Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge

Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge The National Wildlife Refuge Service is the worlds largest collection of protected areas dedicated to wildlife preservation, more than 150 million acres of strategically located wildlife habitat protecting thousands of species. There are wildlife refuges in all 50 states and U.S. territories, and most major U.S. cities are no more than an hours drive from at least one wildlife refuge. But how did this system of wildlife preservation begin? What was Americas first national wildlife refuge? President Theodore Roosevelt created the first U.S. national wildlife refuge on March 14, 1903, when he set aside Pelican Island as a sanctuary and breeding ground for native birds. Location of Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge is located in the Indian River Lagoon, on the Atlantic coast of central Florida. The nearest town is Sebastian, which lies just west of the refuge. Originally, Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge included only 3-acre Pelican Island and another 2.5 acres of surrounding water. Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge was expanded twice, in 1968 and again in 1970, and today comprises 5,413 acres of mangrove islands, other submerged land, and waterways. Pelican Island is an historic bird rookery that provides nesting habitat for at least 16 species of colonial water birds as well as the endangered wood stork. More than 30 species of water birds use the island during the winter migratory season, and more than 130 bird species are found throughout the entire Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge also provides critical habitat for several threatened and endangered species, including manatees, loggerhead and green sea turtles, and southeastern beach mice. Early History of Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge During the 19th century, plume hunters, egg gatherers and common vandals exterminated all the egrets, herons and spoonbills on Pelican Island, and nearly destroyed the population of brown pelicans for which the island is named. By the late 1800s, the market for bird feathers to supply the fashion industry and adorn ladies hats was so lucrative that plume feathers were worth more than gold, and birds with fine plumage were being slaughtered wholesale. The Guardian of Pelican Island Paul Kroegel, a German immigrant and boat builder, established a homestead on the west bank of the Indian River Lagoon. From his home, Kroegel could see thousands of brown pelicans and other water birds roosting and nesting on Pelican Island. There were no state or federal laws at that time to protect the birds, but Kroegel started sailing to Pelican Island, gun in hand, to stand guard against plume hunters and other intruders. Many naturalists became interested in Pelican Island, which was the last rookery for brown pelicans on the east coast of Florida. They also took a growing interest in the work Kroegel was doing to protect the birds. One of the most influential naturalists who visited Pelican Island and sought out Kroegel was Frank Chapman, curator of the American Museum of Natural History in New York and a member of the American Ornithologists Union. After his visit, Chapman vowed to find some way to protect the birds of Pelican Island. In 1901, the American Ornithologists Union and the Florida Audubon Society led a successful campaign for a Florida state law that would protect non-game birds. Kroegel was one of four wardens hired by the Florida Audubon Society to protect water birds from plume hunters. It was dangerous work. Two of those first four wardens were murdered in the line of duty. Securing Federal Protection for the Birds of Pelican Island Frank Chapman and another bird advocate named William Dutcher were acquainted with Theodore Roosevelt, who had taken office as President of the United States in 1901. The two men visited Roosevelt at his family home in Sagamore Hill, New York, and appealed to him as a conservationist to use the power of his office to protect the birds of Pelican Island. It didnt take much to convince Roosevelt to sign an executive order naming Pelican Island as the first federal bird reservation. During his presidency, Roosevelt would create a network of 55 wildlife refuges nationwide. Paul Kroegel was hired as the first national wildlife refuge manager, becoming the official guardian of his beloved Pelican Island and its native and migratory bird populations. At first, Kroegel was paid only $1 per month by the Florida Audubon Society, because Congress had failed to budget any money for the wildlife refuge the president had created. Kroegel continued to watch over Pelican Island for the next 23 years, retiring from federal service in 1926. The U.S. National Wildlife Refuge System The national wildlife refuge system that President Roosevelt established by creating Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge and many other wildlife areas has become the worlds largest and most diverse collection of lands dedicated to wildlife preservation. Today, the U.S. National Wildlife Refuge System includes 562Â  national wildlife refuges, thousands of waterfowl protection areas and four marine national monuments throughout the United States and in U.S. territories. Collectively, these wildlife areas total more than 150 million acres of managed and protected lands. The addition of three marine national monuments in early 2009- all three located in the Pacific Ocean- increased the size of the National Wildlife Refuge System by 50 percent. In 2016, public land advocates nationwide were shocked when armed gunmen took over the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon. This action at least had the benefit of bringing to the publics attention the importance of these lands, not only for wildlife but also for people. Edited by Frederic Beaudry

Proposal for a design project in the protection of bush fire prone land

Proposal for a design project in the protection of bush fire prone land Overview This document is a proposal to design a manual to explain the approval processes on fire protection emergency services on proposed developments on bush fire prone land.Advertising We will write a custom proposal sample on Proposal for a design project in the protection of bush fire prone land specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Introduction The aim of this document is to describe the nature of a bush fire prone land and the fire safety measures desirable to prevent any accidental occurrences of bush fires. Areas designated as bush fire prone are classified as vegetation areas and buffer zones. The former are typically divided into class 1 and 2. This classification depends on a combination on the vegetation type’s bush fire hazard and the proximity to any proposed development. Furthermore, these vegetation classes can be further divided into twelve sub-categories that are crucial in the determination of the building const ruction levels and the establishment of property protection zones. On the other hand, the buffer zones are classified beyond the vegetation classification areas and constitute land, which may be directly affected by bush because of an exposure to radiant heat. In most cases buffer zones may be 30 meters or 100 meters in breadth depending on the type of vegetation. Bush fire prone areas are gazetted on a map prepared by a relevant authority in collaboration with the fire protection agencies. These lands are identified on a planning certificate issued under the environmental planning and assessment legislation. Approval processes required if a property is identified as bush fire prone areas Any project, activity, or development on bush fire prone areas requires two distinct development processes. These types of assessment processes will depend on the type of the proposed development activity. For example, an integrated development will need the Bush Fire Safety Authority from the rele vant institution to become an integrated development under the legislation governing environmental matters. In addition, there are developments that do not require the Bush Fire Safety Authority. Bush fire safety authority should be obtained for developments such as a subdivision of bush fire prone land that can be utilized lawfully for residential purposes. Other developments on bush fire prone lands for fire protection purposes includes public utilities such as schools, medical facilities, restaurants, sheltered workshops and any other purpose prescribed by the relevant authority such as student or staff accommodation and respite care centers.Advertising Looking for proposal on environmental studies? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The relevant institution will be required to forward an application for an integrated development to obtain an acceptance or rejection of the application and the relevant terms for the a pproval or refusal. In case of refusal of an application, the local authority must also refuse the application. For the local developments, the legislations covering environmental planning and assessment must relate to the consultation and assessment requisites for developments on bush fire prone areas. It is a requirement that relevant institution must not grant development consent to any project application for any development on bush fire prone land unless the institution is contented that the development conforms to the requirements of planning for bush fire protection. In addition, it must consult with the relevant other stakeholders and relevant institutions concerning appropriate measures with respect to the proposed development, in order to ensure safety to human life, property, and the environment from any negative effect that may arise from bush fire. Local developments required to consider planning for bush fire protection Planning for protection of bush fires are directe d to zoning and subdivision of land and the construction of buildings of residential developments under building codes where land is categorized as being prone to bush fire. Other classes of building covered include pools, garages, and decks. Building types that may not be subjected to bush fire protection legislations includes dual occupancy dwellings that are not subject to zoning and subdivision since they are not able to meet the requirements of the planning for bush fire protection. In addition, land subdivided for residential or rural residential, or proposed developments identified as special fire protection purpose are not considered in this category. Furthermore, minor development elements such as swimming pools, clothing lines, fencing are exempted from the regulation. Requirements for an application for development on bush fire prone land The guidelines for planning for bush fire protection requires that a report must be submitted together with all necessary development a pplications on bush fire prone land to the relevant institution. The developer will be required to produce a bush fire assessment report that may contain a duly completed pro-rata form accompanied with the application kit to the planning for bush fire protection guidelines. Consequently, a developer may present an independent report prepared by a qualified fire protection consultant. The reports should be able to explain how the development proposal will be able to meet the standards provided by the guidelines for bush fire protection. The report should also specify the main objectives of the proposed development, as well as, the performance criteria for the various bush fire protection measures. The developer will also be required to provide integrated development proposals to address the specified criteria as per the guidelines for bush fire protection.Advertising We will write a custom proposal sample on Proposal for a design project in the protection of bush fire prone l and specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More In addition, local developments are also required to abide by the guidelines. Thus, in order to meet the assessment criteria to the protection measures of bush fire, it is necessary that a developer make use of all the acceptable solutions, or make use viable alternative solutions that will meet the general requirements, performance criteria, as well as, specific objectives of the proposed development. Conclusion The bush fire assessment report leads to the establishment of the proposed development, or asset protection areas to be very valuable in the determination of building construction standards. The asset protection zones are areas set aside of managed land and are cleared of vegetation to minimize fuel loads; hence, providing a buffer zone between the proposed development and the hazard (vegetation). The area of the buffer zone depends on the type of vegetation, the levels of building construction, and the general slope of the landscape. Developers should not only depend on construction standards only since they are insufficient in providing protection from the impacts of bush fire. The maintenance of the buffer zones is the responsibility of the land developer and will be monitored by the relevant consent authority mandated to ensure that an ideal mechanism is put in place for the maintenance of the buffer zones over the lifetime of the proposed development. The reader should understand that developments such as fences, garages, or shades might be allowed within the buffer zones and within an approximated radius of ten meters of a dwelling unit, under conditions that the facilities are constructed form non-flammable materials.

Value Chain Analysis - Google Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Value Chain Analysis - Google - Essay Example Google has managed to not only capture most of the internet search queries ,but also some of the highest internet advertising revenues of any web based company today. Although technology has been one of the critical success factors that is driving the success of Google Inc., their value added services and activities distinguish them from the competition. Through their partnering activities with advertisers and third party publisher websites, and the use of technology the company has achieved a great deal of success in the marketplace.Other that its core business, the company also provides web portal services such as Blogger (blogging ), Picassa (photo sharing) and Gmail their free WebMail application. Other tools offered by Google to help enhance its end user’s digital experience include Google Images (online image gallery), Google News (news portal), Google Maps and Earth as well as other services that help drives the digital experience of its end-users. At the core of Google ’s business is its advertising system module, which includes its AdWords and AdSense products. Its AdWords services help drive qualified customers to its advertiser’s websites and help produce sales leads. Through its AdSense services, Google provides integrated search capabilities to its customer base, further enhancing the companies lead as the premier web services provider. AdSense also helps drive targeted ads to publisher’s websites, which are precisely matched to its content and target market or user base.