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Prenatal Exposure of Parents to PCBs linked to ADHD in Young Boys

Researchers from Harvard University and Boston University have published research linking prenatal exposure to PCBs to symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in young boys.  The study was conducted in an area of New Bedford, Massachusetts that was contaminated with PCBs by manufacturing companies.  The area has PCB-laden soil, a dump that received PCBs, schools built on PCB-contaminated fill, and residential and commercial properties that are also on PCB-laden fill.  

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Scientists Say Earlier Maple Sugaring Seasons Part of Climate Change Trend

Sugar maple trees now release their sap approximately 8.2 days earlier and stop producing usable sap 11.4 days earlier than they did 40 years ago. This translates to an approximate 10 percent loss in the duration of the season. These trends coincide with regional climate changes recorded in the last 50 years. (Full story)

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Farm Bill 2012 Eyed As Chance to Boost Conservation of Soil, Bolster Crops

American farmers suffered more crop losses in 2011 than in any other year in recorded history. Total insurance payouts have surpassed $9 billion, and claims continue to roll in connected to historic flooding, droughts and other natural disasters.

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DCR’s Final Management Guidelines Now Available

DCR presented the final version of the Landscape Designations for DCR Parks & Forests: Selection Criteria and Management Guidelines to the DCR Stewardship Council at their monthly meeting on Friday, March 2nd at Fall River Heritage State Park. 

The Management Guidelines are now available to the public on the DCR website at: http://www.mass.gov/dcr/ld/landscapedesignations.htm

Please note that these are the criteria and guidelines only – the designation maps are in process of being finalized, and will be posted on the DCR website later this month.  I will send out an email to let you all know when these are available.

Quick Clarification – the map at the top of the webpage noted below is the draft map that was shared with the public last Spring.  Changes to that map are being finalized now and are not reflected in this draft map.  The final map will be released later this month. 

Apologies for any confusion this may have caused.

Jessica A. Rowcroft
Bureau of Planning & Resource Protection
Department of Conservation & Recreation
251 Causeway St, Suite 600
Boston, MA 02114
ph:  617.626.1380

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Factors Affecting River Fish Communities
from MassWildlife

A technical report, Factors Influencing Riverine Fish Assemblages in Massachusetts, regarding a study of factors affecting the composition of river fish communities in Massachusetts streams has been recently published and is available at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) website: http://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2011/5193/

“This study will help water resource managers and state environmental agencies make more informed decisions about managing the human-generated factors that affect aquatic habitat in the state.” said Todd Richards, MassWildlife Aquatic Biologist and co-author of the report. Though the report is fairly technical, he said that conservation-minded audiences should find the report’s introduction and conclusions portions useful for understanding the context of the study. Richards noted that environmental consultants, academics, conservation agents and commissions and other people with an interest or background in aquatic habitat will also have an interest in the report.

Using data from MassWildlife’s fish-community database, reviewing fisheries literature and employing a new Sustainable Yield Estimator computer application, the USGS in cooperation with the Massachusetts Departments of Fish and Game, Environmental Protection, and Conservation and Recreation investigated small and medium-sized streams to find out how the combination of physical natural basin characteristics (slope, sand and gravel, basin size, and elevation) and human land use characteristics (flow alteration, impervious land coverage, and dams) affect the compositions of fluvial (river-dependent) fish communities.  Their study found that increases in the percent coverage of impervious land (paved roads, sidewalks, parking lots, etc.) and increases in flow alteration were significantly related to declines in the kinds and numbers of river-dependent fish communities in streams.

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Please Don’t Feed the Bears!
from MassWildlife

If you feed birds and live in northern Middlesex County, Worcester County, or western Massachusetts or other areas where bears have been spotted, it’s time to remove bird feeders before bears emerge from hibernation.  Lack of snow and longer day length are already encouraging bears to leave their winter dens and seek food.  In many cases, bears will ignore natural foods such as skunk cabbage and instead head to the nearest birdfeeder for a good meal.  To avoid this problem, the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (DFW) is asking that property owners be proactive by removing bird feeders and other potential food sources promptly and taking other preventative measures.  “Since much of the state had little or no snow cover, and food was available, some bears never really denned. We anticipate other bears might come out earlier than usual,” says Laura Conlee, DFW Wildlife Biologist. "If food sources such as bird seed, unsecured trash or dumpsters are available, conflicts can occur that pose hazards to both bears and people." Removing bird feeders will not create a problem for birds as feeding stations are a supplement to the natural foods available throughout the winter.

Bears have excellent long-term memories and remember which foods are available at different seasons, as well as where food sources can be found. Even if a feeder is inaccessible to bears, they will be attracted by the scent of seed and suet. Once they find a feeder, bears will return. Bears are generally shy and fearful of people, but deliberate or indirect feeding, coupled with a lack of harassment can cause bears to become accustomed to people. If they lose their fear of people and develop a taste for human foodstuffs, bears can become bolder and may cause damage that ultimately results in harm to property, people, or to the demise of the animal.

If a bear is passing through a neighborhood without stopping, enjoy the sight. However, if the bear stops to feed on trash, bird seed, or other human-generated foods, remove them after the bear has left and advise your neighbors to do the same. Generally, due to their fear of people, bears tend to leave a yard when people step outside and make loud noises. Keep garbage in airtight containers, securely stored in a cellar, garage, or shed. Put trash out on the day of trash pickup, not the previous evening. Keep doors to sheds and barns latched or locked to prevent bears from finding grain. Don’t feed pets outdoors. Don’t dump sweet or meaty items in compost piles as bears will soon find them. In residential areas where bears are known to be present, the entire neighborhood must take recommended actions or bears will move from yard to yard seeking food. Conlee noted that taking these actions also reduces problems with other common wildlife species such as coyotes, raccoons, skunks, and foxes. More black bear information is at:  www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/wildlife/living/living_with_bears.htm.

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EPA Budget Testimony
WASHINGTON – As prepared for delivery by EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson.

Thank you for inviting me to testify on the President’s Fiscal Year 2013 budget for the Environmental Protection Agency. I’m joined by the Agency’s Chief Financial Officer, Barbara Bennett.

EPA’s budget request of $8.344 billion focuses on fulfilling EPA’s core mission of protecting public health and the environment, while making the sacrifices and tough decisions that Americans across the country are making every day.

EPA’s budget request fully reflects the President’s commitment to reducing government spending and finding cost savings in a responsible manner while supporting clean air, clean water and the innovative safe guards that are essential to an America that’s built to last. In some cases we have had to take a step back from programs – this budget reflects a savings of $50 million through the elimination of several EPA programs and activities that have either met their goals, or can be achieved at the State or local level or by other Federal agencies.

Let me spend a moment discussing major elements of EPA’s budget request.

This budget recognizes the importance of our partners at the State, local and tribal level. As you know, they are at the front lines of implementing our environmental laws like the Clean Water Act, and the Clean Air Act. In fact, the largest portion – 40% percent of EPA’s funding request — is directed to the State and Tribal Assistance Grants appropriation to support their efforts.

Specifically, this budget proposes that $1.2 billion – nearly 15% of EPA’s overall request – be allocated back to the States and tribes, through categorical grants. This includes funding for State and Local Air Quality Management grants, Pollution Control grants and the tribal general assistance program.

The budget also proposes that a combined $2 billion – another 25% of EPA’s budget request – also goes directly to the States for the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds. This funding will help support efficient system wide investments and development of water infrastructure in our communities. We are working collaboratively to identify opportunities to fund green infrastructure – projects that can reduce pollution efficiently and less expensively than traditional grey infrastructure.

Additionally, EPA’s budget request would fund the protection of the nation’s land and water in local communities. Reflecting the President’s commitment to restoring and protecting the Great Lakes, this budget requests that Congress maintain the current funding level of $300 million for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. This support will continue to be used for collaborative work with partners at the State, local and tribal level, and also with non-profit and municipal groups. The budget also requests support for protection of the Chesapeake Bay, and several other treasured and economically significant water bodies. The budget reflects the importance of cleaning up contaminated land sites in our communities by requesting $755 million for continued support of the Superfund cleanup programs and maintains the Agency’s emergency preparedness and response capabilities.

EPA’s budget request makes major investments in its science and technology account of $807 million, or almost 10 percent of the total request. This request includes $576M for research, including $81 million in research grants and fellowships to scientists and universities throughout the country for targeted research as part of the Science to Achieve Results – or STAR – program, including children’s health, endocrine disruption, and air monitoring research. Also, as part of this request, EPA includes funding increases into key areas that include green infrastructure and hydraulic fracturing.

As I’ve mentioned before, natural gas is an important resource which is abundant in the United States, but we must make sure that the ways we extract it do not risk the safety of public water supplies. This budget continues EPA’s ongoing congressionally directed hydraulic fracturing study, which we have taken great steps to ensure is independent, peer reviewed and based on strong and scientifically defensible data. Building on these ongoing efforts, this budget requests $14 million in total to work collaboratively with the United States Geological Survey, the Department of Energy and other partners to assess questions regarding hydraulic fracturing. Strong science means finding the answers to tough questions, and EPA’s request does that.

We are making investments to support standards for clean energy and efficiency in this budget. Specifically, this budget supports EPA’s efforts to introduce cleaner vehicles and fuels and to expand the use of home-grown renewable fuels. This includes funding for EPA’s Federal Vehicle and Fuel Standards and Certification program to support certification, and compliance testing for all emissions standards. This also includes implementation of the President’s historic agreement with the auto industry for carbon pollution and fuel economy standards through 2025 for cars and light duty vehicles, including testing support for NHTSA’s fuel economy standards. Taken together, the Administration’s standards for cars and light trucks are projected to result in $1.7 trillion dollars of fuel savings, and 12 billion fewer barrels of oil consumed. This funding will also help support implementation of the first ever carbon pollution and fuel economy standards for heavy duty trucks.

Mr. Chairman, thank you for the opportunity to testify today. While my testimony reflects only some of the highlights of EPA’s budget request, I look forward answering your questions.

R030
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Nominate a Nonprofit!

The request for nominations for the 2012 Massachusetts Nonprofit Network Excellence Awards is now open! The awards are an opportunity to celebrate the outstanding work of the nonprofit sector by nominating a deserving organization or individual today. Categories include advocacy, collaboration, communications, innovation, and leadership, among others.

To learn more visit:
http://www.massnonprofitnet.org/training-and-events/nonprofit-awareness-day/2012-excellence-awards/

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MAC’s Summer Graduate Course

Check out our 3-credit Graduate Course presented with Fitchburg State University. The course meets Wednesdays, June 27 and August 15 in North Grafton from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Each participant will attend both sessions and participate in six additional workshops on the farm across the state.

Read more about our Summer Graduate Course. 

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Junior Conservation Camp
from MassWildlife

It’s not too early to start thinking about summer camp for your teenage son or daughter.  If you have a teen (or know one) who is interested in the outdoors, likes camping, fishing, canoeing, or wants to learn more about these and other outdoor skills, the Massachusetts Junior Conservation Camp may be just the right experience.  Held at the Chesterfield Scout Reservation in western Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Junior Conservation Camp is a two-week overnight summer camp for girls and boys 13 -17 years of age offering a program of conservation education and instruction in outdoor recreation skills. Campers will participate in a variety of outdoor skills including Archery, Basic Camping, Fly & Spin Casting, Blackpowder, Sporting Clays, Orienteering, 3- Position Riflery, and First Aid. The Massachusetts Basic Hunter Education and the Massachusetts Small Boat Safety courses are also part of the curriculum. This year’s camp dates are August 5 – August 17, 2012 and tuition is $600. For campers needing financial assistance, contact local sportsmen’s clubs and other conservation groups which offer “camperships” to teens from their community to attend camp. In most cases, teens need only send a letter explaining why they are interested in attending. For camp registration and other details about the Junior Conservation Camp go to www.juniorconservationcamp.org/faqcampers.htm.

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Weekdays during March

Krug Sugarbush, Chesterfield

Maple Sugar Tours! Join the Park Staff at the Krug Sugarbush weekdays during the month of March to see how maple syrup is produced. Visitors will learn first-hand how the sap is collected from maple trees and boiled down to produce pure maple syrup. Operation is based on weather, so please call one day prior to your visit. Advanced group reservations are welcome. For more information please call (413) 268-7098.

The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources is also offering a listing of sugarhouses where visitors can purchase maple products including maple syrup and maple candy and enjoy open houses and tours. A complete listing can be found by going to the MassGrown & Fresher website Google map and clicking on “maple”.

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Land Steward Assistant with the Nature Conservancy

The Land Steward Assistant works with Conservancy staff, interns, and volunteers to provide stewardship support for the Conservancy’s preserves and conservation restrictions located in Western Massachusetts (west of the Connecticut River), advancing critical habitat restoration, public education, and sound, ecological preserve management.  Responsibilities include assisting the Stewardship Manager with managing our Leaders in Environmental Action for the Future (LEAF) Program (a four-week, three-student internship program); trail and boundary maintenance; training and leading volunteer and intern activities; participating in controlling invasive species that threaten ecologically significant wetland systems; ecological monitoring; natural resource mapping using Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS); maintenance of stewardship equipment and facilities; positive engagement with the general public throughout all aspects of work; and other land stewardship tasks, as needed and appropriate.  This is a full time, short-term, six-month position, starting approximately May 1 and ending November1, 2012.

All applications must be submitted via www.nature.org/careers, job #38951.

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