California Passes Huge Water Deal
by Amanda Wills

On Nov. 4, California lawmakers passed an $11.1 billion water deal that will essentially overhaul the state’s water system while “preserving a fragile environment,” according to The Associated Press.

The ruling comes after months of debate among both the Democratic and Republican parties. The money will fund new dams and groundwater cleanup and is the first step in restoring the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, a collection of channels, natural habitats and islands that is a major source of the state’s drinking water.

According to reports, it will be the largest environmental restoration project in the U.S., surpassing the effort underway in the Florida Everglades. The restoration will supply a sustainable water supply for Southern California residents.

California has struggled to maintain its water supply in the wake of a three-year drought that crippled the farming industry and rural communities.

“This is a major breakthrough that sets a new framework for providing both water supply reliability and protecting our fragile ecosystems. It puts California on course for a smarter water future,” said Laura Harnish, regional director for the Environmental Defense Fund, as reported by The Associated Press.

California legislators also want to require cities to use 20 percent less water by 2020. No matter where you live, water conservation starts at home. To put the issue into perspective, check out your own water footprint. Not only will you find out how much water you use on a day-to-day basis, but you will also learn how to conserve it by making simple changes in your diet or lifestyle.

Rebecca
Country Meadow Ltd.
Eco Friendly Shea Butter Spa Products

www.countrymeadowltd.com

World’s Last Wild Horses Brought Back from the Brink
Written by Michael Ricciardi

The Przewalski’s horse of Mongolia’s Gobi desert–considered the world’s only remaining, “true” wild horse–has had its share of existential challenges over the centuries. Once considered “extinct in the wild”, due primarily to habitat loss, the horse’s status has been upgraded recently to “critically endangered”, based upon criteria set by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (UICN) in Switzerland.

The “upgrade” requires that at least fifty mature individuals be “free-living” in the wild for a minimum of five years. There have been previous attempts to reintroduce the horse (Equus ferus przewalskii) to the Central Asian steppe country from China’s zoos (going back to 1985), but these were considered unsuccessful. Now, after assessments of two horse projects–one at Hustai (Khustain) National Park (with 171 horses living on their own, as of 2006) and the other at Takhin Tal (with 115 horses, as of 2007)–ecologists and wildlife conservationist are confident enough in the animals’ chances for long-term survival to make the official announcement (via a report presented at the Society for Conservation Biology in Beijing, in early November, 2009).

In a November 13 news report in Science (’Hope for Mongolian Horses’), veterinarian Chris Walzer of the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna states a figure of 140 individuals as being a “robust starting population” for the horse’s to make a viable go at long-term survival. Citing a 58% foal (young off-spring) survival rate at the Takhin Tal Nature Reserve, Walzer and his research team believe this is a sufficient percentage to maintain the population through the harsh desert winter and beyond. Winter is the most challenging time for the horses as the thick snow cover makes finding food difficult.

An additional challenge comes from local, livestock herders who drive the horses out of their natural grazing grounds to make room for their grazing stocks (primarily goats and sheep). To counter this, researchers have resorted to paying the herdsmen to keep their animals off the reserve. So far, it seems to be working. And although the animal is still critically endangered, bringing a rare species back from the brink of extinction is no small feat, and this is reason enough to be cautiously hopeful.

Unlike the American Mustang, which is actually a feral horse (having escaped from domestication), the Przewalski’s horse has never been domesticated successfully, and is thus considered truly “wild”.

photo credit: Jeff Kubina cc-by-sa

Przewalski Horse

Rebecca
Country Meadow Ltd.
Eco Friendly Shea Butter Spa Products

www.countrymeadowltd.com

Many, MANY years ago when our children were small we took them to a Ringling Bros. circus and had a great time.

It was assumed, or perhaps I never even gave it a thought (it was after all MANY years ago) that the animals were all trained and treated humanely.

But things come to light as they often do.
And I for one will NEVER go to a circus again. (Sorry grandkids but Nana is not going to support wild animals being ‘taught’ unnatural tricks).

This article is way to lengthy for me to copy and paste so here is the direct link.

Ex-trainer accuses circus of elephant cruelty
Photos, written recollections add fuel to PETA’s fight against Ringling Bros.

Personal Note: I know this is not exactly an Eco News article however it falls under the Love of Animals category so I deem it qualifies.

I am NO fan of PETA however I do believe they can do good in the right circumstance.

Rebecca
Country Meadow Ltd.
Eco Friendly Shea Butter Spa Products

www.countrymeadowltd.com