Posted by USDA's National Invasive Species Information Center -- Escargot? More like Escar-No! (Apr 19, 2012) USDA and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services have been fighting to stop the spread of the giant African snail. In six, months, more than 40,000 of these snails…
Starting today, NOAA is using a sophisticated new weather forecast computer model to improve predictions of quickly developing severe weather events including thunderstorms, winter storms and aviation hazards such as clear air turbulence.
Posted by USDA's National Invasive Species Information Center -- Use of Common Pesticide Linked to Bee Colony Collapse (Apr 5, 2012) The likely culprit in sharp worldwide declines in honeybee colonies (colony collapse disorder) since 2006 is imidacloprid, one of the most widely used pesticides,…
By Gina McCarthy May first is World Asthma Day and the start of Asthma Awareness Month. Each year EPA takes this opportunity to amplify its public awareness campaign, strengthen its partnerships with community level asthma organizations, and further the discussion on the asthma epidemic. Asthma is a…
NOAA’s National Weather Service has improved its ability to support the Tampa Bay community and its ecologically valuable environments before, during and after severe weather and other disasters. As part of its Weather-Ready Nation initiative, the National Weather Service is launching this project…
By: Brittney Gordon If there is one thing that I have learned in my time with the ENERGY STAR program, it is that it takes the collective effort of many people to achieve real gains in the fight against climate change. ENERGY STAR is a great program, but without the power of partnership and the…
NOAA will take several steps that may help minimize the economic loss for commercial fishermen who face cuts in Georges Bank fishery quotas, which are jointly fished and managed with Canada. One particular stock, Georges Bank yellowtail flounder, is a mid-value fish often caught incidentally while…
By Lina Younes Recently I took several days off to stay home with my youngest daughter who was off for spring break. Let’s call it a staycation. Although I definitely had quite a long “to do list” of chores at home, I still wanted to make it fun for her so that she would feel [...]
In celebration of Earth Day, three area students deployed a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) ocean drifter on April 27, contributing to a global array that yields vital environmental data.
By Jessica Orquina It’s been three weeks since we launched Six Words for the Planet with SMITH Magazine and I’ve been delighted how many people shared their stories. I’ve enjoyed reading the thoughtful and creative six-word essays you’ve shared. Here are two of my favorites so far: Perform a…
Posted by USDA's National Invasive Species Information Center -- USDA's Chief Veterinary Officer on the Recent BSE Case (aka Mad Cow) (Apr 25, 2012) On April 24, USDA confirmed the nation's 4th case of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) in an animal that was sampled for the disease…
By Meghan Hessenauer I never really gave much thought about medicine until now. Now I need medicine. Now I am a mother and my kids take medicine. Now I study how medicine is disposed of as part of my job as an environmental scientist. And now, I know just how serious a problem unintentional…
A new rule prohibiting killing, injuring, touching or disturbing whale sharks and rays is part of the final management plan, regulations and environmental assessment for NOAA’s Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary, released by the agency today.
Posted by USDA's National Invasive Species Information Center -- 8th Annual Oregon Invasive Weed Awareness Week - R.2 I. P. - Report and Remove Invasive Plants (May 20-26, 2012) Doing your part to report & remove invasive plants helps to protect Oregon's agriculture and natural…
Posted by USDA's National Invasive Species Information Center -- Many New Upcoming Invasive Species Related Conferences added (U.S. and International), including : Sixth Annual Invasive Species Ireland Forum -- May 3, 2012 Invasive Species Advisory Committee Meeting -- May 22-24, 2012 Botany…
By Matt Bogoshian I did an initial post back on March 6th called Getting a Personal Tune-Up. Well I’m half way through the Trash on Your Back Challenge and wow, I’m learning so much about my own daily habits by carrying with me the trash I generate. The trash on my back has served as [...]
The recent rise in sightings of non-native Asian tiger shrimp off the U.S. Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts has government scientists working to determine the cause of the increase and the possible consequences for native fish and seafood in those waters.
By Lina Younes This past weekend, I went to the Earth Day festivities at the National Mall with my youngest daughter and one of her friends. We visited the National Sustainable Design Expo-P3 , the NASA exhibits and activities and other booths in the area. While we eagerly participated in the…
Posted by USDA's National Invasive Species Information Center -- Medical Fight Against Cancer May Hold Lessons for Battling Aquatic Invasive Species (Apr 23, 2012) Lessons learned from the medical community's progress in fighting cancer can provide a framework to help prevent the…
By Nancy Stoner Last week, I visited the San Juan Bay National Estuary Program office in Puerto Rico and took a tour of the estuary with the program’s director, Dr. Javier Laureano. San Juan Bay was the first tropical island estuary to become part of the National Estuary Program and, it contains…