In January, North Carolina residents may start to see smoke in the vicinity of N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission game lands. What they’re witnessing is usually a prescribed burn—one of the most beneficial and cost-effective methods of managing habitat for wildlife. A prescribed burn is an intentional burning of vegetation that the Commission employs to restore and maintain wildlife habitat on most of the 2 million acres of state game lands used by hunters, anglers and wildlife watchers throughout North Carolina. Optimal conditions for a prescribed burn occur on cool-weather days with moisture in the air and minimal wind. The Commission’s
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The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) today announced the availability of the Fiscal Year 2017 Abandoned Mine Land (AML) Reclamation fund grants, which will provide nearly $181 million to states and tribes to reclaim abandoned coal mines. Nearly $90 million of these funds are available to states within the AMJV, such as West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Kentucky. The total distribution is about $13 million less than what the states and tribes would have received without sequestered funding. Abandoned Mine Land (AML) grants are funded in part by a fee collected on all coal produced in the United States to
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Directors from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the USDA Farm Services Agency (FSA) have met to sign an important Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two agencies that is sure to improve the already strong relationship between the agencies. This MOU allows biologists with the Georgia DNR to more efficiently assist FSA staff with such initiatives as the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). This 30-year old program provides rental payments to participating farmers in exchange for removing land of conservation concern from agricultural production. Highlights of the MOU for Georgia include CP-36 (CRP Longleaf Pine Initiative) and CP-33
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The Cerulean Warbler is a sight to see for nature enthusiasts and bird-watchers. Unfortunately, though, a staggering 70 percent of its population has dwindled over the years–mostly due to habitat changes according to biologists studying these beautiful birds. That’s why multiple agencies, including our West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, and private landowners–like John Cobb–are doing something about it. Check out the Video on this News Item at WCHS News. Cobb, a private landowner that lives near the Lewis and Braxton County line, says the Cerulean Warblers prefer certain trees. “If you cut out the undesirable trees, and leave the
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Local land trusts secure unprecedented $8 million dollars for farmland conservation in Western North Carolina The U.S. Dept. of Agriculture National Resource Conservation Service (USDA NRCS) recently announced 2017 funding allocations from the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), which included an unprecedented $8 million awarded for farmland conservation in Western North Carolina. This award for the Blue Ridge Forever coalition’s project “Forever Farms; Easements at the Eminence” will be used to protect working agricultural land and clean water sources across the region. “This funding allocation is unique because of its size, and because it is directed specifically for the protection of important
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The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is seeking public comment on the proposed fiscal year 2018 work plans for the following state forests: Chesapeake/Pocomoke, Green Ridge, Potomac-Garrett and Savage River. The comment period concludes Feb. 2. Annual work plans help the department identify priorities within the scope of the forests’ long-range management. They address composition, establishment, growth, health and quality along with construction and maintenance projects. “Our citizens, economy and environment all reap the positive benefits of healthy and sustainable forests,” said Maryland Forest Service Director Don VanHassent. “We are dependent on the public’s input to help us develop the most comprehensive
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Click here to view and download the 2023 AMJV Partnership Year in Review!
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The 2023 AMJV Impact Report is now available for downloading and sharing! Starting in 2022, this beautiful report has been designed annually by Liz Brewer (AMJV Outreach Specialist) to…
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by Liz Brewer, AMJV Outreach Specialist Appalachian Mountains Joint Venture (AMJV), in partnership with the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS), and the West Virginia…
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