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US DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
First detected in the 1950s, an invasive snake has multiplied to more than 2 million on a US territory, wiping out native birds and surprisingly causing another species to boom to levels 40 times higher than on surrounding areasThe brown treesnake invasion in Guam has wreaked havoc on local ecosystems, decimating native bird populations and leading to a surge in sp...
Wheat farmers have a new weapon against a pest that costs them $350 million a year; researchers are using straw bales to move tiny parasitoids into fields and fight the wheat stem sawflyA new frontier in pest management is underway as researchers test a groundbreaking method to tackle the wheat stem sawfly issue. Utilizing ...
Since 2014, US farmers have been deliberately flooding their fields to create habitat for migratory birds; a decade later, 180,000 acres of farmland have become temporary wetlands serving as vital habitat for millions of birdsBirdReturns pays farmers to flood fields, creating vital temporary wetlands for migrating birds. This initiative helps birds and also reple...
The dusty blue coating on blueberries is not dirt; USDA researchers say the wax helps defend against disease and prevents the fruit from drying out after harvestThe dusty coating on blueberries is a natural protective wax. This bloom shields the fruit from disease and prevents drying out. Researcher...
Xi Jinping to bring large CEO delegation on US visit, sources sayPresident Xi Jinping plans a large business delegation for his upcoming Washington visit. This unusual move signals China's willingness to ...
In 2006, Kentucky identified nutrient problems along 12.8 miles of Fleming Creek. 18 years later, monitoring showed the stream could fully support its aquatic lifeFleming Creek in northeast Kentucky has moved from nutrient-related impairment to full support for its warm water aquatic habitat designate...
A decade ago, Maryland Agriculture restored 2 farms to improve Little Antietam Creek habitat. Today, 10 years of monitoring show mayflies, caddisflies and trout thrivingLittle Antietam Creek restoration: A stream restoration project on Little Antietam Creek shows positive changes. The project addressed nutr...
In 1869, Frederick Billings bought a deforested Vermont estate and replanted Mount Tom; 550 managed acres now form America's oldest professionally managed forestIn 1869, Frederick Billings took the ambitious step of reforesting a deforested hillside in Vermont. His efforts led to the establishment o...
In 2016, Indiana found very poor fish health in 1.27 miles of Big Branch after years of pollution. 7 years later, its fish score reached 48 and the segment was clearedBig Branch’s recovery is ultimately a reminder that environmental restoration is often measured in years rather than weeks. The stream did ...
In 1994, Idaho listed Rapid Creek for sediment after grazing added excess sediment. 20 years later, 3 reaches were delisted after BMPs improved habitat and water qualityRapid Creek in southeastern Idaho was listed for sediment impairment in 1994 after assessments found that several streams did not support c...
In 1996, Illinois added Lake Decatur to its pollution list after farm runoff harmed its water. 28 years later, nitrogen levels fell below the 7.8 mg/L limitLake Decatur's water quality improved after implementing agricultural best management practices. Efforts to reduce nutrient and sediment ru...
Karnataka CM Shivakumar takes dig at BJP's padayatra, says Congress will plan counter strategyKarnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said the BJP’s 10-day ‘Ballari Chalo’ padayatra gives Congress an opportunity to counter the opposi...
Chinese espionage in the United States: Why drone incursions are raising fresh security concernsAmerica confronts increasing drone threats over sensitive sites and public events. Federal officials lack a single authority to manage thes...
In 1998, PA DEP listed 67 miles of Warrior Run for siltation and flow problems. 26 years later, 8.5 miles were delisted after farmers and agencies improved water qualityWarrior Run water quality has improved after years of work across Pennsylvania’s agricultural watershed. In 1998, the state listed 67 miles...
In 2012, Maryland's Greensboro launched 2 projects to curb stormwater flooding. 9 years later, its firehouse gained permeable pavers and step pools, helping reduce pollutants reaching the riverGreensboro, Maryland, has successfully implemented modern stormwater control practices, improving water quality. These projects, funded by ...
Vietnam's export triumph: How a small nation beat China and India to become America's top trade partnerVietnam now leads all nations in its trade surplus with the United States. This significant shift occurred during the first half of the yea...
First US phosphate fertiliser plant since 1984: Morocco’s OCP and CHS plan $450 million, 1-million-tonne Louisiana factory with nearly 1,000 jobsMorocco’s OCP and US farmer-owned cooperative CHS plan a $450 million Louisiana phosphate fertiliser plant, the first of its kind in Americ...
In 2006, Delaware listed the Broadkill watershed for nitrogen and phosphorus impairment. 18 years later, BMPs restored 7.6 miles of Ingrams Branch, ending the phosphorusThe restoration of Ingrams Branch is a powerful example of how best management practices can produce measurable improvements in water quali...
USDA field pilots replaced most woodchips with corn cobs in nitrate bioreactors; the 75% corn-cob beds removed nitrate up to 10 times fasterField pilots have demonstrated that corn cobs are highly effective in removing nitrates from farm drainage water. These innovative bioreact...
State prepared for possible 'Glacial Lake Outburst Floods' incidents: Himachal governorGovernor Kavinder Gupta voiced concern over Nepal-Tibet floods and climate change impacts. He highlighted the threat of Glacial Lake Outbur...