Lightning Updates

In 1910, Black farmers owned about 15 million acres of farmland in the U.S. That amount has declined dramatically due to a variety of discriminatory practices, one of many "land wrongs."(Photo: Black farmers in the Gravel Hill area of Henrico County, Virginia; from...

Farming is a big part of the landscape and a big share of Chesapeake land conservation. This week we explore the reality or potential of regional food distribution systems for supporting farmers. (Photo: CCP) Chesapeake conservationists spend a lot of resources...

Masked up shoppers at the Anne Arundel County Farmer's Market in Annapolis (above), and apparently at other markets, have driven sales higher for a number of Chesapeake farmers during the pandemic. (Photos: above and first two below -- Doherty; others -- Agriberry)...

Now is the time for thinking about creative solutions to public open space, including reducing the vast swaths of urban real estate dedicated to cars, not people. (Illustration: Practice for Architecture and Urbanism via New York Times) Back in May, still in the...

The economic benefits of conserving 30 percent of the planet are substantial. But, we might have known that already. So we ask ourselves, what steps are we taking to advance a stronger movement toward policies, practices and financing to conserve nature? (Photos:...

The Center for American Progress recently released "The Race for Nature," the third report in a continuing series on strategies for achieving a "30 x 30" conservation goal. We continue to explore implications for conservation from both the coronavirus and the movement...

Earlier this month, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam announced the release of ConserveVirginia 2.0, an interactive map system for viewing Virginia land conservation priorities. (Image: Virginia DCR)Conservationists have always relied on maps. And that is never more...

It's not too late to listen in to "We Need to Talk," a conversation the National Park Service hosted last week on the intersection of race, history, and the outdoors. View the 90 minute conversation on YouTube.On Juneteenth, the National Park Service Chesapeake Bay...

Two weeks ago, in "Questions to Ask Ourselves," Lightning Update explored how the land conservation community should -- must -- act to respond to the gross inequities experienced by Black Americans and other communities of color. The conversation is continuing in...

How have inflection points influenced one land conservation organization over time? What does that suggest for where we all stand now? (All photos: ESLC) In recent weeks, many have been mulling the idea of “inflection points” and whether and how we might be in the...