conwatch fall 2011

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Conservation Watch

A Publication of the Garden Club of America

Volume XXI, Issue 1 Fall 2011

The economy is a wholly owned subsidiary of the environment, not theother way around.

Gaylord Nelson, Earth Day Founder

Keystone XL Pipeline Pressure

Barbara Geltosky, The Gardeners (PA) Zone VVice Chairman, GCA National Affairs and Legislation, Energy Sources

There has been significant news coverage surrounding the proposed $7 billion KeystoneXL Oil Pipeline, which would cross six states and travel through environmentallysensitive areas, bringing diluted bitumen from the tar sands of western Canada to thesoutheastern U.S. It presents a huge U.S./Canadian business opportunity, but greenactivists have condemned the project, resulting in perhaps the biggest display of civil

disobedience in 30 years. Environmentalists are putting pressure on President Obamato deny the permit for the pipeline, which would effectively double U.S. oil sandimports. Over 1200 people were arrested for protesting at the White House, includingNASA Scientist James Hansen, actress Darryl Hannah, and Bill McKibben, who says foronce, we have a chance of prevailing to stop..this thing.


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Why is everyone so worked up? First, the very process of producing crude from thebitumen-rich tar sands generates more lifecycle carbon emissions than conventional fuel.If you were to fill a Prius with gasoline derived from tar sands, its carbon footprintwould be the same as a Hummer, said former Vice President Al Gore. Furtherdevelopment of the tar sands project in Canada would necessitate cutting down 740,000

acres of boreal forest, a huge carbon reservoir, which would cause even further climatedamage.

Additionally, the refining process creates numerous corrosive substances that candamage the pipeline, thereby creating the potential for even more environmentalcatastrophes, which would be difficult to remediate. Oil sands are a mixture of sand,clay, various minerals and bitumen a thick, sticky tar-like substance that must besteamed from the ground, and then diluted or thinned with natural gas so it can beeffectively transported through pipelines. Environmentalists argue that the dilutedbitumen or dilbit is far more corrosive to pipelines than conventional crude oil,because it is 15- 20x more acidic and 5-10x more sulfuric than conventional oil.

Opponents also argue that the higher temperatures and increased pressure required totransport the more viscous dilbit, make the Keystone XL pipeline inherently moredangerous.

Since the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) isunderstaffed and rarely issues fines, there is little hope for rigorous enforcement ofpipeline safety, despite assurances from the Canadian developers that they will agree toadditional safety conditions.

The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), issued August 26, 2011, states that therewould be minimal adverse environmental impact; however, the State Departmentrevealed that it would commission an independent safety study after consultation withthe Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and PHMSA. During the 90-day reviewperiod, it is hoped that the EPA will expose any flaws in the EIS. Any spill would be atragedy, but the 50 year, 1700 mile pipeline traverses wildlife-breeding areas, wetlands,the Yellowstone River (where an oil spill has already occurred) and a number ofsignificant aquifers, including the Ogallala Aquifer, one of the largest freshwater reservesin the world, serving eight states and millions of people.

There is support for the pipeline, with advocates suggesting as many as 100,000 jobs willbe created, including 20,000 in the high-wage manufacturing sector. But these jobswould come at a price, because doubling the tar sands imports from Canada to the USwill generate between 3 million and 21 million metric tons of emissions per year, inaddition to the distressing prediction that much of the oil will be exported from GulfPorts a net loss for energy security advocates.

And last but not least, the net effect of the pipeline may be to sacrifice air quality whileraising gas prices as the production shifts from the Midwest to the Gulf Coast and thesupply and cost of fuel can be manipulated. The potential for environmental damage andsignificant carbon emissions affecting climate change clearly does not balance with theneed for new sources of fossil fuel. It is not clear whether the President will approve the


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pipeline, but his green base is clearly against it as a lose-lose proposition for climatechange and the environment.

[From the Editor: There is an interesting sideline to the merits of this issue, which could result inadditional hurdles for TransCanada even if the permit is approved. The Keystone XL pipeline

process began in September 2008, when TransCanada applied for a Presidential Permit toauthorize construction. The presidential permitting authority is created by Executive Order. Thepermitting process requires State Department review because the pipeline connects the US to aforeign country. Permit approval requires a State Department determination that the pipeline isin the national interest. That determination includes analysis of the pipelines impact onforeign policy, economics and energy security. A national interest determination is expected byDecember 2011. If the permit is approved, there may be a legal challenge made to the permitprocess, or the presidential permitting authority.]

Marion Fuller Brown, 1917 2011In Memoriam

Ann Coburn, Village Garden Club of Sewickley (PA) Zone VChair, GCA Conservation 1993-95, GCA National Affairs, 1995-97

Marion Thompson Fuller Brown died on June 3rd at her beloved home in Maine, RamsHead Farm. She was a dynamic and unforgettable figure who worked tirelessly onconservation issues. A member of the Piscataqua Garden Club from 1948 until herdeath, she served three terms in the Maine state legislature from 1966 to 1972. Shewas perhaps best known nationally for sponsoring legislation in her home state of Mainebanning off premises billboards. In 1982 she helped to form the National Coalition toPreserve Scenic Beauty, now known as Scenic America. Open lands surrounding herhome were put under conservation easements, and an unspoiled half mile of York Rivershoreline was similarly designated.

During her work with the Garden Club of America, she was Director of Zone 1, 1981-1983, and a member of the GCA Executive Committee, 1986-88. She served for manyyears on the GCA Conservation and National Affairs and Legislation Committees,where I was privileged to know her, to work with her and to benefit from herexperience, her drive, and her keen insights into the politics of conservation. Shereceived a major award from the GCA in 1980, the Amy Angell Collier Montague Medalfor outstanding civic achievement. She was one of those perceiving the need in the early1970s for national advocacy by the GCA to strengthen its influence on environmental

policies. The National Affairs and Legislation Committee of GCA was foundedsubsequently by a small group of dedicated women, of which she was one. She servedas a member or advisor to that committee throughout the 1980s and 1990s. Herfriends in Zone I established the Marion Fuller Brown Award, to be given at any fullzone meeting to an outstanding conservation exhibit.

In addition to her work promoting scenic beauty, she was the prime sponsor of Mainesreturnable bottle law and was a major supporter of Maines Clean Water and Clean Air


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Act. In 1971 President Nixon appointed her to the National Highway BeautificationCommission, where she served for four years. She was active in land preservationlocally and was a member of the York Planning Board for many years.

Marion was a tireless advocate for environmental advocacy on many fronts, stressing

always the importance of clean water and clean air to human health as well as itseconomic value. She was a joy and delight to work with. Her knowledge andenthusiasm over her long career were invaluable in the GCAs work to preserveenvironmental values. She will be greatly missed.

The High Line A New Icon for New York CityA Sight to See, and an Economic Dynamo

Elva Busch, Santa Fe (NM) G.C. Zone XIIGCA Conservation Committee Vice-Chair, Forests & Redwoods

While the GCA Conservation and NAL Committees were meeting in New York City inJune 2011, the city was unveiling the newest portion of the High Line, an aerialgreenway. This newest section doubles the length of the public park, bringing it to amile in length. Wheelchair-accessible via elevators at four locations, this unique above-ground parkway is entrancing visitors to NYC from all over the world.

The High Line gardens are planted on former elevated railroad tracks called the WestSide Line, running along the lower west side of Manhattan. The recycling of the railwayinto an urban park has spurred real estatedevelopment in the neighborhoods along theline. Thousands of new residential units,thousands of new jobs, 1,000 new hotelrooms and new restaurants, galleries andshops have resulted from the revitalization ofthis space.

The High Line had been slated for demolitionin the early 1990s. However the communitygroup, Friends of the High Line, pushed for anelevated greenway similar to the LaPromenade Plantein Paris. Today it is awonderful example of a recycled use for anold structure one that is captivating NewYorkers and visitors, inspiring ideas for theirown cities.

New Yorks High Line (Photo by Diana Fish)

Like the first section of the High Line to be restored, the second section was inspired bythe wild, self-seeded landscape that had grown up naturally along the High Line when


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trains stopped running in 1980. The original tracks remain along with the High Linessignature Art-Deco railings. It includes concrete pathways, seating areas, and specialarchitectural features along with naturalistic planting areas. It offers unique views ofcity landmarks while pedestrians travel 19 blocks without coming in contact with a singlevehicle. GCA members traveling to the City will enjoy this gardening marvel.

Dont Get Mad, Get Elected! The 2012 Project

Derry MacBride, Piedmont G.C. (CA) Zone XII

Throughout the storied history of The Garden Club of America, one will find inspiringaccounts of women speaking out and taking action in support of our natural world andthe health of our communities. I am always heartened to think of GCAs foundingmembers testifying before Congress on behalf of our parks nearly 100 years ago. Wehave continued to testify in Congress on numerous critical issues over the years and

look forward to more opportunities in the future.

GCA has had a measurable impact on the preservation of the environment and thepractice of gardening. I could not be more proud of the National Affairs and LegislationCommittee, which brings hundreds of GCA members from across the country toWashington, D.C. each spring to ensure that our voices are heard on Capitol Hill. Everyyear, we hear from notable executive and legislative officials and visit with ourrepresentatives to share our views on environmental issues. Every year we go backhome, hoping that something we said will, in some measure, influence the outcome ofcritical, pending legislation.

Because I am such a steadfast believer in our efforts in D.C., I am eager to propose anadditional advocacy strategy that could take our work to the next level: electing GardenClub members to Congress! An organization dear to me and many other GCAmembers, Rachels Network, has partnered with The 2012 Project, a coordinatedcampaign to recruit women to run for office at the state and federal level in the 2012elections. Rachels Network is specifically looking to increase the ranks of womenconservationists in office, and Garden Club members are the perfect candidates. I knowyou may be thinking, Who, me?, but before you dismiss the idea completely, let metell you why this makes sense.

As GCA members, we are already connected to extensive networks in ourcommunities. We know the issues our neighborhoods face and we bring a respectedvoice to the table whenever conservation is discussed. We have the passion for serviceand the expertise that is required to excel in public office. When you hear electedofficials who are misinformed about environmental issues or refuse to engage withcolleagues from the opposing party, you now have an alternative dont just get mad,get elected!

According to a report by Rachels Network that analyzed voting records in Congressfor the last ten years, women in the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate vote


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pro-environment more often than men, regardless of party. Women make a significantdifference in the way politics is conducted, reaching across the aisle to forge productivepartnerships and focusing more on results than credit. If this isnt enough to encourageyou to consider running, just think about how skewed our representation is today. In2011, women make up 51 percent of the population, but we hold only 23 percent of

state legislative seats and a shocking 17 percent of seats in Congress.

Electing allies in conservation to state and federal legislatures is in our collective bestinterests. Ensuring that our representatives understand the long-term implications ofenvironmental protection for our health and that of future generations, as well as forthe health of the economy, is critical to our efforts to bring environmental issues to theforefront of national policymaking. By running for office, you will also increase GCAsvisibility and set an example of living by your values that will inspire the leaders oftomorrow. There is no more powerful platform for promoting the issues that matter tousas a candidate, you can help set the agenda.

I have a deep-seated faith that GCA members are the leaders we need now, because Ihave seen you in action! You have what it takes to run and win. If youre interested inlearning how to get started, The 2012 Project has already assembled a network oftraining resources to help you. Please contact me or Kate Drummond at RachelsNetwork, [email protected] or 202.659.0846, to learn more.So consider yourself invited, and consider a candidacy today. Your commitment to theenvironment and to serving your community amply qualify you to run, and your freshperspective could influence the direction of important policies for years to come. Whenyou next reflect on how disappointed you are in the leaders weve placed in office, dontget mad get elected!

GREEN TECH

Does the Internet Have a Carbon Footprint?

Diane Stoner, Litchfield G.C. (CT) - Zone II

Estimates are that every day 1.5 billion users worldwide are online. Clearly this energyexpenditure comes with a cost. The problem is determining exactly what that cost is.When one speaks about Internet searches, one is usually talking about Google. And

therein lies the problem.

Google is very secretive about the energy consumption of its data centers worldwide.In fact, Google will not disclose any information about these data centers that processthe billions of data searches everyday. Some estimates of the energy expenditure ofInternet searches are comparable to the airline industry. However, even without hardnumbers on the energy expenditure of the data centers and individuals accessing theInternet, there is no question that the act of turning on ones computer and doing an


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Internet search carries a cost. The problem for researchers is quantifying that cost.One estimate is that the energy cost of performing an online search is that it iscomparable to boiling water for a cup of tea, or about 7g of CO 2 per search.

The cup of tea analogy is an inexact estimate, not particularly useful in computing

actual energy cost. Google searches often rely on numerous data centers and costs oflocal electricity vary. Furthermore, the offset cost is not considered. If one were tomanually access the needed information, mail, transportation and telephone or librarycosts would be incurred. These alternative costs are not part of the energy equation.

However, there are some hard facts to be gleaned from this discussion. The outlay ofenergy related to using the Internet is likely to increase over time even though thesystems performing these searches may become more efficient, offsetting some, but notall, of the increased costs. Hopefully, Google (and others such as Baidu in China) will bemore transparent in the future so that the true cost of Internet searches can berevealed.

Save the Environment? Theres an App for that!

Juliet Romano, Seattle G. C. (WA) Zone XII

With the explosion of smart phones (defined as mobile computers by PCmag.com),there has been an equal explosion of apps, or internet applications that run onsmartphones, according to Webopedia.

This past May, Apple announced that it now offers over 500,000 mobile apps that areavailable for downloading onto an iPhone. As you can imagine, finding the bestenvironmental apps can be a bit like looking for a needle in a haystack. However, withthe help of Google and the app finder site Chomp.com, I found several green appsthat are not only helpful but also very easy to use on the most commonly ownedsmartphones the Apple iPhone and phones that run on Googles Android operatingsystem.

The problem with some apps is that they can become time killers in the same way thatsurfing the Web can evaporate whole hours from your day. They are interesting, but dowe really need another thing to sit and read or study? I chose to download thefollowing apps onto my phone because they all contain helpful reference tools. When Ineed specific information quickly, I know where to find it. The following apps are all

available on smart devices that run on the Apple and Android operatingsystem.

Dirty Dozen: Environmental Working Groups shopping guide topesticides in produce. I use this almost every time I grocery shop to help me decidewhen to spend the extra money on organic produce.


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iRecycle: This popular app lists local places that will recycleeverything from computers to paint. I like iRecycle because it isquick, easy and also has a local environmental news component.

Locavore: An app that uses the phones GPS system to listwhat is currently fresh in the produce section of local farmersmarkets or grocery stores. This helps reduce ones carbonfootprint by eating locally grown produce in season.

GoodGuide: This app was developed by a UC Berkeley professor. His teamrates products and companies on their health, environmental and socialperformance. While I had fun scanning bar codes at thegrocery store to see what rating various products

received, my favorite aspect of the app is the ability tolook at lists of ratings for everything from personal careproducts to household cleaners to pet foods and cellphones.

Seafood Watch list: Created by the Monterey BayAquarium to help in choosing sustainably harvestedseafood.

For those rare times when you actually do need to kill some time, check out these apps:

Green Genie: A massively comprehensive compendium of environmental tipsand resources. Includes a carbon footprint calculator, plastics identifier, a list ofgreen certified products, suggested reading, lists of green blogs andorganizations. (Apple only)

Green Outlet: A tool to help manage home energy consumption. I found itfascinating to see how much energy my appliances use; and, how I can savemoney on bills by tweaking my appliance usage. (Apple only)

Gardening Guide from Mother Earth News: The food gardening guidefrom Mother Earth News. I might have had a better crop of tomatoes if I haddownloaded this a few months ago! (Apple and Android)

How to download these Apps:

If you have an iPhone, iPad, iTouch, Android, or another type of app-capable smartphone, search for the above apps by name in the phones app store, which comes builtinto the device.

And more green apps are on the way:


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Currently, the EPA is sponsoring a competition entitled Apps for the Environmenthoping to inspire the creation of more green apps that combine and deliverenvironmental data while addressing one of EPA Administrator Lisa Jacksons SevenPriorities in a way which is useful to communities or individuals. The winning apps willbe publicized on the EPAs website.

FROM THE GCA VICE CHAIRS

Wildfires of Today Megafires of Tomorrow?

Elva Busch, Santa Fe Garden Club (NM) Zone XIIVice-Chairman, GCA Conservation Committee, Forests and Redwoods

Definition: A wildfire is any uncontrolled fire in combustible vegetation that occurs

in the countryside or a wilderness area. A wildfire differs from other fires by itsextensive size; the speed at which it can spread from its original source; its potential tochange direction unexpectedly; and its ability to jump gaps such as roads, rivers and firebreaks. They occur in areas of grassland, woodlands, bushland, scrubland, peatland, orother wooded areas all acting as combustible material for the fire. Wildfires arecharacterized by their cause of ignition, their physical properties such as speed ofpropogation, combustible materials present, and the effects of weather.

Wildfires can cause extensive damage, both to property and human life. Many of ourconcerns are with wildfires destroying homes and other property located in thewildland-urban interface, the transition between developed areas and undeveloped

wilderness. Wildfires can also have beneficial effects on wilderness areas. Some plantspecies depend on the effects of fire for growth and reproduction.

Large wildfires may also have negative ecological effects. Wildfires generate ash, destroyavailable organic nutrients, and cause an increase in water runoff, eroding away othernutrients and creating flash flooding conditions. They can affect climate and weather andhave major impacts on atmospheric pollution. The particulate matter emitted from firescan cause cardiovascular and respiratory problems.

CausesWildfires occur when all the necessary elements of a fire triangle come together in a

susceptible area - an ignition source brought into contact with a combustible material, suchas vegetation, subjected to a sufficient heat with an adequate supply of oxygen from theambient air. Dense forests provide more shade, resulting in lower ambient temperaturesand greater humidity; they are less susceptible to wildfires. Grasses and leaves are easierto ignite because they contain less water than denser materials such as branches andtrunks. Plants dry out and are more flammable as a consequence of drought. Lowhumidity levels and low moisture levels can lead to disastrous consequences.


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Heat waves, droughts, cyclical climate changes such as El Nio, and regional weatherpatterns of high pressure can increase the risk and alter the behavior of wildfires.Wildfires will not occur during a drought unless accompanied by other factors, such aslightning (an ignition source) and strong winds, a mechanism for rapid spread. Burn ratesare up to five times greater during the day due to lower humidity, increased

temperatures, and increased wind speeds. Sunlight warms the ground during the daycreating air currents that travel uphill. At night the land cools, creating air currents thattravel downhill. Wildfires are fanned by winds and often follow the air currents overhills and through valleys. Natural causes of wildfires include lightning, volcanic eruptions,underground coal fires, and sparks from rock falls.

In modern times, human influence has caused an increase in fire frequency. Perhaps 90%of fires are caused by human activity. These include clearing land by fire, arson, sparksfrom mechanical equipment, or negligence like leaving a campfire improperlyextinguished, lighted cigarettes or matches. Other than reducing human infractions, onlyfuels may be altered to affect future fire risk. The topic of current methods of fire

prevention will be covered in subsequent GCA reports on Forests.

Climate Change and WildfiresAs the climate warms, the atmosphere can hold more moisture, and precipitation islikely to increase in winter, but with more falling as rain than snow. Increased melting ofsnow further adds to the decrease in snow pack in the mountains and plains. There isless melt water available into the summer months. Drier soils mean less evaporation,with heat then increasing, less moisture being recycled into the atmosphere, whichresults in less rain during the summer. With increased drying, there is increasedintensity, frequency and duration of drought. The risk for wildfire grows.

Extended periods of above-normal temperatures and below-normal rainfall are factorscontributing to an active wildfire season. These indicators link climate change withwildfires. For example, since the mid-1980s, earlier snowmelt and associated warminghas also been associated with an increase in length and severity of the wildfire season inthe western United States. How much of a difference can this make? According to Dr.

Jeremy Littell, a climate and fire researcher at the University of Washington, a onedegree Celsius (1.8 degrees Fahrenheit) rise in average global temperatures (whichcould occur before 2050) could cause the area burned annually by wildfires in parts ofthe American West to increase up to six-fold.

Climate change is changing the environment, altering habitat for native plants andallowing invasive species to become established while increasing the vulnerability ofnative plants to disease and pests. These factors cause the weakening or death of plants- more fuel for fires.

Wildfires can also have an effect on climate change, increasing the amount of carbonreleased into the atmosphere and inhibiting vegetation growth, which affects overallcarbon uptake by plants.


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Current Events in the U.S.

There has been record-breaking wildfire activity observed across the southern tier ofthe U.S. during the first six months of2011. While July was a relatively slow wildfiremonth, between January and June, 6.1 million acres burned across the country the largest on record for the year-to-date period by nearly a million acres.

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U.S. Drought Monitor

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August 23, 2011Valid 8 a.m. EDT

The Drought Monitor focuses on broad-scale conditions.Local conditions may vary. See accompanying text summaryfor forecast statements. Released Thursday, August 25, 2011

Authors: Eric Luebehusen, U.S. Department of AgricultureLaura Edwards, Western Regional Climate Center

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Intensity:

D0 Abnormally Dry

D1 Drought - Moderate

D2 Drought - Severe

D3 Drought - Extreme

D4 Drought - Exceptional

http://drought.unl.edu/dm

Drought Impact Types:

A = Agricultural (crops, pastures,grasslands)

H = Hydrological (water)

Delineates dominant impacts

During July, a ridge of high pressure was anchored across the central and eastern partsof the U.S., limiting precipitation across the Plains and Southeast, causing temperaturesto soar. Weather patterns continue to cause drought conditions to remain dire. The

overall size of the drought footprint has expanded to cover 32.3% of the country. In theSouthwest and Southern Plains, little or no precipitation fell during the first six monthsof the year. Most of the region continues to be categorized as in extreme or exceptionaldrought and has expanded into Kansas and southern Colorado. Beneficial rains fell alongthe Gulf Coast in July, improving the drought conditions there. Dry conditions acrossthe eastern Carolinas prompted classification of extreme drought there, while moderatedrought expanded into the Mid- Atlantic, eastern Great Lakes, and Midwest.

At the beginning of July, there were thirty large wildfires burning across the country.Twelve were in New Mexico and Arizona, where there were exceptionally dry fuels.Four large fires were burning across Texas, where high fire danger continues. Eight large

fires were active in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and Alabama. The OkefenokeeSwamp fire in Florida has been burning for months. Across Alaska, there were five largewildfires. Additional large wildfires were also reported in central Colorado, easternUtah, Nevada, Idaho, Wyoming, Oregon, and central California. Across northernArizona and New Mexico, monsoonal rainfall has increased, limiting wildfiredevelopment there at last.


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As Labor Day approaches, there are new fires burning in Utah, Oregon, one outsideYosemite National Park that is edging toward the park, another in Sequoia NationalPark that has been burning since a lightning strike on July 8, among others. Interestingly,a massive brush fire in the Tennessee Valley was fueled by tornado debris in the wake ofHurricane Irene. As of this writing, there are fifty wildfires burning in the U.S. that are

considered large incidents 100 acres or more of forest or 300 acres or more ingrass/sage.

Fighting Fires Today

Thousands of brave and tireless firefighters are crisscrossing our nation following thewildfires they fight. They are supported by vast mini-cities of support personnel andequipment. All of this comes at a high cost to our nation. Firefighting has assumed thescale and sophistication of military operations. Private contractors are taking on a majorrole in the nation's wildfire battle, supplying much of the equipment, most of the campservices and even some firefighting crews. Wildfire costs are busting the Forest Servicebudget. A decade ago, the agency spent $307 million on fire suppression. Last year, it

spent $1.37 billion.

Todays armamentarium includes such artillery as personnel, bulldozers, fixed-wingedtankers, airtankers and helicopters. Besides the traditional tools of hatchets and hoses,there are many new techniques used to fight fires. One is the National Oceanic andAtmospheric Administrations (NOAA) geostationary and polar-orbiting satellites thatdetect and monitor wildfires. They provide invaluable information to meteorologists andfirefighters battling blazes. They can pinpoint exact position, size, and direction of thefires and identify possible fire targets.

The most stubborn of fires are assigned behavior analysts fire whisperers who act asfire psychologists, delving into why the fires act the way they do. Working withmeteorologists, they play a pivotal role in fighting fires. They study the topography,weather patterns, types of fuels giving the fire energy, computer modeling, and intuitionto predict how the fires will burn. A wildfire can act as a living, breathing thing.Meanwhile, the firefighters are doing all the traditional steps, based on thesepredictionsdigging trenches, chopping away away trees, setting off controlled burns,and building fire breaks. Even with all this, there is still unpredictability in fires and notwo are ever exactly alike.

What is the wildfire future in the U.S.?Are we entering a new era of megafires? Are there going to be fires of such intensitythat human forces cannot put them out? U.S. policy has pitted a deeply-held belief thatwildfires can and should be fought against scientific consensus that they are ecologicallyindispensable. Successful firefighting of the past and fire suppression techniques that haveleft many forests as huge fuel stores are part of our current legacy. Meanwhile,humans have moved into fire-prone and remote areas. The megafires we are seeingmay be signaling a new era in land use management. Many U.S. states have recordedtheir biggest fires ever in recent years. More than 3 million acres have burned each yearsince 1999. Mega also applies to the cost of fighting the fires mega-expensive. And it


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bears noting that more than 400 firefighters have died since 1987. Individual fires areburning burn for weeks or months, choking the sky with smoke and subjecting wildlife,plants, and people to one of natures most awesome forces. Fires, and big ones, are partof our future as we live with the effects of climate change and human intrusion on theplanet.

Sources:Boxall, Bettina and Cart, Julie, As Wildfires get wilder, the costs of fighting them are untamed,latimes.com, July 27, 2008.Fischetti, Mark, Up in Flames, Scientific American, June, 2011, Vol. 304, No. 6., pg. 92. Glick, Daniel, ThePerfect Firestorm,Audubon Magazine, July-Aug., 2011, Vol. 113, No. 4, pgs. 38-43.Lacey, Marc, The Psychology of Wildfires, New York Times, June 24, 2011.Our Forests Are Burning,American Forests. Americanforests.org.State of Climate Wildfires, July 2011, NOAA National Climatic Data Center.www.ncdc.noaa.gov/sotc/fireSzyniszewska, Anna, Ph.D, Invasive Species and Climate Change, Climate Institute.www.climate.org/topics/ecosystems/invasivespecies.html

U.S. Drought Monitor, August 23, 2011, NOAA. http://drought.unl.edu/dm U.S. Forest Service Active Fire Mapping. Activefiremaps.fs.fed.us/Wikipedia Forest Fires, Wildfires. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WildfireWildfires: A Symptom of Climate Change, NASA, August 31, 2011.www.nasa.gov/topics/earth/features/wildfires.html WTVC (ABC), Chattanooga, Tenn., Aug. 27, 2011

Drought: Is the Southwest Turning Into a Sahara Desert?

Ruth Flournoy, River Oaks G.C. (TX) Zone IXVice Chairman, GCA Conservation Committee, Water/Wetlands/Great Lakes

The New York Times recently reviewed a chapter called Drought: A Creeping Disasterin Alex Prudhommes new book, The Ripple Effect: The Fate of Freshwater in the Twenty-First Century.[1] The message hits home with those of us in the Southwest who haveexperienced a winter, spring and summer with almost no rainfall. Not only are wedealing with the consequences of no rain, but soaring temperatures are breaking allrecords, with no end in sight.

Semi-tropical Houston is now covered with thousands of dead and dying trees. Mostneighborhoods have initiated mandatory watering restrictions. Cattle ranches aresuffering as the water table has dropped so precipitously that wells all over the state of

Texas are running dry. Rivers and creeks have dried up. Grasses and forbs havewithered, leaving little food for livestock and wildlife, while invasive juniper and mesquiteare still thriving. Wildfires at one point were present in every county in the state. Solittle fresh water is running into the Gulf of Mexico that the estuaries are in danger ofbecoming too salty for shrimp, crabs and oysters to reproduce. Richard Seagar, who iswith the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory at Columbia University, says that if themodels are correct, the Southwest is experiencing permanent desertification, not theshorter-term drying out that we know as drought.


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The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification defines desertification as"land degradation in arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas resulting from variousfactors, including climatic variations and human activities.[2] The climate certainly ischanging. Increasingly we are seeing hundred year events such as floods, heavy

snowfall, severe droughts, tornadoes and hurricanes occurring more frequently. Humanpopulation is exploding. Prudhomme says that the global demand for water is expectedto increase by two-thirds by 2025 and we must redefine how we think of water, value it,and use it.

Irrigated agriculture is the greatest user of water, representing 70 percent usageworldwidein places like California, 80 percent. Power plants are second. Urban wateruse accounts for 10 percent of the total But development in arid areas like Las Vegas,Phoenix, and Los Angeles, which require more and more water, no longer seemsrational. Urban areas are growing and more people now live in cities than in rural areas.Where will all of their water come from? Water planners talk about more reservoirs,

more pipes, and more dams. If cities take the water, what will the farmers have to use?How will we satisfy our need for increasing our food supply? What will happen to theecosystems and all of the services they provide?

Peter Gleick, an international water expert and president of the Pacific Institute, says,We need to change the mind-set away from an engineering mentality Lets find thewater we need, to management mentality Lets manage the water we have morewisely. Water is indeed the new oil. Research, technology, political will, and a shift inhuman attitudes will be necessary for countries to tackle the growing problem of toomany people vs. too little water. Conservation will have to take a higher priority. Moreof the same is not an option.

Sources:

[1] http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/17/opinion/sunday/17drought.html?pagewanted=all[2] Wikipedia

PESTICIDES IN THE AIR?

Connie Darbyshire, Trustees G.C. (GA) Zone VIIIVice Chairman, GCA Conservation Committee, Air Quality/Toxic Substances

A Minnesota court recently ruled that an organic farmer could recover damages fromhis neighbors, because the pesticides used by those neighbors drifted onto the farmersland, injuring his crops. The court said that the drifting particles constituted a type oftrespass allowing compensation for the injury. Also recently, an organic farmer inCalifornia won $1 million in damages when pesticides were carried by fog from far awayfields to his fields causing the loss of a seasons worth of organic herbs. These states andothers consider pesticide drift to be a trespass. There seems to be a nationwide trend


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for private claims for damage from pesticide drift through the air to neighboringproperties.

There is discussion that this reasoning should be applied to suburban homeowners. Justas consumers and growers are increasingly concerned about the use of herbicides and

pesticides on the food chain, there is concern about chemicals used on private lawns.Many suburban and urban areas can be endangered, because lawn care has grown somuch in recent years. According to EPA figures, each year we pour approximately 136million pounds of pesticides and herbicides on our homes, lawns, and gardens. TheNational Audubon Society notes a high frequency of wildlife pesticide poisoningsreported to EPA from residential use. Some 20 states have passed laws calling forresidents to be pre-notified before lawn care applicators spray. Some states punishapplicators if they fail to notify homeowners and residents.

To protect children in schools against pesticides, seven states have written new lawscreating buffer zones of 300 feet (in the case of nozzle spraying) to three miles (in the

case of aerial spraying) around schools. Herbicide and pesticide drift in the air andthrough the soil and how they affect neighboring properties and people is an importantissue, and we should carefully monitor relevant information in the future.

IN THE ZONE

Centennial Tree Projects, Highlights from Zone XII

Diana Fish, Carmel-by-the-Sea G.C. (CA) Zone XII

GCA Conservation and National Affairs and Legislation Zone Representative

Reflecting the interests of 18 clubs from Seattle to Santa Fe and Honolulu to Denver,the Zone XII Tree projects are broad in scope and celebrate GCA's Centennial throughthe following efforts.

RESTORING OPEN SPACES:Following approval by the California Coastal Commission, the Carmel-by-the-SeaGC is proceeding with a plan to restore beach dunes in Carmel. Although classified asan Environmentally Sensitive Habitat Area, this valuable ecosystem has been badlydegraded and imperiled by invasive exotics. The club will restore the area with native

species and turn a blighted area into an attractive focal spot that illustrates thesuccession of plant communities of different sizes and stages and climax vegetation ofoaks (Quercus agrifolia) and Monterey cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa).

In 2009, the Orinda GC began their restoration tree project along the northernshoreline of Lake Cascade by pruning cork oaks (Quercus suber) as well as nativeoaks and removing weeds from the understory. By 2010, the club had restored a 500-foot expanse where fifteen cork oaks had been planted by members sixty years before.


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The club will continue the program of weed abatement and maintenance and investigatethe feasibility of improving the remaining section of lake frontage at this scenic birdsanctuary and recreation area.

ENHANCING PARKS AND GARDENS:

TheGC of Honolulu's members propagated Hawaii's state tree, the kukuiorcandlenut (Aleurites moluccana) and planted the saplings at the Leahi Millennium PeaceGarden on Diamond Head. The garden was created in 2000 by teenagers from aroundthe world to promote peace and cultural understanding. As the trees grow, they willadd beauty and provide shade so visitors can relax and reflect in a serene setting.

The Santa Fe GC is sponsoring a Grove at the Santa Fe Botanical Garden with plantssuitable to the high desert climate. Located next to a heritage fruit tree orchard, theGrove will contain pistachios (Pistacia chinensis Sarah's Radiance TM) and crab apples(Malus 'Radiant') as well as native cypress (Cupressus arizonica).

Denver GC's project focuses on "Three Trees and A River": the native cottonwood(Populus sargentii), Gambel oak (Quercus gambelii) and Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii);that grow in different ecosystems along the South Platte River. After propagating thetrees from seed and cuttings, members involved children from an elementary school andoutdoor education organization in planting the species at Chatfield Arboretum, a farmowned by the Denver Botanic Gardens.

The Seattle GC has chosen two native Washington trees: the majestic Western redcedar (Thuja plicata) and the small, deciduous Saskatoon serviceberry (Amelanchieralnifolia). In 2009, members took cedar saplings home to grow. Fifty of these alreadyhave been planted by MESA volunteers in Magnuson Park, one of Seattle's largest parks,

which is undergoing restoration. A batch ofAmelanchierwas planted in 2010 in anotherpark, in conjunction with a Partners for Plants project.

The Hillsborough GC is developing an "oak walk" at Coyote Point, a San MateoCounty Park. Acorns from coast live oak trees (Quercus agrifolia) were collected forpropagation by members in 2009. In January 2011, twenty-eight seedlings were bigenough to be transplanted into holes. Honorary member Will McGowan designed thelayout of paths for the oak walk on the "Knoll" site, and Park personnel built a kiosk foreducational materials.

The GC of Santa Barbara's Centennial Tree is the California sycamore (Platanus

racemosa), and members will finish planting thirty to thirty-five saplings at Gaviota StatePark. These were started from seed and softwood cuttings. Earlier, the club placed treesat Carpinteria Bluffs and three other locations.

HONORING THE LEGACY OF THE PAST:

The Piedmont GC's tree is theredwood (Sequoia sempervirens), and their projectdraws attention to the GCA Grove at Humboldt Redwoods State Park, the first national


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GCA conservation project. This gift to the State was made possible in part by a loanfrom the Save-the-Redwoods League, and the Piedmont GC kicked off its CentennialProject with a gift to the non-profit to help pay down the debt. It hopes to encourageother clubs to make similar contributions.

REVITALIZING LANDSCAPES AND CONSERVING HERITAGETREES:

In a joint Centennial Project, the Diggers GC andthe Pasadena GC have sentteams to survey the Engelmann oaks (Quercus engelmannii) in Pasadena. Found in oftenheavily developed foothills of southern California down to northwestern Baja California,this is the one of the most threatened of Californias oaks. After identifying andevaluating existing trees, members will work with the Pasadena Beautiful Foundation, anon-profit organization whose mission is to restore and protect city trees, and replantoaks where needed.

The Hancock Park GC is documenting the Heritage Trees of Hancock Park and

Windsor Square in Los Angeles. Both areas are in a historic preservation overlay zoneand so documenting these significant trees is fitting. Information about the trees will beposted on the club website, and recommendations for maintaining large heritagespecimens will be shared with local realtors and organizations such as the historicalsociety and neighborhood councils. The club hopes that as homes are sold, new ownerswill treasure and become stewards of the historic trees.

The Woodside-Atherton GC chose the valley oak (Quercus lobata) for itsCentennial Tree. Thriving in deep, fertile, well-watered soil, this species dominated thelocal landscape of inland valleys and foothills until the late 19th century, when the oaksbegan to decline because of agricultural development, suburban expansion, low rates of

regeneration, disease and other factors. The club has partnered with Acterra (anenvironmental non-profit) and Woodside High School to germinate collected acornsand determine success rates for different planting methods.

The Marin GC is considering the giant redwood (Sequoiadendron giganteum) at theMarin Art and Garden Center as the focus of its Centennial Project. Members mayinvestigate the history of the redwood, which is said to have been transplanted as asmall tree from Yosemite Valley in the 1880's and try to work with the Center toensure its future care and health.

In addition to an acorn project with pre-schoolers, The Tacoma GC is studying theimpacts of fertilizer and water on Garry oaks (Quercus garryana) at a local golf courseand is comparing the health of those oaks with ones on the open terrain around Ft.Lewis.

SHOWCASING NATIVE TREES:

The Portland GC will partner with the Hoyt Arboretum to propagate cones ofBrewer's spruce (Picea breweriana) gathered by members in the Siskiyou Mountains of


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southwest Oregon. The goal is to assist in the further cultivation and appreciation of anunder-utilized native tree and bring the rare species into greater use. This is also aPartners for Plants project.

The Columbine GC Centennial Committee, which calls itself the "mesquiteers," is

propagating velvet mesquite (Prosopis velutina) and studying the trees's history andnumerous uses. Members will develop an educational program for school children aboutthe species at the Phoenix Deserts Botanical Garden.

PRESERVING HISTORIC PLANT MATERIAL:

The Broadmoor GC propagated cuttings from an historic apple tree at RockledgeRanch. In April, the club donated five new 'Red Delicious' apple trees to restore historicChambers Orchard.

BOOKS, MOVIES, ARTS

The Ripple EffectThe Fate of Fresh Water In the Twenty-First Century

By Alex Prudhomme

Alex Prudhommes new book (June 2011) on water is primarily about water inAmerica. It is divided into four parts that concentrate on pollution, scarcity, flood, andpossible solutions to current and emerging water issues. He gives an overview ofglobal water, but what makes the book so compelling is what we learn about bottledwater in Maine, pollution and supply tunnels in New York, the Chesapeake Bay, leveesin New Orleans and the legalities of water in the west (Las Vegas, California andArizona). The book reads more like a series of stories about places to which we can allrelate, rather than a scientific work. Despite heavy(but necessary) use of acronyms, his style is veryreadable and you will want to get to the next page. Ifyou are curious as to how Prudhomme came to waterfrom My Life in France he had a conversation withBob Moran, a hydrogeologist, who is also Julia Childsnieces husband. The Ripple Effectcame about after aconversation between Moran and Prudhomme whilehe was collaborating with Childs.

The book is available in hard cover, paperback and asan ebook. Dont be alarmed by the 535 pages; it is afairly easy read and there are extensive notes, footnotes and an index.

Sara OConnell, Connecticut Valley G.C. (CT) Zone IIGCA Conservation and National Affairs and Legislation Zone Representative


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THE LAST MOUNTAIN: A Fight For Our Future

A Feature Film Documentary

Coal River Mountain, arguably the last major intact mountain in the Coal RiverWatershed in the heart of Appalachia in Southern West Virginia, is The Last Mountainin the documentary film of the same name by Bill Haney.The film focuses on the grimprocess of mountain top removal mining and the health and environmental concerns ofa small community trying to save a single mountain from a corporate mining giant. Thefilm features Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., and includes alook at the potential for long-term renewable energygeneration as locals propose an industrial wind farmon the mountains ridge. Critics praise thecinematography, including powerful aerial views of a

mining process, which are truly jarring. Localresidents and activists are featured prominently, withpoignant stories focused on the health concerns ofsurrounding communities, including the town ofPrenter, WV, and the cluster of cancers in neighborssharing water from a local well. THE LASTMOUNTAIN will be available on DVD on November1, 2011. (Graphic courtesy of www.thelastmountainmovie.com)

Editor

Washed Ashore, Plastics, Sea Life and Art

Angela Hasseltine Pozzi, Artist

Washed Ashore, an astonishing art exhibit which features18 gigantic marine mammalsmade entirely of recycled ocean trash, will begin a global tour following a recentshowing at the Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, California. Artist Angela HasseltinePozzi used 7,000 pounds of plastic collected on the Oregon coastline to create thepieces, including a 12-foot sea lion named Lidia whose fur is made entirely of plasticlids. The exhibit is designed to focus attention on the sheer magnitude of trash in ouroceans, and plastics pollution in particular. It is a compelling exhibit, not only for theunique beauty of each sculpture, but for the simple visual message the exhibit delivers:How many more thousands of toothbrushes, straws, flip flops, plastic water bottles, jugsand lids litter the oceans? And what can be done to clean up the mess?

The Marine Mammal Center is a private non-profit organization established in1975 that focuses on rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing injured marine mammals. Italso serves as a center for environmental research and education regarding marine


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mammals, namely cetaceans (whales anddolphins) and pinnipeds (seals and sea lions).(Graphic courtesy of www.washedashore.org)

Editor

IN CLOSING

Many of our environmental efforts are mired in the myth that a choice must be madebetween the economy and the environment. The following wisdom offers a retort.

The wealth of the nation is its air, water, soil, forests, minerals, rivers, lakes,oceans, scenic beauty, wildlife habitats and biodiversity...thats all there is. Thatsthe whole economy.Thats where all the economic activity and jobs come from.

These biological systems are the sustaining wealth of the world.

Gaylord Nelson

Conservation Watch, a publication of The Garden Club of America, is produced by the

GCA Conservation Committee. Readers ideas, contributions, and suggestions arewelcome. Letters to the Editor may be e-mailed, faxed, or mailed to the Editor and may

be published as space permits.

Candace Lyche, Editor


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INDEX

Keystone XL Pipeline Pressure 01Marion Fuller Brown, 1917 2011, In Memoriam 03The High Line A New Icon for New York City 04

Dont Get Mad, Get Elected! The 2012 Project 05Does the Internet Have a Carbon Footprint? 06Save the Environment? Theres an App for that! 07Wildfires of Today Megafires of Tomorrow? 09Drought: Is the Southwest Turning Into a Sahara Desert? 13Pesticides In The Air? 14Centennial Tree Projects, Highlights from Zone XII 15The Ripple Effect 18The Last Mountain: A Fight For Our Future 19Washed Ashore, Plastics, Sea Life and Art 19In Closing 20


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Contacts

Fayetta Weaver, ChairmanGCA Conservation CommitteeMill Valley Mountain Garden Club (VA) Zone XII2502 Stanley Avenue SE

Roanoke, VA 24014-3332(540) 345-2229(540) 345-5726 (fax)

Melissa McAdams, ChairmanGCA National Affairs and LegislationKnoxville Garden Club (TN) Zone IX1043 Craigland CourtKnoxville, TN 37919(865) 558-9441(865) 250-3890 (cell)

[email protected]

Candace Lyche, EditorGCA Conservation CommitteeHillsborough Garden Club (CA) Zone XII171 New Place RoadHillsborough, CA 94010(650) [email protected]

Anne OBrien, Assistant EditorGCA Conservation CommitteeColumbine Garden Club (AZ) Zone XII6018 East Cholla LaneParadise Valley, AZ 85253(480) 874-3323(480) 970-8328 (fax)[email protected]

conwatch fall 2011

Documents