Kamal demands punishment for tree-cutters

KARACHI: City Nazim Mustafa Kamal has called for a ‘Tree Act’ to be drawn up and implemented immediately, stating that those involved in cutting trees should be severely reprimanded through sentences and fines.

Speaking at a seminar titled “Forestation, Aesthetic Plantation and Landscaping Study of Karachi”, held at Civic Center on Saturday, Kamal expressed his concern over the lack of importance given to the city’s vegetation. “In all major cities of the world, there are strict rules and regulations to protect greenery and not a single tree can be cut without obtaining an No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the municipality concerned,” he said, adding that the CDGK is committed to developing parks and is taking actions against land grabbers to salvage parks of the city.

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The painting is by Laura Tasheiko

Forest sale is scratched

After much hoopla in town and beyond, Burlington officials are putting the brakes on an ambitious development proposal to turn a large swath of forest land into the state's largest life sciences complex, senior housing, and playing fields.

The Board of Selectmen has decided against selling the 247-acre landlocked parcel near Route 3, saying the community is not ready to let go of the property.

"The land is not for sale," said Sonia Rollins, chairwoman of the panel.

But Patriot Partners, the development group that holds an option to buy the land if the town does decide to sell, is not giving up on its vision for the site bounded by Route 3, Interstate 95, and the towns of Lexington and Bedford.

"It's incumbent upon us to show that we have something that warrants further discussion," Patriot Partners attorney Robert Buckley said after the board announced last week it isn't selling the property. "We think the project has some merit. We'll see where it takes us."

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The painting is by Laura Tasheiko

Miss Earth Wales speaks out about being Green

Recycling your wine bottles has suddenly got sexier – thanks to the newly-crowned Miss Earth Wales.

CLAIRE REES found out how 22-year-old former Miss Wales runner-up Jamie-Lee Williams is aiming to change the nation’s eco-habits – with the beauty queen’s step-by-step guide to being easy on the eye – and the environment

JAMIE-LEE WILLIAMS isn’t just red hot – she’s also as green as they come.

The 22-year-old teaching assistant has just been crowned Miss Earth Wales and is making it her mission to clean up in style at the international final.

Stunning Jamie-Lee, who has a psychology degree and is working with autistic children at a primary school in London as part of her teacher training, won the Wales heat of Miss Earth UK after convincing a panel of judges that not only is she easy on the eye – she’s even easier on the environment.

Because while many beauty pageants delve no deeper than the contestant’s smile, winners of Miss Earth have to prove they know just as much about making a difference as they do about making an entrance.

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The painting is by Laura Tasheiko

Tree planting held in Memramcook and Cocagne honours environmental efforts

New Brunswick Environment Minister Roland Haché spent a busy day yesterday rewarding 2007 environmental leaders for their efforts to promote and protect the environment around them.

He was in Memramcook, where he took part in a tree-planting ceremony at the Memramcook Village Park in honour of Paul Doucet of Calhoun for 30 years of advocacy on behalf of his community.

Doucet worked to draw attention to the issues impacting his community including diesel emissions, uncontrolled dust and unpaved roads resulting from quarry and asphalt plant operations in the area and continues to work with government and industry to find solutions to the problems.

"It is up to us as residents of New Brunswick to conserve and protect the environment around us," said the minister.

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The painting is by Laura Tasheiko

Stricter rules to curb tree-felling

A welcome news from Ahmedabad

AHMEDBAD: The axe is ready to fall on builders, real-estate developers and mall owners who have till now flouted tree norms with impunity while constructing swanky malls, shopping arcades and multiplexes.

One visit to any one of the malls on Sarkhej-Gandhinagar Highway or at Law Garden gives the real picture of an urban plan bereft of any green space.

According to Gujarat Town Planning and Urban Development Act 1976 and regulations of the Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority (AUDA), those applying for development permission at the rate of one tree for every 100 square metres of building unit, have to show the site plan/layout plan to concerned authorities for approval. Also, the trees have to be guarded by trees guards and shall be maintained.

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The painting is by Laura Tasheiko

Go plant a tree

Tacoma wants you to go green. To help, the city and Metro Parks offer tree-planting tips and guidelines. And maybe even some free trees.

It seems so basic, the planting of a tree.

But there is one thing homeowners need to do before doing so:

“Look up,” said Kathy Sutalo, urban forester for Metro Parks Tacoma.

And: “Look around,” said Jennifer Kammerzelle, urban forester for the city.

All too often, South Sound residents plant trees – even in city owned sidewalk strips – without considering how the trees’ growth might affect power lines or city streets and sidewalks.

“It’s like buying a dog and putting it in a tiny doghouse without realizing it’s going to grow into a Great Dane,” Sutalo said. Today’s Home and Garden section is full of tree-planting tips and rules and regulations from the city and Metro Parks.

Before you plant, read up.
The painting is by Laura Tasheiko

Orissa to provide Rs 29.47cr for improving bamboo forests

The Orissa government has decided to provide Rs 29.47 crore for improving the bamboo forests in the state to meet the stipulations of the Union government.

The principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF), Orissa, had given a proposal to the Empowered Committee (EC) on bamboo headed by the chief secretary.

The committee, in its meeting today approved the funds which will be spent during the current fiscal. The money will be utilised for treatment of 3,20,670 hectares of bamboo forest with simultaneous silviculture operations at a cost of Rs 13.46 crore.

This is expected to generate 19.24 lakh man days of employment and bamboo plantation over 26,722 hectares at a cost of Rs 16 lakhs in the first year of plantation work.

In another significant move, the committee decided to raise the sale price of bamboo to Rs 2100 per metric tonne excluding taxes and duties. The new rate will remain valid for four years from 2008-09 to 2011-12. Out of it, Rs 750 will be towards the royalty to government, silviculture charges and commission of the Orissa State Forest Development Corporation (OFDC).

The incentive formula already approved by the committee with varying rate of royalty for coming 4 years starting from 2008-09 and will be reviewed after 4 years.

Besides, it was decided that the action taken report (ATR) on the bamboo plantation will be submitted to the Union government by the end of May every year.

In pursuance to the decision of the empowered committee, two paper units of the state namely J K Paper Mills and BILT Limited have produced 1,13,572 sale units of industrial bamboo from forest against the potential of 1,47,300 metric tonne by the end of July 2007.

Article here
The painting is by Laura Tasheiko

Fall tree planting

, said a University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator.

"Fall is also a time that seems to be less hectic," said Nancy Pollard. "You can increase your chances of success significantly with many trees and shrubs by using some good practices -- proper planting depth, supplemental watering and good mulching practices."

After selecting and purchasing the tree or shrub, she suggested sticking a tarp in your vehicle to protect the plant from drying winds during transport. And in picking out the tree or shrub, keep in mind the landscape purpose, available space, soil type and sun or shade conditions it will face.

"Keep the plant well watered until transplanting," she added.

When it comes time to dig a hole for the new plant, the immediate question is, how deep?

"The tree trunk and root ball will tell you," she said. "While the tree is still in the container, look for the point where the trunk slightly flares out and the roots angle down -- not at 90 degrees or up. Often this flare is buried accidentally by soil or mulch. You may need to excavate the root ball by hand down to the root flare.

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The painting is by Laura Tasheiko

Chicago outlines plan to slash greenhouse gases

CHICAGO - Mayor Richard M. Daley has announced a plan to dramatically slash emissions of heat-trapping gases, part of an effort to fight global warming and become one of the greenest cities in the nation.

The plan calls for reducing greenhouse gas emissions to three-fourths of 1990 levels by 2020 through more energy-efficient buildings, using clean and renewable energy sources, improving transportation and reducing industrial pollution.

"We can't solve the world's climate change problem in Chicago, but we can do our part," said Daley on Thursday. "We have a shared responsibility to protect our planet."

It's the first step toward cutting emissions to one-fifth of 1990 levels by 2050, as called for in the 1997 Kyoto global warming protocols, officials said.

Daley is one of about 800 mayors who have agreed to adopt that goal, and Chicago is the first to identify specific pollution sources and outline how it would achieve the reductions in a measurable way, said Suzanne Malec-McKenna, Chicago's environmental commissioner.

Malec-McKenna said the city would use a combination of incentives and mandates.

Chicago Climate Action Plan
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The painting is by Laura Tasheiko

Tree planting, condition for building plan approval in FCT

The Federal Capital Territory will soon come out with a policy that will make tree planting a condition for the approval of a building plan in the territory.

Alhaji Isa Shaaibu, FCDA‘s Director, Parks and Recreation, disclosed this last week in Abuja in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria.

He said that the policy would be strictly enforced in the territory, adding that tree planting was a priority in the agenda of the FCT Administration.

He said that the Abuja Environmental Protection Board would soon take measures to enforce the law on the illegal felling of trees in the territory.

"The FCT Minister has vowed to enforce the law relating to the illegal felling of trees in the FCT," he said.

Shuaibu, therefore, warned those engaged in the illegal felling of trees within the territory to desist from it or be prepared to face the full wrath of the law.

Besides, he said that about 1,000 tree seedlings would soon be distributed across the territory‘s six area councils as part of efforts to promote tree planting.

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The painting is by Laura Tasheiko

Couple uses wedding day to plant more than 1,000 trees in Lebanon

BEIRUT: Zena Khalil, a Lebanese recycling artist and environmental activist, wanted to create a sacred memento for her brother's wedding. She joined an ongoing native tree planting project initiated by the American University of Beirut's (AUB) Nature Conservation Center for Sustainable Futures, (IBSAR) - aimed at raising the guests' interest in Lebanon's environment.

"Growing up in Nigeria my brother Nidal and I developed a special connection to the land," says Zena Khalil. "Since we were flying people in from all around the world, I thought it would be a great idea to plant trees for each of the over 1,000 guests attending my brother's wedding."

The whole idea started while Zena and Nidal were making preparations for the wedding.

"Nidal was worried about all the waste we were creating and we started to question what we were doing because we've always been concerned about aiding the environment rather than destroying it," adds Khalil.

After Nidal suggested planting a forest, Zena immediately contacted IBSAR's outreach coordinator, Arbi Sarkissian, to assist in planting 1,000 trees.

Speaking to IBSAR, while driving along the natural scenery of the Chouf Mountains on her way to her brother's wedding reception; Khalil highlighted the importance of awakening Lebanese consciousness to environmental issues in her native country.

"We wanted to start a trend and usually trends in Lebanon start with drinking and dancing, but we thought with the trees we could make the idea interesting enough that it would inspire others," says Khalil. "The tree gift brochures and small wooden tree silhouette souvenirs, donated by IBSAR, aided us in raising awareness among our guests."

More than 2,000 hectares of Lebanon's forestry were destroyed in October 2007 after almost 240 fires engulfed Lebanon's southern, central and northern regions. Lebanon has lost almost 40 percent of its tree cover in the past 40 years.

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The painting is by Laura Tasheiko

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Volunteers needed for tree planting

Sunnyside Acres Heritage Society is looking for volunteers willing to dig in for the urban forest at an upcoming planting event.

Ron Meadley said people of all ages are invited to help plant a variety of native trees in an area near the forest’s Chickadee and Trillium Trails.

Vine maples, alders, dogwood and cascara are among the species lined up to take root in an area of the forest that was affected by root rot.

Meadley estimates there will be at least 200 trees – and as many as 400 – to get in the ground.

While previous plantings have typically included shrubs, Meadley said the focus area “already has some pretty good undergrowth.”

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The painting is by Laura Tasheiko

No playground to be constructed in Lozenets small forest

After serious opposition from residents of Sofia’s Lozenets district Sofia municipality’s environment commission decided, on September 16, not to allow the construction of a playground in the small forest between Cherni Vruh Boulevard and the American embassy.

During a session of the environment commission, Lozenets mayor Proshko Proshkov and local residents discussed the potential devastation of one of the few green areas remaining in the district, Bulgarian-language website Bluelink reported. Proshkov promised to investigate alternative areas for the proposed playground.

Sofia Municipal Council had decided, on July 24 2008, to make the mayors of several Sofia districts undertake permanent commissions on children, youth, sports and tourism, as well as in the permanent commission on economic policy in order to control planned projects for playgrounds in Sofia. SMC would finance construction and repairs of sport fields in 16 of Sofia’s boroughs with money from the special municipal privatisation fund at a total cost of 4.25 million leva. Lozenets playground, planned as a multifunctional sports facility, will receive 270 000 leva.

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The painting is by Laura Tasheiko

The Sierra forests can prevent Global Warming

California's Global Warming Solutions Act is a landmark attempt to cap greenhouse gas emissions across all sectors of the state's economy. Signed into law in September 2006, the California Air Resources Board is figuring out the precise formula by which the state will reduce emissions 25 percent by 2020.

Imagine a grand formula that somehow left out — cars. Or industrial manufacturing. Leaving out one of these huge emissions sources would render any climate legislation toothless.

Fortunately, both will likely be accounted for. But will forests? Judging by recent statements, it isn't clear whether the state recognizes the outsize role California's forests play in naturally absorbing carbon emissions, or the quantity of carbon dioxide released when these forests are irresponsibly clear-cut.

Deforestation and logging account for one-fifth of all global carbon emissions — more than all trains, planes and, yes, automobiles combined. Any serious attempt to address California's contributions to climate change must include an understanding of what's happening in the forests of the Sierra Nevada.

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The painting is by Laura Tasheiko

German scientists discover 120 million year-old ant

BERLIN (Reuters) - German biologists have discovered a new species of ant they believe is the oldest on the planet, dating back around 120 million years.

Researchers from Karlsruhe's Natural History Museum found the 3-millimetre-long (0.118 inch) insect in the Amazon rainforest in 2007, and hope it will shed light on the early evolution of ants.

"It's by far the most spectacular find of my 26-year career," said museum biologist Manfred Verhaagh on Tuesday.

Scientists from Karlsruhe originally found an unidentified species of ant of a similar type in the Brazilian rainforest in 2003. However, due to an accident in the laboratory, the insect dried up, making further research impossible, Verhaagh said.

Last year a separate team from the museum's research body was in the forest investigating fungus when they stumbled upon the tiny insect, and named it "Martialis heureka".

Resembling a miniature wasp, the insect is like no other ant, and probably dates back 120 million years, making it the oldest still inhabiting the earth, Verhaagh said. The scientists used DNA samples from its front leg to establish its likely age.

The last discovery of a new ant species was in 1923, he added.

Article here
The painting is by Laura Tasheiko

Man fined after ramming tree, poking koala

A former country Victorian teenager has been convicted and fined $2800 after he repeatedly rammed his car into a tree to try and dislodge a koala.

A court heard today that Brett Grant Seabrook, 19, had earlier found the koala at the base of a tree near his campsite in the Barmah State Park in northern Victoria.

Echuca Magistrates Court was told that Seabrook wrapped the marsupial in a blanket and released it in a tree at the campsite on March 22 this year.

Wildlife officer Greg Chant, prosecuting for the Department of Sustainability and Environment, said when the koala began to make a loud noise, Seabrook tried to retrieve it by poking it with a stick.

Mr Chant said Seabrook then rammed the tree with his Toyota Landcruiser utility, which was witnessed by a number of nearby campers who alerted authorities.

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The painting is by Laura Tasheiko

Michigan's Famous and Historic Trees

Is there a celebrity tree in your neighborhood -- or one that ought to be? If so, state foresters want to include it in an update of "Michigan's Famous and Historic Trees."

Many of Michigan's historic trees have been lost to old age, storms or disease since the book was last published in 1976.

Categories include trees associated with notable people, churches and religion, art and artists, early forestry and conservation, development of the nation, educators and educational institutions, music, science and culture.

Also eligible are trees of unusual size, age, form or botanical characteristics, or which have some distinctive scenic or esthetic association.

Examples already on record include the James Oliver Curwood tree in Owosso and the Republican Oaks in Jackson.

Nominations should include species, exact location, reason for significance, present landowner, photos and contact information.

Article here
The painting is by Laura Tasheiko

Media firm, tree group team up for 're-greening'

Earlier this month Sun Media Corporation, Canoe.ca,both leading Canadian media companies (The Examiner is a member of the Sun Media group) joined with a non-profit group, Trees Ontario, the largest non-profit tree planting partnership in North America.

Trees Ontario is committed to the "re-greening" of Ontario by planting trees.

What's this have to do with Peterborough and area? The Examiner is part of Sun Media; Peterborough is in Ontario; and you can take advantage of this partnership.

Our partnership helps you get trees planted all over

Ontario including this area.

"Trees are vitally important to our environment and this partnership will help us make a difference in all the locations in Ontario where Sun Media newspapers are helping to connect and build better communities," said Michael Sifton, President and CEO of Sun Media Corporation. "Our partnership with Trees Ontario is one of the ways in which we can make people aware of this important work and encourage them to get involved."

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The painting is by Laura Tasheiko

One Million New Trees for Lagos

Lagos State government is set to plant one million trees in four years

The Lagos State government in its drive to improve the aesthetic beauty of the state and protect the environment from further degradation is set to plant one million trees in the state in the next four years. Babatunde Raji Fashola, governor of the state on September 3, led top government officials to plant trees in major parts of the state to kick-start the state tree planting campaign.

Fashola, who defied the rain of that day to lead the tree planting exercise which took place simultaneously in all the 20 local government areas in the state as well as the 37 development areas, said tree planting would be given a serious attention by the state government for two reasons. The first was the need to protect the environment "as the entire planet faces serious ecological threat and the second is the need to add to the beauty of the environment."

He said the city of Lagos had suffered various environmental degradations in recent years, but expressed satisfaction that the state was gradually being transformed from that of neglect and degradation to an aesthetically appealing and friendly society with its beautification programme. "I remember with nostalgia those days when the streets of Lagos, especially Lagos Island, Ikoyi, Apapa, Ikeja and Lagos Mainland were adorned with beautiful trees, which did not only add aesthetic values to the city, but also protected the environment from degradation," he said.

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The painting is by Laura Tasheiko

Hawaii resort project calls for investing in trees

KAILUA-KONA, Hawaii -

Visitors to the Big Island will have a chance to buy and plant a tree and then reap part of the profit when it's cut down in 30 years or so.

They'll also be able to monitor the tree's progress on the Internet, including how much carbon dioxide it absorbs and whether it ends up as a skateboard, koa canoe or part of a wind-power generator.

The Mauna Lani Resort and True Offsets, which is already developing a mill to process the wood, are partnering in the new ecological restoration project.

Guests will be offered the chance to plunk down $37 to buy a tree sapling, plant it in Hamakua and then watch it over the next several years via a Web site.

The plan is to mail tree investors a check for 5 percent of their plant's value at harvest time, which could be up to $2,500 on a koa tree that's worth $50,000 in today's market.

Or, less patient investors could go for something like bamboo, that could be harvested in about three years with a much smaller return. A single plant likely would produce only about $30 worth of bamboo in that time.

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The painting is by Laura Tasheiko