Mardi Gras Pass

NASA's Earth Observatory celebrated Fat Tuesday with images of some Louisiana wetlands around Mardi Gras Pass. They detail the changing characteristics of the waterways in a meaningful way.

New Orleans Reforestation Plan

 Since New Orleans will be in the news today (Happy Mardi Gras) maybe it is a good day to share the New Orleans Reforestation Plan. The plan frames a pilot approach that includes specific plans for a few different neighborhoods. While the plan is specific to the Crescent City, some of the ideas could inform work elsewhere.

Adaptive design

The latest issue of Landscape Architecture Magazine presents an innovative marsh planting technology/design intended for the wetlands at the ancestral home of the Atakapa Ishak/Chawasha peoples.

A new beach

 not not anyone needed another reason, but, landscape architects will have a new excuse for a day at the beach when James Corner's new Ganesvoort Peninsula debuts this summer.

Sackett wetlands

Could the Supreme Court decision regarding Sackett v. EPA leave Louisiana's wetlands unprotected? NOLA.com explains their concerns.

Earthquake maps

About 12 hours ago, Turkey had a 7.5 (or 7.8?) magnitude eatherquake. The USGS already has some interactive maps of the earthquake in Turkey. This contour map of impact shows how much it shook distant areas. Zoom out to see that there are areas of Georgia and Iraq, hundreds of miles away, that felt it as a 3.5.

The USGS also has a page called, "Did You Feel It?" where people can share "Felt Reports." A little bit of citizen science.

Hot Spot Cities Project

As part of an ongoing focus on biodiversity and cities, the McHarg Institute has created an interim report on its Hot Spot Cities.

 

Floods and droughts

The Babbitt Center for Land and Water Policy has updated their online overview of the Colorado River. By itself it is a pretty amazing storymap. But the story of the Colorado River is exceptional. The watershed of the river is vast and it impacts so many critical issues. 

What can we do? The Lincoln Land Institute has a Water Smart video that gives some first ideas.

The printed map version is pretty amazing too.

 

Thoughts to remember on Groundhog Day

“Side of the eye, side of the eye.” “Don’t drive angry.”