Everglades and DIY rain gardens

The NY Times published a depressing expose yesterday of Florida's recent efforts to buy back the Everglades from U.S. Sugar. In a nutshell, the State is paying inflated prices for land that may not be appropriate for restoration, at the expense of previously-started projects that would have had real restoration impact. Not exactly ideal if you're an environmentalist or have a stake in seeing the River of Grass returned to former glory but certainly ideal if you've got an interest in U.S. Sugar, especially since the purchase may save the company from what was near-certain peril only a couple of years ago.

On a more positive note, use Sightline Daily's DIY rain garden piece to reduce stormwater in your area!

Haiti - Day 8

I returned to care.org today to give more towards Haiti relief (this time in honor of my Mom, whose birthday is tomorrow) and found that the Haiti relief staff have been blogging about their experience from the field. An interesting and illuminating read.

Please comment!

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation released its draft 2010 303(d) list of impaired waterbodies and its draft Consolidated Assessment and Listing Methodologies here. Comments will be accepted through February 26, 2010. Please provide data and/or information -- public comment is one of the most powerful ways to raise the profile of waters that need management attention!