Networker

The quarterly newsletter of the Conservation Leaders Network

IN THIS ISSUE:

County Board Member of the Month Speaks—Julia Fauci, DeKalb County  IL

Berks County PA completes extensive energy-savings project 

New Board Members Strengthen the Conservation Leaders Network

Wildlife and Habitat Benefits of Wetlands

County Spotlight – Pima County, Arizona

Do You Want to Make More of a Difference? 

From the Director . . .

Thank you to our 2010 Funders

$$ for Counties

County Board Member of the Month Speaks—Julia Fauci, DeKalb County  IL

Since the passing of a land-purchase referendum in 2006 that raised the corporate property tax rate from .03% to .06%, DeKalb County Forest Preserve District of Illinois has added 179 acres of preserved habitat totaling 1,479 acres of land purchased since the inception of our district in 1940, creating 16 distinctly different forest preserves. Commissioners follow land purchase criteria and procedures  when choosing parcels that must fulfill the intent of the Forest Preserve District Act of 1913—a profound piece of historic legislation used across our state to preserve in perpetuity natural environments in Illinois. Other programs such as the wetland bank restoration program (Army Corps of Engineers) plus the many grants offered through state and private agencies further our efforts by stretching tax dollars when buying green space for our citizens. Dedicated staff and an army of volunteers do the rest.

Our first acquisition after the referendum was a 76-acre addition to Afton, our premier preserve located in the center of the county. Restoration began and continues with prairie seeding and burr oak plantings by dedicated students from Northern Illinois University. The Sunrise Rotary Club donated a brand new shelter and a group called “Jeff’s Trees” makes a yearly tree-planting pilgrimage to the site. A handicap-accessible trail has been built and a future, revenue-producing wetland bank along the creek is a possibility.

The district then purchased a 5-acre farmstead adjacent to Russell Woods in the north of the county. We demolished the decrepit farmhouse, restored the corn crib, and relocated an historic, 1835 cabin to the site, all school bus accessible. This year we will purchase the remaining adjacent, flood-prone, 55-acre cropland through a USDA program dedicated to returning marginal farmland back to habitat. These parcels will provide necessary bike path linkages to the Genoa Prairie Corridor (an inter-governmental, shared swath of habitat) and the Genoa-Kingston Pathway project—all part of the county’s Comprehensive Plan.

With a guaranteed revenue stream and local/state/private support, more land purchases are in our future as long as there are willing sellers with properties that fulfill our agreed-upon objectives. An additional 76 acres has been promised through generous estate plans and we have been given first right of refusal to another 260 acres when those parcels are finally offered for sale. Future alliances between government, private, educational, and corporate interests creates a convergence of efforts that benefits everyone. Preserved habitats inspire the soul while they clean the water we drink and the air breathe. Even those not aware of our chain of preserves reap the benefits. It’s been the joy of my life to have played a small part in this ever unfolding story, chairing the Forest Preserve Committee for the past 6 years, with 2 years remaining in my term.

All our efforts bear fruit when a bald eagle calls Russell Woods home, or when 170 bird species are observed at Afton, or when a Kishwaukee River mussel study reveals a high diversity of species. The natural world never fails to give back when given a chance to come back.

Berks County PA completes extensive energy-savings project 

By Cindy Wasser, Community Services Assistant

This month, Berks County, Pa. is finishing the main phase of an extensive energy-savings project that will net the county $1.2 million per year.

The Berks County Guaranteed Energy Savings Project was undertaken to address several challenges that many counties across the country face today — aging buildings running at low efficiencies, rising energy costs and limited staff for energy conservation.

In all, the project encompasses more than 20 energy conservation measures and reaches nearly every county facility — approximately 1.6 million square feet of building space. Energy conservation measures include HVAC upgrades, lighting retrofits, central plant upgrades and installation of building automation systems, among other improvements.

In 2009, Berks County contracted with an energy savings company (ESCO) to undertake facility improvements, which would be paid for by guaranteed energy and maintenance savings. This self-funding mechanism makes much-needed capital improvements possible without added costs to county budgets.

Construction costs for the guaranteed energy savings project were estimated at $11 million. Berks anticipates $21 million in savings over 15 years from reduced utilities and maintenance costs, or $1.2 million annually.

With that knowledge, the ESCO assisted the county in setting up financing for all upfront project costs. In addition, it guarantees the annual savings, and the county uses those savings to pay back a loan.

Berks used a $2.9 million Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) from the U.S. Department of Energy to reduce the total amount it needed for upfront costs.

In Berks County, “green” means cost savings and economic competitiveness. In 2008, the Board of Commissioners formed a Green Team Task Force to look at energy-savings opportunities throughout the county. The board was attracted to the ESCO partnership because it is budget-neutral, there is no capital investment, key improvement areas are addressed and there is opportunity to demonstrate environmental leadership.

During the summer of 2008, Berks issued an expression of interest (EOI) to solicit interest in an ESCO partnership. A review committee, with representatives from facilities, purchasing, commissioners and the county administrator’s offices, was organized to review the 11 responses.

Three top vendors were asked to respond to an RFP. These finalists developed an extensive draft audit, representing an estimated $30,000 to $40,000 investment for the companies, and presented their findings to the budget director, commissioners and review committee.

County leaders selected NORESCO because of the quality of its initial audit and the level of guarantee that the energy company provided to Berks. Commissioner Christian Leinbach described Berks County’s relationship with NORESCO as a “fruitful” and “long-term” partnership.

Further, Leinbach said, “The selection of an ESCO is very important, but equally important is [the county’s] internal team.” The Facilities Department, which works on the energy improvements on a daily basis, becomes the “institutional knowledge of the ESCO contract” and is critical to success, Leinbach added.

As part of its package, NORESCO is delivering general energy conservation training to all county staff, including reminders to put their computers to hibernate at night, turn off lights and unplug equipment that is not in use. Interest is there. The educational energy fairs hosted for county staff have seen exceptional turnout.

Once all phases of the project are complete, annual electrical savings will be over 5 million kilowatt-hours. Carbon dioxide emissions are expected to drop by nearly 108,000 tons over the full life of the project, the equivalent to removing more than 2,700 cars from the road. Over 10 million gallons of water will also be conserved annually.

Reprinted with permission, National Association of Counties.

New Board Members Strengthen the Conservation Leaders Network

Peggy Beltrone is the President of Exergy Integrated Systems, the technology concepts and commercialization arm of the Exergy group of companies. It was established to foster the deployment of new and advanced renewable energy technologies that better integrate into the lives of people who use them, and the communities and landscapes in which they are placed. She is a nationally known and trusted voice on rural renewable energy development and sustainable communities. She championed rural economic development on the Board of Cascade County Commissioners for nearly 16 years where she directed the County’s wind energy marketing program. She chairs the Community Wind initiative of the 25x’25 National Alliance (25% renewable energy in the US by 2025) of over 900 energy, agricultural, and environmental organizations, serves on the US Department of Energy’s Wind Powering America steering committee and on the US Environmental Protection Agency’s Farm Ranch and Rural Communities Advisory Committee. Beltrone is a former board member of the National Association of Counties (NACo).

Steve Wilensky is in his second term on the Calaveras County CA Board of Supervisors, representing a rural district in the Central Sierra.  He is the owner and operator of Humbug Creek Farm, an apple farm and cider mill, a founding member of the Foothill Conservancy, the co-chair of the Sierra Nevada Forest and Communities Initiative, a board member of the Upper Mokolumne River Watershed Authority and on the steering committee of the Sierra-Cascades Forest Dialogue with the US Forest Service.

Wildlife and Habitat Benefits of Wetlands

 This is the final of a multi-part series.

Wetlands are often called the “nurseries of life”, providing sanctuary for thousands of aquatic and terrestrial animals.  Migratory birds use wetlands as nesting sites year after year.  One third of our nation’s endangered species call wetlands their permanent homes, while half utilize them at some point in their life.  Wetlands are an essential link in the world’s food chain.  As such, wetlands are home to aquatic plants, recreational

and commercial shellfish and fish as well as other wildlife.  There is tremendous diversity in the kinds of wildlife and habitat found in wetlands, because they contain both moist soil and water where numerous species lay their eggs.

Did you know?  The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimates that up to 43% of the federally threatened and endangered plant and animal species rely directly or indirectly on wetlands for survival (e.g., the wood stork, Florida panther, whooping crane, and plants such as the swamp pink and Canby’s dropwort).

County Spotlight – Pima County, Arizona

Pima County is a growing county and is currently the second largest of the four original Arizona counties.  Accounting for 9,187 square miles of southern Arizona, the county includes the city of Tucson and is a large urban county with a population in 2000 of over 840,000 people.

Pima County is protecting endangered species and habitats through the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan.  The Sonoran Desert is rich in biodiversity and one of the top eco-regions in the world.  Pima County is committed to the long-term survival of native plants and animals and the conservation of its cultural resources, and now has a single plan comprised of natural resource protection and land use planning activities.  The county’s conservation plan places priority on preserving and protecting these natural resources while also being mindful of growth in the area.

Pima County recognizes that 60% to 75% of all species in the state of Arizona depend on a riverine area or wetland at some point in their life cycle.  So the county’s plan includes guidelines on the conservation of 95% of the wetland areas that will be affected by development through conservation easements, restoration projects, zoning revisions, and partnerships with public and private entities.  To learn more about Pima County’s role in the Sonoran Desert Conservation plan visit: www.co.pima.az.us/.

Reprinted with permission, National Association of Counties.

Do You Want to Make More of a Difference? 

• Do you want to make more of a difference?  The Conservation Leaders Network can help you put your skills to work to protect America’s natural resources. 

• Do you care passionately about America’s natural resources and are willing to make a substantial effort to protect them?  Do you want to motivate more county officials to speak out?  The Conservation Leaders Network’s Board of Directors may be the place for you.

• Do you like meeting new people and sharing your zeal for conservation?  The Conservation Leaders Network can use your help with member recruitment and member appeals.

• Have you written successful grant proposals?  Are you a fundraiser at heart? The Conservation Leaders Network can use your help.

• Do you have internet access and would like to help with online research?

• Do you have financial skills and expertise?  The Board of Directors needs a Treasurer.

• Do you have marketing skills?  The Conservation Leaders Network needs you to advise us on how to identify ways to make the organization more visible.

• Are you experienced with social networking?  If you know FaceBook, FaceBook Causes, Twitter, or other social networking media, tracking contacts and other data, the Conservation Leaders Network needs your input now!

From the Director . . .

I am so glad you support the Conservation Leaders Network and our work rallying county commissioners to protect America’s natural resources. 

This is an exciting time right now.  After waiting for Congress to clarify the law—something not likely to happen since the last election—we now have the opportunity for an administrative fix.  Thanks in part to the letters we worked with county officials to send urging just such an administrative process, the Environmental Protection Agency will be releasing agency guidance as soon as this week or next, touching off a two-month public comment period.  Feel free to give me a call if you’d like the details.

This is the crucial first step.  We’ve been told that the Obama Administration will only take the second—and binding—step if there is a show of clear public support now.  What better way to demonstrate that public support than by motivating county officials to go on record in favor of clean water?  These county officials represent thousands of citizens each—their letters have tremendous clout and credibility.

We expect a 60-day public comment period to begin in the next few weeks, so we need to be ready.  We will use your gift to generate letters from all corners of the country.  This is especially important because we know the National Association of Counties (NACo) will be lobbying against it.

We will promote clean water at the NACo Legislative Conference in Washington, DC, in early March.  While there, we are organizing an event for Local Officials for Clean Water, featuring Jan Goldman-Carter, Wetlands and Water Resources Counsel for the National Wildlife Federation.  And I will be meeting with the National Wildlife Federation, Earthjustice and the Sierra Club to ensure that our work is on target. 

You can make a donation to support our efforts at our secure online site at www.conservationleaders.org.  Just click on the “Donate Now” button. 

The Conservation Leaders Network recently said goodbye to two Board members, Pete Sorenson of OR and Howard Kessler of FL.  Pete is a county commissioner from Lane County OR; it was his second time on the Board.  Howard was a commissioner from Wakulla County FL.  Both will be sorely missed. 

If you’ve read through this newsletter, you will have seen we have welcomed two new members to the Board of Directors:  Peggy Beltrone and Steve Wilensky.  I am looking forward to working with them and our other board members during 2011.

Thank you to all our 2010 Funders! 

The Conservation Leaders Network’s effectiveness is directly related to the support and involvement of many dedicated people and organizations across the country.  Even with the economic downturn, the supporters of the Conservation Leaders Network helped keep our doors open and county commissioners working to protect America’s natural resources.

We appreciate our foundation supporters:

Anonymous

Curtis and Edith Munson Foundation

Maki Foundation

Park Foundation

Wiancko Family Donor Advised Fund of the Community Foundation of Jackson Hole

Many thanks to last year’s generous donors:

Conservation Champions ($1,000 +)

Anonymous (1)

Claudia McCue

Jud Parsons

Conservation Advocates ($500 + $999)

 Pete Sorenson

Donors ($100 + $499)  

Bracken Burns

David Conley

Kent Daniels

Carol Fordonski

Bob Freimark

Porter and Corrine Lombard

Chuck McGrady

Deborah Noble

Peg Reagan

Dan Saltzman

Dick Schouten

Cheryl Thorp

John Woolley

Georganne White

Special thanks also to:

National Wiliflife Federation

Pew Environment Group

The Wilderness Society

Thank you to our many in-kind donors who provided over $17,000 worth of goods and services! 

All Access Management

Bracken Burns

Carol Fordonski

Mark Furler

Kuenzi & Company

John and Maggie Muellner

Linda Peters

Betty Pierce

Port Orford Ocean Resource Team

Evelyn Reagan

Nevitt Reagan

Peg Reagan

Jan Short

And thank you to our “Conservation Contact” partners:

Conservation Alabama

Alaska Conservation Alliance

Sierra Club--Grand Canyon Chapter (AZ)

Western Colorado Congress

Florida League of Conservation Voters

Georgia Conservation Voters

Conservation Voters for Idaho

Sierra Club Hoosier Chapter (IN)

Sierra Club, Iowa Chapter

Cumberland Chapter, Sierra Club (KY)

Michigan League of Conservation Voters Education Fund

Missouri Coalition for the Environment

Northern Plains Resource Council (MT)

WildEarth Guardians (NM)

Oregon Wild

Lone Star Chapter, Sierra Club (TX)

Utah Chapter, Sierra Club

Virginia Conservation Network

Wyoming Outdoor Council

Thanks to the many people who support our work with gifts of time, insight, experience and energy: 

Conservation Leaders Network’s Board of Directors:

Peggy Beltrone, President, Exergy Integrated Systems, former Commissioner, Cascade County  MT

Bracken Burns, Commissioner, Washington County  PA

Bob Freimark (Secretary), The Wilderness Society, Seattle  WA

Barry Jacobs (Chair), Commissioner, Orange County  NC

Steve Wilensky, Supervisor, Calaveras County  CA

Conservation Leaders Network’s Advisory Committee:

Robert Downing, former Commissioner, Calhoun County  AL

Dorothea Farris, former Commissioner, Pitkin County CO

Brett Hulsey, Supervisor, Dane County  WI

Byng Hunt, Supervisor, Mono County  CA

Mike Murray, Commissioner, Lewis & Clark County  MT

Glen Spain, Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations

Cheryl Thorp, former Commissioner, Curry County OR

Pete Sorenson, Commissioner, Lane County OR

Volunteers:

Yekaterina Ageyeva

Laurie Brand

Commissioner Carol Fordonski

Garth Furler

Laura Greathead

Supervisor Byng Hunt

Volunteer Luncheon 2010

Kay Jenson                     

Leslie Keating

Commissioner Mike Murray

Peg Reagan

Commissioner Pete Sorenson

Supervisor Steve Wilensky

$$ for Counties

1.  Fish and Wildlife Service: Urban Conservation Treaty for Migratory Birds Program

Deadline: February 28, 2011

Description: This program provides support to protect, restore, and enhance urban/suburban habitats for birds; reduce hazards to birds; educate and engage citizens in monitoring, caring about, and advocating for birds and their conservation; foster youth environmental education with a focus on birds; manage invasive species to benefit and protect birds; increase awareness of the value of migratory birds and their habitats, especially for their intrinsic, ecological, recreational, and economic significance.   For more information go to: http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/urbantreaty.html

2.  Department of Commerce: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: Estuary Habitat Restoration Program

Deadline: March 10, 2011

Description: This program provides support to estuary habitat restoration projects that restore estuarine habitats in a manner to adapt to the stressors associated with climate change and achieve cost-effective restoration of ecosystems while promoting increased partnerships among agencies and between public and private sectors. Priority will be given to proposed restoration activities that meet the following criteria: are designed to be robust to projected climatic change impacts, including reduction of potential climatic change effects, and other challenges that climate change may present; occur within a watershed where there is a program being implemented that addresses sources of pollution and other activities that otherwise would adversely affect the restored habitat; and include pilot testing or demonstration of an innovative technology or approach having the potential to achieve better restoration results than conventional technologies, or comparable results at lower cost in terms of energy, economics, or environmental impacts.

For more information go to: 

http://apply07.grants.gov/apply/opportunities/instructions/oppNOAA-NMFS-HCPO-2011-2002885-cfda11.463-cid2219355-instructions.pdf

or

http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=61934

3.  Economic Development Administration: Global Climate Change Mitigation Incentive Fund Program

Deadline: March 10, 2011 

Description: This program provides support to projects that foster economic competitiveness while enhancing environmental quality, including a variety of sustainability focused projects, including renewable energy end-products, the greening of existing manufacturing functions or processes, and the creation of certified green facilities. Priority will be given to projects that advance the green economy by supporting projects that create jobs through and increase private capital investment in initiatives to limit the nation’s dependence on fossil fuels, enhance energy efficiency, curb greenhouse gas emissions, and protect natural systems.

For more information go to:

http://www.eda.gov/InvestmentsGrants/Programs.xml

or

http://www.eda.gov/PDF/2011 EDAP FFO-FINAL.pdf

4.  Environmental Protection Agency: Community Action for a Renewed Environment (CARE) Program

Deadline: March 22, 2011

Description: This program provides support to build the capacity of collaborative, local partnerships, improve access to EPA programs, and address community environmental concerns, with a focus on identifying, understanding, and reducing the risks from toxic pollutants and environmental concerns in various forms, including indoor air, water, and land. Priority will be given to proposed community partnerships that have a strong evaluation component and create a common understanding of local environmental conditions pertaining to the partnership that will both strengthen local efforts and establish a foundation for future progress in the other steps of the CARE process.

For more information go to:

http://www.epa.gov/air/grants_funding.html

or

http://www.epa.gov/air/grants/rfp-epa-oar-io-11-08.pdf