Exxon Mobil pipeline oil spill, Mayflower, AR, March 2013 (AJ Zolten)

It’s unclear exactly how much oil spilled, but as we saw in the early days of BP’s Gulf oil disaster, the number is growing exponentially each day. “Exxon Mobil officials said the total amount of water and oil pumped out of a Mayflower subdivision nearly tripled Sunday, reaching 12,000 barrels, or 504,000 gallons, compared with estimates on Saturday that crews had pumped 4,500 barrels,” reports the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette this morning.

The spill comes just days after a National Wildlife Federation-led coalition called on federal agencies to develop stronger safety standards for pipelines carrying heavy, corrosive tar sands oil. “It’s clear we need tough new standards to protect wildlife, our natural resources and public health,” said Jim Murphy, NWF’s senior counsel. “Until the right standards are put into place, we shouldn’t be exposing more communities and resources to tar sands risks.”

Watch this clip taken by a man who lives in the Mayflower, Ark. neighborhood where the pipeline ruptured:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Those storm drains head towards Lake Conway, a huge manmade reservoir stocked with bass, catfish, bream and crappie. Local authorities built several earthen dams to try to keep the tar sands oil out of Lake Conway, but if the water is fouled, it won’t just threaten the fish, it will threaten the area’s recreation economy.

As Reuters reports, the Arkansas spill comes at a critical juncture of America’s debate over whether to accept the risks inherent in transporting Canadian tar sands:

The 848-mile pipeline used to transport crude oil from Texas to Illinois. In 2006 Exxon reversed it to move crude from Illinois to Texas in response to growing Canadian oil production and the ability of U.S. Gulf Coast refineries to process heavy crude.

The Arkansas spill drew fast reaction from opponents of the 800,000 [barrel per day] Keystone XL pipeline, which also would carry heavy crude from Canada’s tar sands to the Gulf Coast refining hub.

Environmentalists have expressed concerns about the impact of developing the oil sands and say the crude is more corrosive to pipelines than conventional oil. On Wednesday, a train carrying Canadian crude derailed in Minnesota, spilling 15,000 gallons of oil.

“Whether it’s the proposed Keystone XL pipeline, or … (the) mess in Arkansas, Americans are realizing that transporting large amounts of this corrosive and polluting fuel is a bad deal for American taxpayers and for our environment,” said Representative Ed Markey, a Massachusetts Democrat.

It’s not just Keystone XL – there’s also the Enbridge pipeline in Michigan that spilled into the Kalamazoo River in 2010 as well as the proposal to reverse New England’s Trailbreaker pipeline to carry tar sands from Canada to Maine. As NWF reported in 2010, oil disaster’s aren’t rare – they’re tragically common.

The National Wildlife Federation is working with staff, partners and our state affiliate, the Arkansas Wildlife Federation to monitor the impacts of the Arkansas oil spill. Keep checking back to this post and to Wildlife Promise for updates.

Take Action

The risks to our wildlife, communities and clean water are just too great — tell President Obama he should say no to the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline.

UPDATE: The Helping Arkansas Wild Kritters (HAWK) Center is posting pictures of oiled birds to their Facebook page.

Lauren Ray, a University of the Ozarks student, sent NWF this photo of one of the ducks that was treated at the HAWK Center. According to Lauren, “This duck had already been washed multiple times, yet the oil was still very apparent.”

Oiled duck from Mayflower Ark. oil spill. Photo by Lauren Ray.

USDA: Bean plastapid nymphs on kudzu leaf. Photo by Yanzhuo Zhang.

Kudzu, once hailed as a “miracle vine,” is now a thorn in the side of folks throughout the Southeast. Once used by American farmers as a means to stop soil erosion, this pesky invasive species spread far beyond its intended boundaries. The foreign plant made itself at home in the U.S., wrapping around anything that stays still and smothering fields, old buildings and native plants in its leafy green clutches. Instead of a miracle vine, some folks now call Kudzu the “vine that ate the South.” And it’s far from finished.

The Asian plant is just one obnoxious and notorious character that highlights the trouble with invasive species. The large amount of kudzu in the Southeast is also attracting lots of annoying kudzu stink bugs with zero respect for national boundaries or personal space. Like brown marmorated stink bugs, the kudzu-loving pests are fond of invading homes, nibbling their way through crop fields and gardens and spreading general creepiness in their wake. As the saying goes, game recognizes game, and one invasive species can certainly play off of another.

USDA: Adult Kudzu Stink Bug. Photo by Joe Eger.

A new National Wildlife Federation report, Growing Risk: Addressing the Invasive Potential of Bioenergy Feedstocks, warns of the dangers of introducing non-native and genetically modified species into local ecosystems. Researchers recommend precaution and commonsense policy solutions so that good intentions don’t grow bad and out of control like kudzu. The qualities that make some foreign plants so attractive for agriculture and bioenergy production are the very characteristics that make them challenging to control once they escape and take root in our gardens, fields and backyards. Furthermore, mitigating and eliminating the impact of these invasive species can take a toll on native wildlife and taxpayers’ wallets.

Click here to find out more about the work the National Wildlife Federation is doing to stop the spread of invasive species and protect native wildlife. You can also read more about one man’s battle with stink bugs and their massive six-legged east coast invasion.

Earth Tomorrow Student Leaders with GA Governor Nathan Deal

While at the Capitol, the teen leaders attended an environmental policy workshop conducted by Atlanta-based NWF Fair Climate Leaders Imran Battla and James King to learn about the most urgent environmental and public health issues currently being debated in the Georgia Legislature. Then, the young leaders brushed up on their communications skills as they prepared to meet with Georgia Governor, Nathan Deal and legislators from their home and school districts about their most pressing environmental, public health, and education concerns.

The Earth Tomorrow leaders posed many tough questions to their legislators about alternative energy, the licensing of new nuclear and biomass plants in Georgia, the need for funding of the GA Solid Waste Trust Fund, water conservation, and the HOPE Scholarship. In addition to asking questions about the legislators’ viewpoints on these issues, the teen leaders challenged their lawmakers to act on solutions that will not only protect and improve our environment, but the health and welfare of all Georgians.

The Earth Tomorrow Day at the State Capitol and Georgia Legislative Field Study affords teen leaders the opportunity to interact with their elected officials and become more acquainted with the legislative process. The field experience also provides a forum for the students to voice their concerns about state and local environmental and public health issues and propose possible solutions to address those challenges.

Earth Tomorrow student leaders talk to State Representative Horacena Tate about lack of enforcement of illegal dumping laws in northwest Atlanta neighborhoods.

Earth Tomorrow leaders left the state capitol hopeful and inspired because they were able to realize a forum through which they can raise their voice even before they are of voting age. In the words of one participant, “This was a great experience because we got a chance to speak to our legislators about things that we care about, and they listened. I realize now that the youth of today have the power to make our voices heard and make a difference for our environment and our communities.”

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The Atlanta Earth Tomorrow Program is a high school and community club-based program that creates opportunities for teens (ages 14-18) to become environmental stewards through a year-long cycle of leadership training, issues exploration, civic engagement, career development, community outreach and education, and student-led community action projects.  NWF works with select high schools in the Atlanta Metropolitan Area, but is expanding the Earth Tomorrow Program to additional schools. For more information about the program or getting one started in your neighborhood school, please contact the program manager, Na’Taki Osborne Jelks at Osborne@nwf.org or 404-876-8733.

NWF’s Executive Committee held their annual winter meeting on Jan. 29 at the Southeast Regional Center in Atlanta.  The Jan. 28-30 weekend event was hosted by the Southeast Regional Center staff, lead by Regional Executive Director John Hammond.

A Friday evening reception was held at John Hammond’s home to welcome Executive Committee members, Larry Schweiger, Jaime Matyas, new General Counsel Barbara McIntosh and others.  

Executive Committee Chair Craig Thompson of Rock Springs, WY opened the meeting that included a review of the previous meeting’s minutes, a report on the 2012 Connie Award, the President’s Report and a COO Update.

Following the meeting, the group toured the Georgia Wildlife Federation’s offices and grounds in nearby Covington.  Host at NWF’s Georgia Affiliate was GWF Executive Director Jerry McCullom.

(Image: Evening reception in full swing welcoming the Executive Committee weekend)

Less than 100 Florida panthers are left in the wild.

The Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission reported two Florida panther deaths in the past two days.

The panthers were both struck by vehicles, bringing the total number of panther road kills in 2010 to 15.

In 2009, 17 panthers were killed on Florida roadways–the highest number ever recorded.

With less than 100 panthers left in the wild, the deaths are a big blow to the endangered cat’s population.

The deaths both occurred in Collier County, Florida. Officials say a 2- to 3-year-old male was found Sunday on U.S. 27, and a 1 1/2-year-old male was recovered on Golden Gate Boulevard.

A Fort Meyers News-Press article noted that, “An 8-month-old female kitten was killed at [the second] location in May. Officials say it is possible that the panther killed this morning was a sibling of the kitten killed in May, and belonged to the family group that frequents this part of the Estates.”

   Adopt a Florida panther >>

Florida Panther Protection Program Aims to Reduce Fragmentation

Signs like these warn motorists to watch for crossing panthers.

Florida panthers are endangered due much in part to habitat loss and fragmentation. Adult male panthers depend upon a territory of about 200-250 square miles. This is becoming harder and harder to come by in South Florida.

To help protect and connect more habitat, National Wildlife Federation’s state affiliate, Florida Wildlife Federation, is working with a coalition of conservation groups and small and large farmers and ranchers in Eastern Collier County on the Florida Panther Protection Program.

The goal of this program is “the protection of a significant, contiguous range of panther habitat – potentially as much as 2,500,000 acres in public and private lands.” In addition, it calls for the establishment of the Paul J. Marinelli Panther Protection Fund, a source of private funds from well planned, sustainable real estate development in Eastern Collier County that could make significant funding available for conservation efforts over decades to come.

Check out our holiday deals that help support the National Wildlife Federation’s work to protect wildlife >>

The Florida Keys did not suffer a direct hit from the 206 million gallons of Louisiana sweet crude that poured from BP’s broken well in the Gulf of Mexico. But the people who live along this 110-mile-long chain of islands experienced many of the feelings as their neighbors along the coasts of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida Panhandle.

“People were calling and asking how much oil we had, not did we have any oil,” said Deb Gillis, who owns three Islamorada motels. “Business just dropped. I’m sure the overall economy had something to do with the general drop in bookings but people really thought we got hit by the spill,” she added.

Tourism, the primary economic driver in the Florida Keys, took a brief hit.

Then Florida’s state and local tourism marketing machines kicked into high gear. Tourism trickled back. Many business owners in the Keys tried to forget their close call with economic disaster.

Nearly six months after the spill, the communications director of a major Keys attraction, who asked to remain anonymous, responded to an interview request writing, “The intense media focus on the Keys and the oil spill has finally died down. We honestly don’t think there’s anything positive about keeping the Keys-oil connection out there in public consciousness at this time. We’re concerned that additional stories might reinforce or rejuvenate the perception that the islands are in eminent [sic] peril from the Deepwater Horizon.”

Others in the community try to remember.

Father John Peloso

“Every Sunday we mention anybody who was affected,” said Father John Peloso, pastor of San Pedro Catholic Church in the Keys. “Every Sunday we still pray for people in the Gulf, people in the Panhandle. We don’t just pray for the people, which always comes first of course, we pray for the actual environment,” he added.

Trae Kerdyk, a senior at the Palmer Trinity School in Palmetto Bay, Florida when the spill happened said, “The fact that we go on living our lives the way we did before the spill shows that we have not learned our lesson.”

Now a college freshman Kerdyk added, “The Deepwater Horizon oil spill may have left a sour taste in many people’s mouths, but few have done anything proactive to ensure that there will not be another spill off of our coasts. It has been said many times, but the importance of breaking our addiction to oil cannot be stressed enough.”

Father Peloso, a Florida native spent some years as a professional hard hat diver before entering the priesthood. He camps in the Everglades, dives the Florida reefs, fishes in both salt and fresh water.

“When it hit, I was in a little bit of shock. I said ‘man I’ve been thinking about this since I was a kid growing up in the Everglades.’ The state of Florida is my backyard. I was angry. It was like how dare these people ruin my Florida,” he said.

Peloso concluded, “Philosophically, humanity and the earth live together like a marriage. And in a marriage you have to love and respect one another. That’s how closely and intimately humanity itself depends on the earth. And unless everybody starts being more aware of how to treat nature with love and respect these things are going to happen.”

Photo credit: USGS

Two corals were selected for the experiments: mustard hill coral (Porites asteroides), and mountainous star coral (Montastraea faveola).

Montastraea (see right) is of particular interest because it is one of the corals that populates the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (NMS) located in the northwestern Gulf, an area close to the BP oil spill. But both corals can be found throughout the Florida Keys NMS which was spared a direct hit and is the subject of much “what if” research.

“We chose the mustard hill because it is a brooder,” said Goodbody-Gringley. “It goes through internal fertilization and releases mature larvae into the water so the larvae are presumably able to settle and start forming into adult colonies immediately after release.”

“Star coral is a broadcaster. It releases sperm and eggs into the water column which then fertilize and the larvae develop in the water. Broadcasters are generally thought to be more fragile than the brooders because larvae have to develop in the water, so they’re exposed to the elements,” she said.

The team used concentrations of Corexit set by an independent panel of scientists who work with the EPA to determine ecologically relevant concentrations of the chemical — the concentration in sea water as days and months pass.

One experiment measured the settlement (larvae settling on a substrate to start growing) and survival (still living in the water column) of coral larvae after exposure to oil, oil-plus-dispersant and dispersant-alone.

“In both the oil-plus-dispersant and the dispersant-alone samples survival and settlement were extremely low,” said Goodbody-Gringley. “In fact, in the high concentrations that we used [to mimic the early days of an oil spill] we had 100% mortality,” she added.

Dr. Goodbody-Gringley points out baby Montastraea

A separate experiment was designed to mimic the effects of an oil spill and response with dispersant on coral larvae in the water column. A time frame of five days was used to represent the normal longevity of coral larvae in the water column. Water was added to the initial concentration each day to correspond to the continued dilution of the chemical. Measurements were then taken at the end of the five day period.

“These results actually mirrored the settlement results,” said Goodbody-Gringley. “We found lower survival in the presence of oil and much lower survival in the presence of dispersant.”

Pressed for exact percentages of mortality, Dr. Goodbody-Gringley would only say “extremely high.” About survival rates she said, “extremely low.”

The experiments are still proceeding through analyses in preparation for submission to peer review, which is why Dr. Goodbody-Gringley hesitates to quote actual numbers. The paper is expected to be submitted within a month or two, though (if accepted) might be published sometime in 2011.

“The survival of larvae is particularly important because this is the one time in the coral’s life when a new coral will be formed,” she said. “Without this critical stage a reef can’t maintain itself. Eventually the reef would die if there is no reproduction happening.”

Register for the Summit >>

Studies document that children who engage in outdoor activities are healthier, perform better in school, have better social skills and self-image, and lead more fulfilled lives. This summit is a “must attend” event for parents, decision makers, those representing health, education, parks and recreation, and various other related organizations.

Parents are also strongly encouraged to bring their aged 7-12 youth along for a special day of “Connecting to Nature and the Outdoors” through educational and fun-filled outdoor discovery activities on the 115-acre Alcovy Conservation Center property. The Center, located in Covington, serves as Georgia Wildlife Federation’s headquarters and is a training ground for environmental activists and educators. Scenic wildlife areas include woodland, wetland, and meadows habitats, as well as demonstration wildlife habitat gardens. All wildlife areas are at the disposal of the general public.

Registration deadline for the State Summit is October 22, 2010.

Download the agenda and register online >>

For more information, contact Na’Taki Osborne Jelks at 404-876-8733 x 230.

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Restoring longleaf pine ecosystems across the Southeast will boost the economy and help the region cope with global warming’s expanding effects, according to a new report from national and regional conservation groups. Standing Tall: How Restoring the Longleaf Pine Can Help Prepare the Southeast for Global Warming (PDF) was released by the National Wildlife Federation and two southeast forest conservation groups, America’s Longleaf and The Longleaf Alliance.

The report highlights the latest scientific research on global warming’s effects in the Southeast and how it puts southern forests at risk and describes how longleaf pine forests are uniquely resilient to the long term impacts of global warming and the opportunities they present for forest landowners, especially minority and underserved landowners throughout the Southeast.