NEWS
TWO NEW BEE SPECIES FOUND IN ASH MEADOWS NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
BIO-WEST and Utah State University scientists say they are elated by the recent discovery of two new bee species in the Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge in Nevada. BIO-WEST was contracted in 2006 to complete a variety of ecological investigations for habitat restoration at Ash Meadows. To assist with a pollinator study, BIO-WEST subcontracted with USU.
David Tanner, a biologist and postdoctoral fellow at USU, and two graduate students were collecting data for the pollinator study, which examines the relationship between pollinators and rare desert plants, when they stumbled across the previously unknown bee species. The newly discovered insects, each distinct forms of the genus Perdita, have not been named yet, but Tanner and a fellow professor in USU’s Biology Department hope to assist with the process.
According to Tanner, the discovery wasn’t a complete shock because desert areas like Ash Meadows are home to some of the greatest biodiversity of bees in the world. Tanner’s discovery is only one of several new finds that have resulted from BIO-WEST’s investigatory work at Ash Meadows. However, because bee populations are declining worldwide, Tanner’s discovery has been especially welcomed by the scientific community. Other BIO-WEST studies in Ash Meadows include plant-reproductive biology, small-mammals, amphibians and reptiles, bats, avian species, soils, rare plants, and vegetation communities.
In the near future, studies examining which bee species could serve as what Tanner terms “alternative, supplemental pollinators” for honeybees—which are at risk because of Colony Collapse Disorder—will be particularly important.
“It’s doubtful that any other species could replace honeybees,” Tanner said, but knowing alternatives would be beneficial and that’s why identification and conservation of all bees are important.
For more information on this discovery, visit the following links:
http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_14911006
http://news.hjnews.com/news/article_8171bb58-4843-11df-8e29-001cc4c002e0.html
BIO-WEST ASSESSES THE PRESENCE AND DISTRIBUTION OF ATLANTIC RANGIA IN SABINE LAKE
BIO-WEST conducted an investigation and assessment of the presence and distribution of Atlantic rangia (Rangia cuneata) colonies in Sabine Lake, Texas and Louisiana. The study, which focused on providing a better understanding of the distribution of Atlantic rangia relative to present freshwater inflow conditions in Sabine Lake, assisted the National Wildlife Federation Gulf States Natural Resources Center.
For more information about this project, click here.
BIO-WEST PRESIDENT EDMUND OBORNY APPOINTED TO TEXAS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
In September 2009 Mr. Edmund Oborny, BIO-WEST senior fisheries biologist and president, was appointed to the Texas Environmental Flows Science Advisory Committee. The Advisory Committee—which is appointed by the Texas Environmental Flows Advisory Group of the Texas State Legislature—is responsible for providing objective, scientific advice on issues relating to the science of environmental flow protection, as well as developing recommendations that will ensure consistent use of flow methodologies and environmental flow programs.
For more information on the Texas Environmental Flows Science Advisory Committee, click here.
BIO-WEST BIOLOGISTS LOCATE RARE SQUIRREL IN ASH MEADOWS NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
BIO-WEST biologists conducting mammalian surveys at the Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) have captured a round-tailed ground squirrel (Spermophilus tereticaudus), a species not found in the Refuge since 1891. The squirrel, which is common in other areas of Nevada, was captured using Sherman live traps during the 2008–2009 field season.
BIO-WEST is gathering baseline information on the presence, distribution, and natural history of small mammals on the Refuge to assist Refuge staff with wetland restoration efforts. Restoration efforts are particularly important because the Refuge is home to more than 20 plant and animal species, including threatened and endangered species, found nowhere else in the world.
When asked about BIO-WEST's work at the Refuge, BIO-WEST ecologist Benjamin Chen said, “It’s a function of us learning how to participate responsibly with our surrounding environment. The mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System speaks to the fact that the conservation of the environment relates to the preservation of our heritage and the belief that simply because it exists, life—a species—is worth protecting, and there is an inherent value in each of the species that make up the complex system that is Ash Meadows.”
For more information on this story, click here.
HOST OF NPR’S “LIVING ON EARTH,” STEVE CURWOOD, ADDRESSES BIO-WEST EMPLOYEES
In December 2004 BIO-WEST employees pooled funds to market the company rather than presenting company principals with a tangible holiday gift. To support the local economy and encourage environmental awareness, BIO-WEST concluded that the right marketing “fit” would be underwriting the environmental news program “Living on Earth,” produced and hosted by Steve Curwood of northern New Hampshire.
The recipient of numerous honors, Curwood shares a Pulitzer Prize for his work at the Boston Globe, and he received a 1992 New England Environmental Leadership Award for promoting environmental awareness. Since its creation in 1990, “Living on Earth” has been awarded the Edward R. Murrow Award, the New York Festivals Award, a CINDY award, and the National Federation of Community Broadcasters Community Program Award. In 2003 Curwood also received the Global Greens Award and the David Brower Award, which was given by the Sierra Club for his creation of “Living on Earth.”
During a visit to Utah sponsored by Utah State University’s College of Natural Resources, the Stokes Nature Center, BIO-WEST, and hosted by Utah Public Radio, Curwood joined BIO-WEST employees for a company meeting held at the Logan Soccer Sports Complex, which was designed by BIO-WEST’s senior planner and landscape architect Christopher Sands. At the meeting Curwood discussed various environmental issues, including chemicals in the environment, our warming planet, and the so-called “green movement.” At the end of his address, Curwood encouraged BIO-WEST personnel to employ what he called the “10/10 Strategy,” which, according to Curwood, means reducing personal emissions and waste by 10 percent and taking care of 10 trees. While in Utah he also addressed audiences at Utah State University and the Stokes Nature Center. Accompanying Steve were Cathy Ives, general manger of Utah Public Radio, and Bryan Earl and Friend Weller, also of Utah Public Radio.
RARE FISH SHOWS SIGNS OF RECOVERY
The June sucker (Chasmistes liorus), an endangered species that lives only in Utah Lake and its tributaries, is beginning to show signs of recovery as a result of enhancements made to Hobble Creek last year. BIO-WEST scientists participated in enhancement efforts by evaluating habitat conditions on Hobble Creek and providing a set a feasible enhancement options that, if implemented, would restore natural June sucker spawning and rearing. Project work also included compiling historical information on Hobble Creek, describing existing June sucker spawning and rearing habitat conditions, completing channel cross-section and longitudinal profile surveys, and making flow recommendations to improve the ecological conditions of the stream and riparian area.
For more information about June sucker recovery, see the Deseret News story here.
THREATENED ORCHID FOUND IN CACHE VALLEY
BIO-WEST botanist Kari Coy discovered an undocumented population of Ute ladies’-tresses (Spiranthes diluvials) while conducting a wetland delineation of private property in Mendon, Utah. Consisting of approximately 30 individuals, this constitutes the only known population in Cache Valley.
Listed as threatened by the Endangered Species Act, the orchid occurs in Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. The Cache Valley population is a geographic link between known populations in the Snake River Valley, Idaho, and Utah County, Utah. BIO-WEST is currently monitoring other populations that occur along Diamond Fork Creek in Provo Canyon, Utah.
For more information about Ute ladies’-tresses, please see http://ecos.fws.gov/speciesProfile/SpeciesReport.do?spcode=Q2WA.
BIO-WEST JOINS UNUSUAL MIX OF VOLUNTEERS FOR LOCAL TRAIL PROJECT
BIO-WEST hydrogeologist helps restore Millville Canyon trail, along with a diverse group of volunteers including ATV enthusiasts, environmentalists, Boy Scouts, backcountry horsemen, and others. See Salt Lake Tribune story here.
UTAH CHAPTER OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE MERIT AWARDS
-Park City (UT). In April 2008 seven BIO-WEST employees received Utah Chapter American Society of Landscape Architecture (ASLA) Merit Awards in the categories of Communication, and Planning and Analysis, for their work on the Salt Lake County Natural Areas Land Management Plan project.
Congratulations, Christopher Sands (principal and project manager), Andrea Moser (landscape architect), Jill Grams (planner), Bridget Atkin (botanist), Sandy Blackner (planner), Aaron Crookston (CAD specialist), and Sandra Turner (editor)!
For more information about this project, click here.
BIO-WEST OFFERS WEED IDENTIFICATION WORKSHOP
-Logan (UT). If you need to identify and treat Utah state-listed noxious and invasive species, we can help. Spend a day in the classroom and field with our botanists and gain first-hand experience to cope with this "growing" problem. See flyer below for details and registration.
BIO-WEST PRINCIPAL AND FOUNDER HONORED WITH AMERICAN FISHERIES SOCIETY LIFE-TIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
-Salt Lake City (UT). Dr. Paul H. Holden received the Utah Chapter of the American Fisheries Society's Life-time Achievement Award in recognition of nearly 4 decades of dedication to aquatic resource management and improvement in Utah and throughout the western United States.
According to Chapter President Paul Cowley, Dr. Holden's efforts and establishment of BIO-WEST have had huge impacts on aquatic resources in the West and beyond, particularly in respect to the endangered fishes of the Colorado, San Juan, Virgin, White, Price, and Green River systems. His "expertise in flow-related issues on several rivers and streams has assisted in determining habitat availability and sediment loads associated with various streamflows throughout the state."
In addition, Dr. Holden has been a professional mentor to many biologists throughout the course of his career, in the classroom, the field, and enjoying the resource by "fishing from here to Alaska."
Congratulations Paul!
ASH MEADOWS NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE SYMPOSIUM
-Pahrump (NV). A relatively unknown refuge, except to scientists interested in endemic species, the Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge has at least 25 native species found nowhere else in the world and the second-highest concentration of endemic life in North America. It is a “Grand Canyon” to desert fish, small mammal, reptile, and amphibian biologists and botanists.
Before being purchased by the Federal government, the refuge was impacted by agricultural practices. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently received funding to study this unique desert oasis in order to restore its natural condition. BIO-WEST is under contract to oversee eight studies leading to the better understanding of existing conditions and the affects of restoration on large, spring-fed wetland complexes on the refuge.
We recently participated in and moderated the Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge Symposium in Las Vegas, which included presentations on all of the research and work to contain non-native species and restore refuge habitat. BIO-WEST presented 11 of the 27 presentations and participated in the open discussion between researchers and those conducting restoration and property activities.
Click here for more information about the Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge.
