Latest news with #NationalForest
CBS News
a day ago
- General
- CBS News
Colorado volunteers uncover lost treasures and trash during Arapahoe Basin's Annual Mountain Cleanup
How do ski resorts in Colorado keep thousands of acres of National Forest land clean? At Arapahoe Basin, they ask for a little help from their friends. Sunday morning, dozens of volunteers gathered at the base of A-Basin for the third-annual Mountain Clean-Up Day. Armed with trash bags, buckets and gloves, they rode chairlifts up to the summit and fanned out across the front side to help tidy up the ski area's summer slopes after a busy winter season. For many, it was the perfect excuse to enjoy the high country. "Any excuse to come out here and hike around in the summer," said Ben Woods, a volunteer who returned for a second year. "Might as well take the opportunity to clean up the place that a whole bunch of Coloradans love to enjoy in the wintertime." Woods and his partner Emma Kirkpatrick were already finding items before even getting on the chairlift. "We found some pieces of PVC, probably some old snowmaking equipment, some bungee cords," Woods said. "Off to a good start." Once on the slopes, the technique is simple. "Kind of just, using your eyes, going back and forth," Woods explained, spotting a small piece of plastic. "Got a little zip tie here, just kind of just looking for color that doesn't match." You might be surprised by what you find half a year later, once the snow has melted and the sun has bleached what's left behind. The haul went far beyond the expected beer cans and wrappers. Throughout the day, volunteers turned in: All these items, either mistakenly dropped from a pocket or a chairlift or intentionally thrown down, will not biodegrade and can pose a risk to the environment and the local wildlife that call the mountain home. "It's not only for us," Woods added. "It's for all the wildlife that's out here, that this is actually their home." While the physical act of cleaning the mountain is the day's main event, Arapahoe Basin's sustainability team sees a much bigger picture. The goal isn't just to pick up litter, but to inspire a mindset that lasts long after the volunteers go home. Helena Robinowitz, a Sustainability Specialist at A-Basin, said the event is about creating a movement. "It doesn't really matter, at the end of the day, at the global level, if we reduce our 750 metric tons of carbon," Robinowitz explained. "What matters is that we perpetuate a culture of caring and sustainability and equity throughout our community, throughout the industry, throughout our political and economic spheres." For each piece of trash picked up, it's a reminder that anyone can make a difference. While the views from the top of A-Basin are spectacular, today's event proved you can make it just as beautiful wherever you are with just a bag, a bucket and a decision to leave Colorado better than you found it.
South China Morning Post
3 days ago
- Climate
- South China Morning Post
In pictures: Sydney skyline, US pole vaulter Matt Ludwig, Barbary lions
Smoke from the Gifford Fire fills the sky as the sun sets over Los Padres National Forest in... Smoke from the Gifford Fire fills the sky as the sun sets over Los Padres National Forest in California, US. Photo:...
BBC News
29-07-2025
- BBC News
Charnwood Forest: Bid to win Unesco status for historic landscape
A landscape in Leicestershire could be set for the world stage as a bid is made to secure a prestigious international application to get Unesco Global Geopark status for Charnwood Forest is being led by The National area in the north of the county is home to attractions including Bradgate Park and Beacon Hill, and is famous for its landscapes and ancient fossil behind the bid said an application would be submitted to Unesco later this year with international evaluators visiting the site in 2026. If the application is successful, the designation would be awarded in the spring of 2027. Geoparks are areas of outstanding geology that are used by local communities to promote sustainable economic development, conservation, and education, organisers are currently 229 Unesco Global Geoparks in 50 Forest Geopark has been developed over the past four years as part of a National Lottery Heritage Fund-supported scheme, hosted by the National site has a geological story that dates back nearly 600 million years, and is home to some of the oldest animal fossils ever include a 560 million-year-old fossil representing the earliest known animal predator. Since 2020, a partnership comprising several organisations including Bradgate Park Trust, Leicestershire County Council, the Environment Agency and the British Geological Survey, has been working to try to raise the profile of Charnwood Jack Matthews, a geo-heritage officer who is part of the team behind the application, said: "Since the discovery of our famous fossil Charnia by two schoolchildren in the 1950s, Charnwood Forest has been one of our planet's most important places to visit and understand how animals first evolved."The Geopark is promoting this fascinating story through new interpretation at sites across Charnwood Forest, welcoming local people and visitors to learn more about their oldest animal ancestors and support local businesses while they're here."From rocks and fossils to our unique human history, and biodiversity, Charnwood Forest has many layers of heritage, and with Unesco Global Geopark status we can share these with even more people."
The Hill
24-06-2025
- Business
- The Hill
Parliamentarian cuts some energy provisions from GOP bill
The Big Story The Senate parliamentarian has removed Republican attempts to sell off public lands and exempt oil and gas drilling from environmental reviews in the GOP's 'big, beautiful bill.' ©© iStock To get their major policy bill across the finish line without any Democratic support, Republicans are using a process known as budget reconciliation that has strict rules about which policies can be included. In a ruling announced late Monday, the parliamentarian, which acts as an arbiter of the upper chamber's rules, blocked several provisions from the bill. They include measures that would: The provisions all come from the Energy and Natural Resources Committee. The parliamentarian is still reviewing additional provisions put forward by that committee, including those requiring oil and gas lease sales in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska and speeding up approvals for coal mining. Read more at Welcome to The Hill's Energy & Environment newsletter, I'm Rachel Frazin — keeping you up to speed on the policies impacting everything from oil and gas to new supply chains. Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here. Essential Reads How policy will affect the energy and environment sectors now and in the future: Lee revises plan to sell public lands as parliamentarian excludes it from GOP policy bill Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) said he will revise his plan for selling off public lands after the Senate's parliamentarian ruled it cannot move forward as part of the Republican tax and spending bill. Trump administration to remove protections on 59 million acres of National Forest lands The Trump administration will strip protections that prevent logging on nearly 59 million acres of National Forest System lands, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced Monday. House Freedom Caucus chair pans Senate GOP's 'big, beautiful bill' Rep. Andy Harris (R-Md.), the chair of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, is staking opposition to the Senate's version of the 'big, beautiful bill,' spelling trouble for the legislation's chances of clearing the House down the road. What We're Reading News we've flagged from other outlets touching on energy issues, the environment and other topics: Wisconsin Supreme Court rules spills law applies to PFAS (Wisconsin Examiner) On Tap Upcoming news themes and events we're watching: What Others are Reading Two key stories on The Hill right now: Democrat tells RFK Jr.: 'You lied to Sen. Cassidy' Rep. Kim Schrier (D-Wash.) accused Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. of lying to Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) when he told the senator he would maintain a key federal vaccine advisory committee 'without changes.' Read more House torpedoes Rep. Al Green's effort to impeach Trump over Iran strikes The House on Tuesday overwhelmingly torpedoed an effort by Rep. Al Green (D-Texas) to impeach President Trump over the U.S. strikes on Iran, underscoring how little appetite Democrats have to try and oust the president despite their frustration with the weekend attack. Read more You're all caught up. See you tomorrow! Thank you for signing up! Subscribe to more newsletters here
Western Telegraph
13-06-2025
- Health
- Western Telegraph
Llys y Fran and Coed Uno in National Forest network
The other sites are Sirhowy Hill in Gwent, Coed Parc y Moch in Gwynedd, Penpont in Powys, Pembrey Country Park and Lower Lliedi Reservoir in Carmarthenshire, Halkyn Castle Wood in Flintshire, Pontyclun Woodlands in Rhondda Cynon Taf and Denmark Farm in Ceredigion. The expansion marks the seventh round of site additions since the National Forest was launched in 2020. These additions bring the total network to 70 woodland sites beyond the Welsh Government Woodland Estate, covering more than 4,056 hectares across the country. Huw Irranca-Davies, Deputy First Minister with responsibility for climate change and rural affairs, said: "It's wonderful to see the continued expansion of the National Forest for Wales and to be able to welcome this next group of woodlands to the network. "We have a great ambition to have more of these throughout Wales, where they can be enjoyed by everyone. "This is a very strong round with all the sites meeting all six of the National Forest outcomes, and shining a real light on the diversity of National Forest sites and the breadth of impacts and activities they undertake. "I'd encourage other sites to join the National Forest so we can continue to expand the network of good quality, well designed and managed resilient woodland – as well as opening up more outdoor spaces, which are good for our wellbeing, and creating new green job opportunities." Several of the sites offer community programmes, including green skills training that benefited over 200 young people last year and health initiatives in partnership with local health boards The new locations also create crucial biodiversity corridors and enhance wildlife movement across the landscape.
