Do Your Part! for ClimateFriendly Parks is a new online program… and the first interactive program in the country that provides national park visitors and supporters with a tool to understand, measure and reduce their carbon footprint and thereby help protect our national parks from global warming.

Individuals logging onto the site are able to measure their carbon footprint by using a calculator co-developed by the Environmental Protection…[more]

The nation’s largest $1 discount variety store chain will pay a $120,000 civil penalty for distributing and selling an estimated 1.8 million aerosol cans of novelty string confetti that contained an ozone-depleting propellant, under terms of a legal settlement announced today by EPA Region 7.

Dollar Tree Stores, Inc., headquartered in Chesapeake, Va., and which operates more than 3,200 retail stores in 48 states, has agreed to pay…[more]

Root-knot nematodes are extreme parasites. These microscopic, omnipresent worms cause major damage to horticultural and field crops in sub-tropical regions, resulting in significant financial losses to growers and gardeners.

Until recently, fumigation of the soil with methyl bromide before planting was the primary method for controlling root-knot nematodes in valuable vegetable crops. Methyl bromide (MeBr) is an odorless, colorless gas that has been widely used as a plant…[more]

The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) has elected Jodie H. Adams as President of the national association. The announcement was made during NRPA’s 43rd Annual Congress & Exposition in Baltimore, Maryland.

“Jodie is an asset to NRPA,” said Lois Finkelman, NRPA Chair. “She has supported the park and recreation movement and NRPA’s mission on many levels throughout her career. Her expertise and leadership skills will help NRPA…[more]

Greenwire: President-elect Barack Obama’s ambitious energy initiatives emphasize electric-powered vehicles, wind turbines and solar panels — all of which hinge on building a transmission grid capable of delivering renewable power generated in remote places to distant cities.

“One of … the most important infrastructure projects that we need is a whole new electricity grid,” the Illinois Democrat said last month on MSNBC’s “The Rachel Maddow Show.” “Because if…[more]

Several partners tested how to efficiently harvest MO round wood off Mark Twain National Forest during the summer 2008. One of several similar studies in southeastern US, it was the first on Midwestern/oak hickory hardwood forests.

The purpose of the study was to develop, test, and if successful, promote small scale, cost-effective harvest and transport of biomass off Midwestern hardwood forests.

The study was a collaborative…[more]

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has referred the issue of an unauthorized road in the new Current River State Park in Shannon County to the Missouri Attorney General’s Office.

“We are asking the Attorney General’s Office for legal clarification on county roads in state parks, and specifically on this situation in Current River State Park. This legal clarification will help us adequately plan and design this new…[more]

The Conservation Commission met Oct. 30 at the Marshall Comfort Inn and Oct. 31 at the Martin Community Center, Marshall, Mo. Commissioners present were:

• William F. “Chip” McGeehan, Marshfield, Chairman

• Lowell Mohler, Jefferson City, Vice-chairman

• Don R. Johnson, Festus, Secretary

• Becky L. Plattner, Grand Pass, Member

The Conservation Commission set its next meeting for Dec. 18…[more]

The Kansas City Missouri Water Services Department announces that preliminary work has begun on a green solutions pilot project as part of the Overflow Control Program. It is believed that the 100-acre pilot project will be the largest installation of green solutions for combined sewer overflow control currently being planned for construction in the United States. The general area of the project is south of 73rd Street between Troost Avenue…[more]

In Arkansas, voters approved a measure that would allow up to $300 million in natural resource bonds to be issued for water projects in the state. The proposal passed 65 percent to 35 percent.

The bonds would allow for grants and low interest loans to be issued through the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission for the purpose of building sewer and water projects.

In Missouri, Amendment 4…[more]