News Headlines
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5th Annual Northeast Wildlife Trackers Conference
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Reducing Pavement & Permeable Paving Options
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The “Massachusetts Forest Legacy Program” is seeking “Forest Legacy Project Proposals”
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Environmental Education Regional Grants — Solicitation Notice for 2012
5th Annual Northeast Wildlife Trackers Conference
Registration is now open for the 2012 Northeast Wildlife Trackers Conference which will be held Saturday, October 20th, at the Doyle Center, Leominster, MA.
This year’s Keynote Speaker will be Roland Kays speaking about using “Camera Traps as Binoculars for Mammal Watchers”
We also have a fantastic lineup of other presenters:
- Paula Coughlin – “Staying on Track”
- David Brown – “Look-Alikes: Figuring Out Confusing Tracks”
- Rose Graves – “Identifying and Monitoring Wildlife Connectivity Areas in the Split Rock Wildway”
- David Scarpitti – “New England Cottontail Conservation and Management”
- Ken Miller – “Are Cougars Recolonizing Their Former Territory Near You?”
- Dan Gardoqui – “Baseline, Birds, & Beasts: Using Bird Language to Enhance Tracking & Trailing Skills”
- Kent Hicks – “How Old is that Sign”
The conference runs from 9:30 am to 4:00 pm, but please arrive at 9am to sign in – the conference will start promptly at 9:30am. We will have coffee, tea, juice and bagels at sign in, and snacks later in the day. Please bring a reusable cup for your beverage and a bag lunch.
For more information and to register please visit the Northeast Wildlife Trackers website.
The cost is $30. You may register on-line or by mail.
Bring a photo of a track or interesting natural object to mystify others. There will be a table and a board for your “tracking stumpers”
This was a great success last year! Please bring some weird wildlife related object (or two or three) that you think others might not recognize. We will have a table for people to explore. (Questions about the stumper table? Contact Lydia Rogers.)
See you in October!
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The Billion Gallon A Year (BGY) project helps people across the state to reduce polluted runoff and make local waters cleaner, safer and more fun.
Reducing Pavement & Permeable Paving Options
Following are excerpts from the City of Seattle Public Utilities Fact Sheet: “Reducing Pavement & Permeable Paving Options”. To download the entire fact sheet, see the link at the end of this article
Why reduce the paved area around your home?
Conventional pavement and roofs are called “impervious surfaces” because they don’t let the rain soak into the soil. Instead they collect rainfall, and funnel it to storm drains or combined storm/sanitary sewers (depending where you live). In big storms, excessive runoff can contribute to sewer overflows, local flooding, or stream erosion. You can help reduce these impacts by reducing the amount of paved area around your home, and by choosing permeable paving options (also called porous or pervious paving) that let the rain soak through into the soil for driveways, walks, and patios.
Removing unnecessary pavement
Many of our homes have more pavement than we need, or want to maintain. Here are some ideas to turn paved area back into permeable soil with lawn or landscape beds, or permeable paving where needed:
Pave less driveway
“Hollywood driveways” have two paved wheel tracks, with grass or permeable pavers in the middle (or parking areas) that let the rain soak in.
Remove unwanted pavement
Perhaps a previous owner paved extra parking or yard areas. You can turn pavement back into beautiful lawn or landscape beds – see Improving Soil on the City of Seattle Public Utilities “RainWise” website www.seattle.gov/util/rainwise.
Make walks or patios smaller, and permeable
Using permeable surfaces for driveways, walks, and patios
Many permeable options that let rain soak through are available. Here are some general guidelines:
- Permeable paving is for gentle slopes. Don’t use it above 5% slope (1 ft. drop in 20 feet).
- Driveways and parking areas need careful design and installation to support the weight of a car. Follow the manufacturer’s directions exactly. Consider hiring a qualified professional for these big jobs. Contact your municipal building department to ask if new or replaced driveway or parking paving requires a permit and additional design.
- Patios and walkways are better tasks for do-it-yourself installation, but you still need to follow the manufacturer’s instructions or get expert advice. Designs and paving materials are limited only by your creativity.
- Permeable paving options all require a base of rock or gravel, to hold rainwater until it infiltrates into the soil. So you’ll need to excavate at least 3 inches below the paving, and fill in with tamped rock or gravel. Don’t dig through major tree roots , and at least three days before digging call DigSafe at 811 to locate any utilities.
- Provide an overflow route for runoff from big storms to flow to street drains, a rain garden, or other landscape feature that can infiltrate the runoff.
- Hire professional assistance if needed to advise you about design, or do the work.
Learn more
For more information on permeable pavement options, please download the “Reducing Pavement and Permeable Paving Options” PDF provided by Seattle Pubic Utilities: https://rainwise.seattle.gov/city/seattle/rainwise_solutions
For information on how to install pervious pavers, please check out the following fact sheet from the NH Homeowners’ storm guide:
http://des.nh.gov/organization/divisions/water/stormwater/documents/perv-walkw-patios-fs.pdf
In addition, please visit the EPA Soak Up the Rain campaign website at http://www.epa.gov/region1/soakuptherain/ for more resources and information on how you can help reduce the impacts of stormwater in your community. The Soak Up the Rain campaign has been launched by EPA New England as a call to action to citizens, businesses, and communities in order to reduce flooding, keep our waters clean, and create healthier and more beautiful communities.
The “Massachusetts Forest Legacy Program” is seeking “Forest Legacy Project Proposals” for funding consideration in the Federal Fiscal Year 2014 appropriations process.
A request for proposals for the Forest Legacy Program has been announced by the USDA Forest Service. The Massachusetts Forest Legacy Program is now accepting project proposals for consideration in the Federal Fiscal Year 2014 appropriation process.
Project proposals submitted in previous years, but not funded, must be submitted again and comply with this announcement for consideration in FY 2014. Funding should be available for successful project proposals in the spring of 2014.
Forest Legacy project proposals must be entered into the “Forest Legacy Information System” (FLIS) no later than 5:00PM on September 14, 2012 for project proposals to be considered complete and eligible for review and ranking by the Massachusetts Forest Legacy Committee. The appropriate Forest Legacy Area Sponsor must be notified by e-mail, no later than 5:00PM on September 14, 2012, that a Forest Legacy Project Proposal has been entered into FLIS. Please see appropriate address below:
Berkshire-Plateau
Robert Lear
Berkshire-Pioneer RC&D Area, Inc.
433 West Street, Suite #8
Amherst, MA 01002-2927
(413) 256-1607
Connecticut Valley (Western Valley & Holyoke Range)
Jennifer Soper
Department of Conservation & Recreation
136 Damon Road
Northampton, MA 01060
(413) 586-8706 x21
Estabrook Woods
Marian Thornton
Concord Land Conservation Trust
PO Box 141
Concord, MA 01742
978-369-3229
Nashua River Greenway
Al Futterman
Nashua River Watershed Association
592 Main Street
Groton, MA 01450
(978) 448-0299
alfutterman@NashuaRiverWatershed.org
North Quabbin Corridor
Leigh Youngblood
Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust
1461 Old Keene Road
Athol, MA 01331
(978) 248-2051 x20
Quinebaug
Chris Rodstrom Trustees of Reservations Doyle Conservation Center
464 Abbott Avenue
Leominster, MA 01453
(978) 840-4446 x1915
Stockbridge Yokun Ridge & Taconic Range
Tad Ames
Berkshire Natural Resource Council
20 Bank Row
Pittsfield, MA 01201
413-499-0596
Also, send an e-mail with the project proposal and supporting documentation as attachments (or mail a CD with appropriate files to address below) of your completed project proposals no later than 5:00 PM on September 14, 2012:
The Forest Legacy Program Coordinator (Michael J. Fleming) must also be notified, by e-mail (mike.fleming@state.ma.us), no later than 5:00PM on September 14, 2012, that a Forest Legacy Project Proposal has been entered into FLIS. The e-mail shall include the following supporting documentation as attachments, or mail a CD with appropriate files with cover letter to:
Michael J. Fleming, CF
Forest Legacy Program
Department of Conservation & Recreation
355 West Boylston Street
Clinton, MA 01510
E-mail to appropriate Sponsor and Coordinator must include the following information:
- Contact Information: name, organization/agency name, address, phone, e-mail
- Is this a multi-State project? If so, explain and list state(s) involved. Include letter of support from partner(s) in other state(s).
- Description of how this project proposal will meet the criteria in the “Massachusetts Assessment of Need” (AON), and protect the public benefits and environmental values identified for the specific “Forest Legacy Area”…
Multiple e-mails may be necessary for the submission of the supporting documentation. As an alternative, a CD (include Cover Letter) may be mailed that includes the supporting documentation.
The supporting documentation shall include the following:
- Interest Owner Letter of Commitment: Letter from State Agency, Municipality, or Federal Government (appropriate letterhead and authorized signature) stating that they agree to hold the Forest Legacy Interests (Fee and / or CR).
- Landowner Participation Letter: Letter signed by the landowner(s) stating that someone (state who) has explained the requirements of the Forest Legacy Program, reviewed the Forest Legacy Program Conservation Restriction/Deed Template, and agrees to include their property for consideration in the FY 2014 application process. Tracts where the interests to be acquired are a Conservation Restriction shall also state that someone (state who) has explained what a Forest Stewardship Plan is and the requirement to have an approved (by the State Forester) Forest Stewardship Plan.
- Budget Information: A “Budget Information Worksheet” must be filled-in and submitted with the project proposal. It is available on the Forest Legacy Program web page at: http://www.mass.gov/dcr/stewardship/forestry/other/index.htm
- Shapefile(s): A shapefile for each tract must be included. The shapefile must be projected to the North American Datum 1983 (commonly known as ‘NAD83’). Bundle all files associated with your tract boundary into a .zip file folder. Only include those files which are part of the tract’s shapefile (at minimum .dbf, .prj, .shp, .shx). With the exception of the file extensions, all files associated with the shapefile must have the same name (i.e. shapefile.shp, shapefile.dbf, shapefile.prj, etc.).
- Letters of Support: Letters of support from all supporting parties.
The Interest Owner Letter of Commitment, Landowner Participation Letter, and Letters of Support with original signatures, must be addressed and mailed to:
Michael J. Fleming, CF
Forest Legacy Program
Department of Conservation & Recreation
355 West Boylston Street
Clinton, MA 01510
The information listed below is for your review and consideration in the preparation of project proposals.
Forest Legacy “Budget Information Worksheets”; “Forest Legacy Information System (FLIS 2.0) Users Guide”; Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Submitting Images to FLIS”; “Project Scoring Guidance”; “Map of Forest Legacy Areas in Massachusetts”; “Documentation Requirements”, “A Study of 2008 Forest Legacy Program (FLP) Project Ratings (Mussey Study – 2007)”, The Massachusetts Forest Legacy “Assessment of Need” (AON), Expansion and Amendment documents; and Links to the USDA Forest Legacy Program web sites can be found at: http://www.mass.gov/dcr/stewardship/forestry/other/index.htm
The USDA Forest Service, Final Amended “Forest Legacy Program Implementation Guidelines” (June 30, 2003) (As Amended December 21, 2011). are available at: http://www.na.fs.fed.us/legacy/resources/pdf/FLP_Guidelines-Final_6-30-03_as_Amended_51812.pdf
Please contact Mike Fleming at 978-368-0126 Ext. 114 or mike.fleming@state.ma.us if you have any questions…
Environmental Education Regional Grants — Solicitation Notice for 2012
The EPA Office of Environmental Education has issued a new Request for Proposals (RFP) for grant funded projects to increase public awareness and knowledge about environmental issues and provide the skills that participants in its funded projects need to make informed environmental decisions and take responsible actions toward the environment. The title of the new RFP is Environmental Education Regional Grants — Solicitation Notice for 2012. The RFP number is EPA-EE-12-01; Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number 66.951.
Applications must be postmarked by November 21, 2012, 11:59 pm local time; hand delivered by the end of the business day November 21, 2012, in the regional office to which the application is being submitted; or submitted electronically via www.grants.gov by November 21, 2012, 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time (EST) in order to be considered for funding.
The total estimated funding for this competitive opportunity is approximately $2,160,000 nationwide. EPA expects to award one (1) grant per Region for an expected 10 grants nationwide; the award amount is approximately (but no more than) $216,000, subject to the availability of funds, the quality and quantity of applications received, and other applicable considerations.
To access the RFP or further clarifying information on our website or in the online Frequently Asked Questions, please go http://www.epa.gov/education/grants/index.html. There you will also find details about two webinars/conference calls that will be held in September for potential applicants to this RFP.
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