SandBoxBlogs: Summit County Citizens Voice "Biodiversity: Key European butterfly species in decline"

Bob Berwyn:
"SUMMIT COUNTY — European butterfly populations and diversity are rapidly dwindling, as habitat is converted or lost to development. Biologists estimate that about 10 percent of all species are now threatened with extinction, with a European grassland indicator showing that overall abundance  of 17 characteristic butterflies has declined by more than 70 percent in just the last 15 years.

Butterflies are sensitive indicators of the environment and populations respond very quickly to habitat change. Management for butterflies will help ensure the survival of a wide range of other insects, which form the bedrock of European biodiversity.

After a major collaborative research effort, European scientists say that downward spiral could be slowed significantly with good management of the habitat that’s left. Many agricultural areas have been abandoned are are overgrown with brush, while others are too managed too extensively, the scientists said in a new report published in the form of an “applied Conservation paper in the newly launched open-access journal Nature Conservation...."  (Read more?  Click title)

"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."

SandBox Comments: Summit County Citizens Voice "Food: Europe and U.S. reach organic trade deal"

There is only one investigative reporter in Colorado who leads the pack in environment oriented journalists.

Rarely, if ever, letting his followers down, Bob Berwyn and his independent news publication the Summit County Citizens Voice has a stellar reputation.

Truthful, fair, detailed and in the lead with timely reporting; Berwyn is the best.

This is phenomenal news for US organic producers and consumers.  Thanks so much is the shout out today.  To Summit Voice and Berwyn for bringing it to us.

Bob Berwyn:
"SUMMIT COUNTY — In a huge move for organic producers and consumers, the U.S. and the European Union said this week that organic products certified in Europe or in the United States may be sold as organic in either region.

The formal agreement was signed Feb. 15 in Nuremberg, Germany. The partnership was touted as establishing a strong foundation from which to promote organic agriculture and benefiting the growing organic industry to support jobs and businesses on a global scale.

Leading up to today’s historic announcement, both parties conducted thorough on-site audits to ensure that their programs’ regulations, quality control measures, certification requirements, and labeling practices are compatible.

“This partnership connects organic farmers and companies on both sides of the Atlantic with a wide range of new market opportunities,” said U.S Deputy Agriculture Secretary Merrigan. “It is a win for the American economy and President Obama’s jobs strategy. This partnership will open new markets for American farmers and ranchers, create more opportunities for small businesses, and result in good jobs for Americans who package, ship, and market organic products.”

The organics sector in the United States and European Union is valued at more than $50 billion combined, and rising every year...."  (Read more?  Click title)

"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."

SandBox Comments: Summit Daily News "Lichens: Nature's odd couple"

SandBox has been wondering where Dr. Joanne Stolen has been!  Always one of the best references for top-notch reporting and op-ed pieces on the environment; she's one of our fav's.

Dr. Joanne Stolen:

"Did the lichen kill the trees, or do they prefer dead or dying trees? Because they do seem to prefer trees or shrubs already beginning to die, the lichen is often unjustly blamed for adversely affecting the tree. In actuality, many lichens grow rapidly when exposed to full sunlight, and that is why they are a common occurrence on dead or dying trees. Their position on the trees gives them a secure location to anchor as well as access to sunlight in dark forests. When the tree whose canopy is failing eventually dies, the lichen's growth greatly increases because of the additional sunlight. This is why many dead or dying trees are often covered with lichens. Dying trees also often release a kind of sugar or sap, a lure for lichen — but lichens do not consume any part of the plant, nor do they poison it..."  (Read more?  Click title)

"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."