
Seismic blasting efforts halted in Atlantic Ocean
Around 2500 new species to arrive in Europe by 2050 causing damage to biodiversity
3 new damselflies discovered in Western Ghats
Charleston naturalist gets to name new millipede species after discovery at Caw Caw center
AZA celebrates funding for endangered species and announces 2020 Honors and Awards
SELC flags Endangered Species Act violation in EPA rule harming clean water
Graeme Worboys passes away
Climate change is transforming how plants grow
Study shows warming ocean, vicious carbon cycle
Antarctic and high seas protection can save half the planet
A machine-learning assist to predicting hurricane intensity
NASA monitors Carbon Monoxide from California Wildfires
Comet discovered to have its own Northern Lights
School-Bus sized asteroid to safely zoom past earth
NASA’s new Mars rover will use x-ray to hunt fossils
New sea level satellite arrives at California launch site
Nuclear fusion reactor could be here as soon as 2025