News Headlines
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Tar Sands Planned for New England
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Asking for Protection for Amphibians and Reptiles
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DCR Hosts Accessible Summer Activities
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New England Wildflower Society Faces at Nasami Farm
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Project Native Names Billie Best as Executive Director to Replace Founding Executive Director Raina Weber
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2012 Merrell Pack Project Activation Grant Just Announced
Tar Sands Planned for New England
from Sierra Club
It was the biggest tar sands pipeline spill in history — and Big Oil says New England is next.
In July 2010, over a million gallons of tar sands poured into Michigan’s Kalamazoo River. The spill caused almost $1 billion in damage, and two years later, it still hasn’t been completely cleaned up.
Big Oil doesn’t learn from its mistakes — they’re planning their next major tar sands pipeline for New England. The pipeline’s route crosses 11 beautiful rivers and poses a special danger to the water and wildlife of the Connecticut and Androscoggin Rivers, Lake Sebago, and Casco Bay. It’s up to you to stop this attack on our climate and clean water — which is why Sierra Club supporters will be rallying outside the New England Governors’ Conference in Burlington, VT, on Sunday, July 29th.
Here are the details:
WHAT: Rally at the New England Governors’ Conference
WHO: Concerned citizens from across the northeast
WHEN: Sunday, July 29 — Occupy March at 12:00 p.m. and Human Oil Spill at 2:00 p.m.
WHERE: Battery Park, Burlington, VT [Map]
WHAT TO BRING: Black clothing to create a human oil spill
QUESTIONS: Contact Jessica Eckdish at jessica.eckdish@sierraclub.org
This is no ordinary rally. New England’s governors and Eastern Canada’s premiers will be gathered at an important conference in Burlington, so this is our best chance to send our elected officials a critical message:
We need a Tar Sands-Free Northeast. Publicly oppose tar sands pipelines now.
RSVP here to join the rally and speak out against the tar sands in Burlington.
Studies have shown that tar sands pipelines may be far likelier to leak than ordinary crude pipelines1 — and a new government report shows that Enbridge, the Canadian oil company behind both the Michigan and New England pipelines, knew about 15,000 problems with their Michigan pipeline, but only fixed 900.2 When the spill happened, they ignored it for 17 hours, and even increased the amount of oil they were pumping through the pipeline. But thanks to this report, opposition to another tar sands pipeline — Northern Gateway in Canada — is increasing, and the project looks dead.3
While you gather in Vermont, activists across the continent will show their solidarity with other “We are the Kalamazoo” events across the U.S. and Canada. If we stand together like our Canadian allies have done, then we can stop New England’s tar sands pipeline the same way.
RSVP today to come out to Burlington and show our elected officials that we mean business.
Thanks for all you do to protect our environment,
Michael Marx
Sierra Club Beyond Oil Campaign Director
P.S. If you can’t make it to Burlington next Sunday, you can still make a difference by forwarding this email and event information to your friends!
References
[1] Swift, Anthony et all. “Tar Sands Pipeline Safety Risks.” Natural Resources Defense Council et all. Web (PDF). February 2011.
[2] Olive, David. “Enbridge, TransCanada pipeline safety is a pipedream.” Toronto Sun. Web. 13 July 2012.
[3] Yaffe, Barbara. “U.S. report sounds death knell for pipeline.” Vancouver Sun. Web. 13 July 2012.
Asking for Protection for Amphibians and Reptiles
The Center for Biological Diversity filed the largest-ever Endangered Species Act petition focusing solely on saving America’s reptiles and amphibians. It will provide badly needed protection for some of our nation’s most vulnerable wildlife in 45 states — from Florida and the Northeast to California and the Midwest.
You can also read more on The Center for Biological Diversity Web page.
Though rarely in the news, reptiles and amphibians are in the midst of a profound, human-driven extinction crisis unlike any other they’ve ever faced.
The Center teamed up on the petition with renowned scientists like E.O. Wilson and Thomas Lovejoy who understand the incredible value of herpetofauna, also known as “herps,” and the unbelievable strain frogs, turtles, salamanders and lizards are under from habitat loss, disease, climate change and pollution.
Scientists estimate that one in four of the nation’s amphibians and reptiles are at risk of extinction. And yet just 58 of the 1,400 U.S. species protected under the Endangered Species Act are herpetofauna.
The 450-page petition filed to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service highlights 53 species that most urgently need protection under the Endangered Species Act.
They include:
- Prehistoric-looking alligator snapping turtles, which have declined by up to 95 percent in parts of their historic range in the Southeast;
- Illinois chorus frogs, whose distinctive, high-pitch songs are heard less frequently because of urban development in their habitat;
- California’s Kern Canyon slender salamanders, which are struggling to survive against grazing, logging, mining and highway construction.
DCR Hosts Accessible Summer Activities
The Department of Conservation and Recreation’s (DCR) Accessible Summer Activities calendar is in full swing. DCR’s Universal Access Program offers a wide variety of adaptive recreation opportunities at locations across the Commonwealth. These programs are low-cost and designed for people with disabilities, as well as their families and friends. Pre-registration is required because spots may fill up quickly, so please call today.
Activities offered through the fall include accessible sailing, kayaking, canoeing, rowing, hiking, cycling and horseback riding. Staff assistance and use of accessible equipment, such as mountain wheelchairs and hand cycles, is available.
“DCR’s Universal Access Program gives everyone the ability to enjoy the great amenities DCR has to offer,” said DCR Commissioner Ed Lambert. “We hope everyone has a safe and fun summer in our parks.”
The program enables people with disabilities to participate in a wide variety of activities, making recreation programs in Massachusetts more inclusive. DCR invites participants to come out and enjoy the various adaptive summer programs, and is also looking for volunteers to assist with them.
For additional information on DCR’s Universal Access Program, a schedule of activities and to preregister, visit www.mass.gov/dcr, click on “Activities” and then click on “Universal Access.”
DCR Universal Access Program 2012 Summer Schedule
(Please check website for updates.)
Kayaking
D.A.R. State Forest, Goshen Wednesdays: July 11, 18, 25, August 1, 8, 15
(413) 527-8980 9:45 a.m. – 4:15 p.m.
D.A.R. State Forest, Goshen Mondays: July 2, 9, 16, 30, August 6
(413) 259-0009 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Canoeing
Barton’s Cove, Gill Tuesdays: July 10, 17, 24
(413) 527-8980 9:45 a.m. – 4:15 p.m.
Hampton Ponds, Westfield Tuesdays: August 7, 14, 21,
(413) 527-8980 9:45 a.m. – 4:15 p.m.
Rowing
Jones Ferry, Holyoke Thursdays: June 14 through September
(413) 586-8612 Times vary, please call for more information
Cycling
Norwottuck Rail Trail, Hadley Fridays: July 13, 20, 27, August 3, 10, 17, 24
(413) 527-8980 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Hiking
Various State Parks Various Days, from June 14 – October 20
(413) 259-0009 Please call for registration and more information
New England Wildflower Society Faces at Nasami Farm
Project Native Names Billie Best as Executive Director to Replace Founding Executive Director Raina Weber
The Project Native Board of Trustees is pleased to announce the succession of Executive Director from Founder, Raina Weber, who departs the organization August 1st, to Billie Best. Project Native is a 54-acre non-profit native plant farm, nursery and wildlife sanctuary in Housatonic, Massachusetts.
Weber started Project Native when she was 19 years old, overseeing its growth from a small, though energetic spin-off of the Railroad Street Youth Project into a dynamic environmental organization with an annual budget of $600,000. Project Native has restored more than 250 acres of wetlands and native wildlife habitats, grown and distributed tens of thousands of native plants, and raises community awareness about the critical role native plants play in providing homes and food for native wildlife and preventing extinctions.
“It’s impossible to overstate the incredible work Raina has done,” said Erik Bruun, founding chairman of the Project Native board. “She had this kooky idea to grow native plants that only a few people even knew could be important, and turned it into a thriving enterprise that is literally restoring our landscape. Raina is a pioneer with the work ethic of a locomotive that does not know how to stop.”
Weber is moving to Mexico to start a new environmental organization, Kuxa’an ha (pronounced Koosh-an-ha) dedicated to holistic water management practices and protecting the underground water reservoirs in the Yucatan Peninsula.
“I love Project Native, but it is time for me to move on to my next adventure,” Weber said. “Project Native has taught me so much and it has given me the most amazing experiences I could ever have imagined. I am really happy to say that it has some fantastic people who will keep doing the great work we have begun promoting and protecting the Berkshire’s beautiful natural habitats.”
Best joined the Project Native Board of Trustees in 2010 and was hired this winter to be the development director.
“Raina has built an impressive organization based on an extraordinary vision,” Best said. “I am honored to take the reins and continue the work she has begun.”
Best, a resident of Alford, Massachusetts, has been farming and working as an organizer for sustainable agriculture since 2003. Her professional career began in the music business and moved into corporate marketing services for clients like Citibank and Hewlett-Packard. Most recently she has been providing marketing consulting services to small businesses in the Berkshires. Best brings a strong set of business skills, entrepreneurship, and farming know-how to the position.
Please welcome Billie to Project Native!
2012 Merrell Pack Project Activation Grant Just Announced
Do you have an idea that will increase participation in outdoor recreation activities? If so, Merrell and Outdoor Nation has an opportunity for you — The Pack Project Activation Grant Program! This grant is available to individuals between the ages of 18 and 28 or 501c3 non-profit organizations, so spread the word!Merrell and Outdoor Nation recognize that sometimes the smallest awards can make the largest differences. For this reason, The Pack Project Activation Grant Program will be awarding $12,500 to a minimum of 5 projects (maximum $2,500 each!) designed to give young individuals and charitable organizations the resources and funding needed to bring their innovation and active ideas to life. In Fall 2012, there will be a second cycle of the grant awarding an additional $12,500. Grants will be awarded to the most innovative, impactful and sustainable projects focusing on increasing outdoor recreation in communities across the country.
The deadline to apply for the summer cycle of this grant is August 17, 2012, so apply today! For more information, visit the Outdoor Nation website at www.outdoornation.org/grants.