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ESA News and Views readers may be interested in the following announcement from the USDA (see http://www.csrees.usda.gov/business/reporting/stakeholder/an_stakeholder_afri.html for details.)

The State of the Nation’s Ecosystems 2008 report, released by the Heinz Center, provides authoritative documentation of key environmental trends. A companion report calls for bold federal and state action to strengthen and integrate the nation’s environmental monitoring. The State of the Nation’s Ecosystems 2008 shows that the acreage burned every year by wildfires is increasing, non-native fish have invaded nearly every watershed in the lower 48 states, and chemical contaminants are found in virtually all streams and most groundwater wells, often at levels above those set to protect human health or wildlife. In contrast, ecosystems are increasing their storage of carbon, there are improvements in soil quality and crop yields have grown significantly, according to Robin O’Malley, Director of the Heinz Center’s Environmental Reporting program.

Summer means two things for ecologists: fieldwork or lab work and the ESA Annual Meeting. I am particularly aware of the diversity of research done by ecologists as the Director of an Institute which has two field stations and a research watershed. Early in May the snow researchers are shutting down their research and the bird and mammal people are arriving to keep track of nesting

The ESA Bulletin, appearing quarterly, publishes a wide range of items of interest to ecology, and the content is free to ESA members and nonmembers alike. You can access the latest issue at http://www.esajournals.org/perlserv/?request=get-toc&issn=0012-9623&volume=89&issue=3.

The Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement is the premier award for recognizing outstanding contributions in the fields of environmental science, environmental protection, energy and environmental health.

Since its inception we have honored fifty-nine individuals and four corporations with the Tyler Prize and through their work, the Tyler Laureates have focused worldwide attention on environmental problems by their discoveries and the solutions that have resulted from these discoveries. The award consists of a gold medallion and a US $200,000.00 cash prize.

Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) is known as one of the most important information providers on plant diversity worldwide. It has developed a unique global database of wild plants in cultivation in botanic gardens around the world and, through its membership and other partnerships, it brings together the major players in plant conservation worldwide. Further, its GardenSearch database provides a gateway to the world’s botanic gardens and thus provides a portal to a vast range of information on plant diversity relevant at national and regional levels.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has released a report that can help reduce the potential impact of climate change on estuaries, forests, wetlands, coral reefs, and other sensitive ecosystems. The report, entitled Preliminary Review of Adaptation Options for Climate-Sensitive Ecosystems and Resources, identifies strategies to protect the environment as these changes occur.

On July 18, 2008, the U.S. National Committee for Soil Science (USNC/SS) of the National Academy of Sciences will be hosting a symposium, “Soil:Sustaining Life on Planet Earth.” The symposium is co-sponsored by the Soil Science Society of America and the International Union of Soil Sciences. The symposium will be held at the National Academy of Sciences in Washington, DC….

The Pollinator Partnership is coordinating the 2nd Annual National Pollinator Week, scheduled for June 22-28, 2008, to raise awareness about the importance of pollinators. Events are scheduled throughout the United States and Canada including lectures, workshops, festivals and fairs, art displays, organized hikes, family fun and field days, and open houses.