Archive for October, 2009

No Child Left Inside: Legislation for Nature Deficit Disorder?

Sunday, October 25th, 2009

Background

No Child Left Inside is a national movement for furthering connecting kids and nature.  Legislation from 2009 can be reviewed at this website. http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-h2054/show

This is not a brand new issue.  As far back as 2005 NPR promoted awareness in their story with Richard Louv and his then new book ‘Last Child in the Woods: Saving Kids From Nature Deficity Disorder’. The story is at this website.  http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4665933

WHAT YOU CAN DO

#1 You can speak of this to legislators and advocacy groups in terms of the benefits of healthy and diverse native plant communities being a fundamental part of connecting kids with nature and addressing nature deficit disorders. 

#2 You can respond to this post with new initiatives related to this issue.

Posted in Education | No Comments »

Check here for activities currently under environmental review for effects on native plants

Sunday, October 25th, 2009

Many eyes and ears make good work.  While MNNPS bloggers cannot stay up on all current issues affecting our native plants and communities, you can contribute by adding to this post what MNNPS members need to know to show up at public meetings, send public comments, and contact legislative representatives about issues of importance. 

Actions undergoing state environmental review are posted at the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board Monitor Publication.  http://www.eqb.state.mn.us/monitor.html

NOVEMBER ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:  ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT FOR PROPOSED POLYMET MINING

Posted in Conservation | 3 Comments »

Minnesota’s Referendum on the Environment

Sunday, October 25th, 2009

Background

In 2008, Minnesotan’s voted a Constitutional Amendment for 25 years of dependable funding for the environment.  This allows for the type of long term ecological planning necessary to tackle complex issues. 

WHAT YOU CAN DO to ensure wise use of constitutionally approved financing for the environment

The Lessard Outdoor Council was formed in early 2009 to address the constitutionally approved funds and to receive proposals and make decisions on funding environmentally protective projects.  This website takes you to the latest activities of the Council. http://www.lohc.state.mn.us/ Native plant communities should be a cornerstone of long-term environmental protection and funding.  The importance of this will be understood by the Council only when MNNPS members and others present them personal stories and well thought out science on the importance of our native plant communities. Urge them to make native plant communities a top priority in considering and ranking proposals. Consider working together with a MNNPS friend to send letters and attend and comment on Council hearings in 2010.

Posted in Conservation | 3 Comments »

Prairie Grass Biomass for Fuel

Sunday, October 25th, 2009

Nature Conservancy to use grass for energy

June 11, 2009

Associated Press
Last update: June 11, 2009 – 7:04 AM

MANKATO, Minn. – A conservation group is trying to determine whether prairie grass in southern Minnesota could be used to produce electricity.

The Nature Conservancy will take grass from about 300 acres of native or restored prairies in Nicollet, Le Sueur, Sibley and Rice counties to a new biomass plant in Shakopee and figure out the cost of producing energy from the land.

Besides finding a new way to produce energy, a spokesman for the group says the project is a way to protect tallgrass prairies — a nearly extinct ecosystem. Christopher Anderson says Minnesota is down to less than 1 percent of the prairie land it once had.

The University of Minnesota and local soil and water districts are also helping with the project.

 WHAT YOU CAN DO

#1  Please comment on this post with additional news and information that you have.  This will be build our information base for 2010 action on this topic.

#2 Take Action.  Understand the issue and how various tradeoffs between prairie grass vs. other forms of plant biomass for fuels affect native plants and communities.  Contact your legislative representatives to find out where they stand and considering meeting with them to provide your understanding. http://www.leg.state.mn.us/

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Posted in Conservation | 2 Comments »

OHV Effects on native plants

Wednesday, October 21st, 2009

Background

The Minnesota Native Plant Society submitted a letter to the Chippewa National Forest Supervisor’s Office in 2007 regarding OHV concerns. Review the letter at the MNNPS website. http://www.mnnps.org/committees/conservationcommittee.html

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Current alert information on statewide OHV regulations will be updated here in the near future. Check back to learn more and leave comments that provide additional insights into this issue. Then contact your state legislators or other decision makers using the information at http://www.leg.state.mn.us/

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Posted in Conservation | No Comments »