According to a new survey of residents living near two major national parks in Panama, jaguars deserve increased protection. Nature and wildlife are considered national […]

The post Jaguar conservation depends on neighbor attitudes appeared first on Smithsonian Insider.

An overview of the Smithsonian Affiliations program and its reach in communities across the United States. Is the Smithsonian in your neighborhood?

The post Smithsonian Affiliates in your neighborhood appeared first on Smithsonian Insider.

New results from a massive study at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute show that interactions among community members play an important role in determining which organisms thrive.

The post Tropical tree study shows interactions with neighbors plays an important role in tree survival appeared first on Smithsonian Insider.

How more than 1,000 tree species may occur in a small area of forest in Amazonia or Borneo is an unsolved mystery. Their ability to […]

The post Trees employ similar strategies to outcompete their neighbors appeared first on Smithsonian Insider.

A 1962 Thousand Oaks survey picture of H.L. Hall Water Well and Test Hole Drilling, and Aitken and Kidder Water Development, by Pat Allen. Water well drilling goes back a century in California, but records are scarce for public viewing.

Monday's news is nosy about your neighbor — and your neighbors' groundwater drilling.

• More great reporting from the Sacramento Bee on anachronistic problems of transparency in how we manage water in California. Even some well drillers now favor more transparency for groundwater "well logs":

In all other Western states, such records are accessible to whomever wants to see them – from university professors to civil engineers, real estate agents to the media. But in California, well logs are barred from public inspection by a 63-year-old law written to keep data gathered by well-drilling companies from falling into the hands of competitors. “The lack of information about well logs makes no sense, particularly as we are trying hard to manage a diminishing public trust resource,” said Jeffrey Mount, senior fellow at the Public Policy Institute of California, a nonpartisan think tank in San Francisco. “This is another one of those anachronistic statutes that does not belong in a modern water management system,” Mount said. (Sacramento Bee)

• Nearly 90 percent of the $700 million in "emergency drought relief" money authorized by the governor a few months ago is yet to be spent. But, as our public radio colleague Ben Adler reports, that's not necessarily as bad as it sounds. Grants take time. (Capital Public Radio)
• The secret new trend in water district conservation isn't cops, it's guys who make "water-wise house calls":

One out of every four households has a leak of some sort, usually something as simple as a loose toilet flapper, [water district spokeswoman] Figueroa said. "Leaks are common," she added. "Don't be embarrassed." (SJ Mercury News)

• The New York Times reports on how Californians are tracking their neighbors' usage deep into the drought. Ian Lovett explores Twitter-based shower-shaming (a phenomenon this blog noticed some months ago), ratting your neighbor out for violating restrictions and other guilt-based behavioral nudges. About our region, he writes:

Most homes in Southern California have already been outfitted with efficient shower heads, toilets and garden hoses, making it harder for residents to significantly reduce their water consumption than it was during the last severe drought a quarter-century ago. (NYT)

And how has your community been affected by the drought? Share your story with a photo on Twitter or Instagram. Tag it #mydrought. For more details on our photo project, click here.

This content is from Southern California Public Radio. View the original story at SCPR.org.

New research has found evidence that a small Marine Protected Area (MPA) in the Mediterranean has the potential to deliver larvae of some fish species to surrounding, non-protected areas. This is one of few studies to investigate this desired role of MPAs and its design could be used to evaluate current and future MPAs elsewhere.

A new German study suggests that residents??? level of satisfaction with their urban neighbourhood can be predicted from their perceptions of multiple and co-occurring burdens, such as poor air quality, lack of green space, noise and low cleanliness.

New Dutch research has investigated the composition and strategies of local activist groups who oppose changes to land use. The results indicated that activists tend to have a higher level of education and live in densely populated areas. They most frequently use awareness-raising strategies, especially when fighting new housing projects.

The international University of California, Riverside-led SpARCS collaboration has discovered four of the most distant clusters of galaxies ever found, as they appeared when the universe was only 4 billion years old. Clusters are rare regions of the universe consisting of hundreds of galaxies containing trillions of stars, as well as hot gas and mysterious dark matter. Spectroscopic observations from the ground using the W. M. Keck Observatory in Hawaii and the Very Large Telescope in Chile confirmed the four candidates to be massive clusters. This sample is now providing the best measurement yet of when and how fast galaxy clusters stop forming stars in the early Universe.

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Understanding the role of neighbourhood networks in encouraging farmers to participate in Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) schemes is important as this can help to create local patterns of high and coordinated uptake of PES schemes, and thus an impact on ecosystem protection at a wider, landscape level. This is the outcome of a recent UK study, which found that neighbourhood networks were particularly important for small, remote communities.

People who live in the most ‘activity-friendly’ neighbourhoods do up to 1.5 hours more physical activity a week than those in the least supportive neighbourhoods. This is according to a new international study which measured levels of exercise — mainly walking for recreation or transport — in relation to the urban environment across 14 diverse cities. The results show how urban design — such as parks and local amenities — can promote healthy lifestyles which also bring environmental benefits, such as better air quality, through reduced car use.

A method for assessing urban neighbourhoods’ resilience to flooding has been presented in a recent study. The method identifies features of urban landscapes that contribute to three elements of flood resilience: resistance, absorption and recovery. In a German case study, the tool shows that the features which make a waterfront neighbourhood of Hamburg more flood resilient include high bridges, open public spaces and flood-protected basements.

People are actively seeking information on Covid-19’s impact — to stay updated and avoid panic.

This file is in PDF format, requiring the Adobe Acrobat Reader to open.

  FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – (7 a.m.) An early morning crash has closed all lanes on Route 1 southbound and one lane on Route 1 northbound at Austin...

SALEM – As part of the ongoing construction to replace the bridge over Back Creek on Route 220, an extended lane closure has been scheduled for next week. The bridge is near the intersection of Route 657 (Crowell Gap Road and Winter Drive).  Beginning Monday, October 8 at 9 a.m., the right northbound lane of Route 220 and the crossover at Crowell Gap Road will be closed until Wednesday, October 10 at 5 p.m. to pave a segment of the roadway that will connect to the new bridge. Drivers traveling on Route 220 northbound into Roanoke should expect significant delays on Route 220 during this time and are encouraged to plan their travel accordingly. The bridge replacement is expected to be complete in spring 2020. For updates on this project and other traffic impacts and lane closure, visit www.511Virginia.org .

SALEM – The left lane of southbound Route 220 is closed due to a slope failure in the median just south of the Franklin County line. The lane closure begins approximately one mile prior to  the Roanoke County and Franklin County line and just north of the intersection with Route 613 (Naff Road).   Drivers should prepare for travel delays and plan accordingly. Message boards are in place to alert motorists of the closure. The Virginia Department of Transportation is currently investigating to determine what repairs need to be made. The lane will remain closed until further notice.   For updates on this lane closure, visit www.511Virginia.org .

SALEM – The Virginia Department of Transportation encourages race fans driving to and from Martinsville Speedway for the race on Sunday, October 28, to follow recommended traffic patterns as posted on signs and message boards. Drivers travelling from Roanoke to the Martinsville Speedway for the race events this weekend should plan for possible delays due to a left lane closure on Route 220 southbound approaching the Boones Mill area. VDOT will place many signs and changeable message boards throughout the region to assist travelers. Vehicular and pedestrian traffic will be heavy. Traffic is being routed to the speedway in certain patterns to minimize overall congestion as much as possible. Watch for the speed limit to reduce gradually from 65 mph to 35 mph on the Route 220/Route 58 Bypass as you approach the speedway. From Roanoke and areas north of Martinsville: Race fans traveling south on Route 220 are encouraged to allow for extra travel time. A left lane closure is in place for a pipe failure in the median about eight miles south of Roanoke and 1.7 miles north of Boones Mill. Drivers can take the exit onto Route 58 to Martinsville to reach the track or they can continue on the Route 220/Route 58 Bypass past the speedway interchange and turn right onto the access road that leads into the speedway. The entrance is located one mile east of the Route 220 interchange and may provide easier access. Signs are in place designating the entrance to the speedway.  From Danville and areas east of Martinsville: Motorists on the Route 58 Bypass should follow signs directing them to use the track’s back gate. This entrance is located off the bypass, east of the track. From Greensboro and areas south of Martinsville: Route 220 northbound traffic will split into three lanes shortly before reaching the speedway.  Motorists should watch for electronic message boards and obey police directing traffic. Through traffic should use the left lane. From Stuart and areas west of Martinsville: Motorists should stay on Route 58 east and follow signs and message boards to the track.  ADA Parking: Race fans needing ADA Parking are encouraged to enter the Speedway via Old Sand Roa Those attending the race should closely follow directional information and plan to arrive early and expect heavy traffic and delays. Martinsville Speedway has shared the attached graphics for drivers entering and exiting from the race.

The on-ramp and off-ramp between northbound Interstate 81 and Route 262 (Woodrow Wilson Parkway) at exit 220 in Augusta County are scheduled for overnight closures and detours during the week of October 21-25, 2018. A northbound I-81 right-lane closure will also be in place during this time period. These traffic restrictions allow milling and paving of existing ramps, and an extension of the acceleration lane from Route 262 to northbound I-81.

This week motorists should expect delays in the vicinity of Interstate 64 exit 87 westbound at Interstate 81 exit 221 southbound in Augusta County. There will be bridge deck work on the southbound ramp bridge from I-64 westbound to I-81 southbound. The right lane will be closed.   

Despite local opposition, Mitt Romney is given the green light to raze his existing beachfront home in La Jolla, Calif. and replace it with a ginormous mansion.

The organic produce company may sell nationally, but it still keeps a roadside stand in Central California where people can buy organic produce and much more.

When the upscale grocery moves into poorer areas, the potential benefits are huge.

Director Josh Fox lands deal with network to premiere next film in what could become a trilogy of docs on the natural gas industry.

Residents in the New York town of Denning rally against 'Taxi' actor Judd Hirsch's proposed wind turbine project.

Supreme Court decides not to hear the case about a plan to build 'the world's largest garbage dump' near the iconic national park.

Punta Gorda, a sleepy Gulf Coast getaway north of Fort Myers, shines bright as Babcock Ranch, a solar-powered eco-town, attracts its first residents.

Documentary will offer a bird’s-eye view of conservationists’ efforts to save wildlife affected by the disaster.

Getting along with neighbors can yield big health benefits for birds, a new study finds. It's probably good for us, too.

Social drama unfolds on the social networking site Nextdoor.

The Big Apple's complaining culture gets its own mapping website that spotlights the top complaints reported within 42 different neighborhoods on a daily basis.

If there was an 'unlike' button for renovation projects, the 30-year-old social media tycoon would have earned himself more than a few thumbs down.

Escaped camel, cow and donkey in Kansas are 'halfway towards a live nativity.'

In a once iffy stretch of East Oakland, Tassafaronga Village stands as a model of affordable green housing done right.

Researchers have found a rocky planet, GJ 1252 b, that's just 66.5 light-years away and it's zipping around a red dwarf star.

Sweden, a recycling-happy land where 810,000 homes are heated by the incineration of waste, is facing a unique dilemma: It needs more fuel.

Program in Alberta helps humans peacefully coexist with often dangerous wildlife.

People all over the world are performing music from their balconies and windows as a sign of hope during the coronavirus quarantine.

From spraying coyote urine to mourning the passing of a horse, I'm learning to be part of this community.

Being the most popular CMS on the market, WordPress powers more than 75 million websites. Every fourth website on the Internet is running on it. It’s not a surprise as it’s considered to be the easiest one in terms of management. Sometimes, though, it can pose some challenges. If you are the owner of a […]

BlogPress.

First technology to provide efficient online management of disposition process for single-tenant net lease sellers; Real-time marketing statistics and analytics, including tenant news, stock and credit info; Organizational tools keep sales on time.

New neighborhoods feature latest HomeSmart™ technology

First move-ins praise amenity-rich neighborhood

First move-ins praise the design forward townhomes at Playa del Sol

Fast Developing Neighborhood South of Alliance Announces Dog Park Construction

Homeowners in El Paso and Las Crcues considering an air conditioner upgrade will have profitable options if they call SoBellas Home Services.

A capacity crowd witnessed the big reveal of the winners and runners-up of the 21 categories in Dubai's only neighbourhood F&B awards.

Families flock to grand opening of modern townhomes

Baladna Dairy began operations within a month after Qatar's neighbors cut off ties and imposed a trade blockade. More than 18,000 cows were transported from the U.S. to the small, landlocked gulf state by airplane and ship.