1. Major Land Acquisitions Enhance State Parks, Protect Resources, Expand Access
Texas state parks, which recently received a welcome shot in the arm in the form of additional funding from the Texas legislature, made two important acquisitions during 2008. In September, TPWD acquired the approximately 2,900-acre Fortress Cliffs Ranch, protecting some six miles of Palo Duro Canyon rim. In November, the Nature Conservancy of Texas acquired the 7,000-acre Fresno Ranch, with plans to transfer it to TPWD to become part of Big Bend Ranch State Park. Fresno Ranch was the largest remaining inholding in Texas' largest state park.
Nature Conservancy Buys 7,000 Acres to Expand Big Bend Ranch State Park
Fortress Cliffs Ranch Added to Palo Duro Canyon State Park
2. Hurricane Ike Rocks Texas Coast
 

Lubchenco Will Helm U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


President-elect Barack Obama has tapped Oregon State University professor Jane Lubchenco, one of the nation's most prominent marine biologists, to head the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Lubchenco, a conservationist who has devoted much of her career to encouraging scientists to become more engaged in public policy debates, is also a vocal proponent of curbing greenhouse gases linked to global warming. The transition team could not be reached for comment, but several sources confirmed today that Lubchenco had been picked and was headed to Chicago for the upcoming announcement.

The appointment marks a shift for NOAA, which oversees marine issues as well as much of government's climate work. Lubchenco has criticized the agency in the past for not doing enough to curb overfishing.

Andrew Rosenberg, who served as deputy director of NOAA's Fisheries Service under Clinton and is now University of New Hampshire professor of natural resources and the environment, praised Lubchenco as an "absolutely world class scientist."

"When has NOAA been headed by a member of the National Academy and a fellow of the Royal Society?" he said, referring to America and Britain's most prestigious scientific societies. "That's exactly the right signal. It establishes NOAA as one of those key scientific agencies."

By selecting someone who's both a respected researcher and an active player in national policy discussions, Rosenberg added, "it's saying that science agencies have a role in policy. They need to be tightly connected, and I believe they will be tightly connected under Jane."


Source: Juliet Eilperin, The Washington Post, 18 December 2008
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/12/18/lubchenco_will_helm_national_o.html


Jane Lubchenco is a Pew Marine Fellow and Advisor.  Andrew Rosenberg is a member of the Pew Fellows Program in Marine Conservation Advisory Committee.