Local Harvest / Farmers Markets / Family Farms / CSA / Organic Food 1,300 New Species Discovered: Conservation International Celebrates 20 Years Of Rapid Assessment Program (PHOTOS) Conservation International (CI) is celebrating two decades of its successful Rapid Assessment Program (RAP), which has led to the discovery of over 1,300 new species, by releasing a list of its 20 "RAP Stars" -- the new species that have become international sensations with nicknames like "Yoda bat," "Dinospider," "Walking shark," and "Pinocchio frog." A new book, "Still Counting," details the program's progress over the past two decades. From CI: Launched in 1990, the idea behind the creation of CI’s Rapid Assessment Program was to build a team of the best field biologists from different disciplines, and create what CI founder, CEO, and Chairman Peter Seligmann described in the foreword to the book as “An ecological SWAT team that could accurately assess the health of an ecosystem in a fraction of the time it would normally take”. The organization's program has grown to include 10-30 scientists per expedition, and over 80 surveys have been completed in 27 countries. Part of HPMG News
American Botanical Council: Homepage ABC and SHP Present Free Webinars Covering SHP Toolkit, Ethnobotany, and More The American Botanical Council and Sustainable Herbs Program are hosting a series of free webinars with leaders in the botanical community. Topics include the SHP Toolkit, a special Ethnobotany Series, and more. Read more here. ABC Updates ABC hopes you and your family are well and safe. Thank you for your support of ABC's nonprofit mission! We wish you robust health! Update: Login to ABC Website For a limited time, you can access all of ABC's content without a password, so no login is required. BAPP Best Practices SOP to Prevent Resale of ‘Irreparably Defective Articles’ Available for Second Round of Industry and Public Comment The ABC-AHP-NCNPR Botanical Adulterants Prevention Program (BAPP) has issued its second draft “Best Practices Contract Language and Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) Templates for the Disposal/Destruction of Irreparably Defective Articles.”
Loss of Top Animal Predators Has Massive Ecological Effects ScienceDaily (July 14, 2011) — "Trophic Downgrading of Planet Earth," a review paper that will be published on July 15, 2011, in the journal Science, concludes that the decline of large predators and herbivores in all regions of the world is causing substantial changes to Earth's terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecosystems. The paper claims that the loss of apex consumers from ecosystems "may be humankind's most pervasive influence on nature." The research was funded primarily by the Institute for Ocean Conservation Science at Stony Brook University with support from The Pew Charitable Trusts. The review, conducted by an international team of 24 scientists, illuminates the patterns and far-reaching impacts of predation and herbivory on the structure and dynamics of global ecosystems. "By looking at ecosystems primarily from the bottom up, scientists and resource managers have been focusing on only half of a very complex equation," said Dr.
Biomimicry Institute - Home The Biomimicry 3.8 Institute is a not-for-profit organization that promotes the study and imitation of nature’s remarkably efficient designs, bringing together scientists, engineers, architects and innovators of all ages who can use those models to create sustainable technologies. The Institute was founded in 2006 by science writer and consultant Janine Benyus in response to overwhelming interest in the subject following the publication of her book, Biomimicry: Innovation Inspired by Nature. See Janine’s TED Talk video for her groundbreaking introduction to biomimicry. Today, the Biomimicry 3.8 Institute focuses on three areas: Developing our online database of nature’s solutions, AskNature.org.Hosting our annual, international Biomimicry Student Design Challenge.Growing our Global Network of regional biomimicry practitioners. See examples of biomimicry in action! Meet executive director Beth Rattner, our staff, and the Institute board.