by Jonathan Doherty | May 11, 2021 | Lightning Update
Last week’s Lighting Update shared some reflections on “pushing boundaries.” In part II of some closing observations, I feel compelled to write of the lessons and people who have taught me as a conservationist. Where does a whole landscape sensibility come from? How...
by Jonathan Doherty | May 4, 2021 | Lightning Update
After writing weekly Lightning Updates for almost three years, I’m about to enter a new post-full-time-job phase of life. Perhaps you will pardon my using this and next week’s updates for some personal observations. Here’s part I. I’ve been reflecting on forty years...
by Jonathan Doherty | Apr 27, 2021 | Lightning Update
Yes, there are enough optimal siting locations for solar panels to avoid impacts on important natural and agricultural lands. (Photos: Chesapeake Conservancy) Recent Lightning Updates focused on aspects of the climate crisis. Today’s is on one major climate mitigation...
by Jonathan Doherty | Apr 21, 2021 | Lightning Update
The National Intelligence Council’s new quadrennial report sets out trends shaping the future. Climate change and the environment play a big role. (Image: National Intelligence Council) Last week we featured how little attention was given to climate change by...
by Jonathan Doherty | Apr 13, 2021 | Lightning Update
If the public discourse about climate change is influenced by broadcast TV networks, how did the networks cover the climate crisis in 2020? (Graphic: Melissa Joskow / Media Matters) As conservationists, we tend to think about the climate crisis fairly often. After...
by Jonathan Doherty | Apr 6, 2021 | Lightning Update
The Maryland General Assembly just passed a fiscal year 2022 budget with substantial funding increases for parks and open space. (Photo: Annapolis.gov) Late last week, the Maryland General Assembly overwhelmingly passed a $52.4 billion state budget for fiscal year...
by Jonathan Doherty | Mar 31, 2021 | Lightning Update
Sharing Perspectives with Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland In late January, President Biden issued an Executive Order (14008) on “Tackling Climate Change at Home and Abroad.” Within the order, the President set out a goal of conserving at least 30...
by Jonathan Doherty | Mar 23, 2021 | Lightning Update
The image above is a screen shot from a compelling short video about the urgency of urban green space. (Photo/Video: The Washington Post) In one neighborhood on the west side of Chicago, the county and the state of Illinois spent at least $238 million over five years...
by Jonathan Doherty | Mar 16, 2021 | Lightning Update
John Boyd, Jr. President of the National Black Farmers Association on his farm in Virginia. Some good news for farmers of color in the America Rescue Plan Act signed by President Biden.(Photo: Melina Mara/The Washington Post) Conservationists are in the land and...
by Jonathan Doherty | Mar 9, 2021 | Lightning Update
Farmland in West Lampeter Township, Lancaster County, PA (Photo: Nicholas Tonelli/Flickr) Things changed a year ago this week, as the first closures of the pandemic era hit home. One of the first noticeable impacts was the strain on the nation’s food system, as...
