Natural Areas Association (NAA) is an association of scientists and practitioners focused on the management of ecologically significant natural landscapes with the intent to protect biodiversity for current and future generations. Natural Areas News is is your trusted resource for current events, reliable science, conservation success, emerging challenges, best practices, and achievements of those who work daily to preserve natural areas.

Photo courtesy of U.S. Department of the Interior

Biden-Harris Administration takes steps to increase co-stewardship opportunities, incorporate Indigenous Knowledge, protect sacred sites

The U.S. Department of the Interior announced steps to strengthen the nation-to-nation relationship with Tribal Nations, including new efforts to increase Tribal co-stewardship of lands and waters, incorporate Indigenous Knowledge into their work, and preserve and protect sacred sites. 

Photo courtesy of the New York Times

The New York Times reports after spending two years with elite firefighters, hotshots *

Hotshot fire crews work on the front lines of the biggest wildfires in the western United States. The New York Times accompanied one hotshot crew during this year's relatively quiet wildfire season, noting fewer acres have burned than at any time in the last quarter-century. However, it was anything but “quiet” for the Tallac Hotshots, as they battled some of the most challenging blazes across the country. 

Photo courtesy of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation

Bezos Earth Fund Awards $30 Million to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to Accelerate Restoration of Longleaf Pine Forests and Northern Great Plains Grasslands

The Bezos Earth Fund committed a third $30 million award to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) to accelerate recovery of two imperiled landscapes: longleaf pine forests and Northern Great Plains grasslands. The grant was announced at the 15-year celebration of America’s Longleaf Restoration Initiative.

Photo courtesy of Mohsen Mesgaran/UC Davis

Algorithm for artificial intelligence (AI) enables low-cost tracking of invasive plant

Researchers at University of California, Davis, have developed a high-tech weapon against invasive plants: artificial intelligence and machine learning. Using photos from Google's Street View database, UC Davis researchers have tracked down more than 2,000 cases of the invasive johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense) in the Western United States for a fraction of the cost and time that it would take to do drive-by or other in-person surveys.

In Other News

Northern Arizona University monitors biodiversity in United States with space lidar

Catastrophic flooding effects on a Wisconsin wet prairie remnant: A shift in the disturbance regime?

Regional impacts of agricultural land use history on forest vegetation and soils: Comparing primary and post-agricultural forests in Northern New Jersey

Study finds plant nurseries are exacerbating the climate-driven spread of 80% of invasive species

Reforms Needed to Expand Prescribed Burns

Past and present biomass consumption by herbivores and fire across productivity gradients in North America

Rare plant spotted for first time in Santa Cruz County reveals hidden ecosystem reborn in fire

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Seeks Public Input on Proposed Expansion of Roanoke River National Wildlife Refuge

Environmental consequences more dire as Texas prairie land dwindles

West Virginia University researcher using ‘bug bombs’ and drones to fight invasive plants

Greenprinting: Urban Planning for Ecosystem Services

Rhynchospora Mesoatlantica (Cyperaceae), an imperiled new species of beaksedge from Eastern U.S.A.

With everything at stake, the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) must be more than just words

Service Finalizes Recovery Plan for Fleshy-Fruit Gladecress (Leavenworthia crassa)

Drivers of soil microbial and detritivore activity across global grasslands

Interior Department Announces New Actions in Support of Nature-Based Solutions

Fracking pond restoration in the western Rio Grande Plains, Texas: Stockpiled topsoils may not be necessary, but seeding helps

Funding Opportunities

Coastal Habitat Restoration and Resilience Grants for Tribes and Underserved Communities

Deadline: Dec. 19, 2023

Endangered Species Act Recovery Challenge Fund

Deadline: Dec. 19, 2023

The National Forest Foundation solicits project proposals that directly benefit America’s National Forests and Grasslands

Deadline: Jan. 16, 2024

Natural Areas Research Grant in Ohio

Deadline: Feb. 1, 2024

The Resilient and Connected Appalachians Grant Program in Connecticut

Deadline: Feb. 1, 2024

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