Comparison of Water Quality Program Efforts for Non-Governmental Organizations Within Northern Gulf of Mexico Watersheds

Non-governmental organizations concerned with water quality issues within the Northern Gulf of Mexico were surveyed to compare their program differences. The objectives of the study were to determine the extent of water quality programs and priority program emphasis for non-governmental organizations in the Northern Gulf of Mexico. The study utilized a methodology that identified the program elements of four different watersheds in four southeastern states. The results demonstrate that evaluating non-governmental program efforts in a region reveals targeted priorities that may help to define future program needs

Patrimoine, paysage et développement local

"The sixth webinar was focused on territory and local development. The Babel Tower hosted Tim Schauwecker, professor of landscape architecture in U.S.A. His interest for landscape history has the purpose of generating specifications for habitat restoration and ecological design. In his presentation, Schauwecker highlighted the role and importance of historical maps, historical survey documents and their use in ecological design. This set of information is very useful today for the management and restoration of river basins. As an example, Schauwecker explained a current engaged research project in the Catalpa Basin. Working with local farmers, he is using this set of historical information as a means for generating new restoration project. As such, Schauwecker has shown as this particular type of heritage (historical surveys and maps) can be used for ecological design processes today with the involvement of local actors. Still from U.S.A., the Babel Tower hosted Katherine Lambert-Pennington, Associate Professor in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Memphis and Director of the School of Urban Affairs and Public Policy. Lambert-Pennington presented a reflection based on her fieldwork in suburban Sydney, where she lived and conducted ethnographic research in La Perouse. Her presentation proposed to trace the relationship between place and identity and how these connections can give elements for understanding what she defines restorative attachment. The idea of restorative attachment refers to human-eco-solidarity in which identity, place and becoming shape representations of connections using a particular space, the resources of that space, and allows to see the potential in the context of a post-colonial nation like Australia. Finally, the same webinar hosted Donatella Murtas, an Italian independent researcher that has been long devoted to ecomuseums and local development projects, with a focus on landscape, heritage interpretation and community involvement, at the national and international level. From 1996 to 1999, she was part of the first working team for the Ecomuseum laboratory at the Piedmont Region. She is the developer and coordinator of the Ecomuseo dei Terrazzamenti e della Vite, whose experience she has presented. Reflecting on her experience in relation with the topic of cultural heritage, she pointed out the importance of rethinking and reconstructing the meaning of places of life, stressing the importance of concepts like trust and credibility at the base of ecomuseums. During the debate, Martina Barcelloni Corte – professor at the University of Liège, Research Unit of Art, Archaeology and Heritage – reminded the urgency of acting in response to climate change and ecological fragility, and ecomuseums could be a feasible way toward renewed directions in this respect." Giusy PappalardoLes muséologies insurgées: échanges transnationau

Self-Evaluation of a Statewide Conservation Planning Program: Perceptions of an Extension Partner

Statewide organizations should use expert information gathered from their personnel to evaluate methods for reaching goals and objectives. As Extension personnel continue to partner on natural resource programs with other state and federal entities, they can improve information dissemination by learning about the conservation planning process. The study reported here was a statewide program evaluation of Natural Resource Conservation Service personnel and their opinions regarding conservation planning, incentive programs, and farmers\u27 reasons for not adopting conservation programs. We recommend that Extension agencies study the perceptions and activities of partner entities that rely on them for information, materials, and programs

Remediation of Aqueous Phosphate Agricultural Runoff Using Slag and Al/Mg Modified Biochar

Slag and Al/Mg oxide modified Douglas fir biochar (AMOB) were compared for their phosphate adsorbing abilities for use individually or in combination for simulated agriculture run-off remediation in wetlands. Aqueous batch and column sorption experiments were performed for both low-cost materials. AMOB was prepared in bulk using a novel green method. Material analyses included XRD, elemental analysis, SEM, EDX, and BET. Biochar and slag have different phosphate removal mechanisms. In short residence times (≤2 h), adsorption phenomena dominate for both adsorbents. Surface area likely plays a role in adsorption performance; slag was measured to be 4.1 m2/g while biochar’s surface area was 364.1 m2/g. In longer residence times (>2 h), the slow leaching of metals (Ca, Al, and Mg) from slag continue to remove phosphate through the precipitation of metal phosphates. In 24 h, slag removed more free phosphate from the solution than AMOB. Preliminary fixed bed column adsorption of slag or AMOB alone and in tandem was performed adopting a scaled-up model that can be used to remediate agricultural runoff with high phosphate content. Additionally, a desorption study was performed to analyze the efficiency of material regeneration. While AMOB does not release any adsorbed phosphates, slag slowly releases 5.7% adsorbed phosphate over seven days