Staggs, B. (2023, December 29 ). Here’s your 2024 timeline for California climate and 

environmental issues. Retrieved January 22, 2024, from https://www.ocregister.com/2023/12/29/heres-your-2024-timeline-for-california-climate-and-environment-issues/ 

This article written by the OC Register, a southern californian publication, highlights some key dates for environmental issues this year. From recycling laws to bans on fluorescent light bulbs and lawnmowers, California has a lot in store for 2024. One important date that highlights environmental clean up is on October first. The South Coast Air Quality Management District is thinking about putting regulations on ports to help clean up pollution in those areas. This would help clean the water and natural habitat around ship ports along California’s coast. 

This article showcases what California is doing to take initiative and help the environment. California has always been a trendsetter for other states in the climate change arena. With laws and regulations protecting our environment and our citizens from damage. These new laws that will come into effect in 2024 will just continue to help the environment even if it is in small ways, like banning fluorescent light bulbs. Everything makes a difference. 

Rode, E. ( 2023, december 7). Salton Sea restoration projects get $72 million boost from feds, a historic first. Retrieved January 22, 2024, from https://www.desertsun.com/story/news/environment/2023/12/07/salton-sea-restoration-projects-federal-funding/71818181007/ 

In early december the Desert Sun publication, wrote this article summarizing the Salton Seas new restoration project. The Salton Sea located in southern california, has been longing for restoration for years. Finally the Biden-Haris administration has provided money to back the project. $250 million dollars goes toward restoration with $72 coming from the Inflation Reduction Act. The project hopes to restore shallow and deep water lost to the receding shoreline, and improve salinity.  The funding from the federal government will expedite the 10 year plan to restore 30,000 acres to the habitat.

This article highlights the importance of federal funding in efforts to restore habitats. With the starters complex laws and regulations it can be difficult to find funding for big projects like these. It is reassuring to know that the federal government cares about the future of our state and wants to help. 

Rogers, P. ( 2023, September 22). Beach Bounce Back? California’s Largest Volunteer Event Seeks to Restore Former Glory after Covid Downturn. Retrieved January 22, 2024, from 

https://www.montereyherald.com/2023/09/22/beach-bounce-back-californias-largest-volunteer-event-seeks-to-restore-former-glory-after-covid-downturn/ 

In September, The Monterey Herald wrote this article about the struggle to find volunteers after covid. Coastal Cleanup Day has been California’s largest volunteer event since 1985. However, after the pandemic less and less people have been showing up for coastal cleanups. Before covid there were nearly 75k volunteers cleaning up trash, however that number has been cut in half in years following the pandemic. The California Coastal Commission is conducting a paid social media promo in order to try and recruit more volunteers. California has a plethora of beaches and they need the help of citizens to stay clean and healthy. 

This article exemplifies the importance of environmental volunteer work. In California especially we have so many habitats that need protection and restoration. You don’t have to be a lawmaker to help fix things, anyone can go out and volunteer. When I went out to beach cleanups I felt very good about myself and had a fun time. It is a great way to learn more about the environment hands on. I think that California residents really have the capability to make a difference. 

Mcewen, L. ( 2023, November 25). Going to the source: Can meadow restoration beef up California’s water supplies and reduce flooding?. Retrieved January 22, 2024, from 

https://www.bakersfield.com/news/going-to-the-source-can-meadow-restoration-beef-up-california-s-water-supplies-and-reduce/article_7808096e-8961-11ee-b2aa-d33681c3e062.html

Published recently in January 2024, this article written by a Bakersfield publication highlights the importance of meadows. California’s Sierra Nevada is home to hundreds of thousands of meadows. The meadows act as a sponge of water, slowing it down and filtering it. However more than 50,000 meadows are in need of restoration. Proposition 1 includes meadows in its plan to fight climate change in California. Restoring 1 acre of meadow increases water yield by half an acre-foot per year. People can help clean up meadows by removing forest debris, like one local Fresno group did recently. 

This article was surprising to me because I didn’t know how much of an impact meadows had on the environment. By restoring meadows we can really help climate change effects.This connects to sea level rise, a soft engineering approach is by creating marshes to soak up water. Meadows do the same thing for mountain water runoff. 

Houston, W. ( 2023, August 2). Marin district outlines plans for salmon habitat restoration. Retrieved January 22, 2024, from

https://www.marinij.com/2023/08/02/marin-district-outlines-plans-for-salmon-habitat-restoration/              

This article published only about a week ago by the Marin Independent Journal, summarizes the upcoming project by the Marin Municipal water District. In an effort to restore the habitat for the endangered coho salmon. Lagunitas creek was interrupted by the creation of dam, however through innovative strategies environmentalists will try to replicate the habitat for the salmon before the dams existed. The Peter Dam  at Kent Lake interrupts the flow of important gravel and wood downstream, which create spawning beds for salmon. This project is estimated to cost between 10 and 12 million dollars. 

The article highlights the efforts of Marin County to reconstruct a habitat for the endangered species of salmon. This is such an important thing to do in order to protect the ecosystem as a whole. With dams being a controversial topic in the environment, it is nice to see people finding ways to help animals affected by them. 

AFIMSC. (2023, July 23). 354th fighter wing launches broad outreach effort in support of environmental cleanup oper. Eielson Air Force Base. https://www.eielson.af.mil/News/Features/Display/Article/3437563/354th-fighter-wing-launches-broad-outreach-effort-in-support-of-environmental-c/ 

The 354th Fighter Wing Air Force has initiated an outreach campaign to promote environmental cleanup operations. Through extensive engagement, the wing aims to gather strong support for many cleanup efforts. This approach highlights the wing’s dedication to effective environmental management, emphasizing community involvement and cooperation to complete successful cleanup operations.

The Air Force has also made it a priority to get the community involved. This issue is getting national attention from all groups around the world. Environmental restoration is key because of the impact pollution and contamination has had the last 20 years. Not only do we need to help the future, but also fix the past. 

Hurd. (2023, February 23). Army’s environmental restoration program revitalizes contaminated lands. www.army.mil. https://www.army.mil/article/264209/armys_environmental_restoration_program_revitalizes_contaminated_lands 

The Army’s Environmental Restoration Program is effectively restoring polluted areas. By targeting polluted sites, the program is planning successful revitalization efforts. This plan signifies the Army’s commitment to restoring the environment and repurposing once-polluted areas, showcasing a great stride towards better land management.

The Army is also contributing and demonstrating attempts to preserve, restore and fix harmed lands by pollution through clean-ups. This kind of evidence on a national level shows that it does not matter how much you have, everyone must help preserve ecosystems. 

Ashford. (2023, May 17). Cleanup Operations at Oil Discharge Scene Near Washington, Kansas, Shift to Restoration. EPA. https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/cleanup-operations-oil-discharge-scene-near-washington-kansas-shift-restoration 

Cleanup operations at the oil discharge site near Washington, KS, are moving towards restoration efforts. At first there were minimal clean-up changes, the focus is now shifting to restoring the affected area. This shift signifies a move towards long-term environmental recovery, demonstrating progress in addressing the effects of the oil discharge incident.

Once again the operations regarding maintaining ecosystems in the area get the public involved with environmental clean-ups directly applying to the topic. There is a lot of dedication from the workers that improve the life at the creek where the oil is infected.

NJ finalizes bigger settlement for Toms River Cleanup | NJ spotlight news. NJ Spotlight News. (2023, August 17) https://www.njspotlightnews.org/2023/08/toms-river-cleanup-settlement-finalized-ciba-geigy-basf/ 

The Toms River cleanup agreement has increased funds and additional land. The deal which is addressing environmental contamination, has resulted in a larger financial distribution and expanded land resources for better cleanup. This development is a great step towards effectively ending pollution concerns in Toms River.

The Toms River in New Jersey is in need of cleaning, so an agreement has been made to put efforts into cleaning up the pollution in the river and conserving the natural body of water. This is environmental cleaning and in doing so, they are restoring the wildlife that lives in the river’s ecosystem. 

USAtoday. (2023, December 30). Salmon won’t return to the Klamath River overnight, but tribes are ready for restoration work. Retrieved January 28, 2024 from https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/12/30/klamath-river-dam-removal-first-step-fish-restoration/71938341007/

After decades of fighting to remove the Klamath River’s dam, the last of four hydroelectric dams is expected to come down in 2024. Local tribes have been fighting for the removal so that they can restore the river’s natural flow. The removal process was approved by the federal government in 2022 and is the largest removal project in US history. After the removal of these dams, the river’s flow was restored and many fish species were able to live in this river again. The salmon, however, is not supposed to come back for decades. Despite this progress, this removal is just the beginning to the restoration of the Klamath River. 

The removal of these dams marks the beginning of a long process of restoration of the Klamath River. With protests from the local community, more laws will hopefully be put into place to preserve the natural species that live in the river. Although this is a massive project that involves construction companies and ecological restoration firms, it will all be worth it in the end because the river is vital to the survival of the local people and environment.