{"id":19387,"date":"2023-04-03T16:20:04","date_gmt":"2023-04-03T16:20:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/esa.org\/esablog\/?p=19387"},"modified":"2023-04-03T17:18:27","modified_gmt":"2023-04-03T17:18:27","slug":"esa-policy-news-april-3-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/esa.org\/esablog\/2023\/04\/03\/esa-policy-news-april-3-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"ESA Policy News: April 3, 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"

In this issue:<\/strong><\/h2>\n

ESA Responds to the National Nature Assessment Request for Information<\/a><\/strong>
\nComments are the beginning of a multi-year process of engagement between the ecological community, OSTP and potential users of the National Nature Assessment<\/p>\n

Call for Nominations for 2023 ESA Regional Policy Award<\/a>
\n<\/strong>ESA seeks nominations for its annual Regional Policy Award to recognize a local or regional policymaker who has integrated environmental science and policy in initiatives that foster more sustainable communities.<\/p>\n

Congress<\/a>
\n<\/strong>Senate votes to nullify Clean Water Act rule, Biden is expected to veto the measure.<\/p>\n

Executive Branch<\/strong><\/a>
\nJASON concludes that an NSF research program on research security would be useful in addressing concerns about foreign influence and the security of the US research ecosystem.<\/p>\n

Courts<\/a>
\n<\/strong>Environmental groups sue the federal government for failing to protect corals.<\/p>\n

States<\/strong><\/a>
\nThe Chronicle of Higher Education launches tracker to document state-level legislation to restrict diversity, equity and inclusion programs at universities.<\/p>\n

International<\/strong><\/a>
\nUN General Assembly requests an advisory ruling from the International Court of Justice to clarify the legal obligations of countries to address climate change.<\/p>\n

Scientific Community<\/a>
\n<\/strong>National Academies to hold webinar series titled \u201cPaving the Way for Continental Scale Biology: Connecting Research Across Scales\u201d starting April 24-25.<\/p>\n

Federal Register<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a>ESA Responds to the National Nature Assessment Request for Information<\/h2>\n

After extensive outreach to the ESA community, the National Nature Assessment Working Group\u00a0submitted comments<\/a>\u00a0on behalf of ESA in response to White House Office of Science and Technology Request for Information \u201cFraming the National Nature Assessment.\u201d The comments note that defining nature and its value to the nation is critical as it strikes at the core of national security, prosperity and health.<\/p>\n

ESA views these comments as just the beginning of a multi-year process of engagement between the ecological community, OSTP and potential users of the National Nature Assessment (NNA). We also anticipate that there will be opportunities for ecologists to participate in the development of the first NNA, including opportunities to serve as chapter authors. ESA is hosting an NNA Town Hall during the Annual Meeting this summer in Portland, OR.<\/p>\n

Last April, the Biden administration announced the launch of the NNA. Led by the U.S. Global Change Research Program, this report will assess the state of the U.S.\u2019s lands, waters and wildlife and the specific benefits that they provide. The assessment will also allow the country to look ahead at how nature might change in the future and identify opportunities for investments in nature to help achieve climate, health, environmental justice and economic goals.<\/p>\n

<\/a>Call for Nominations for 2023 ESA Regional Policy Award<\/h2>\n

Do you know someone who has made positive efforts toward environmental sustainability in Portland, Oregon?\u00a0 ESA seeks nominations for its annual Regional Policy Award to recognize a local or regional policymaker who has integrated environmental science and policy in initiatives that foster more sustainable communities.<\/p>\n

ESA has honored past award recipients for policy work that included:<\/p>\n