The Nature Conservancy’s Post

The Water Resources Development Act continues to be a legislative bright spot in the United States Congress. Last week, we saw Congress take the next step in advancing this important biennial legislation as the House of Representatives approved their version of the bill. WRDA is responsible for funding and authorizing critical projects that help maintain healthy and resilient rivers, lakes and coasts; vibrant local economies and strong communities around the country. In his latest Forbes column, TNC Global Board Chair Sen. Bill Frist, M.D. shares how the 2024 version of WRDA presents an opportunity for Congress to protect our waterways and strengthen communities using nature-based solutions to reduce flood impacts, restore habitats and save species. #WRDADelivers

Why do estuaries matter? These ecologically critical habitats, where rivers and oceans meet, are life-sustaining to countless species. When they suffer due to development or agriculture, the entire ecosystem suffers. Learn how The Nature Conservancy in Oregon is working to restore these dynamic habitats that are disappearing from the Oregon Coast.

Today’s decision by the Supreme Court to overturn the Chevron doctrine will present challenges to preserving the many decades of progress we have made in protecting people and the planet. It will have major implications for implementing and enforcing laws related to such issues as air pollution, public lands management and endangered species protection. The decision impacts the ability of federal agencies to take the actions needed to successfully implement laws enacted by Congress. That is concerning, given the deep scientific expertise and practical experience they have in implementing and enforcing these laws, many which relate to complex and ambiguous issues. Read our full statement from Kameran Onley, TNC’s managing director of North American Policy and Government Relations:

Meet our Global Oceans Director, Lizzie McLeod. Her career path, unconventional as it may be, steered her towards ocean conservation. It’s her unwavering commitment to collaboration, coupled with a sense of urgency for action, that fuels her drive for progress. This combination also fosters an optimistic outlook on the future of our oceans.    She explains that TNC’s core ways of working still apply to the ocean, including the science-based approach, commitment to partnerships and places and utilizing best practices that ensure ocean conservation efforts are durable. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gwy-Dhrk

This week, 17 First Nations of the North Pacific Coast, the Government of Canada, and the Government of British Columbia announced the signing of agreements launching the Great Bear Sea PFP, a sustainable long-term financing model that will protect culturally and environmentally significant ocean waters while benefiting communities and economies.  The PFP will build on the success of the world’s first working PFP model developed for the Great Bear Rainforest, and it aims to complete the Nations’ vision by linking management and stewardship across land and sea. For nearly 20 years, TNC and our Canadian affiliate Nature United have supported an Indigenous-led vision of conservation, co-governance and sustainable economic development in the Great Bear Rainforest and Sea — at the heart of the world’s most intact coastal temperate rainforest and a globally significant carbon sink. Great Bear Sea provides a globally relevant example of Indigenous-led protection of nature and people through collaboratively engaging governments, local communities, NGOs, and funders to promote long-term ecological protections and economic benefits through a single comprehensive agreement.  Great Bear Sea is just the beginning. Enduring Earth partners are collaborating on developing three other Indigenous-led PFPs in Canada, and several other PFPs across the planet. These large scale conservation initiatives are the result of the radical collaboration across organizations, nations and people to conserve the diversity of life on Earth and ensure that both people and nature can thrive. Learn more about the Great Bear Sea PFP from the First Nation partners https://nature.ly/3zl7o3p Coastal First Nations - Great Bear Initiative; Nanwakolas Council; Coast Funds; Enduring Earth #GreatBearSea #ProjectFinanceforPermanence #MPANetwork #GreatBearRainforest #ConservationFinance #MarineProtectedAreas #IndigenousGovernance #ProjectFinanceforPermanence

1 boat 12 hours 16 complete strangers All for the chance to see pelagic bird species that are only visible far out at sea. Would you go extreme birding? Follow science writer, Justine Hausheer, on this adventure and find a pelagic birding trip near you!

June is Oceans Month! If you could describe the ocean in one word, what would it be? Comment with your word below!

🌱 IT'S A WIN FOR NATURE! 🌱 Following months of deliberations, the 27 countries of the EU voted today to adopt the world's first-ever Nature Restoration Law. The new law aims to restore at least 20% of the EU's land and seas, with specific targets including reversing the decline of pollinators and restoring 25,000 kilometres of rivers to free-flowing conditions. Good news for nature and the millions of European people who depend on it.