Elevated Ground | Raleigh USA | Christopher Counts Studio

Elevated Ground | Raleigh USA | Christopher Counts Studio
Moore Square, a four acre square, is one of five original squares established by William Christmas’ 1792 plan for the capitol of North Carolina, self-described as the “City of Oaks”. Deeply loved by the citizens of Raleigh and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Moore Square is a civic treasure that has fallen into disrepair and is in need of improvements to accommodate the new thriving urban life of downtown Raleigh.
Continue reading Elevated Ground | Raleigh USA | Christopher Counts Studio

e(CO)stratègia | Barcelona Spain | Taller Sau

e(CO)stratègia | Barcelona Spain | Taller Sau
The competition was about rethinking the border between the natural park of Collserola and the City of Barcelona. It has been divided this edge in 16 parts and call it doors. There has been proposals for each door, related to the particular context and situation of this part of the edge.
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A new guide Valuing natural resources

World Business Council for Sustainable Development has recently published a guide to help businesses how to value ecosystems and natural resources.  The Guide to Corporate Ecosystem Valuation (CEV), an innovative framework designed to enhance business understanding of the benefits and value of ecosystem services like fresh water, food, fiber and natural hazard protection.

This first-of-its-kind framework enables companies to consider the actual benefits and value of the ecosystem services they depend upon and impact, giving them new information and insights to include in business planning and financial analysis. This will support improved business decision-making by creating more alignment between the financial, ecological and societal objectives of companies.

Source: World Business Council for Sustainable Development and the Guardian

 

$2.2 billion for Great Lakes Restoration: EPA

The Environmental Protection Agency will spend $2.2 billion over five years on the Great Lakes to clean up polluted water and beaches, restore wetlands and fight invasive species such as Asian carp in a revitalization effort.
In 2010 $475 million is budgeted under the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Action Plan.

The Initiative builds upon 5 years of work of the Great Lakes Interagency Task Force (IATF) and stakeholders, guided by the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration Strategy. The IATF includes 16 cabinet and agency organizations, including: EPA, State, Interior, Agriculture, Commerce, HUD, Transportation, Homeland Security, Army, CEQ, and Health and Human Services.

Chicago Breaking News reports
Billing the effort as light on study and heavy on action, environmental leaders say they’re seeking to heal the Great Lakes ecosystem from “150 years of abuse” and to ensure that “fish are safe to eat; the water is safe to drink; the beaches and waters are safe for swimming, surfing, boating and recreating; native species and habitats are protected and thriving; no community suffers disproportionately from the impacts of pollution; and the Great Lakes are a healthy place for people and wildlife to live.”

[Vancouver Sun - U.S. looks for help in battling Asian carp invasion]

[M.live - Asian carp may swallow federal Great Lakes Cleanup funding]