Latest news with #Conservation
Al Arabiya
2 hours ago
- Business
- Al Arabiya
Conservation Group Makes $60M Land Deal to End Mining Threat Outside Okefenokee Swamp
A conservation group said Friday it has reached a $60 million deal to buy land outside the Okefenokee Swamp from a mining company that environmentalists spent years battling over a proposed mine that opponents feared could irreparably damage an ecological treasure. The Conservation Fund said it will buy all 7,700 acres (31.16 square kilometers) that Alabama-based Twin Pines owns outside the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge in southeast Georgia, halting the company's mining plans. 'It's a big undertaking, but it was also an existential threat to the entire refuge,' said Stacy Funderburke, the Conservation Fund's vice president for the central Southeast. 'We've done larger deals for larger acres, but dollar-wise this is the largest deal we've ever done in Georgia.' A Twin Pines spokesman did not immediately respond to an email message seeking comment. Twin Pines of Birmingham, Alabama, had worked since 2019 to obtain permits to mine titanium dioxide – a pigment used to whiten products from paint to toothpaste – less than 3 miles (5 kilometers) from the southeastern boundary of the Okefenokee refuge near the Georgia-Florida line. The Okefenokee is the largest US refuge east of the Mississippi River, covering nearly 630 square miles (1,630 square kilometers) in southeast Georgia. It is home to abundant alligators, stilt-legged wood storks, and more than 400 other animal species. The mine appeared to be on the cusp of winning final approval early last year. Georgia regulators issued draft permits in February 2024 despite warnings from scientists that mining near the Okefenokee's bowl-like rim could damage its ability to hold water and increase the frequency of withering droughts. Twin Pines insisted it could mine without damaging the swamp. Regulators with the Georgia Department of Environmental Protection agreed, concluding last year that mining should have a minimal impact on the refuge. The agency revealed recently that work on final permits had stalled because Twin Pines had yet to submit a surety bond or equivalent financial assurance to show that it had $2 million set aside for future restoration of the mining site. It said the company was informed of the requirement 16 months ago.
The Independent
2 hours ago
- Business
- The Independent
Conservation group makes $60M land deal to end mining threat outside Okefenokee Swamp
A conservation group said Friday it has reached a $60 million deal to buy land outside the Okefenokee Swamp from a mining company that environmentalists spent years battling over a proposed mine that opponents feared could irreparably damage an ecological treasure. The Conservation Fund said it will buy all 7,700 acres (31.16 square kilometers) that Alabama-based Twin Pines owns outside the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge in southeast Georgia, halting the company's mining plans. 'It's a big undertaking, but it was also an existential threat to the entire refuge," said Stacy Funderburke, the Conservation Fund's vice president for the central Southeast. 'We've done larger deals for larger acres, but dollar-wise this is the largest deal we've ever done in Georgia." A Twin Pines spokesman did not immediately respond to an email message seeking comment. Twin Pines of Birmingham, Alabama, had worked since 2019 to obtain permits to mine titanium dioxide, a pigment used to whiten products from paint to toothpaste, less than 3 miles (5 kilometers) from the southeastern boundary of the Okefenokee refuge near the Georgia-Florida line. The Okefenokee is the largest U.S. refuge east of the Mississippi River, covering nearly 630 square miles (1,630 square kilometers) in southeast Georgia. It is home to abundant alligators, stilt-legged wood storks and more than 400 other animal species. The mine appeared to be on the cusp of winning final approval early last year. Georgia regulators issued draft permits in February 2024 despite warnings from scientists that mining near the Okefenokee's bowl-like rim could damage its ability to hold water and increase the frequency of withering droughts. Twin Pines insisted it could mine without damaging the swamp. Regulators with the Georgia Department of Environmental Protection agreed, concluding last year that mining should have a 'minimal impact' on the refuge. The agency revealed recently that work on final permits had stalled because Twin Pines had yet to submit a surety bond or equivalent financial assurance to show that it had $2 million set aside for future restoration of the mining site. It said the company was informed of the requirement 16 months ago.
CBC
4 days ago
- Climate
- CBC
Officials give update on Manitoba wildfires
Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Lisa Naylor, along with Kristin Hayward, assistant deputy minister of the Conservation Officer Service and Manitoba Wildfire Service, and Christine Stevens, assistant deputy minister of the Manitoba Emergency Management Organization, give an update on the wildfires burning across the province.
Daily Mail
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Gardeners' World viewers break down in tears as Adam Frost pays moving tribute to 'emotional' co-star - and admits 'I've got goosebumps'
Gardeners' World viewers broke down in tears as Adam Frost paid a moving tribute to his 'emotional' co-star - and admitted 'I've got goosebumps'. Last Friday's episode of the popular BBC show saw the presenter, 55, pay a visit to Bedfords Park Walled Gardens, near the town of Romford, Essex. The historic space was built in the 1700s as a kitchen garden for the mansion house on the estate and was later managed by a nursery growing plants for putting in the local area's green spaces. But it fell into disrepair after the nursery stopped using it in 2000, needing revitalising by a charity - and it is now managed by a group of dedicated local volunteers. Adam met with Lois Amos, a retired horticultural lecturer and one of the garden's voluntary stewards - and the pair had an emotional discussion about her efforts. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. He praised her commitment and the excellent work of her team in preserving the garden: 'Lois, you have got an amazing group of volunteers haven't you? 'They seem to have the same passion about the place that you have.' Lois quipped in response: 'Yes, I've infected them with it.' She spoke passionately about the importance of maintaining the space: 'We try to instil into everybody that this is a very historic setting and that these types of places need protection and conservation and they need using and loving.' Adam was impressed: 'I couldn't put it better. You've just given me goosebumps. You have honestly - it's that sense of legacy, brilliant.' The gardener was touched by his kind words: 'Thank you. I've gone all gooey. Now I've gone all emotional!' The presenter said, 'Bless you', at her sincere reaction, offering her a warm hug to comfort her. The Gardeners' World Instagram account had given a hint of the sweet moment in a post ahead of the episode. Adam praised Lois's commitment and the excellent work of her team in preserving the garden: 'Lois, you have got an amazing group of volunteers haven't you?' The caption read: 'Adam's got a wonderful heartwarming story lined up for you this week. 'It tells the tale of Bedford Park's Walled Garden - a community space in Essex brought back to life by Lois Amos and her dedicated team of volunteers.' Viewers returned to the post after watching the episode to express in the comments how lovely it was to watch. 'What a wonderful lady and community! This segment made me cry. More of these truly inspiring stories please.'; 'What an amazing lady!'; 'Fantastic and inspiring. Adorable hug at the end of the item and tears in my eyes too!'; 'Loved it. This was such a wonderful space. Thank goodness she saved it!'; 'Not going to lie, when she got all emotional, so did I. Isn't she wonderful?'; Viewers returned to the post after watching the episode to express in the comments how lovely it was to watch 'Absolutely loved this feature. Even just watching it on telly touched me heart.' First airing in 1968, more than 50 series of Gardeners' World have been released to date - but viewers' excitement has seemingly not let up. Fans were absolutely delighted when the next instalment of the show was announced back in March. Its longtime lead presenter Monty Don posted on Instagram at the time to inform viewers about the new series. The horticulturalist, 69, wrote: 'Gardeners' World back in action in the garden - first programme goes out next Friday.' Included in the post was a photograph of two cameramen stood behind a fence, with two rows of brightly-coloured crocus flowers lining a grassy pathway. Fans rushed to the comments and expressed their excitement, with one penning: 'Thrilled! Can't wait! Been watching for years, and this is my first year having a garden.'; 'Now we know spring has finally begun!'; 'Yippee'; 'Hooray, ready and wating.' Monty has shared his passion for gardens on the popular programme since 2003. He films the series from his own garden, Longmeadow, in the village of Ivington, Herefordshire.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Councilor wants paid parking at Willard Beach for non-residents
Jun. 10—The city of South Portland is considering charging people from out of town to park at Willard Beach as early as next summer. On Thursday, Councilor Natalie West will request that the City Council set up a workshop to discuss the potential parking change. This is a preliminary step, and at least two other councilors must support this workshop for it to move forward. In her request, West argued that the city needs to identify a revenue source to maintain Willard Beach, and that it is appropriate that non-residents contribute to covering these costs. She recommended converting the Willard Beach parking lot, which has approximately 60 parking spaces, and the Willard Hose parcel, which could potentially fit 75 parking spaces, into paid parking lots for non-residents. She also proposed the creation of a seven-person subcommittee with two councilors and members from the Conservation, Economic Development and the Bike-Ped committees to look into the practicalities of instituting paid parking for non-residents. The Willard Beach Master Plan, a comprehensive document that was approved by the City Council in 2023, first recommended the idea of paid parking for non-residents. This document presented a number of considerations for the implementation of paid parking: the need for additional staff, the purchase of residential stickers, the installation of a digital parking machine and the bounds for which the paid parking should extend within the neighborhood. Approval of the master plan stipulated that if the city wanted to move forward with any of the suggestions, they would need to bring it forth in the workshopping process. If approved on Thursday, that process would begin. Copy the Story Link
