Riftia Pachyptila, Not Your Average Earthworm
By Jeanethe FalveyTwo weeks ago, NOAA made my day. Their photo submission from their 2011 Okeanos Expedition to the Galapagos Islands took the prize for the deepest photo submitted to State of the Environment in one fell swoop.In 1977, as Documerica was heading into the National Archives not to be…
Green Reading—One Leaf at a Time
By Lina YounesJust recently I had the opportunity to read at my youngest daughter’s school. While I eagerly volunteered for the reading assignment, selecting the right book was not that easy. I went through several children books we had at home. At first glance, I didn’t find any one particular…
Lectura verde: Una hoja a la vez
Por Lina YounesRecientemente tuve la oportunidad de ir a leer en la escuela de mi hija menor. Mientras me ofrecí como voluntaria para esta tarea de lectura de manera entusiasta, el proceso de seleccionar el libro adecuado no fue tan fácil. Revisé varios libros infantiles que teníamos en casa. En…
Rediscovering Paradise Lost in your Backyard . . .
By Maryann HelfertyQuestion: Where are EPA volunteers acting as explorers to rediscover the Paradise Lost in the backyards and woodlands of the Mid-Atlantic? Answer: The 2012 Philadelphia International Flower Show, where EPA staff have constructed an educational showcase of environmental…
The Water Sector Workforce Needs Skills of American Workers
By Nancy StonerIn his State of the Union Address, President Obama presented a blueprint for an economy built to last – one built on the skills of American workers. The President laid out new ideas for how we’ll make sure our students and workers get the education and training they need so we…
Science Wednesday: Lessons from Wildfires and Air Pollution
Each week we write about the science behind environmental protection. Previous Science Wednesdays.By Martha Sue CarrawayI grew up in the eastern part of North Carolina, near the coastal area and the Great Dismal Swamp. This is home to wide open spaces, long views, and clean air. During a visit Down…
Black History Month: Administrator Lisa P. Jackson: Black Women in History and Culture
By Administrator Lisa P. JacksonEvery February, our nation marks Black History Month. In 2012 we have spent the month honoring the work of African American women who shaped our country and earned their place in American history.As an African American woman, this has been a time for me to reflect on…
Be Kind to Ticks, They Could Save Your Life
By Steve DiMatteiTicks, the mere mention of the word will cause hair to stand up on the back of your neck. These tiny little disease-carrying arachnids crawl on you and bury themselves in your skin. You can try to crush them, even light them on fire, but they are nearly impossible to kill. Most…
Empowering the Public through Greater Information
By Gina McCarthyEPA recently marked a major milestone in our work to empower the public through greater transparency and information. Last month we released the first set of greenhouse gas (GHG) data from large facilities and suppliers across the country collected by our GHG Reporting program.To…
Black History Month: In The Spirit of Service and Stewardship
By Carolyn House Stewart, Esq.Alpha Kappa Alpha women are known for wearing their pink and green as they serve communities all over the globe.To effectively serve in these communities requires being healthy.As one of the world’s leading service organizations primarily comprised of African-American…
What is radon?
Radon is a gas produced by the radioactive decay of the element radium. Radioactive decay is a natural, spontaneous process in which an atom of one element decays or breaks down to form another element by losing atomic particles (protons, neutrons, or electrons). When solid radium decays to form…
Canada -- Climate Change Invites Alien Invaders - Is Canada Ready?
Posted by USDA's National Invasive Species Information Center -- Climate Change Invites Alien Invaders - Is Canada Ready? (Jan 24, 2012) A comprehensive multi-disciplinary synthesis published in Environmental Reviews reveals the urgent need for further investigation and policy development to…
The (Plant) Doctor is In (Feb 8, 2012)
Posted by USDA's National Invasive Species Information Center -- The (Plant) Doctor is In (Feb 8, 2012) USDA and CABI's Plantwise Initiative have formed a recent partnership. In collaboration with local organizations, Plantwise has formed a network of 182 clinics across 19 countries to…
2011 Idaho Invasive Species Summary Report (2012)
Posted by USDA's National Invasive Species Information Center -- Check out our updated resources for Idaho : 2011 Idaho Invasive Species Summary Report (2012) The Idaho Invasive Species Strategic Plan 2012-2016 (2012) * See our Idaho page our Management Plans - Idaho page for more information…
U.S. Forest Service Publishes Dual Language Booklet for Native Alaskans for First Time (Feb 13, 2012)
Posted by USDA's National Invasive Species Information Center -- U.S. Forest Service Publishes Dual Language Booklet for Native Alaskans for First Time (Feb 13, 2012) Partnering with a local Alaskan native community, the U.S. Forest Service has for the first time published a dual language…
New Invasive Species Conferences
Posted by USDA's National Invasive Species Information Center -- Many New Upcoming Invasive Species Related Conferences added (U.S. and International), including : Ohio Invasive Plant Council Annual Meeting -- Feb 22, 2012 The XIV Pacific Entomology Conference -- Feb 22-23, 2012 2012 Wisconsin…
USDA Does its Part to Bring Valentine's Day Cheer (Feb 14, 2012)
Posted by USDA's National Invasive Species Information Center -- USDA Does its Part to Bring Valentine's Day Cheer (Feb 14, 2012) Did you know that USDA helps in bringing Valentine's Day cheer every year? With the help of Department of Homeland Security's Customs and Border…
UBCB Scientists Warn Against Invasive Species (Jan 31, 2012)
Posted by USDA's National Invasive Species Information Center -- UBCB Scientists Warn Against Invasive Species (Jan 31, 2012) A recent study (Global change, global trade, and the next wave of plant invasions) led by scientists at UC Santa Barbara's National Center for Ecological Analysis and…
CBP Ensures Valentine's’s Day Flowers are Pest-Free (Feb 7, 2012)
Posted by USDA's National Invasive Species Information Center -- CBP Ensures Valentine's Day Flowers are Pest-Free (Feb 7, 2012) During the weeks leading to Valentine's Day, U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s highly trained agriculture specialists have been ensuring that plant…
New Insights into Invasive Plant Management (Feb 3, 2012)
Posted by USDA's National Invasive Species Information Center -- New Insights into Invasive Plant Management (Feb 3, 2012) ARS Scientists have created a model called Ecologically Based Invasive-Plant Management (EBIPM) that can significantly boost land managers' rate of success in restoring…