So much more than farms
So much more than farms Approximately every five years, the Food, Conservation and Energy Act is debated, amended and passed by Congress. Most commonly referred to as the “Farm Bill,” the 2008 version included over 1,700 pages of laws, programs and funding directives. It will cost tax payers an estimated $403.6 billion. For all the billions of dollars that are distributed because of this bill and the very serious issues covered by this bill—energy policy, food stamp programs, water pollution and school nutrition programs—why don’t the general public and mainstream media pay more...
Read MoreAnalyzing the Wisconsin debacle
Analyzing the Wisconsin debacle Barbara Clark Smith, a curator at the National Museum of American History in Washington, DC, explored the legions of protestors at the Wisconsin state house in the early weeks of March. Her task was to find museum-worthy signs and buttons for the Smithsonian’s collection of materials dating from the dawn of the American independence. According to a Washington Post article, this curator is part of the Smithsonian’s political history division, which examines “how citizens participate in the political process.” Without Smith’s diligence, the...
Read MoreCommunicating about water in the water-rich Midwest
Communicating about water in the water-rich Midwest The Midwest is blessed with abundant water resources. Thanks to its many tributaries like the Ohio, Illinois and Missouri, more freshwater flows through the Mississippi River than through all but four other rivers in the entire world. The Great Lakes and their connecting channels contain roughly 18% of the world’s surface freshwater, second only to the polar ice caps. Wisconsin and Minnesota both boast having more than 10,000 lakes each. Municipalities, environmental coalitions and water utility companies often struggle when creating and...
Read MoreNow Hiring: Mississippi River Program Manager
Now Hiring: Mississippi River Program Manager Biodiversity Project seeks a full-time program manager with exceptional coordination skills to manage the Mississippi River program. Ideal candidates will have at least 2-3 years of experience managing coalitions, facilitating meetings and over-seeing broad strategy goals. The Mississippi Program Manager manages the Mississippi River Network (MRN). The MRN is a coalition of 37 organizations dedicated to protecting and restoring the Mississippi River for the well-being of the land, water and people of the country’s greatest River....
Read MoreMississippi River Makes Most Endangered List
Mississippi River Makes Most Endangered List American Rivers gave a ‘special mention’ to the river today in its list of America’s Most Endangered Rivers TM of 2011. American Rivers made the last minute addition to the list due to the unprecedented nature of the flooding, and the opportunity to improve flood management for public safety and river health. In listing the Mississippi as a “special mention,” American Rivers pointed to outdated flood management strategies and over-reliance on levees that have contributed to the record flood damage. You can read more about this...
Read MoreStormwater PSA Contest
Stormwater PSA Contest The Rock River Stormwater Group (RRSG), a coalition of municipalities, agencies and nonprofit organizations in southern Wisconsin that is managed by Biodiversity Project, is partnering with University of Wisconsin—Whitewater again this spring. Last year, dozens of students and RRSG members built a 1,000 square foot rain garden. This year, students are invited to create short Public Service Announcement videos that inform and instruct young people about the issues in the Rock River basin and what people can do to protect their waters. The winner will get a new digital...
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