Businesses invited to find out about the benefits of digital transformation
10 February 2025
Local businesses are being invited to find out more about how their enterprise could benefit from improved digital capability assisted by the Digital Transformation Flexible Fund (DTFF).
An information session will take place in the Everglades on 27th Feb, from 10am to 12.30pm delivered by the William J Clinton Institute at Queen’s University Belfast. Members of Derry City and Strabane District Council’s Business Team will also be on hand to provided tailored advice and information about the programme and the many benefits. Eligible businesses can apply for capital grant funding between £5000 and £20000 to support their business transformation journey to accelerate digital ambitions.
The Fund is delivered by all local authorities in Northern Ireland under the Full Fibre Northern Ireland Consortium (FFNI) and supported by Invest NI. The project is part funded by the NI Executive, UK Government, Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) and all local authorities.
Looking ahead to the event, Business Development Manager with Council, Danielle McNally said: “This is a unique and innovative funding opportunity for businesses to introduce new technologies that will really enhance both their profile and their performance. Many local enterprises are unaware of the support that’s out there and we are happy to advise on how they can best leverage opportunities like the DTFF to get the maximum benefit for their venture.
“I would really encourage anyone interested in digital transformation to come along and find out more about how they can harness the latest digital technologies in the most effective way.”
The closing date for Expressions of Interest to this call closes on 14th March and businesses are encouraged to attend the information session to see what the fund can do for them. Other local businesses will also be on hand on the day to share their experiences of engaging with the DTFF programme to date.
The information session will help identify the types of technology funded, the application process and the importance of leveraging this unique opportunity to address financial barriers to the adoption of advanced digital technologies.
Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Abdul-Gafar Tobi Oshodi, Faculty member, Department of Political Science, Lagos State University
With France fast losing its influence in west Africa’s Sahel region and an unpredictable US president in power, will China fill the vacuum?
The Sahel region covers 10 countries: Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, The Gambia, Guinea, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria and Senegal.
French troops have been expelled from three of these – Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger – after military coups. Chad, Senegal and Ivory Coast have also expelled French troops. The troops were there because of the security threat from extremist groups like Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province.
Niger also ended an agreement to keep about 1,000 US troops involved in a counter-terrorism mission. Niger’s military government described the US as having a “condescending attitude”.
While it has been rightly argued that the presence of the western powers did not resolve the security challenges of the region, their withdrawal creates a vacuum.
I am a political science and international relations researcher who has been studying China-Africa relations for over a decade.
I argue that Beijing could take advantage of the vacuum in the Sahel in at least three ways: expansion of investments in critical minerals; resolution of the Ecowas crisis (when Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali exited the regional bloc); and increased arms sales.
This is especially so as China is not new to the Sahel region of west Africa. For instance, China is constructing a US$32 million headquarters for Ecowas in Abuja, Nigeria.
Three ways China could benefit
First, China could expand its influence – and the next four years hold enormous opportunities in this regard.
US president Donald Trump’s likely transactional and unpredictable approach to international relations may force African countries to look to China. For instance, they may need China to help fill the void created by the US decision to dismantle USAID and freeze international development aid.
Nigeria joined Brics as a partner country a few days before the inauguration of Trump. Brics is a group of emerging economies determined to act as a counterweight to the west and to whittle down the influence of global institutions. It was established in 2006 and initially composed of Brazil, Russia, India, and China. This decision by the largest economy in the Sahel is an expression of its commitment to China – with potential implications for other Sahelian countries.
The vacuum offers Beijing the opportunity to strengthen its investment and position as a top beneficiary of the critical minerals, such as gold, copper, lithium and uranium, in the Sahel region.
In 2024, west African gold production was estimated to be 11.83 million ounces. Ghana, Burkina Faso, the Republic of Guinea and Mali were the major contributors.
Second, China is in a unique position to push for a resolution of the Ecowas crisis.
Following military coups, the Ecowas regional economic bloc sanctioned Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger. Ecowas even threatened Niger with a military invasion. The three countries then decided to leave Ecowas to form the Alliance of Sahel States.
As a neutral actor whose non-interference policy accommodates both civil and military regimes, Beijing is in a position to bring Ecowas and the Alliance of Sahel States into negotiation before the final departure date of 29 July 2025.
If it succeeds, China would look more like a peaceful power, an image that is contested by others.
This is what it did in the case of the Tazara railway project, where China supported Tanzania and Zambia to build a railway line together. It supported the African countries when the US and Europe had failed, were reluctant or were not interested.
Third is Chinese arms sales.
Chinese arms are already in the Sahel. In 2019, Nigeria signed a US$152 million contract with the China North Industries Corporation Limited (Norinco) to provide some of the weapons needed to fight the Boko Haram terror group. Since then, Chinese drones and other equipment have become a feature in Nigeria’s counter-terrorism response.
The Chinese arms market could receive a major boost beyond Nigeria with the withdrawal of western countries from the Sahel. Western countries are likely to be reluctant to sell arms to the countries that have evicted their military.
Sanctions on Russia have also increased the likelihood of Chinese arms in the Sahel.
For example, a few months after France and the US left the region, some reports suggested that Russian mercenaries in the Sahel region were using Chinese weapons. Norinco – China’s top arms manufacturer and seventh largest arms supplier in the world – has opened sales offices in Nigeria and Senegal.
In June 2024, Burkina Faso received 100 tanks from China. Three months after, Mali signed an agreement with Norinco to bolster its fight against terrorism.
Bumpy road ahead
China’s non-interference can accommodate both civil and military governments in the Sahel. This is an advantage for Beijing in some ways. But it could also have unexpected impacts.
There are competing local interests in the Sahel and Beijing’s deepening involvement could be (mis)interpreted as supporting one over the other.
This could make Chinese interests a target in the violence.
It is also unclear if China is capable or willing to fill the vacuum created by the evicted western powers. But it looks as though China can benefit from the situation in the Sahel in the short term.
Abdul-Gafar Tobi Oshodi has previously received research funding or travel support from organisations like the KU Leuven, Research Foundation Flanders (FWO), Social Science Research Council (SSRC), Centre of African Studies at the University of Edinburgh, Lagos State University, Chatham House (i.e. Robert Bosch Stiftung), Centre for Population and Environmental Development (CPED), Think Tank Initiative, the Carnegie Corporation of New York, Coimbra Group Scholarship Programme, Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TetFund), Global Challenge Research Fund (GCRF), American Council of Learned Societies’ African Humanities Program (ACLS-AHP), Merian Institute of Advanced Studies in Africa (MIASA), Development Studies Association (DSA) UK, Collective for the Renewal of Africa (CORA), Ford Foundation, Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), and Economic Community for West African States (ECOWAS). However, I must clearly and strongly state that none of these funders have at any time sought to influence or influenced my writings or public engagement. Thus, this article is one of my many expressions of my academic freedom.
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Feb. 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Locus Technologies, the sustainability and Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) compliance software leader, was honored by the Environmental Business Journal® (EBJ) with two prestigious 2024 Business Achievement Awards: the PROJECT MERIT AWARD for Locus’s successful implementation of a global waste management solution for one of the world’s largest energy leaders, and the TECHNOLOGY MERIT AWARD for Locus’s release of step-change software products for produced water management in the oil and gas industry, high Global Warming Potential (GWP) refrigerant management, and sustainable construction. Full details of these achievements and Locus’s recent worldwide project implementations are available from www.locustec.com. EBJ is an independent business research publication that has provided strategic market intelligence to the environmental industry since 1988.
“We are honored to be recognized by an esteemed group of researchers and analysts for the work we are doing to raise the bar in the ESG and EHS software space,” said Neno Duplan, founder and CEO of Locus Technologies. “Our product and implementation teams are masters at developing purpose-built solutions with time-saving frameworks and unmatched configurability. As a result, our clients gain incredible economies while remaining responsive to the emerging demands of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the shifting regulatory pressures state-side. We are pleased to be acknowledged for these advancements.”
Environmental Business Journal® provides strategic market intelligence to executives and investors in 13 business segments of the environmental industry including environmental consulting & engineering, remediation & industrial services, water & wastewater equipment, air quality & pollution control equipment, hazardous waste management, resource recovery, solid waste management, water/wastewater infrastructure, renewable energy and environmental instrumentation & information systems.
“In another year of strong growth for the environmental industry in 2024, a number of companies set themselves apart with their growth, innovation, M&A, or signature projects that merit the special recognition of an EBJ award,” said Grant Ferrier, editor of Environmental Business Journal and chair of the EBJ Business Achievement Award selection committee. The 2024 EBJ awards will be presented live and in-person at the EBJ Business Achievement Awards banquet at Environmental Industry Summit XXIII on April 02-04, 2025, in San Diego, along with CCBJ Business Achievement, Lifetime Achievement and 50-Year Company anniversary awards.
To learn more about Locus Produced Water Management, Locus Refrigerant Management, and Locus Sustainable Construction, please visit www.locustec.com.
About Locus Technologies Locus Technologies, the global environmental, social, governance (ESG), sustainability, and EHS compliance software leader, empowers companies of every size and industry to be credible with ESG reporting. From 1997, Locus pioneered enterprise software-as-a-service (SaaS) for EHS compliance, water management, and ESG credible reporting. Locus apps and software solutions improve business performance by strengthening risk management and EHS for organizations across industries and government agencies. Organizations ranging from medium-sized businesses to Fortune 500 enterprises, such as Sempra, Corteva, Chevron, DuPont, Chemours, San Jose Water Company, The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Port of Seattle, and Los Alamos National Laboratory, have selected Locus. Locus is headquartered in Mountain View, California. For further information regarding Locus and its commitment to excellence in SaaS solutions, please visit www.locustec.com or email info@locustec.com.
About Environmental Business Journal Environmental Business Journal has been published since 1988 by Environmental Business International Inc., an independent research and publishing company focused on the environmental and climate change industries.
Media Contact: Brenda Mahedy Locus Technologies media@locustechnologies.net
Acting Chief Executive Chan Kwok-ki today met United Nations Food & Agriculture Organization (FAO) Director-General Qu Dongyu.
Welcoming Mr Qu’s visit to Hong Kong with his delegation, Mr Chan noted that the FAO has 194 Member Nations launching work worldwide, leading international efforts to eradicate hunger.
He said the organisation plays a pivotal role in global food security, promoting the development of distinctive agricultural products in various countries and regions, advancing the development of fisheries and aquaculture, and preventing and controlling major animal diseases, adding that its achievements are widely recognised.
Mr Chan pointed out that Hong Kong is promoting the upgrading and transformation of the overall agriculture and fisheries industry towards modernisation and sustainable development. The Blueprint for the Sustainable Development of Agriculture & Fisheries formulated in Hong Kong earlier has also set out specific work targets in this regard.
In addition, Hong Kong has consistently engaged in various collaborations with the FAO. For example, the Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department earlier participated in the drafting of a series of FAO guidelines on African Swine Fever (ASF) to assist smallholder pig farmers in the Asian region to respond to ASF, and the relevant guidelines have now been widely adopted by Asian countries and regions.
Mr Chan added that he looks forward to greater co-operation between Hong Kong and the FAO to strengthen knowledge exchange, promote regional co-operation, and make further contributions to global food security and sustainable development.
Volunteers sought to take part in Bay Road Tree Planting Day
6 February 2025
Derry City and Strabane District Council are seeking volunteers to take part in a special Tree Planting Day at Bay Road Park.
The event on Saturday February 22nd from 10am to Midday will see hundreds of trees being planted as part of the Life Project where a sapling tree is planted to mark the registration of significant life events in the Council area.
Over 10,000 trees have been planted since the initiative started seven years ago and sees every birth, death, civil partnership and marriage registered in the District Registration Offices in Derry and Strabane marked by the planting of a sapling tree.
The project forms part of a wider Council strategy to improve air quality and the public’s mental health.
Speaking ahead of the planting day, Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Lilian Seenoi-Barr, encouraged local people of all ages to get involved in the event by registering their attendance online.
“The Life Tree project is a poignant means of marking and remembering the registration of birth, deaths, civil partnerships and marriages in our City and District.
“The Tree Planting Day at Bay Park is an ideal way to get out into the outdoors and contribute to a project that can help improve our air quality and the local landscape.
“I would encourage people to register now and get involved.”
Spades will be provided on the day and volunteers are advised to wear appropriate footwear, warm clothing and gloves.
Helpers will be on hand on the day to give tree planting advice.
The tree planting site is adjacent to Bay Road Soccer and those attending on the day can park on spaces on the Bay Road.
Further information on the Life Project is available at www.derrystrabane.com/lifeprojectwhere you can also share your experiences of planting your trees.
If you would like to volunteer, please register now at [email protected] or contact Environmental Health Department by calling 028 71 253253 .
India’s Coal Boom Policies, Production, and Investments
Posted On: 10 FEB 2025 3:49PM by PIB Delhi
Introduction
With the fifth-largest geologicalcoal reservesglobally and as the second-largest consumer, coal continues to be an indispensable energy source, contributing to 55% of the national energy mix. Over the past decade, thermal power, predominantly fueled by coal, has consistently accounted for more than 74% of our total power generation. Despite commendable strides in promoting renewable energy sources, the sheer growth in electricity demand necessitates a continued reliance on thermal power, with projections indicating its share to be 55% by 2030 and 27% by 2047. It is anticipated through comprehensive studies that coal demand in 2030 will likely reach 1462 MT and 1755 MT by 2047.
Growth of the Coal Sector in December 2024
As per the Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI), the coal sector registered the highest growth of 5.3% in December 2024, reaching 215.1 points compared to 204.3 points in December 2023. During April-December 2024, the coal industry index increased to 177.6 points from 167.2 points in the previous year, marking a 6.2% growth—the highest among all core industries.
TheCombined Index of Eight Core Industriesshowed an overall growth of4.0% in December 2024compared to the previous year. The index forApril-December 2024 increased by 4.2%over the same period inFY 2023-24, emphasizingcoal’s significant contribution to industrial expansion. Additionally, the coal sector accounts for about50%offreight revenuefor Indian Railways and providesdirect employmentto nearly4.78 lakh individuals.
India’s coal production has reached an all-time high of 997.82 million tonnes (MT) in FY 2023-24, marking a significant rise from 609.18 MT in FY 2014-15, with a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5.64% over the past decade. In FY 2023-24 alone, production has surged by 11.71% compared to the previous year. Coal India Limited (CIL) remains the dominant producer, while SCCL and Others/Captive sources have also shown consistent growth, particularly in the last three years.
State Governments also benefit significantly from coal revenues, with royalty, District Mineral Foundation (DMF) contributions, and State GST collections amounting to ₹31,281.7 crore in the fiscal year 2023-24.
Dispatch of Coal
The cumulative coal dispatch April 2024 to January 2025 has risen to 843.75 MT, marking 5.73% increase from 798.02 MT recorded during the corresponding period of the previous year. Mine opening permissions were granted for three new mines—Bhaskarpara, Utkal E, and Rajhara North (Central and Eastern). The Ministry of Coal remains committed to augmenting domestic production, reducing import dependence, and ensuring energy security for India.
Indian Coal Sector Achieves Significant Import Reduction in FY 2023-24
The Indian coal sector significantly reduced its import dependency in FY 2023-24, with only 110 MT classified as non-substitutable imports, by increasing domestic coal production. Between April and November 2024, coal imports declined by 5.35%, saving approximately $3.91 billion (₹30,007.26 crore). Notably, coal imports for domestic power plant blending fell by 23.56%. Supply from CIL and SCCL, along with captive sources, rose from 734 MT (2018-19) to 1149 MT (2023-24), while demand reached 1273 MT. Additionally, private sector coal production increased from 58 MT to 184 MT, further strengthening India’s energy self-sufficiency.
This decrease in imports and increase in domestic supply is enabled by various efforts of the government. The Ministry’s ‘Mission Coking Coal’ launched in 2022, aims to increase domestic coking coal production to 140 MT by FY 2029-30, thereby reducing dependency on imports in the steel sector. Other key strategies such as promoting commercial mining, expediting production from allocated blocks, and enhancing regional exploration (2525 sq. km by 2024) also play a crucial role. The introduction of the National Coal Mine Safety Report Portal and the Mine Closure Portal ensures responsible and transparent mining practices. The Ministry is considering the establishment of a Coal Trading Exchange to create a competitive and transparent market, further modernizing the sector.
As of January 2025, the Ministry of Coal has allotted 184 mines, with 65 blocks receiving Mine Opening Permissions. Total production from these blocks has reached 136.59 MT, registering a 34.20% year-on-year increase. This is expected to exceed 170 MT target in FY 2024-25.
Financial Incentive Scheme for Coal Gasification
The Cabinet approved the scheme for promotion of Coal/Lignite Gasification Projects of Government PSUs and Private Sector, in January 2024. With a financial outlay of ₹8,500 crore, the scheme will provide Financial Assistance for coal gasification projects under three categories and aims to accelerate coal gasification, reduce carbon emissions, enhance energy security, and promote sustainable development.
The scheme encourages both private companies and government PSUs to undertake coal gasification projects. For Category I, three applicants, Namely Bharat Coal Gasification and Chemicals Limited, CIL – GAIL Consortium and Coal India Limited were selected to be given Financial Incentives. New Era Cleantech Solution Private Limited was selected under Category III to be provided with Financial Incentive. The Request for Proposals (RFP) for Category-II was issued on May 15, 2024, and technical bids were opened on January 10, 2025. The selected applicants for financial incentives under Category-II are Jindal Steel and Power Limited, New Era Cleantech Solution Pvt. Ltd. and Greta Energy Limited.
This initiative is a crucial part of India’s target to achieve 100 million tonnes of coal gasification by 2030, reflecting a shift towards advanced coal utilization technologies.
Strengthening Coal Supply Chains
To ensure uninterrupted coal supply, robust institutional mechanisms have been put in place, including an Inter-Ministerial Committee and coordination meetings with Railways and power sector stakeholders. As a result, coal stock at Thermal Power Plants now stands at 49 MT—sufficient for nearly 21 days, even amidst logistical restrictions during the Maha Kumbh period.
To further enhance supply efficiency, the Ministry has launched the First Mile Connectivity (FMC) initiative, commissioning 39 projects with a total capacity of 386 MTPA. Additionally, the Rail-Sea-Rail (RSR) mode has successfully doubled coal movement from 28 MT in FY 2022 to 54 MT in FY 2024.
Vesting Orders for Commercial Coal Mines
A landmark policy reform came with the introduction of commercial coal mine auctions in 2020, encouraging private sector participation and modern technological adoption. The Ministry of Coal has recently issued vesting orders for seven coal mines under commercial coal mine auctions. The Coal Mine Development and Production Agreements (CMDPA) for these mines were signed on December 5, 2024.
With the vesting of these mines, a total of 107 coal mines have been auctioned under commercial coal mine auctions, with a cumulative PRC of approximately 246.60 MTPA, generating estimated annual revenue of ₹34,000 crore and employment for about 3,33,000 people.
Chintan Shivir 2.0: Deliberations on Energy Transition and Safety
The Ministry of Coal organized Chintan Shivir 2.0 on January 7, 2025, focusing on coal sector reforms, energy transition, and safety measures. The forum underscored the importance of aligning coal mining with global sustainability goals and prioritizing worker safety. The discussions held emphasized on:
Enhancing production while integrating cleaner technologies
Reducing carbon emissions through coal gasification
Adoption of best practices for sustainability
Strengthening safety standards in mining operations
The coal sector is embracing sustainability with large-scale afforestation efforts, with over 54.06 lakh saplings planted across 2,372 hectares in 2024. Under the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign, over 1 million saplings were planted at 332 locations in 11 states. Additionally, 4,695 hectares of land have been identified for Accredited Compensatory Afforestation, and a total of 18,513 LKL of treated mine water has been provided to over 18.63 lakh people across 1,055 villages over the past five years.
Workforce in the Coal Industry
The total workforce in major coal companies under the Ministry of Coal is:
Coal India Limited (CIL): 3,30,318 employees
Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL): 40,893 employees
NLC India Limited (NLCIL): 20,811 employees
Mining operations follow stringent safety regulations under the Mines Act, 1952, including risk assessment, safety training, and medical screenings. Extensive healthcare services are provided to workers, with regular health check-ups to prevent occupational diseases.
Central Sector Schemes of the Ministry of Coal
The Ministry of Coal administers three key schemes:
Exploration of Coal and Lignite – Identifies and categorizes coal/lignite resources, generating geological reports for auction/allocation. Promising areas undergo detailed exploration to upgrade resources to the ‘Proved’ category.
Research & Development (R&D) – Overseen by the Standing Scientific Research Committee (SSRC), focusing on planning, budgeting, and implementing research projects for sector advancements.
Conservation, Safety & Infrastructure Development – Under the Conservation and Development Act (CCDA), funds are provided for sand stowing, protective works, transport infrastructure, and mining safety improvements.
The table below highlights the budget allocation and expenditure for Central Sector Schemes in the coal sector for 2023-24, with a total outlay of ₹843.5 crores and an expenditure of ₹299.09 crores.
Conclusion
The coal sector’s remarkable growth highlights its ability to meet the increasing demandfrom the energy and manufacturing industries. With initiatives like coal gasification, the sector is advancing toward India’s goal of achieving 100 MT of coal gasification by 2030, promoting cleaner and more efficient energy use.
The Ministry of Coal remains steadfast in its commitment to boosting domestic coal production, reducing import dependency, and ensuring national energy security.As a key driver of economic progress, the sector continues to play a crucial role in the realization of Viksit Bharat, contributing to a self-reliant and developed India.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi interacts with students during Pariksha Pe Charcha 2025 The United Nations declared 2023 as the ‘International Year of Millets’ and promoted it across the world on a proposal from India: PM
Seasonal fruits must be eaten, food must be chewed properly, right food must be eaten at the right time: PM
Absence of illness doesn’t mean we are healthy, focus on wellness: PM
One should prepare oneself for pressure concentrating on task at hand: PM
We should continue to strive for better, fight our own battles, find stillness within: PM
Be an example, don’t demand respect command respect, lead by doing not demanding: PM
Students are not robots, studies are for holistic development, they should have freedom to explore their passions: PM
Exams are not everything, knowledge and exams are not the same thing: PM
The habit of writing should be developed: PM
Discover and nurture each student’s unique talent, look for positivity: PM
We all have the same 24 hours, it’s about managing our time wisely: PM
Focus on the Present, share your feelings with your loved ones: PM
Don’t compare your children with others,understand your children to support their passion, find your child’s strengths: PM
Learn to listen, Right Breathing is the key: PM
Every child is unique, know their dreams, guide their journey, be their support: PM
Avoid comparing students, don’t criticise students publicly, encourage and praise to motivate them: PM
Challenge yourself, defeat your past, thrive in the present: PM
Listen, Question, Understand, Apply, compete with yourself: PM
Convert your failures into opportunities: PM
Use technology wisely not fearfully, technology should be utilised optimally: PM
We should not exploit nature but protect and nurture our Environment showing our gratitude, Ek Ped naam ke Naam is one such initiative: PM
Posted On: 10 FEB 2025 3:14PM by PIB Delhi
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi interacted with students at Sunder Nursery, New Delhi today during the 8th edition of Pariksha Pe Charcha (PPC). The Prime Minister in an informal interaction with the students from across the country discussed a host of topics. He distributed sweets made of Til (sesame) which is traditionally served during winters to keep the body warm.
Nourish to Flourish
On the topic of Nutrition, Shri Modi remarked that the United Nations had declared 2023 as the ‘International Year of Millets’ and promoted it across the world on a proposal from India. He added that the Government of India strongly urged that there should be a lot of awareness regarding nutrition, as proper nutrition helps prevent many diseases. The Prime Minister highlighted that Millets were known as a superfood in India. He added that in India, most things like crops, fruits were linked to our heritage and cited an example where every new crop or season was dedicated to God and festivals were celebrated in most places across India. He further mentioned that the offerings to the God were distributed as Prasad. Shri modi urged the children to eat seasonal fruits. He encouraged the children to avoid Junk food, oily food and food products made of Maida. Touching upon the importance of how to eat food correctly, the Prime Minister encouraged the children to chew their food at least 32 times before swallowing. He also shared tips to the children to take small sips of water and savor its taste, whenever they drink water. On the topic of eating the right food at the right time, Shri Modi citing the example of farmers, said that they had a hearty breakfast in the morning before going to the fields and completed their supper before the sunset. He encouraged the students to follow similar healthy habits.
Nutrition and wellness
Discussing Wellness, the Prime Minister underlined that absence of wellness does not mean that one is healthy, and urged the children to focus on wellness. He added that the right amount of sleep was important to ensure the fitness and wellness of the body. He mentioned that there were many research projects being conducted on the importance of sleep in human wellness. Shri Modi, stressing on the importance of sunlight for the human body, encouraged the children to cultivate a daily habit of soaking in the morning sunlight for a few minutes. He also told them to take deep breaths standing under a tree right after the sunrise. The Prime Minister summed it up by informing that for an individual to progress in life, the importance of nutrition lies in what, when, how and why one eats.
Mastering Pressure
On the topic of Mastering Pressure, the Prime Minister remarked that it is unfortunate how our society has ingrained the idea that not scoring high marks in school exams like 10th or 12th means life is ruined. This, he said, added to the pressure on the children. Citing a reference to the batsman’s concentration on the ball in a cricket match, Shri Modi encouraged the children to evade the outside pressure like the batsman and focus and concentrate on their studies only which would help them overcome the pressure.
Challenge Yourself
Asking the students to be well prepared and keep challenging themselves every time, the Prime Minister remarked that many people do not fight their own battles against themselves. He remarked on the importance of self-reflection, urging individuals to frequently ask themselves what they can become, achieve, and what actions will bring them satisfaction. He highlighted that one’s focus should not be swayed by daily external influences like newspapers or TV, but rather should be steadily cultivated over time. The Prime Minister pointed out that many people often let their minds wander without direction. He advised them not to be frivolous in their decisions and make up their mind to find stillness on something which will help them to tackle the challenges.
The Art of Leadership
On being asked by a student to share tips on effective leadership, Shri Modi said that outer appearance does not define a leader but a leader is one who leads by setting an example for others. To achieve this, he said that individuals must change themselves, and their behavior should reflect this change. “Leadership is not imposed, but accepted by those around you”, said the Prime Minister. He remarked that preaching to others will not earn acceptance; it is one’s behavior that is accepted. He cited an example, noting that if one gives a speech on cleanliness but does not practice it, they cannot be a leader. Shri Modi emphasised that teamwork and patience are essential for leadership. He underlined that when delegating tasks, it is important to understand the challenges faced by the team members and helping them through difficulties will build their confidence and trust in leadership. The Prime Minister illustrated this by sharing a childhood story about a child holding a parent’s hand at a fair. The child preferred the parent to hold their hand, ensuring a sense of security and trust. This trust is a significant strength in leadership, he emphasised.
Beyond Books – 360º Growth
On the topic of balancing hobbies with studies, while the general belief is that academics is the only path to success, the Prime Minister stated that students are not robots and emphasized the importance of holistic development. He noted that education is not solely for advancing to the next class but for comprehensive personal growth. Reflecting on the past, he highlighted how the lessons from early schooling like gardening might have seemed irrelevant, but they contribute to overall development. The Prime Minister urged parents and teachers not to confine children to a rigid academic environment, as this stunts their growth. He added that Children need an open environment and activities they enjoy, which in turn enhances their studies. He emphasized that exams are not everything in life, and told students that adopting this mindset will help convince families and teachers. The Prime Minister also clarified that he is not advocating against reading books; rather, he emphasized the importance of acquiring as much knowledge as possible. He remarked that exams are not everything and that knowledge and exams are two different things.
Finding Positives
The Prime Minister remarked that people often question advice given to them, wondering why it was said and if it reflects a flaw in them. This mentality hinders one’s ability to help others. Instead, he advised identifying the good qualities in others, such as singing well or dressing neatly, and discussing these positive traits. This approach shows genuine interest and builds rapport. He further suggested offering assistance by inviting others to study together. The Prime Minister also highlighted the importance of developing the habit of writing. He noted that those who develop the habit of writing would capture their thoughts effectively.
Find your Uniqueness
Recounting an incident in Ahmedabad where a child was about to be expelled from school for lack of attention, the Prime Minister said however, the child excelled in a tinkering lab and won a robotics competition, showcasing unique strengths. The Prime Minister emphasized that it is the teacher’s role to recognize and nurture unique talents and strengths of children. Shri Modi proposed an experiment for self-reflection and understanding relationships. He suggested recalling 25-30 childhood friends and writing their full names, including their parents’ names. This exercise often reveals how little we know about those we consider close friends. The Prime Minister encouraged identifying positive traits in people and cultivating the habit of finding positivity in others. This practice, he noted, would be beneficial for personal growth.
Master your time, Master your life
On being asked by a student about time management, Shri Modi pointed out that everyone has 24 hours in a day, yet some people accomplish a lot while others feel nothing is achieved. He highlighted the importance of time management, noting that many lack an understanding of how to utilize their time effectively. The Prime Minister advised being mindful of time, setting specific tasks, and reviewing progress daily. He also emphasized the importance of focusing on subjects that are challenging rather than avoiding them. He cited an example of how to take up the subject which one feels difficult first and tackle it head on. By taking on these challenges with determination, individuals can overcome obstacles and achieve success. Addressing the issue of distractions caused by various ideas, possibilities, and questions during exam time, the Prime Minister remarked that students often do not truly know themselves and engage in conversations with friends, making excuses for not studying. He noted that common excuses include being too tired or not in the mood. The Prime Minister highlighted that such distractions, including those from phones, hinder focus and academic performance.
Live in the moment
The Prime Minister emphasized that the most valuable thing is the present moment. Once it passes, it is gone, but if lived fully, it becomes a part of life. He highlighted the importance of being mindful and appreciating the moment, such as noticing a gentle breeze.
The Power of Sharing
On the topic of Coping with anxiety and depression while managing their studies, Shri Modi said the issue of depression often starts with feeling disconnected from family and gradually withdrawing from social interactions. He emphasized the importance of expressing inner dilemmas openly to prevent them from escalating. The Prime Minister highlighted the traditional family structure, where open communication with family members acted as a pressure release valve, preventing emotional build-up. He reflected on how his teachers worked hard to improve his handwriting, which deeply touched him and emphasized the impact of genuine care from educators. The Prime Minister noted that this care and attention can greatly influence a student’s well-being and academic performance.
Follow your interests
Shri Modi addressed parental pressure on children to choose certain careers. He remarked that parents’ expectations often stem from comparing their children to others, which can hurt their ego and social status. He advised parents not to showcase their children as models everywhere, but to love and accept their strengths. He cited the previous example of a child who excelled in robotics after being on the verge of expulsion from school, illustrating that every child has unique talents. He also cited the example of cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar. The Prime Minister encouraged parents to recognize and nurture their children’s strengths, even if they are not academically inclined. He emphasized the importance of skill development and mentioned that he would have chosen the Skill Development Department if he were not the Prime Minister. By focusing on their children’s abilities, parents can reduce the pressure and help them thrive.
Pause, Reflect, Reset
The Prime Minister illustrated how focusing on identifying different sounds can help in concentrating. He shared that practicing breathing exercises, such as Pranayama, can generate a different kind of energy, helping to manage anxiety. The Prime Minister provided a technique to balance breathing through both nostrils, which can bring the body under control in seconds. He mentioned how learning about meditation and breath control can alleviate stress and help maintain focus.
Realising your potential, Achieving targets
Addressing the concern of staying positive and finding happiness in small victories, Shri Modi highlighted that sometimes people become negative due to their own thoughts or the influence of others. Interacting with a student who aimed for 95% in the 10th grade but achieved 93%, which led to disappointment, the Prime Minister considered this a success and congratulated the student for setting a higher target. He emphasized that targets should be ambitious yet realistic. Shri Modi encouraged viewing achievements from a positive perspective, understanding one’s strengths, and appreciating the effort put into reaching close to the target.
Every Child is Unique
On the topic of maintaining good health during exams, the Prime Minister remarked that the primary issue lies less with students and more with their families. He highlighted that many parents pressure their children to pursue specific careers, like engineering or medicine, despite the child’s interests in fields like art. This constant pressure leads to a life of stress for the child. He urged parents to understand and recognize their children’s abilities and interests, monitor their progress, and provide support. For instance, if a child shows interest in sports, parents should encourage and motivate them by taking them to watch sports events. The Prime Minister also addressed teachers, urging them to avoid creating an environment where only top-performing students receive attention while others are neglected. He emphasized the importance of not comparing students and encouraging each child’s unique abilities. He reminded the students to strive for improvement and perform well, but also recognize that academics is not everything in life.
Self – Motivation
On the topic of self- motivation, the Prime Minister advised never to isolate oneself and emphasized the importance of sharing thoughts and seeking motivation from family or seniors. He suggested challenging oneself with small goals, such as cycling 10 kilometers, to build confidence and enjoy the sense of accomplishment. Shri Modi highlighted that these small experiments with oneself help overcome personal limitations and live in the present, allowing the past to remain in the past. The Prime Minister stated that he finds motivation from the people – 140 crore Indians. He shared that while he authored “Pariksha Pe Charcha,” individuals like Ajay in their villages are transforming it into their poetry. This makes him feel that he should continue such work, as there are many sources of motivation around us. On being asked about Internalising things, Shri Modi advised that merely contemplating advice, such as waking up early, is not enough without implementation. He emphasized the importance of applying learned principles practically and refining oneself through personal experimentation. The Prime Minister illustrated that by making oneself a laboratory and testing these principles, one can truly assimilate and benefit from them. Shri Modi highlighted that most people compete with others rather than themselves, often comparing themselves to those who may be less capable, which leads to disappointment. He emphasized that self-competition builds unwavering confidence, whereas comparing oneself to others can cause discouragement.
Failure as fuel
On the topic of how to overcome failure, Shri Modi remarked that even if 30-40% of students fail in their 10th or 12th grades, life does not come to an end. He emphasized the importance of deciding whether to succeed in life or only in academics. He advised making failures one’s teacher, using cricket as an example where players review their mistakes and strive for improvement. The Prime Minister urged viewing life holistically, not just through the lens of exams. He highlighted that differently-abled individuals often possess extraordinary strengths and that everyone has unique capabilities. He stressed the importance of working on these strengths rather than focusing solely on academic achievements. He stated that in the long run, it is one’s life and abilities that speak for success, not just academic marks.
Mastering Tech
Emphasising that we are all fortunate, and especially so in an era where technology is widespread and impactful, the Prime Minister remarked that there is no need to shy away from technology, but instead, individuals should determine whether they spend their time on non-productive activities or delve deeper into their interests. By doing so, technology will become a strength rather than a destructive force. Shri Modi highlighted that researchers and innovators develop technology for the betterment of society. He urged people to understand and optimally utilize technology.
On being asked how to give one’s best in any task, Shri Modi emphasized the importance of continuous improvement, stating that the first condition for doing one’s best is to strive to be better than yesterday.
How to Convince Your parents?
Addressing the dilemma of choosing between following family advice or personal interests, Shri Modi remarked that it’s important to acknowledge family suggestions and then persuade them by asking how to proceed with their advice and seeking their assistance. By showing genuine interest and discussing alternative options respectfully, families may gradually understand and support one’s aspirations.
Dealing with Exam Pressure
Discussing the common issue of students not finishing their exam papers on time, leading to stress and pressure, the Prime Minister advised thorough practice with previous exam papers to learn how to write concise answers and manage time effectively. He highlighted the importance of focusing on questions that require more effort and not spending too much time on questions that are difficult or unfamiliar. He emphasized that regular practice helps in better time management during exams.
Caring for Nature
The Prime Minister addressed climate change and commended the young generation for their concern about it. He noted that much of the development in the world has led to a culture of exploitation, where people prioritize personal gain over environmental protection. Shri Modi mentioned Mission LIFE (Lifestyle for Environment), which promotes a lifestyle that protects and nurtures nature. He shared cultural practices in India, such as apologizing to Mother Earth and worshipping trees and rivers, which demonstrate respect for nature. He also highlighted the campaign “Ek Ped Maa ke Naam,” encouraging people to plant trees in memory of their mothers. This initiative fosters a sense of attachment and ownership, leading to the protection of nature.
Growing your own Green Paradise
Shri Modi encouraged the students to plant their own trees and suggested practical tips for watering them. He advised placing a clay pot filled with water next to the tree and refilling it once a month. This method helps the tree grow quickly with minimal water usage. The Prime Minister congratulated everyone and expressed his gratitude for their participation.
The Government stands committed to address the problems pertaining to the environment and climate change. The Government has notified a set of legislative and regulatory and administrative measures, aimed at the preservation, conservation and protection of the environment and prevention, control and abatement of pollution.
The Ministry of Environment Forest & Climate Change (MoEFCC) has been designated as the nodal ministry in the Union Government to oversee the implementation of India’s environmental and forest policies and programmes including climate change. The Ministry has launched various schemes, aimed at the preservation, conservation and protection of the environment, forests and prevention, control and abatement of pollution.
These schemes are at various stages of their implementation and include umbrella schemes on environmental knowledge and capacity building; national coastal management programme; environment education, awareness, research and skill development; control of pollution; national mission for a green India, integrated development of wildlife habitat; conservation of natural resources and ecosystem, the impact of some of which is given below:
The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) launched in 2019 covers 130 cities in 24 States and UTs with an objective to achieve substantial improvement in air quality, up to 40% reduction in particulate matter by 2025-26 from 2017-18. A ‘PRANA’ portal has been launched to update the air quality data in real time.
A regulatory framework for Circular Economy in various waste streams has been notified. The producers have been mandated to get the end-of-life wastes recycled under extended producer responsibility regime. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) rules have been notified for plastic waste, tyre waste, battery waste, used oil waste and e-waste with the objective to enhance the circularity in economy and also help manage the wastes in environmentally sound manner.
The ‘Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes (MISHTI)’ has been launched on 5th June, 2024 to restore and promote mangroves as a unique, natural eco-system and for preserving and enhancing the sustainability of the coastal habitats. The objective of the MISHTI is to ‘restore mangrove forests’ by undertaking mangrove reforestation/afforestation measures along the coast of India. Approximately 22,561 Hectares of Degraded Mangroves have been restored in 13 States/UTs and ₹17.96 Crore released for the restoration of 3,836 Hectares in 6 States/UTs
The National Afforestation and Eco-development Board (NAEB) is implementing Nagar Van Yojana which envisages developing 600 Nagar Vans and 400 Nagar Vatikas in the country during the period from 2020-21 to 2026-27 with an objective to significantly enhance the trees outside forests and green cover, enhancement of biodiversity and ecological benefits to the urban and peri-urban areas apart from improving quality of life of city dwellers.
The Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) is a global initiative launched by India in October, 2022 aimed at fostering sustainable lifestyles through mindful and deliberate consumption to protect the environment. The initiative focuses on seven core themes: saving water, conserving energy, reducing waste, managing e-waste, eliminating single-use plastics, promoting sustainable food systems, and adopting healthy lifestyles.
In alignment with the ‘LiFE’, MoEFCC has notified the Eco-mark Rules on 26th September, 2024. The scheme will encourage the demand for environment-friendly products aligning with the principles of ‘LiFE’, promote lower energy consumption, resource efficiency and circular economy. The scheme seeks to ensure accurate labelling and prevent misleading information about products.
On ‘World Environment Day’ celebrated on 5th June, 2024, the Hon’ble Prime Minister launched the campaign ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam (# Plant4Mother)’, exhorting people to plant trees as a mark of love and respect for one’s own Mother and for protecting and preserving the Mother Earth. MoEFCC has reached out to Central Government Ministries/Departments, State Governments, Institutions and Organizations to ensure the plantation of 140 crore trees by March, 2025. 109 crore saplings have been planted by January 2025.
The number of Protected Areas in the country, which stood at 745 in the year 2014 have risen to 1022. This accounts for 5.43% of the country’s total geographic area. There has been a substantial increase in establishment of Community Reserves. The numbers of Community Reserves in the country has increased from 43 in the year 2014 to 220 as on date.
Apart from the protected areas, the country also has 57 Tiger Reserves notified under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 with the prime focus of conservation of tigers and its habitat. States have also declared 33 elephant reserves for providing safer habitats to the elephants.
Since 2014, 59 wetlands have been added to the list of ‘Ramsar’ sites, taking the tally to 89 in the country covering an area of 1.35 million ha. India boasts the largest ‘Ramsar’ site network in Asia and the 3rd largest in the world in terms of number of sites. Besides, Udaipur and Indore have been recently included in the list of Wetland Accredited Cities under the Wetland City Accreditation Scheme implemented under the Ramsar Convention.
As per All India Tiger Estimation 2022 report, the estimated tiger population in India is 3,682, which accounts for 70% of wild tiger population of the World. The area under the tiger reserve network is now 82,836.45 sq km, which is roughly 2.5% of the total geographical area of the country.
India’s climate action is guided by its updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) and the long-term strategy to reach net-zero by 2070 and it cuts across various sectors of the economy. The National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) provides the overarching framework for all climate actions and comprises missions in specific areas of solar energy, enhanced energy efficiency, sustainable habitat, water, sustaining Himalayan ecosystems, Green India, sustainable agriculture, human health and strategic knowledge for climate change. All these Missions are institutionalized and implemented by their respective Nodal Ministries/Departments. The MoEFCC has implemented the Central Sector Schemes namely, Climate Change Action Programme (CCAP) and the National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change (NAFCC) assisting in efforts of the Government to combat climate change.
As a result of these interventions, India has progressively continued decoupling economic growth from GHG emissions. Between 2005 and 2020, India’s emission intensity of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) reduced by 36%. By October 2024, the share of non-fossil sources in the installed electricity generation capacity was 46.52%. The total installed capacity of renewable power, including large hydropower, is 203.22 GW, and cumulative renewable power installed capacity (excluding large hydro projects) has increased 4.5 times from 35 GW in March 2014 to 156.25 GW. India’s forest and tree cover has consistently increased and currently stands at 25.17% of the total geographical area of the country. From 2005 to 2021, an additional carbon sink of 2.29 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent has been created.
Despite India’s very low contribution to historical emissions and to the current levels of global emissions, India has taken several climate actions to reflect equity and the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities in the light of different national circumstances and in the context of sustainable development and efforts to eradicate poverty, as enshrined in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and its Paris Agreement.
This information was provided by UNION MINISTER OF STATE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE, SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH, in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
Liz Burke-Jones from Higher Ground Community Gardening Group, Julie Reynolds from Higher Ground Community Gardening Group, Lord Mayor of ABC Borough, Cllr Sarah Duffy, Lynda Surgenor, Live Here Love Here Manager, Deirdre Shannon from Higher Ground Community Gardening Group, and Brian Shannon from Higher Ground Community Gardening Group.
Dromore’s Higher Ground Community Gardening Group were crowned the ABC Borough Regional Champions at last week’s Live Here Love Here Community Awards.
Live Here Love Here, a people-powered campaign dedicated to improving the local environment and fostering civic pride, revealed the winners of its 2025 Community Awards at Belfast City Hall on Thursday, February 6.
The event hosted by TV presenter Joe Mahon, brought together over 150 guests – including DAERA Minister Andrew Muir, local leaders, environmental advocates and volunteers – to honour the outstanding contributions of voluntary community groups across Northern Ireland working to improve the environment and promote civic pride.
Sponsored by Power NI and supported by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), nine local councils, and the Housing Executive, the awards serve as a vital platform for recognising the power of collective action in tackling community environmental challenges such as dog fouling, littering, biodiversity loss, transformation of neglected spaces, and environmental education.
On the night, 12 awards were presented to celebrate the achievements of local community groups, including the Regional Champions Awards, which honoured volunteers from Live Here Love Here’s nine partner council areas.
Dromore’s Higher Ground Community Gardening Group received Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council’s Regional Champions Award for its work in organising litter picks, revitalising neglected spaces, and planting around the area to enhance its appearance which in turn has fostered civic pride and created momentum for ongoing improvements.
Tidy Banbridge was also recognised as runners-up in this category for its environmental efforts, which include litter picks and forming community partnerships, with a focus on supporting local youth groups and revitalising neglected flower patches.
Lord Mayor of ABC Borough, Cllr Sarah Duffy explained how the volunteers in Dromore and Banbridge are leading by example. She said, “I would like to congratulate Dromore’s Higher Ground Community Gardening Group for their Regional Champions Award and also congratulate Tidy Banbridge who were runners-up. As well as the practical improvements they are making, these volunteers are inspiring more people to take care of the environment and developing a sense of pride in their communities, which is great to see.”
Lynda Surgenor, Live Here Love Here Manager, said, “The Community Awards resonate because they celebrate the unsung heroes in our communities who are driving real environmental change through volunteer work. This year, the theme ‘Community Connections’ made it even more special as we honoured groups that demonstrate the power of collective action. Whether it’s transforming vacant land into thriving green spaces or mobilising locals to restore and protect local waterways, these groups are proving that no action is too small to make a difference. We’re reminded that, together, we can build a cleaner, greener, and more connected Northern Ireland.”
She added, “We also want to thank DAERA, Power NI, the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful, and our nine council partners for their continued support, which ensures the ongoing success of Live Here Love Here.”
For more information on the Live Here Love Here campaign and the Community Awards, visit liveherelovehere.org.
The Environment Agency is continuing to carry out improvement works to Lydney Harbour to give the historic site a sustainable and prosperous future.
Aerial view of Lydney Harbour
Most recently, the improvement works have included the refurbishment of the outer sea gates and desilting works which enable the safe passage of boats in the harbour.
The next stage of the project focuses on the piers, which were closed due to safety concerns. The Environment Agency plans to replace the current temporary green mesh fencing with new pedestrian fencing, similar to that what has been installed elsewhere on the site. This will allow improved access to more of the piers. Work to repair the site surfacing and restore harbour fixtures to improve access for Lydney Yacht Club will also take place.
The Environment Agency will be consulting the Forest of Dean Council and Historic England to agree the design and obtain the required permissions before works take place. The exact positioning of the fencing will be determined once it has obtained Scheduled Monument Consent. Construction is expected to start in Spring 2026.
In the coming months, the Environment Agency will also install additional pontoons to improve access for boat owners in the inner harbour. It will also introduce new signage to keep the public informed and undertake repair works on one of the bridges.
The Environment Agency met the Harbour’s Community Leaders’ Group on 27 January to provide an update and to discuss the forthcoming work.
Martin Quine, Place Manager for Gloucestershire, from the Environment Agency, said:
I’d like to thank the Community Leaders’ Group and the public for their patience and continuing interest in the future of Lydney Harbour.
We fully appreciate how important Lydney Harbour is to all those who use and visit it.
Our main objective remains to establish a facility that not only meets the existing health and safety standards but also brings a sustainable and prosperous future.
We have been working closely with Historic England throughout the whole process and will continue to do so.
UNESCO has opened submissions for the 2025 Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation, recognizing outstanding conservation efforts across the region. The Awards celebrate private sector projects and public-private partnerships that demonstrate excellence in preserving historical sites while fostering community engagement.
Since 2000, the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation have honored 305 projects across 27 countries for their thorough understanding of historical significance, technical achievements, and impact at local, national, and regional levels. By spotlighting best practices, the Awards have helped shape regional conversations on heritage’s role in sustaining cities, societies, and the environment.
This year, UNESCO especially welcomes submissions for projects conserving heritage sites that are integral to the region’s history but remain underrecognized or at risk of neglect. These include cultural landscapes, technological, industrial, and agricultural heritage, 20th-century sites, vernacular architecture, and cultural routes. Winning projects of this nature will be highlighted in a dedicated exhibition as part of the celebrations marking the 25th anniversary of the Awards.
Eligibility Criteria
Projects must have been completed within the last 10 years (February 2015 – May 2025 if the pre-existing use was retained, or May 2024 if a project involved a new use). Examples of eligible projects include:
Houses, commercial and institutional buildings
Historic towns and villages
Archaeological sites and cultural landscapes
How to Apply
Projects must be sent by mail to UNESCO Bangkok and postmarked no later than 31 May 2025. Winners will be announced in November 2025.
Submission requirements
Applicants must complete the entry form online and submit a project dossier, including:
A detailed project description in the official format.
Supporting documentation, such as architectural drawings and high-quality photographs.
For submission details and application forms: click here
Awards
In 2024, eight projects from five countries received awards, including:
Award of Excellence – Inari-yu Bathhouse Restoration Project (Tokyo, Japan)
Award of Distinction – Gunan Street Historic Block Conservation Project (Yixing, Jiangsu Province, China) with Special Recognition for Sustainable Development; Abathsahayeshwarar Temple Conservation Project (Thukkatchi, Tamil Nadu, India)
Award of Merit – Guanyin Hall Teahouse Conservation Project (Sichuan Province, China); Helou Pavilion Conservation Project (Shanghai, China) with Special Recognition for Sustainable Development; BJPCI Conservation Project (Mumbai, India); Observatory Tower Conservation Project (Christchurch, New Zealand)
Award for New Design in Heritage Contexts – Rabindhorn Building (Bangkok, Thailand)
Since 2021, the Ng Teng Fong Charitable Foundation (NTFCF) has supported the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation. This partnership advances transformative heritage practices across the region through diverse activities that amplify the Awards’ impact.
Contact Information
For project submissions:
Culture Unit UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok Email: heritageawards@unesco.org
For media inquiries:
Communications and Public Engagement (CPE) Team UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok Email: cpe@unesco.org
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
The Environment Agency used powers to impose a Variable Monetary Penalty after the estate took more water from the Dorset Frome than it was licensed to do.
Ilchester Estate has a licence to abstract water from a spring on the headwaters of the Dorset Frome chalk stream
Ilchester Estate, located in Dorset, has a licence to abstract water from a spring on the headwaters of the chalk stream Dorset Frome at Evershot. The water is used to supply houses, offices, gardens and farms that go to make up the Ilchester Estate. The current annual charge invoiced by the Environment Agency under its charges scheme for the abstraction licence is £120. The estate then sets its own charges for supplying the abstracted water to businesses and residents on the estate.
Enough excess water to fill 3 Olympic swimming pools taken
The licence allows the estate to abstract up to 66.6 cubic metres of water a day, but following an investigation by the Environment Agency, it was found that between December 2022 and July 2023 the authorised licence limit had been exceeded by a total of nearly 7,500 cubic metres – around three Olympic size swimming pools worth of water. Between December 2022 and January 2023 Wessex was officially in a drought.
Now the estate has paid a variable monetary penalty (VMP) of £19,777.69, plus costs of £8,298.60, to the Environment Agency. The penalty came after the agency had previously warned the estate to stop over abstracting water.
In 2018 the estate was advised by the Environment Agency of how an increase to their permitted abstraction levels could be applied for. Instead, the estate said steps would be taken to reduce the amount of water being taken, but amounts abstracted continued to be above the permitted level each year through to 2023.
Conditions ‘flouted’ during drought
Carolyn Lane, senior environment officer for the Environment Agency, said:
Chalk streams are stunningly beautiful, but ecologically sensitive, watercourses. Where companies or individuals hold licences to take water from them, they cannot ignore the conditions attached and take as much water as they like.
In this case, the Ilchester Estate not only deliberately flouted the conditions, they did so during a drought, when it is likely that damage will have been done to the river and the surrounding environment it supports.
The headwater reaches of the Dorset Frome have been endorsed as a Flagship Chalk Stream catchment by Wessex Water. It is one of only 200 chalk streams in the world, of which 85 per cent are in the UK. The streams contain mineral-rich pure water and are havens for wildlife.
Background
To operate other than in accordance with a licence is an offence; Ilchester Estates has committed a relevant offence; namely breach of s.24 Water Resources Act 1991.
Variable Monetary Penalties (VMPs) are a civil sanction, brought in under the provisions of the Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Act 2008 and Environmental Civil Sanctions (England) Order 2010.
The Environment Agency may use a VMP when there is evidence of negligence or mismanagement; when there is an environmental impact; to remove an identifiable financial gain or saving as a result of the breach; or where prosecution is not necessary or can be avoided to get the most appropriate outcome, in accordance with our Enforcement and Sanctions Policy.
VMPs were initially capped at £250,000 for each offence, but the cap was removed for offences committed on or after 1 December 2023.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
New records reveal the government is utilising AI and technology to enhance public services, including streamlining MOT inspections and speeding up planning with satellite habitat mapping.
How AI is improving public services and new AI Playbook will drive public sector use.
New records reveal how government is using AI and tech to deliver for the public – including by streamlining MOT garage inspections and using satellite habitat mapping to speed up planning
Comes alongside practical tips to help public sector build tech to speed up decision making and transform services for working people – delivering the Plan for Change
Guidance shares top tips from development of GOV.UK Chat and other advanced tech on using safeguards to ensure the tech works in the public’s interest
AI and satellite images are being used to predict how natural habitats are changing across the country, so more current data can be used to accelerate planning proposals and stop NIMBYism getting in the way of growth and the Plan for Change.
Satellite images and machine learning – a type of AI – are being used by Natural England to build a detailed map of “Living England”, showing the current extent of habitats across the country. Rather than the manual surveys of the past, changes to English habitats will now be tracked more efficiently and across the country – speeding up decisions around planning and land use while better protecting nature.
Details of the project are being released today alongside 13 other examples of how AI and algorithmic tools are used to speed up decision making and improve public services – spanning examples including how AI is being used to better predict the weather and keep standards high at MOT testing centres.
A new AI Playbook, published today, gives public sector technical experts top tips and guiding principles on how to replicate this work and build AI to help their organisations fix services for citizens – ultimately delivering on the government’s ambition to transform public services with AI.
Civil servants are guided on how to buy and manage the development of AI technology in their departments and encouraged to work with AI companies closely so the technology can be put to work more quickly.
Today’s announcement comes as world leaders gather for the AI Action Summit in Paris, and follow’s the publication of the UK’s AI Opportunities Action Plan, which has put the UK on course to revolutionise public services and become an AI superpower – already attracting over £14 billion in investment since launching just last month.
Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said:
Every corner of the public sector can be using technology to save money, speed things up, and crucially, improve public services for people across the UK, driving our Plan for Change forward.
The publication of our AI Playbook today comes with a call to arms for tech specialists across the public sector – use the guidance we are sharing to put AI to work in your organisations at whiplash speed, so we can repair our broken public services together.
Natural England’s Chief Scientist, Professor Sallie Bailey said:
Nature restoration, development and economic growth are not opposing forces – they can and must work together to create a sustainable future for both people and wildlife.
Our Living England project is harnessing the power of AI to inform and support planning decisions far more efficiently. This means we can make the biggest impact for Nature recovery, while helping to deliver the new homes and infrastructure the country needs.
The AI Playbook, published by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, outlines ten principles civil servants building AI should follow, making sure they:
Have meaningful human control at the right stages, so any decisions recommended by technology can be monitored properly, and changed rapidly if needed.
Choose the right tool for the right job and avoid using AI where more basic technology can fulfil the same task.
Work with teams responsible for buying technology right from the start, to make sure agreements struck with private sector companies can be utilised to maximum potential in this rapidly evolving market.
The Playbook also insists that public servants working with AI do so openly and collaboratively, making sure the public know how technology is being used and allowing other public sector organisations to benefit from work that has already taken place.
Other records being released today detail how the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) uses AI to prioritise which of the 23,000 active MOT testing garages should receive an inspection next.
Producing a traffic light rating for every garage, the AI tool takes in data from MOT tests to spot anomalies and identify which garages should be checked first, so inspectors can confirm they are working to crucial safety standards. Previously, inspections were based only on the amount of time that had passed since the last check.
Today’s release follows the Technology Secretary publishing the blueprint for a modern digital government, setting out how his department will use AI and technology to help the public sector improve their services and target £45 billion in potential efficiency savings every year. This is as well as announcing a bundle of tools to be known as “Humphrey” and set to be made available to all civil servants soon.
Among other things, the tools will help civil servants assess responses to consultations, take minutes at meetings and analyse decades of debate from the Houses of Parliament.
Weather and climate forecasting: A combination of multiple different algorithmic tools used to produce weather forecasts.
Natural England (Defra)
Living England map: Habitat mapping for the whole of England using satellite imagery, targeted field survey and machine learning.
DVSA (DfT)
MOT Risk Rating: An algorithmic to identify potential non-compliance in MOT testing, and prioritise visits to MOT garages.
Wilton Park
Data Cleaning Tool: Enables compliance with The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) by identifying and automatically cleaning personal data from the Wilton Park customer database.
OSCB (DBT)
Interest Calculator: Assists small business owners to calculate the amount of interest due on an overdue invoice.
National Highways (DfT)
Highways webchat: provides customers with an additional communication channel to get immediate answers to their questions using publicly available information (such as traffic information).
DSIT: GOV.UK site search
The search engine for GOV.UK. It enables users to search for information and services on GOV.UK by entering a search query to view results that are relevant to their query.
NHS Business Services Authority (DHSC)
Residency Checker for EHIC/GHIC/PRC: A process to support confirmation of UK residency for entitlement to healthcare in an European Economic Area (EEA) country or Switzerland.
Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
Employment and Support Allowance Online Medical Matching: A tool which helps Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) officials process claims more quickly.
Money and Pensions Service (MaPs)
Budget Planner: A free online tool that helps users track and categorize their spending, provides a detailed breakdown of their finances, and offers personalized tips to improve their money management.
Money and Pensions Service (MaPs)
Redundancy Pay Calculator: Online tool designed to help individuals who have been or are at risk of being made redundant understand their legal rights, calculate their potential redundancy pay, assess their financial situation, and explore available benefits and support.
Ministry of Justice (MoJ)
The Effective Proposal Framework: Used by Probation Practitioners at pre-sentence stage and as part of pre-release planning to identify requirements, licence conditions and interventions for individuals based on their risk and need profile.
Health Research Authority (DHSC)
Proportionate Review Toolkit: A toolkit to help Research Ethics Committee applicants determine whether their project would be eligible for proportionate review.
His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC)
Logo Detection and Classification Toolkit: A tool to detect unauthorised uses of HMRC’s logo.
For many decades, Ara Institute of Canterbury has enjoyed strong connections with Lanzhou City University in Gansu province, north-west China.
The relationship grew out of the sister-city relationship between Christchurch and Gansu Province. Lanzhou City, on the banks of the Yellow River is the capital of the province.
During a visit to Ara amid both Chinese New Year and Waitangi Day celebrations, the leadership of both education providers expressed hopes for a new era in their relationship.
The LCU delegation included President Mr Gaonian Han, Director of Personnel Mr Dingjun Wang, Director of International Exchange Office Ms Xiaoxia Liu, Dean of School of Economics and Management Ms Jing Li and Associate Dean of School of Environment and Urban Development Mr Chao Wang.
Welcoming the group last Friday, Ara’s International Director Deanna Anderson was quick to honour their shared history but also expressed strong hopes for reinvigorating their close association. She said Covid had “impacted our longstanding relationship for too long”.
“It is time to reestablish our tradition of exchanges, both for language study and research, but also to share new ideas and bring them life,” she said, particularly noting the scope for growing cultural exchanges.
“Our sister-city relationship is strongly based on cultural exchange – we’d like to show you what Ara has to offer in this space.”
Expressing a keen interest in hosting a return delegation from Ara, LCU President Mr Gaonian Han said the relationship between the tertiary providers was one of the closest his university enjoyed. He reflected that their frequent exchanges and collaborations dated back to the 1980s with Ara students visiting LCU to learn Chinese, and LCU staff improving their English proficiency and teaching methods through Ara.
Mr Han said LCU was also seeking to further cultural exchanges at the tertiary level.
“I sincerely hope that the exchanges and cooperation between us will not only promote teaching and scientific research programmes and exchanges on both sides but also deepen and consolidate the friendship between China and New Zealand.”
His associates highlighted free study and accommodation and scholarship options on offer at LCU during their presentations.
Members of several Ara departments including Humanities, Creative Industries and Digital Technologies as well as Architectural Studies and Interior Design, presented to the delegation highlighting study options with scope for collaboration.
After an exchange of gifts, Ara’s International Market Sector Manager Andy Ge escorted the visitors on a tour of campus before they were formally welcomed into Te Puna Wānaka whare on campus for a hāngī lunch prepared by Level 5 cookery students.
Arowhenua Native Nursey was developed in 2021. Since then, staff have raised and planted more than 600,000 plants, all eco-sourced and native to the area.
Tony Doy, the nursey’s restoration supervisor, says the team is proud to be helping increase numbers of threatened plants in the local area, with the nursery cultivating 50 different species, ranging from common to rare and threatened.
“Many of the nursery’s plants have gone into wetland areas beside the Rakitata River to help reduce nutrients and sediment entering the water. Wetlands increase the resilience of land around them by reducing the impacts of extreme events of flooding and drought.
“Our plants will become seed sources along the river, and birds will spread them into new areas to create a native corridor. Hopefully, in the future landowners will realise the benefits of such native areas, and maybe plant some on their land,” Tony says.
Jobs for Nature funding has enabled many organisations, like Arowhenua, to kickstart their operations and get established as sustainable businesses working in the environmental sector.
The project started out at the marae but moved to larger commercial nursery premises on the outskirts of Temuka as it quickly outgrew its initial site. The nursey is now transitioning to a commercial wholesale model, with the Jobs for Nature funding finishing at end of last year.
The nursery’s general manager Lex Evans died suddenly in late 2023, but the nursery has tried to carry on his ethos.
Tony says Lex was an amazing role model.
“His favourite saying was, ‘We not only grow plants, we grow people’. Staff who joined through Jobs for Nature have gained valuable skills and love what they do. The work is outside, and they can see they’re making a real difference. Lex worked incredibly hard to ensure the success of the project. He was, and still is, an inspiration to the staff here to continue his Kaupapa.
“Under Jobs for Nature, 15% of the time was spent on training, so we did first aid, Level 3 horticulture, chainsaw use, herbicide application, predator control, 4WD and light utility vehicle driving.
“We have also undertaken a river safety course, because a lot of our work is beside waterways. To build staff confidence when using chainsaws, our former restoration manager Matt Rudd organised an arborist to spend a day with us.
“Our people loved it. They now have great CVs that will give them an advantage on others who are also at the beginning of their careers. We look forward to seeing them on their journey.
“The Jobs for Nature project also offers our kaimahi the chance to gain skills in planting, weeding, maintenance and pest control on a daily basis.”
Nursery General Manager Felicity McMillian says, “I whakapapa to Arowhenua, so the Rakitata is extremely significant for me and our whānau. It was an awa that our tīpuna gathered kai and resources from.
“Experiencing the awa and its diversity when collecting seeds is very good for our wairua. It’s like a full circle. We gather seeds from the Rakitata and once they are ready, we plant them there again to restore the health of the awa.”
Felicity says the nursery grows native plants that are particularly suitable for conditions at the project’s restoration sites.
“We want to replicate what would have been there in the past. The main plants we grow are Carex secta, tī kōuka, harakeke, mānuka and kānuka. These plants will restore the Rakitata awa, improve the quality of the water, and encourage native manu (birds) and insects to return to the river.”
DOC River Ranger Brad Edwards says the funding has supercharged conservation work in the catchment through DOC’s Ngā Awa river restoration programme.
“Funding of $11.45 million from Jobs for Nature went to projects focused on the lower Rakitata, managed by Te Rūnanga o Arowhenua. The Upper Rangitata Gorge Landcare Group received a $7.3 million grant to lead restoration work in the upper river, including planting a lot of what’s grown at the nursery and carrying out extensive fencing and pest control.”
Toitū Te Whenua Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) also provided funding for pest and weed control in the Rakitata catchment as part of its biosecurity programme.
Background information
Rakitata is the preferred name for the Rangitata River as it recognises the local Kāi Tahu (Ngāi Tahu) dialect, which replaces ‘ng’ with ‘k’. So ‘taonga’ becomes ‘taoka’ for example.
The Rakitata River Revival Programme began as a partnership between Te Rūnaka o Arowhenua and DOC through the Ngā Awa river restoration programme. It now includes Environment Canterbury, Toitū te Whenua Land Information New Zealand, Central South Island Fish & Game and Timaru and Ashburton District Councils.
Golf courses are sometimes seen as harmful to the environment. According to the popular notion, the grass soaks up too much water, is cut too short and sprayed with dangerous chemicals. But in reality, golf courses can act as safe havens for native wildlife, especially in cities.
Cities are home to a wide range of plants and animals, including 30% of Australia’s threatened species. But ongoing population growth and urban development threatens this biodiversity. We’re still losing green space and tree cover, leaving less habitat and resources for native birds, bats, possums, lizards, frogs, beetles and butterflies.
This is where golf courses can play a role. Australia is one of the golfing capitals of the world, with more than 1,800 active courses. These courses represent large, continuous green spaces often with native vegetation, mature trees, lakes and wetlands. Given their ubiquity, golf courses could help conserve urban biodiversity.
This week, the annual LIV Golf tournament returns to Grange Golf Club in South Australia. Grange is one of 30 Australian golf courses certified for its commitment to sustainability, partly due to its extensive woodland, natural habitats and wildlife. So what makes a golf course good or bad for biodiversity?
Grange Golf Club has a Biodiversity Manager.
The gold in the rough
From a biodiversity perspective, the most valuable part of a golf course is the area all golfers seek to avoid: the “rough”. These spaces between the green, manicured fairways can include remnant or restored bushland with dense leaf litter, long grass, thick shrubs, and both living and dead trees. This vegetation is often native and features a diversity of plant species.
Collectively, this can provide a range of resources for native wildlife including food, shelter and tree hollows for nesting. In Melbourne, research found golf courses provided better habitat for wildlife than nearby suburban streets and parklands. They were also home to a greater diversity of birds and bats.
Golf courses also have relatively little human activity. Golfers are only allowed on the course during certain hours of the day. Courses usually do not allow dogs. And there are few cars and roads, so there’s less noise and light pollution than in other urban areas. This makes golf courses pretty attractive to native animals looking for somewhere to live.
Many golf courses are heavily irrigated to ensure high-quality playing surfaces. This ample water supply (typically from recycled sources) is fantastic for wildlife, especially in warmer and drier climates. Birds are known to flock to water resources during drought – a behaviour likely to become more common under future climate change.
Much-feared water hazards for golfers, such as lakes and ponds, actually provide valuable habitat for aquatic birds, frogs, fish and insects. These water bodies are particularly important in cities where wetlands are regularly cleared to make way for new houses, shops and roads.
Importantly, once constructed, golf courses are rarely threatened by clearing or development. In Perth, research found golf courses helped protect native vegetation as development spread through surrounding suburbs. The mere existence of a golf course can help secure a home for native species for many decades to come.
Frequent lawn mowing can reduce insect diversity, particularly among bugs, bees, wasps and ants. This is likely to have flow-on effects for animals that feed on insects, and for flowering plants that depend on insects for pollination and seed dispersal.
Some urban golf courses may also be physically isolated from other suitable habitats, making it hard for wildlife to safely move around to find food, water and a mate. To get in and out, animals may need to cross busy roads or move through dangerous areas where they are exposed to predators such as cats and foxes.
Four golf courses in Adelaide are working together to improve and connect habitat. Glenelg Golf Club
So, how can we best manage golf courses for biodiversity?
In an ideal world, golf courses should only be constructed in developed areas. That’s because constructing courses in natural, undisturbed areas is likely to involve clearing vegetation for fairways, greens, car parks and club houses.
Existing golf courses can help protect biodiversity by retaining and restoring diverse bushland patches in the rough. Important conservation areas can also be fenced off and deemed “out of bounds” to golfers.
The use of harsh chemicals should be reduced to minimise risks to soil, water and wildlife. “Organic golf courses” overseas are already making progress in this space, but they are far from mainstream.
Finally, efforts must be made to connect golf courses to nearby parks and reserves through wildlife corridors, road underpasses, and special crossing structures such as rope bridges. This will enable animals to safely move around the urban landscape.
Many golf courses now have biodiversity management plans and are working hard to make their practices more sustainable. In other cases, disused golf courses are even being converted into conservation reserves, such as the Yalukit Willam Nature Reserve in Elsternwick, Melbourne.
While golf courses cannot replace natural habitats, they can provide a useful alternative for many species that call our cities home.
Jacinta Humphrey receives funding from the Holsworth Wildlife Research Endowment, the Ecological Society of Australia, BirdLife Australia, Australian Wildlife Society, and the Field Naturalists Club of Victoria.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is to be harnessed to develop technologies to address issues such as cancer risk amongst rescue workers.
The latest round of the Scottish Government’s CivTech programme has awarded up to £9 million to 14 companies developing AI products to tackle challenges faced by charities and public sector organisations. CivTech 10 is the first round of the programme to focus on AI.
Products being developed include:
a software to help identify toxic contaminants to address the risk of cancer for firefighters.
an AI system which can help teachers with administrative tasks.
using drones and an automated mapping system to monitor puffin populations in a less invasive way.
an AI support system to enable entrepreneurs to grow their businesses.
Previous rounds of CivTech have seen £20 million invested into 90 companies and entrepreneurs since 2016. These include software company Volunteero which developed a mobile app to help charities manage administrative tasks.
Business Minister Richard Lochhead said:
“Scotland is well-placed to harness the advantages of artificial intelligence with its rich history of innovation and high concentration of world-leading universities and colleges.
“The rapidly growing AI sector offers opportunities for Scotland, from helping to detect health issues such as lung cancer earlier, to enabling businesses to work more efficiently.
“Through CivTech, we are revolutionising how public sector organisations work by collaborating with businesses to develop products which improve lives.”
Rebekah MacLeod, Lead Project Liaison Officer at White Ribbon Scotland, a charity tackling violence against women which uses Volunteero’s app, said:
“Working with Volunteero through the CivTech programme has completely changed how we work as a charity.
“The app means we spend less time worrying about paperwork and more time working with men and boys to directly address violence against women and girls.
“This includes encouraging more men and boys to speak out about violence against women and girls.”
Background
CivTech companies have created more than 400 jobs and attracted more than £126 million of private sector investment. Nearly 80% of products developed in past rounds of CivTech are still in use.
Products being developed in CivTech 10 are:
Technology developed by Rowden to help firefighters improve their situational awareness in emergency situations.
A system to detect and monitor firefighters’ exposure to toxins created by FireHazResearch.
Drones and an automated mapping system from EOLAS and The University of Edinburgh to monitor puffin colonies in a less invasive way.
Sensors developed by Arctech Innovation to monitor breeding success, seasonal changes and harmful disease in puffins.
Technology for public sector organisations to use data securely, developed by Verifoxx.
A platform for citizens and policy makers to understand how AI and other emerging technologies could be used in the public sector, developed by CrownShy.
A programme created by Talent Engine to provide detailed labour market insights to target skills and development training in Glasgow.
An AI tool from Rethink Carbon to document woodland and peatland projects.
A new approach to monitoring carbon balances from woodland and peatland projects from the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology.
Sylvera are developing advanced remote-sensing capabilities to enhance monitoring of carbon projects.
An AI programme to forecast pharmaceutical demand by postcode area to help reduce waste, developed by PharmovoAI.
A planning tool created by Looper to help NHS Scotland reduce waste and emissions.
An AI system to support teachers with administrative tasks, developed by SupportEd.
A software from BobbAI to help entrepreneurs to access business growth resources and support services.
The City of Greater Bendigo is hosting an information session on Environmentally Sustainable Design which offers practical ways to make new and older homes more energy efficient.
The session is taking place from 5pm (for a 5.15pm start) on Wednesday February 19 at the Banquet Room at The Capital, View Street, Bendigo.
Registration is required to attend the event.
This information session is suitable for people planning to build a new home and for existing homeowners who want to reduce energy wastage and lower running costs.
Hear from experts about the options available to improve energy efficiency and what cost savings can be achieved.
From May 1, all new homes built in Victoria must achieve a seven-star energy rating and this is achieved with Environmentally Sustainable Design.
The information session MC will be City Manager Statutory Planning Ross Douglas, and you will hear from experts in the field:
Senior Project Manager Simon Disler from the City will explore the many energy efficiency measures that can be introduced into your home, how much it costs and the savings that can be achieved
Coordinator Greater Bendigo Climate Change Collaboration Ian McBurney from the City provides a real life example of how he made changes to his older California bungalow to become more energy efficient, resulting in lower running costs and smaller bills
Questions and answer session with attendees and experts
Manager Strategic Planning Anthony Petherbridge said it was an invaluable session for homeowners planning to build a new home or seeking effective environmental improvements to an existing home.
“With rising energy costs, this session offers many simple but cost-effective actions that can make your home more energy efficient,” Mr Petherbridge said.
“Heating, cooling, hot water, appliances, cooking, lighting, home entertainment and the building itself all contribute to energy wastage.
“With practical, and often simple actions, you can help reduce energy bills and improve the comfort of your home all year round. By using less energy, that benefits your household and the environment.”
There have been some expressions of interest in the facility from other parties, and DOC will further investigate these opportunities alongside key stakeholders.
Great South Southland Regional Development Agency will support DOC in the evaluation process given their involvement with Te Punanga Manu over the years.
The sanctuary will keep operating as usual while alternative management options are explored further.
The review found work at Te Punanga Manu, although important for conservation, is not critical to the advocacy or protection of the species it houses – and is therefore not considered high priority biodiversity work for DOC.
The sanctuary also requires substantial investment in infrastructure and staffing to make it sustainable, says DOC’s Southern South Island Operations Director Aaron Fleming.
“One example is the takahē enclosure, which needs significant investment, with 2023 costings sitting around $100,000.”
DOC faces its own financial challenges and must prioritise its investment into conservation – which means it is not currently in a position to fund the upgrades needed at Te Anau Bird Sanctuary/Te Punanga Manu.
“Locally DOC’s high priority biodiversity work also needs investment, such as critical infrastructure to maintain predator-free Fiordland islands that are home to critically endangered species, including kākāpō, tīeke and mohua,” says Aaron.
“We know Te Punanga Manu is much loved by the Te Anau community and visitors alike, which is why alternative models to fund and operate the sanctuary will be considered.”
Currently Te Punanga Manu holds a small number of South Island takahē, kōwhiowhio/blue duck, pāteke/brown teal and Antipodes Island kākāriki.
“The well-being of manu will continue to come first no matter the outcome of the review,” says Aaron.
“We will keep the community, sponsors and stakeholders informed as things develop.”
Background information
DOC started the review of Te Anau Bird Sanctuary/Te Punanga Manu o Te Anau (Te Punanga Manu) in June 2024 and completed it in October 2024. The review assessed its current condition, purpose and sustainability. The decision to withdraw from management was made in January 2025.
Great South was established as the Southland Regional Development Agency in March 2019. Committed to driving economic, social and cultural growth, Great South has a clear mandate to leverage opportunities for Southland in the areas of economic and business development, tourism and events.
Spartina is a fast-growing, salt-tolerant grass that can grow to two metres tall.
Although it was originally planted in locations across New Zealand in the 1940s to stabilise land for reclamation, it has become an aggressive and persistent invader of inter-tidal mudflats – like those found around Coromandel Harbour
Spartina traps silt and sand, impacting the open mudflats needed by many migratory protected birds like kuaka/bar-tailed godwit, moho pereū/banded rail, and tūturiwhatu/dotterel, as well as some shellfish varieties.
DOC’s Coromandel Biodiversity Ranger Jamie Carey says the infestation of the plant in the Coromandel Harbour needs to be addressed, prompting an aerial herbicide operation his team has planned for February.
“When it comes to spartina, ‘do nothing’ is not an option,” says Jamie. “We need to control this plant, or it will spread and further compromise the biodiversity values in the harbour.
“If we don’t address this infestation quickly, we’ll lose valuable habitat for our native species.”
The operation will involve using a helicopter to apply the herbicide (Halyoxfop), which will rely on a patch of good weather with minimal wind. Jamie says this will be visible to people in and around the harbour, but there is no need for concern.
“We want to be transparent about this work; even though the aircraft will only be deployed for a few hours, people may wonder what it’s doing flying at such low levels.
“In short, it’s helping us protect native species habitat by addressing the spartina issue in the harbour.”
Monitoring will be undertaken after the operation to ensure water quality in the harbour has not been compromised, as per DOC’s consent to use the product.
Background information
Spartina is an aggressive and persistent invader of inter-tidal mudflats.
It invades mangroves, mudflats and estuaries taking over the inter-tidal zone. It forms big clumps that hold mud (sediment).
This raises the level of the land and can change coastal ecosystems. Bird and fish habitat is damaged by spartina.
Fire broke out in the Grampians National Park (Gariwerd) in December and raged for weeks. Then lightning strikes ignited fresh blazes late last month, which merged to form a mega-fire that’s not out yet.
This 168,000-hectare reserve, about 200km west of Melbourne, is a significant ecological and cultural landscape. Its ancient sandstone mountains and valleys maintain eucalypt woodlands and heathlands that support a rich diversity of plants and animals, making it a key conservation asset in Victoria.
Since 2008, our team has been monitoring mammal species annually in the Grampians. This long-term effort has allowed us to learn how species respond to wildfires, droughts and floods.
We commenced our research just two years after big fires swept through the park in 2006. We also witnessed the changes following more fires in 2013 and 2014.
So while many animals have lost much of their habitat to fire this summer, we know recovery is possible. But some may need help to cope with challenges ahead.
A terrible summer as multiple fires rage
The massive December wildfire in the park’s east burned for weeks, forcing evacuations in towns such as Halls Gap, and upending Christmas for many residents. By early January, that fire was contained – but only after burning about 76,000 hectares of the park and surrounding areas.
Then, on January 27, lightning strikes in the west ignited four fires that eventually merged, burning through the entire Victoria Range and some rural properties.
The full extent of damage is not yet known. But it’s already clear the fires have been devastating. They burned much of the same areas affected by the 2006 wildfires in the east and 2013 fires in the west, as well as long-unburned areas.
Combined, fires this big have not been observed in this landscape in the past 50 years.
The extent of this summer’s wildfires in the Grampians is almost as big as fires in 2006 and 2013 put together. John White, using data from Luke Lupone at Dekain University and VicEmergency
What is the extent of the damage to the environment?
It’s difficult to determine how much of the park has burned so far this summer, because the shaded area on the state emergency map extends beyond the park’s borders. But a rough, conservative estimate suggests at least 110,000 hectares of the 168,000 hectare park has burned since December. This is a deeply troubling scenario.
The Grampians is an isolated landscape – an “island” of native vegetation surrounded by a sea of agricultural land. So animals can’t easily migrate from other parts of Victoria to repopulate the area. Recovery largely depends on the landscape’s own ability to regenerate after fire.
Populations of small carnivorous marsupials often peak in areas that haven’t burned for 10–20 years.
So for many species, most of their habitat has been lost to fire. This includes endangered mammals such as the smoky mouse, heath mouse, brush-tailed rock wallaby, southern brown bandicoot and long-nosed potoroo. These species in particular will need considerable help for the next few years.
Some of the native small mammals from the Grampians landscape. Clockwise from top left: yellow-footed antechinus, southern brown bandicoot, agile antechinus (male), swamp rat, long-nosed potoroo, heath mouse. John White
Recovery will happen over time
Many animals likely perished in the blaze and more will die in coming months.
Unfortunately, most native small mammals struggle to survive in freshly burned habitats. Fire depletes their food sources and strips away the vegetation that provides cover and protection from predators.
But there is hope. Our previous research shows some animals do survive. These survivors can eventually breed, sparking the slow recovery of the landscape and helping reestablish populations over the next decade or two.
The rate of recovery will be driven by rainfall. So if drought hits, recovery will be slow. But if we have wet years, recovery will accelerate.
Many native plants in the national park are more resilient to fire than the animals, so recover faster. Native heathland plants such as Australian grass trees have evolved in the presence of fire and often reshoot pretty quickly. Seeds also germinate after fires. But it takes a few years after the plants come back before many native animal species fully recover.
So the first few years after fire are usually tough for native species. From a conservation perspective this is manageable in a patchy landscape — where some areas burned recently and others haven’t burned in decades. However, the current situation is different. This year, most of the landscape burned and almost no long-unburned habitat remains.
A native grass tree reshoots after wildfire. John White
What are the threats?
The main challenge to recovery in the coming months and years is introduced species, especially foxes and cats. Foxes are particularly problematic, because they are drawn to recently burned areas where hunting is much easier.
To give native mammals a fighting chance, it is essential to ramp up fox management efforts for at least the next year. This will allow surviving native mammals time to recover and for vegetation to regrow, providing necessary cover.
In addition, Parks Victoria and the Victorian Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action are erecting artificial shelters in ecologically sensitive areas. These provide temporary refuge for animals, giving them a better chance to evade predators.
What about the role of climate change?
In recent decades, the Grampians have experienced a general decline in rainfall, coupled with a significant increase in wildfires since the early 2000s.
We’re now witnessing a cycle where large fires are followed by droughts, and then wet periods such as the recent La Niña years.
During these wetter periods, vegetation flourishes. But when the inevitable dry spells return, that vegetation dries out, creating ideal conditions for wildfires. So the good years, while offering relief to the landscape, are setting the stage for the next fire. This leaves the landscape constantly vulnerable.
What can people do to help?
Fire is a natural process – albeit one increasingly driven by climate change. As climate change worsens, landscapes like the Grampians will face more frequent, large wildfires.
We should approach our natural landscapes with care, acknowledging climate change is fundamentally altering how these ecosystems function.
The best action we can take is to pressure governments to seriously address climate change and implement meaningful solutions.
John White receives funding from Parks Victoria to support his long-term mammal research in the Grampians,
On the vast expanse of the Nullarbor Plain in South Australia, two very different creatures live side by side – but not always peacefully.
One is the southern hairy-nosed wombat, a slow-moving nocturnal digger that loves its underground burrows. The other is the European rabbit: a small and speedy invader that has spread across the continent, often wreaking environmental havoc and creating its own networks of tunnels.
How do we know where these semi-subterranean creatures live, and how many there are? The answer is from the sky.
In new research published in Australian Mammalogy, we show a way to detect wombats and rabbits using satellites that take pictures of our planet from space. By studying high-resolution images from the likes of Google Earth and Bing Maps, we can spot the telltale signs of the burrows and warrens these creatures dig into the ground.
Why is it any of our business where wombats and rabbits live?
Knowing where wombats and rabbits live is important for conservation.
Wombats are unique Australian marsupials that need protection. Rabbits are an invasive species that often damage the land, eating too much vegetation and eroding soil.
Finding their warrens can help scientists and wildlife managers to understand where they live. This in turn helps to make better decisions about protecting native species and controlling pests.
How do you spot a warren?
Imagine looking down at the world from the window of an aeroplane. You might easily see rivers and roads, and even buildings.
But would you spot a hole in the ground? That’s the challenge we faced in our study of satellite images.
As it turns out, wombat warrens are relatively easy to spot. They are quite large and have clear trails leading in and out. The digging leaves mounds of lighter-coloured soil.
Rabbit warrens are trickier to find. They are smaller, lack trails, and can blend in with bare patches of dirt.
How well did we do?
By comparing satellite images with surveys conducted on the ground, we figured out we could accurately detect about 82% of wombat warrens from the photos. We weren’t quite as good at rabbit warrens: we could only spot 49%. Small rabbit warrens were particularly easy to miss.
One complicating issue was the fact that wombats and rabbits sometimes share the same burrow. Usually it’s the smaller, sneakier rabbits taking advantage of the large and sturdy tunnels dug by wombats.
This makes it even harder to figure out exactly who is living where. We could recognise shared warrens when we inspected them on the ground, but so far we can’t distinguish them from satellite photos.
What’s next?
Our research shows we can use satellites to map burrowing animal populations without ever setting foot in the outback. This saves time and money, and also reduces the the risk of disturbing wildlife while conducting research.
In the future, with higher-resolution satellite images and better software – using tools like machine learning – we may be able to detect and count burrows and warrens automatically. This could be a big change for wildlife conservation and pest control.
So next time you look up at the sky, remember that somewhere out there a satellite might be taking a picture of a sleepy wombat’s home – or a rabbit plotting its next move.
Natarsha McPherson received funding from the Australian Wildlife Society’s University Research Grant.
SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — via IBN – RichSwap is the first AMM DEX for trustless on-chain runes trading without bridges, wrapping, custodians, off-chain software, or single points of failure. Transactions are executed completely on the Bitcoin network or rolled back in full, safeguarding users from extortion. Users retain full custody of their assets in their Bitcoin wallet without needing to deposit or withdraw to any platform.
RichSwap has launched on the new Runes Exchange Environment (REE) from Omnity Network. REE marks the beginning of Bitcoin’s evolution into a programmable and decentralized financial platform. It’s a powerful toolkit for developing DeFi products directly on Bitcoin. REE’s Turing-complete compute environment offers developers the tools to replicate EVM, Solana and other common DeFi concepts on Bitcoin. Unlike competing solutions, REE needs no changes to Bitcoin core, no bridges to other blockchains, or any other extension of Bitcoin such as nonstandard opcodes.
REE Makes BTCFi Verifiable, Trustable, and Standard
Bitcoin is the world’s most secure and decentralized blockchain, but its limited programmability restricts its use in complex financial applications. Unlike account-based blockchains like Ethereum, Bitcoin operates on the UTXO (Unspent Transaction Output) model. Each transaction output is a unique reference, embracing the fungible properties of Bitcoin while introducing complexity in applications and data.
Bitcoin’s UTXO model is integral for REE because REE uses Partially Signed Bitcoin Transactions (PSBTs), standardized via BIP-174 and BIP-370. Omnity’s Decentralized PSBT Signer (DPS) orchestrates PSBTs in a publicly verifiable manner. Transactions are executed completely or rolled back in full, making front-running impossible by design. Once a PSBT is signed, all transaction inputs and outputs are defined by the user and cannot be changed, even by REE itself.
Users swapping on REE enjoy a 100x reduction in swap time while retaining custody of their assets throughout the process. Because there is no limit to the number of PSBTs bundled together or the rate of PSBT production, multiple trades per-user can occur securely within a single Bitcoin block.
“DPS allows one user and multiple protocols to co-sign a transaction using PSBTs and broadcast it to the Bitcoin network. REE coordinates this multisig process,” said Louis Liu, Founder of Omnity. “I believe DPS is the best technical approach to achieving full programmability on Bitcoin layer 1.”
RichSwap to be Open-Source Blueprint for Bitcoin Developers
The new, optimized flexibility of the runes token standard allows developers to build innovative Bitcoin DeFi applications on REE, such as lending protocols, staking platforms, and stablecoin systems on Bitcoin. REE’s RichSwap AMM DEX is designed to be an open-source blueprint for BTCFi developers. By unifying the handling of Bitcoin and Bitcoin assets, RichSwap provides a tangible example of REE’s UTXO-based Exchange-Pool model presenting similarly to account-based blockchains.
REE’s composability allows BTCFi protocols to share liquidity, asset pools, and other DeFi logic. This enables other protocols to benefit from the REE environment while bootstrapping liquidity directly from existing asset pools. Additionally, REE includes configurations for fee organization and revenue sharing. REE is driving the evolution of on-chain Bitcoin DeFi, facilitating broader adoption of PSBTs as a standard and runes as a recognized asset class.
Omnity Network’s Runes Exchange Environment (REE) introduces a programmable execution toolkit for BTCFi as presented in RichSwap, Omnity’s non-custodial, bridgeless AMM DEX for the transparent and verifiable trading of Bitcoin runes. The Omnity Network is a suite of permissionless, noncustodial, on-chain Bitcoin products secured by ICP’s Chain Key cryptography and Multi-Party Computation (MPC) network of Bitcoin node operators. Its flagship product, the Omnity Hub, connects to 18 different blockchains with verifiable light clients supporting runes, fungible BTC, and BRC20 assets.
Issued for WILMINGTON, MELROSE, NECTAR BROOK and MAMBRAY CREEK in the Mount Remarkable National Park in the Flinders Ranges.
Aircraft will continue to work during the day deploying fire retardant to lower the risk of spreading past control lines, and aerial bombing and observational aircraft are supporting them.
Firefighters on day and night shift will continue to closely monitor weather conditions in the coming days and carry out controlled burns when needed to limit the fire from spreading. Fire behaviour is expected to be low to moderate. During these burns, the community may notice more smoke, flames, and embers, especially at night.
Whilst there is still currently no threat to local communities, anyone in Wilmington, Melrose, Nectar Brook, and Mambray Creek is strongly encouraged to stay informed through multiple channels as the situation is continually changing.
Around 79 CFS and Department for Environment and Water firefighters are working on a scrub fire at Alligator Gorge in the Mount Remarkable National Park. They are supported by approximately 23 trucks, 30 Farm Fire Units, heavy machinery, and 6 aircraft, including firebombers and observational aircraft.
Due to the steep terrain with limited safe access for firefighters, the fire remains uncontained and is predicted to burn for the remainder of the week, if not longer. The fire has continued to grow to approximately 3850 ha and currently remains mostly within the national park boundaries, except for some small areas across the northern end.
Mount Remarkable National Park will remain closed until further notice. Emergency services may be working on and around roads in the wider area, and motorists are advised to stay away. If you need to travel on roads in the area, please take care and drive according to the local conditions.
Smoke impacting local communities may increase at different points over the coming days. Please take precautions for your health, and if driving through smoke, ensure you slow down and drive to conditions..
Source: United States Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND)
BISMARCK, N.D. – In 2023, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) conducted a review of the actual utilization of 24 agency headquarters buildings to better understand how the federal government is utilizing its real estate portfolio. On average, 17 of the 24 agency headquarters reviewed were at 25 percent or less utilization, with some agencies as low as nine percent.
U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) Subcommittee, joined EPW Chairman Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), House T&I Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO-06), and House T&I Emergency Management Subcommittee Chairman Scott Perry (R-PA-10) in sending a letter to the Trump administration highlighting provisions included in the Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2024, which provided new authority for the administration to rightsize the federal real estate portfolio and save taxpayers billions of dollars.
In their letter to Director of the Office of Management and Budget Russ Vought, Acting Administrator of the General Service Administration Stephen Ehikian, and Commissioner of the Public Building Service Michael Peters, the lawmakers refer to the “Public Buildings Reforms” section of WRDA 2024. These reforms give the administration new authorities to improve the management of the federal government’s real estate portfolio, address its inefficient utilization of office space, and require federal agencies to bring employees back into the office or lose office space.
“To maximize the effectiveness of these provisions, it is critical that implementation begins as soon as possible to meet deadlines and take full advantage of the authorities provided to the administration in this legislation,” the lawmakers wrote.
The members explained federal real estate portfolio is bloated and, “Even if 100 percent of the federal employees returned to the office, the taxpayer would still be paying for excess space. For example, one agency that was the subject of GAO’s 2023 review reported that, even if all their employees came into the office on the same day, only 67 percent of their headquarters building would be utilized.
“It is unacceptable for American taxpayers to pay for space that is sitting empty, and we urge you to utilize these new authorities to consolidate federal space and support your efforts to direct employees to return to work in-person,” concluded the members. “As Chairmen of the Congressional Committees and Subcommittees with jurisdiction over public buildings and improved grounds of the United States, our committees are willing to assist the administration’s efforts to protect the taxpayer’s dollar.”
Cramer previously joined U.S. Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) in sending a letter to the Public Building Reform Board, requesting it complete the final round of disposals required under the Federal Assets and Transfers Act (FASTA) and FASTA Reform Act to bring “tangible benefits” to the taxpayer.
Click here for the letter.
Chinese researchers have identified the molecular mechanisms behind the cold tolerance of Syntrichia caninervis, a desert moss that could play a role in future Mars terraforming efforts. The study, conducted by the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, was recently published in the journal Plant, Cell & Environment. Syntrichia caninervis is known for its resilience to desiccation, freezing temperatures, and gamma radiation. It has already demonstrated the ability to survive in simulated Martian conditions. To better understand its molecular response to cold stress, the researchers performed RNA sequencing on hydrated samples exposed to temperatures of 4 and minus 4 degrees Celsius, analyzing gene expression over time. The study found that key mechanisms such as sugar and energy metabolism, lipid metabolism, and antioxidation significantly contribute to the moss’s ability to withstand cold stress. Most genes related to photosynthesis were up-regulated in response to cold exposure, suggesting that the moss might adapt its metabolic processes to survive low temperatures. A particularly notable discovery was the role of A-5 DREB genes, especially ScDREBA5, which was up-regulated by about 1,000-fold. This gene appears to be critical in the moss’s ability to endure freezing conditions, said the study. “This study not only deepens our understanding of cold tolerance mechanisms in Syntrichia caninervis but also provides valuable insights for developing hardier crops capable of thriving in extreme environments,” said Li Xiaoshuang, the study’s corresponding author.
Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, joined several of her congressional colleagues in sending a letter to the Trump administration highlighting provisions, signed into law last month as part of the Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (WRDA), that provided authority for the Trump administration to right-size the Federal real estate portfolio, saving money for the U.S. tax payer.
In the letter addressed to Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Russell Vought, Acting Administrator of the General Service Administration (GSA) Stephen Ehikian, and Commissioner of the Public Building Service Michael Peters, the lawmakers refer to the “Public Buildings Reforms” provisions location in Title III of Division B of WRDA 2024. This title of the law gives the administration new authorities to improve the management of the federal government’s real estate portfolio, address the inefficient utilization of federal office space, and require federal agencies to bring employees back to the office or lose office space.
“To maximize the effectiveness of these provisions, it is critical that implementation begins as soon as possible to meet deadlines and take full advantage of the authorities provided to the administration in this legislation,” the lawmakers wrote.
“Even if 100 percent of the Federal employees returned to the office, the taxpayer would still be paying for excess space. For example, one agency that was the subject of GAO’s 2023 review reported that, even if all their employees came into the office on the same day, only 67 percent of their headquarters building would be utilized,” the lawmakers continued.
BACKGROUND:
Chairman Capito was joined in sending this letter by U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Chairman of the EPW Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee, and Representatives Sam Graves (R-Mo.), Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) Committee, and Scott Perry (R-Pa.), Chairman of the T&I Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management Subcommittee.
In 2023, the GAO conducted a review of the utilization of 24 agency headquarters buildings to understand how the federal government is utilizing its real estate portfolio. The report showed that on average, 17 of the 24 agency headquarters reviewed were at 25 percent or less utilization, with some agencies as low as nine percent.
Since the publication of the GAO report, the Committee leaders have been working to increase utilization of Federal office space and offload buildings and leases that are unused or underused. In the letter, the Committee leaders point out that the public buildings reforms included in WRDA2024 aim to do exactly that.
LOS ANGELES – A former Army private based at Fort Irwin was sentenced today to 264 months in federal prison for producing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) depicting a 14-year-old girl, using Snapchat to receive CSAM of her when she was 13 years old, possessing CSAM featuring her on his iPhone, and for receiving sexually explicit images of a 15-year-old girl via Snapchat.
Parker William White, 24, of Johnsonville, New York, was sentenced by United States District Judge André Birotte Jr., who scheduled a restitution hearing for May 2. Upon his eventual release from prison, White will be placed on lifetime supervised release. White has been in federal custody since February 2023.
At the conclusion of a five-day trial in August 2024, a jury found White guilty of one count of production of child pornography, three counts of receipt of child pornography, and one count of possession of child pornography.
In January 2022, the Department of Children and Families in Bay County, Florida received a tip that White was engaging in an online, sexual relationship with a 14-year-old girl. Later, investigators found CSAM of her on White’s iPhone as well as CSAM that White had received via Snapchat featuring her and another minor.
White used Instagram, Snapchat, and other social media platforms to find minor “girlfriends” as young as 13 years old, according to court documents. White groomed these minor girls by boasting about his military service, telling them that they were “beautiful” and “queens,” and pretending to be in love with them. In some instances, White deceptively portrayed himself as teenager to earn their trust. White’s behavior would then escalate to a practice that he called “teasing.” He would send these children sexually explicit videos and photographs of himself via social media and encourage them to “tease” him back by doing the same.
Homeland Security Investigations, the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division, and the Bay County Sheriff’s Office investigated this case.
Assistant United States Attorneys Lyndsi C. Allsop of the Violent and Organized Crime Section and Laura A. Alexander of the Environmental Crimes and Consumer Protection Section prosecuted this case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Justice Department’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Governor Kathy Hochul today updated New Yorkers on two winter storms expected to impact areas throughout the State today through Sunday. The first storm arrived earlier today and is impacting Central New York and the Mohawk Valley. The second storm will be more widespread and is expected to affect much of the State Saturday through Sunday. Snowfall rates of up to two inches per hour on Friday and one inch per hour on Saturday in the heaviest bands may create hazardous travel conditions. People should monitor local forecasts and take precautions when traveling.
“Our State resources are ready and mobilized to keep New Yorkers safe as we respond to this next round of winter weather, and we will continue coordinating with our local partners throughout the storm including taking steps to facilitate emergency salt deliveries,” Governor Hochul said. “Monitoring your local forecast is critical — especially when traveling — and I encourage all New Yorkers to exercise caution as weather conditions can be unpredictable, and many warnings and watches are in effect.”
The Governor also signed an Executive Order today declaring a State of Emergency, allowing the State to coordinate and share resources with local governments affected by upcoming storms. This includes the State Department of Transportation, which will provide assistance to municipalities impacted by the State of Emergency in excess of existing shared service agreements. The order also waives “hours of service” requirements for truck drivers to facilitate emergency salt deliveries ahead of these storms and includes other measures to facilitate emergency salt deliveries to State and local agencies across the State.
Today’s storm will impact most of the State through Friday evening, including areas from Herkimer to Oswego County with up to four inches of snow and peak accumulations up to ten inches in some areas. Peak snowfall rates of up to two inches per hour can be expected and may impact commutes in Central New York and the Mohawk Valley. Winds could gust up to 45 miles per hour in some locations, which will produce blowing and drifting snow.
The second storm begins Saturday afternoon and is forecast to continue through Sunday afternoon. Widespread snow will fall across the State with the potential for moderate to heavy accumulations of up to seven or more inches of snow from Central New York to the Capital Region. A widespread three to six inches of snow is expected north of the Thruway with snowfall rates potentially exceeding one inch per hour. Wind gusts are expected to remain below 35 miles per hour with isolated gusts of up to 40 mph. For New York City and Long Island, heavy mixed precipitation is possible with total snow and sleet accumulations between three to five inches and ice accumulations around a light glaze possible through Sunday morning.
There are several lake effect snow warnings and winter storm watches in place for multiple locations through Sunday. For a complete listing of weather alerts, visit the National Weather Service website. New Yorkers are also encouraged to sign up for emergency alerts by subscribing to NY Alert — a free service providing critical emergency information to your cell phone or computer.
Agency Preparations
New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services The Division’s Office of Emergency Management is in contact with their local counterparts and is prepared to facilitate requests for assistance. State stockpiles are staffed and ready to deploy emergency response assets and supplies as needed. The State Watch Center is monitoring the storm track and statewide impacts closely. Winter preparedness tips can be found here.
New York State Department of Transportation The State Department of Transportation is monitoring weather conditions and prepared to respond with 3,701 supervisors and operators available statewide. All field staff are available to fully engage and respond. All available response equipment is ready to deploy and all residencies in impacted locations will remain staffed for 24/7 operations with operators, supervisors, and mechanics throughout the duration of the event and priority cleanup operations.
Statewide equipment numbers are as follows:
1,642 large plow trucks
353 large loaders
157 medium duty plows
53 tow plows
35 snow blowers
19 graders
The need for additional resources will be re-evaluated as conditions warrant throughout the event. For real-time travel information, motorists should call 511 or visit 511ny.org, New York State’s official traffic and travel information source.
Thruway Authority The Thruway Authority is monitoring the forecast and ready to respond with 689 operators and supervisors available. Statewide equipment numbers and resources are listed below:
352 large and medium duty plow trucks
9 tow plows
67 loaders
99,000+ tons of salt on hand
Variable Message Signs and social media — X, formerly known as Twitter, and Facebook — are utilized to alert motorists of winter weather conditions on the Thruway.
New this snow and ice season, all of the Thruway’s more than 250 heavy-duty plow trucks are equipped with green hazard lights, complementing the standard amber hazard lights. Green lights are intended to improve visibility and enhance safety during winter operations, particularly in low-light conditions and poor weather. Drivers are reminded that Thruway snowplows travel at about 35 mph — which in many cases is slower than the posted speed limit — to ensure that salt being dispersed stays in the driving lanes and does not scatter off the roadways. The safest place for motorists is well behind the snowplows where the roadway is clear and treated.
The Thruway Authority encourages motorists to download its mobile app which is available for free on iPhone and Android devices. The app provides motorists direct access to real-time traffic information, live traffic cameras and navigation assistance while on the go. Motorists can also sign up for TRANSalert e-mails and follow @ThruwayTraffic on X for the latest traffic conditions along the Thruway.
New York State Department of Public Service New York’s utilities have about 5,500 workers available statewide to engage in damage assessment, response, repair and restoration efforts across New York State, as necessary. Agency staff will track utilities’ work throughout the event and ensure utilities shift appropriate staffing to regions that experience the greatest impact.
New York State Police State Police have instructed all Troopers to remain vigilant and will deploy extra patrols to affected areas as needed. All four-wheel drive vehicles are in service and all specialty vehicles, including Utility Terrain Vehicles and snowmobiles, are staged and ready for deployment.
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation DEC Emergency Management staff, Environmental Conservation Police Officers, Forest Rangers and regional staff remain on alert and continue to monitor the developing situation and weather forecasts. Working with partner agencies, DEC is prepared to coordinate resource deployment of all available assets, including first responders, to targeted areas in preparation for potential impacts due to snow.
DEC reminds those responsible for the removal and disposal of snow to follow best management practices to help prevent flooding and reduce the potential for pollutants like salt, sand, oils, trash and other debris from affecting water quality. Disposal of snow in local creeks and streams can create ice dams, which may cause flooding. Public and private snow removal operators should be aware of these safety issues during and after winter storms. Additional information is available at Division of Water Technical and Operational Guidance Series: Snow Disposal.
Unpredictable winter weather and storms in the Adirondacks, Catskills and other backcountry areas, can create unexpectedly hazardous conditions. Visitors should be prepared with proper clothing and equipment for snow, ice and the cold to ensure a safe winter experience. Snow depths range greatly throughout the Adirondacks, with the deepest snow at higher elevations in the High Peaks region and other mountains over 3,000 feet. Most lower elevation trails are frozen, including many trails in the Catskill Mountains.
While some waterways are currently frozen, DEC advises outdoor enthusiasts to review ice safety guidelines before heading out.
Hikers are advised to temporarily avoid all high-elevation trails as well as trails that cross rivers and streams. Hikers in the Adirondacks are encouraged to check the Adirondack Backcountry Information webpages for updates on trail conditions, seasonal road closures and general recreation information.
Backcountry visitors should Hike Smart and follow proper safety guidelines. Plan trips accordingly. In an emergency, call 9-1-1. To request Forest Ranger assistance, call 1-833-NYS-RANGERS.
Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation New York State Park Police and park personnel are on alert and closely monitoring weather conditions and impacts. Response equipment is being fueled, tested and prepared for storm response use. Park visitors should visit parks.ny.gov, check the free mobile app, or call their local park office for the latest updates regarding park hours, openings and closings.
Metropolitan Transportation Authority
The MTA is closely monitoring weather conditions to ensure safe, reliable service. MTA employees will be poised to spread salt, clear platforms and stairs where ice exists, and keep signals, switches, and third rail operating, remove any downed trees that may fall across tracks, and attend to any weather-related challenges. MTA Bridges and Tunnels advises motorists to use caution when driving on icy roadways and drive at reduced speeds.
Customers are encouraged to check https://new.mta.info for the latest service updates, and to use caution while navigating the system. Customers should also sign up for real-time service alerts via text or email. These alerts are also available via the MTA app and TrainTime app.
Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
The Port Authority monitors weather conditions across all its facilities. In the event of severe weather, the agency issues travel alerts and updates as needed via facility email alerts and on social media. For the latest information about Port Authority facilities, please check social media, sign up for PA Alerts or download one of the PA mobile apps, including RidePATH, which provides real-time updates and alerts for PATH service.
Source: United States Senator for Maine Angus King
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senate Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee Ranking Member Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Senate Appropriations Committee Vice Chair Patty Murray (D-WA), Senate Energy and Natural Resources National Parks Subcommittee Ranking Member Senator Angus King (I-ME), and Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Martin Heinrich (D-NM) urged newly confirmed U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to immediately take action to resolve looming staffing shortages at the National Park Service.
The letter follows President Trump’s hiring freeze, his cancellation of thousands of job offers for seasonal National Park Service employees, and his buyout offers made without clear legal authority. These actions pave the way for a damaging loss of staff at national parks across the nation in the coming summer months and beyond.
“Without seasonal staff during this peak season, visitor centers may close, bathrooms will be filthy, campgrounds may close, guided tours will be cut back or altogether cancelled, emergency response times will drop, and visitor services like safety advice, trail recommendations, and interpretation will be unavailable,” wrote the Senators.
“We are also alarmed that the administration’s offer of deferred resignation and voluntary early retirement, made without clear legal authority, as well as open threats about future terminations will lead to a damaging loss of full-time staff at the National Park Service, which is already operating well below prior staffing levels despite significant increases in visitation,” the Senators continued. “As a result of onerous budget caps during the 2010s, the National Park Service lost 15% of its staff while park visitation also increased by 15%. If a significant number of National Park Service employees take one of the offers – or further terminations are made – park staffing will be in chaos. Not only does this threaten the full suite of visitor services, but could close entire parks altogether.”
The Senators concluded, “Americans showing up to national parks this summer and for years to come don’t deserve to have their vacations ruined by a completely preventable – and completely irresponsible – staffing shortage. And local economies don’t deserve to have their livelihoods destroyed for political gain. We urge your cooperation in protecting national parks for the enjoyment of everyone by ensuring National Park Service staffing meets the needs of the 433 national park units in all 50 states.”
In addition to Merkley, Murray, King, and Heinrich, the letter is signed by U.S. Senators Jon Ossoff (D-GA), John Fetterman (D-PA), Mark Warner (D-VA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), and John Hickenlooper (D-CO).
Full text of the letter can be found by clicking here and below.
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Dear Secretary Burgum:
We urge you to immediately reissue seasonal employment offers for the National Park Service, officially rescind damaging and short-sighted deferred resignation and early retirement offers, and to instead work to safeguard, grow, and shape the National Park Service workforce to meet the needs of our national parks and their visitors.
We are alarmed that the National Park Service revoked employment offers for seasonal staff for the upcoming summer season. Incoming seasonal staff – whose work is critical to managing the influx of visitors during the summer “peak season” – had offers in their hands that were yanked away just days after the inauguration.
National Park Service rangers carry out a wide array of functions critical to protecting natural resources, keeping visitors safe, providing for recreation, and creating an inspiring and educational experience for visitors. National Park units experience a summer surge in visitation that peaks in July, and the Service hires more than 6,000 seasonal employees to manage that extra work. Without seasonal staff during this peak season, visitor centers may close, bathrooms will be filthy, campgrounds may close, guided tours will be cut back or altogether cancelled, emergency response times will drop, and visitor services like safety advice, trail recommendations, and interpretation will be unavailable.
We are also alarmed that the administration’s offer of deferred resignation and voluntary early retirement, made without clear legal authority, as well as open threats about future terminations will lead to a damaging loss of full-time staff at the National Park Service, which is already operating well below prior staffing levels despite significant increases in visitation. As a result of onerous budget caps during the 2010s, the National Park Service lost 15% of its staff while park visitation also increased by 15%. If a significant number of National Park Service employees take one of the offers – or further terminations are made – park staffing will be in chaos. Not only does this threaten the full suite of visitor services, but could close entire parks altogether.
Gutting staffing at national park units will devastate local “gateway” communities where parks generate significant economic activity – from hotels to restaurants to stores to outfitters. In 2023, an estimated 325 million park visitors spent an estimated $26.4 billion in local gateway regions, supporting an estimated 415,000 jobs and $55.6 billion in total economic output in the national economy.
Americans showing up to national parks this summer and for years to come don’t deserve to have their vacations ruined by a completely preventable – and completely irresponsible – staffing shortage. And local economies don’t deserve to have their livelihoods destroyed for political gain. We urge your cooperation in protecting national parks for the enjoyment of everyone by ensuring National Park Service staffing meets the needs of the 433 national park units in all 50 states.
