Weekly News Roundup – May 13, 2011

Want to know what National Wildlife Federation was up to this week? Here is a recap of the week’s National Wildlife Federation news:

High Waters Offer Sediment-Laden Lessons Amidst Flooding Tragedy

May 13, 2011 – As the rising waters of the Mississippi River continue to impact communities along its banks, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and flood control managers are desperately trying to mitigate the impacts. In Louisiana, the solution has been to open spillways that relieve pressure on the levees and divert some of the river’s waters to the Gulf of Mexico.

The human consequences of this flood will be catastrophic and long-lasting. Massive flooding has already hit parts of Tennessee and Mississippi and tens of thousands more homes are at risk of flooding. New Orleans is carefully monitoring the rising waters.

Growing Money on Trees

May 13, 2011 – The saying goes that “money does not grow on trees,” but in North Carolina, some landowners are learning that “money from trees” might not be such a harebrained idea after all.

The development of new energy markets in North Carolina is opening up exciting new opportunities for landowners across the state. From carbon capture to biomass energy harvesting, to new markets from restoration of the iconic longleaf pine, Southeastern forest owners and farmers are poised to access the benefits of these new revenue streams.

Deepwater Sharks May Hold Answer to Oil-Contaminated Seafood

May 11, 2011 – State and federal agencies are pretty sure Gulf seafood is safe to eat. But some organizations think government officials might be playing fast and loose with food safety to get people back to work, because many of these same state and federal agencies directly control the ability of tens of thousands of people to make a living in seafood and seafood-related industries.

Forest Jobs and Recreation Act Offers New Vision for Montana’s Forests

May 10, 2011 – The Forest Jobs and Recreation Act is an ambitious bill. In the words if its author, Senator Jon Tester (D-MT), the bill aims to “create jobs in Montana’s forests, keep communities safe, protect clean water and safeguard Montana’s hunting and fishing habitat for future generations.”

While this may sound lofty, the legislation has already achieved a major victory – consensus among conservation organizations, forest product mills, sportsmen, outdoor recreationists and business owners.

And here are a few highlights from NWF in the News:

For more National Wildlife Federation news, visit www.nwf.org/News