Marathon Petroleum Corporation’s Post

CREEK The most critical step to protect the Forest and to restore fish and other aquatic species to Schmitz Park will be to reconnect Schmitz Park Creek with the Salish Sea and Puget Sound. Schmitz Park Creek is a sizable, year-round creek of pure water, almost exclusively maintained by artesian springs. These springs arise in the upper (mostly southerly) portions of the Park and consist of groundwater flowing down through the glacial till from which the Schmitz Park ravine has been eroded. There are three major creek branches and also several smaller rivulets that contribute to the flow. All of the sources of the main creek appear to arise in forested areas and to have little or none of their flow coming from surface water outside the creek boundaries. Though devoid of much aquatic life, the stream bed is largely intact and undisturbed for much of its length. When it reaches the Park boundary the creek water is diverted into a drain that appears to divide the flow in two directions and to mix it with storm water that then is discharged out into Elliot Bay. For decades this unfortunate condition has been disaster for this Creek. Happily, this sad fate may now provide the means for the Creek’s salvation. Schmitz Park Creek Restore will be seeking funding from appropriate agencies of the City, County, State and Federal Governments to support the Project. For the stream to reach Alki Beach and Puget Sound, a new Creek bed will need to be established and protected through several blocks of urban landscape that now occupies what was the former Creek bed. At first, this sounds like a daunting task. But surprisingly, it appears possible to restore the useable corridor on existing public lands over which the restored Creek could flow to Alki Beach. Public lands already exist in an unbroken corridor that could bring the Creek to within one-half block of Alki Avenue and Alki Beach. It also appears that this can be done with minimal land acquisition or disruption to neighboring areas and homes through which the waters of the Creek can be safely routed. No final route is yet decided and good alternatives exist. Schmitz Park Creek Restore is working with the Duwamish Tribe to create a proposal for this critical part of the Project. At the same time, we will be working with the entire community bringing together the envisioning and the designing process. Through cooperation and celebration we will create the pathway that brings the Creek from Schmitz Park back to nature, Alki Beach, and the Salish Sea. Preliminary walkthroughs and discussions indicate that it is possible to create a riparian corridor by making small changes in use of existing parkland and adjacent streets to create a protected stream bed right to Alki Avenue. From there, a culvert or other means would be required under Alki Avenue and to the Beach.

Thanks to a $72,500 grant from National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Small Watershed Grant program, Severn River Association, with partner Center for Watershed Protection, have been working on a watershed-wide analysis of all subwatersheds to rank their need for #restoration. Phase 1 has been complete, with the areas of greatest need identified. Phase 2 will be identifying specific projects that will improve the quality of the #river. The aim is to 1) develop a long-term #strategy for restoration action plan development and 2) conduct assessments and develop an action plan for the number one priority area. The project aims to create a comprehensive, long-term strategy for restoration projects. This strategy will rank subwatersheds based on restoration needs on the condition of their habitats, biotic integrity, water quality, pollutant loads, existing restoration efforts and availability of known #watershed champions. This assessment provides guidance for SRA’s future #protection and restoration efforts. Next, the focus shifts to actionable plans for a chosen priority subwatershed. Driven by data, existing plans, and community input, we are taking tangible steps for restoration. Based on this effort and in coordination with a Steering Committee, the top three priorities are: 1) Weems Creek, 2) Spa Creek, and 3) Picture Spring Branch. Over the next several years, SRA will be creating action plans to identify and prioritize specific restoration projects in the top ten priority subwatersheds. Using desktop and field assessments, we will identify restoration opportunities. With engagement from the community through #stakeholderengagement, we can create a detailed action plan covering project concepts, estimated costs and benefits, and a roadmap for implementation. SRA is currently working on this step for our top three priority subwatersheds. The final plan isn’t just a document; it’s a roadmap for implementing restoration projects that positively impact local water quality, habitats, and communities. If you know about areas within any of our top 10 priority subwatersheds where there is erosion, flooding, or other opportunities for stormwater management and to reduce nutrient and sediment input into streams, creeks and the Severn River, please contact me! Thank you to National Fish and Wildlife Foundation for funding this important project! #severnriverassociation #severnrivermd #severnriver #restoration #StormwaterManagement #GreenLiving #CommunityAction #Sustainability #AnnapolisMD #ChesapeakeBay #greeninfrastructure #urbangreening #stormwatermanagement #propertyowners #raingardens #bmp

As we close out the year, there is more good news for forests and the Appalachians - one of the most resilient, diverse and productive places on Earth -   This ancient chain of forested mountains, valleys, wetlands and rivers spans roughly 2,000 miles from Alabama to Canada and at The Nature Conservancy, we are working to: ➕ Stitch together a connected landscape of climate resilient lands, corridors and waters at the pace and scale necessary to mitigate climate change and protect biodiversity. ➕ Leverage land and water conservation to provide critical natural climate solutions for healthy communities and resilient landscapes. ➕ Aid the capacity of local conservation organizations, Indigenous Peoples and local communities to help conserve high priority lands and waters; ensure conservation outcomes equitably benefit all who live in and rely on the Appalachians. With this deal, we just got one step closer -    David Phemister, Hayley Lynch, Bill Estep FISH & WILDLIFE RESOURCES, KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation   https://lnkd.in/eq4jRHzi

America the Beautiful Challenge is a public-private grant program for locally-led ecosystem restoration projects that invest in watershed restoration, resilience, equitable access, workforce development, corridors and connectivity, and collaborative conservation, consistent with America the Beautiful Initiative. The America the Beautiful Challenge coordinates funding from multiple Federal agencies and private philanthropy into one competitive grant program. This streamlines the application process, enabling larger, more impactful cross-boundary projects, while making it easier for states, Tribes, territories, local groups, non-governmental organizations, and others to apply for multiple funds with one application. This one-stop-shop solicitation is the result of financial contributions from the U.S. Department of the Interior through the Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Department of Agriculture through the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Forest Service, the U.S. Department of Defense, and Native Americans in Philanthropy, as well as private philanthropy. The America the Beautiful Challenge seeks to advance conservation and restoration projects that are consistent with the principles outlined in the Conserving and Restoring America the Beautiful report and that focus on at least one of the following core areas of need: Conserving and restoring rivers, coasts, wetlands, and watersheds Conserving and restoring forests, grasslands, and other important ecosystems that serve as carbon sinks Connecting and reconnecting wildlife corridors, large landscapes, watersheds, and seascapes Improving ecosystem and community resilience to coastal flooding, drought, and other climate-related threats Expanding access to the outdoors, particularly in underserved communities Applicants are encouraged to develop large landscape scale and/or cross jurisdictional projects that advance existing conservation plans or are informed by Indigenous Traditional Knowledge. Learn More Here: https://ow.ly/6XnN50QPeNW

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation invites applications to its Long Island Sound Futures Fund (LISFF) which aims to restore the health and living resources of Long Island Sound. In 2024, the fund will award approximately $12 million within the Long Island Sound watershed boundary in support of efforts to test innovative approaches to conservation, deliver transformative projects, and assist people and communities that value the Sound and take a role in its future. The fund will invest in projects under three CCMP themes, in CCMP Implementation Actions (IAs) associated with each theme, and in three CCMP cross-cutting principles: resiliency to climate change, long-term sustainability, and environmental justice all defined in the CCMP. The most competitive proposals will be those that incorporate theme(s), IA(s) and one or more cross- cutting principle(s) of the CCMP. The CCMP themes include: Clean Waters and Healthy Watersheds Thriving Habitats and Abundant Wildlife Sustainable and Resilient Communities Call 516.410.4895, or email [email protected] for a free fee quote to have us write your entire proposal, or edit your draft, for a reasonable flat fee. https://lnkd.in/ehXYsQvF Holly Rustick Bev Browning

the path to climate resilience is inspiring

Very important points mentioned here 👍 with the proper land management approaches in place, the great natural resources of the American West can be preserved for generations to come. 

🔥 With wildfires becoming more frequent and intense, USN4C-member Trust for Public Land's work in land conservation and Natural Climate Solutions is more important than ever. See how they’re creating fire-resilient landscapes. #NaturalClimateSolutions #ClimateAction

GREEN & WILDLIFE GROUPS ENGAGE BEFORE IT IS TO LATE Australian Conservation Foundation Australian Wildlife Conservancy Australian Koala Foundation (AKF): Posted from the Rainforest Reserves Australia Facebook Page: Distressing to say the least. CONTEXT: The Clarke Creek wind farm is under construction in Central QLD, 150km west of Rockhampton. It sits in between the Lotus Creek wind farm site (Approved, 46 wind turbines) and the Boomer Range (under assessment, 151 turbines) wind farm site. Clarke Creek wind farm Stage 1 is 100 wind turbines, Stage 2 will introduce another 94 turbines. This is a massive project which involves extensive habitat destruction. Presence of threatened Greater Gliders and Koalas were confirmed onsite. Koalas stand to lose up to 1513 ha of their habitat for the Clarke Creek wind farm. *Re: green groups being mentioned. We think he is referring to well-funded, well known green groups, not the little conservation groups working their guts to protect habitat with little to no funding! https://lnkd.in/gjA2879K

In honor of Earth Day, River Partners is thrilled to announce a new partnership with Apple to help bring life back to Sacramento River ecosystems while also conserving and replenishing vital freshwater resources.   Apple is supporting a 10-year effort to rewild 750 acres of farmland located along the confluence of the Sacramento River, Feather River, and Butte Creek north of the city of Sacramento. The confluence of these waterways is the largest anywhere in California’s Central Valley.   Restoration of this unique property will involve planting hundreds of thousands of native trees and vegetation and reconnecting the vast historic floodplain.   Apple’s investment is expected to leverage nearly 5 billion gallons of freshwater benefits over 20 years by significantly reducing water demand on the property and reconnecting the Sacramento and Feather rivers to the historic floodplain to recharge underground aquifers during wet years.   The effort will also support a thriving river ecosystem and all four runs of imperiled Chinook salmon that migrate up and down the Sacramento River. Populations of winter-run Chinook salmon in particular have dropped by 90% over the last 40 years due in large part to the loss of natural floodplains.   The partnership represents a new era of water sustainability—one that maximizes investments in innovative water stewardship and results in tangible, lasting ecosystem, community, and climate benefits.   Dos Rios Norte is also funded by the CA Department of Fish and Wildlife, California Natural Resources Agency , Wildlife Conservation Board, and Bureau of Reclamation.   Read Apple’s announcement here: https://lnkd.in/gS84Ni7b