Latest news with #Bowerman
Time Magazine
03-07-2025
- Science
- Time Magazine
Bald Eagles Are Thriving. Could Trump Change That?
It was only a few decades ago that the bald eagle, which has long been an American icon, was on the brink of extinction. Its comeback is largely credited to the Endangered Species Act, a 1973 law that established protections for threatened species—including the bald eagle. 'The bald eagle has been a poster child for the effectiveness of the Endangered Species Act,' says Bill Bowerman, professor of wildlife ecology and toxicology at the University of Maryland. It was only on Christmas Eve last year that the Biden Administration officially designated the bird as America's national bird. But now, as the Trump Administration proposes a rule change that would alter the definition of 'harm' under the act, the Endangered Species Act's power to preserve habitats and protected species around the country could be at risk. The goal of the Endangered Species Act is to provide a framework for saving threatened animals and their environments. The act ended up recovering the bald eagle, considered near extinction in the 1960s, with only 417 known nesting pairs recorded in the lower 48 states in 1963. Now, the bird is no longer under threat; they were delisted from the Endangered Species Act in 2007. Today, there are over 71,400 nesting pairs of bald eagles in the wild. These birds of prey seem to be thriving. Many might not know, but bald eagles are migratory birds. While some choose to live in the same region year-round, others travel far distances during the year. And their range is expanding with our changing climate; during their migration season, the birds are now moving further north than in previous years, and are laying their eggs earlier. Scientists say they are keeping an eye on these changes, though. While they are not yet impacting the bird's reproduction or food sources, they are seeing new challenges emerge. 'This year, at the end of March in Michigan, there was a three day freezing rain event, and it put up to one inch thick ice on trees,' says Bowerman. 'So it brought down some nest sites.' During their migrations they also rely heavily on National Parks—many of which have been facing cuts under the Trump Administration. 'When they migrate, it appears that they use state, national, county, federal parks, or protected lands as stepping stones,' says Scott Rush, associate professor the department of wildlife, fisheries, and aquaculture at Mississippi State University. 'If we lose some of these areas, we don't have the support mechanisms for these birds over these large places.' It's not just the likely elimination of protections to National Parks, however, that could impact the birds. Opening up more forests to industry is also a potential threat to their habitats. In April, the Trump Administration proposed a rule change that would continue to prohibit actions that harm or kill endangered species, but rescind protections for their habitats. Habitat destruction is the greatest threat to endangered species—and could put others at risk. The move is part of the administration's plan to increase drilling and logging in the United States. Regardless of whether these changes come into effect, our daily habits could also be impacting bald eagles. These days, one of the leading killers for bald eagles is electrocution from power lines. 'As temperature changes, whether it be hotter or colder, there's a greater need for more electricity, and a lot of bald eagles nest on utility towers, and some of the issues with utility towers is that the birds can get electrocuted or they can cause outages,' says Rush. Bowerman says that it serves as a reminder that we should be doing more, not less, when it comes to protecting the species that live alongside us. 'We need to have greater appreciation for species and learn about them before we discount them and just write them off.'
Scottish Sun
05-06-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
New 8pm to 8am parking ban kicks in for thousands of Brits – will YOU be impacted?
Scroll down to see if you will be impacted by the ban PARKED OFF New 8pm to 8am parking ban kicks in for thousands of Brits – will YOU be impacted? Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) DRIVERS have been issued a warning after a new overnight parking ban kicks in for thousands of Brits. The new regulations will see motorists banned between 8pm and 8am at a popular tourist location following local concerns. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 The ban will affect motorhomes and campervans Credit: Getty Hampshire City Council has banned motorhomes and campervans from resting in Keyhaven. The new restrictions come after visitors flocking to the holiday hotspot have been leaving the area in a state. It has led to local concerns with county councillor highlighting a a massive spike in campervan numbers flocking to Keyhaven post-Covid. County Counillor, Fran Carpenter, told Birmingham Live she visited " a few days ago" and reported seeing "visible litter in the salt marsh". She said: "Campervans, some bigger than buses, were parked as far as the eye could see. "A van selling souvenirs and an Uber Eats car blocked the road while dropping off pizzas." Councillor, Lulu Bowerman, Hampshire County Council's Cabinet Member for Highways and Passenger Transport, warned there was a clear impact of having the larger vehicles in the area. "There are no public facilities overnight for parking, and campers use the local land, and many residents have asked for these controls to be introduced," she said. Bowerman explained "the new proposal will manage the situation". "I think the scheme would bring order to this particular beautiful part of Hampshire, and I think it's very necessary to maintain full accessible travel at all times." Additionally, she mentioned a "modest charge" in the area, which falls in line with similar locations, will deliver broader benefits to visitors. It will also help with the upkeep of the ecologically delicate area. New Pay and Display arrangements will be introduced at New Lane and Saltgrasss Lane, Keyhaven. The charges have been set at £1 per hour, up to a maximum stay of all day, operating Monday to Sunday from 10am to 6pm. But as part of the new traffic management arrangements, motorhomes and campervans won't be able to park between 8am and 8pm. Award-winning holiday park in St Ives In a council press release, Bowerman said: "Proposals to introduce parking charges on two seafront roads in Keyhaven stem from local concerns about unrestricted parking, resulting in an increase of overnight stays by motorhomes and campervans. "This has led to littering and other anti-social issues linked to camping activities for which the location is unsuited. "Introducing parking charges enables the County Council to curb overnight parking more effectively and to encourage a quicker turnaround of daytime parking so more people can enjoy this popular location. "We have carefully looked at the feedback received through two rounds of consultation and believe that on balance, a modest charge in line with those in place at similar locations, will deliver broader benefits to visitors whilst importantly, supporting the management of this ecologically sensitive site.' The new charging scheme is expected to be introduced later this year. A change to parking rules at Southeastern railway stations also caught drivers off guard in February. The new regulation saw a "pay and display" machines scrapped in favour of Automatic Number Plate Recognition with drivers now having to pay for their parking online. The move was designed to be "quicker and easier" for motorists who previously had to walk to the machine and back to their car to display their ticket.
The Irish Sun
05-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
New 8pm to 8am parking ban kicks in for thousands of Brits – will YOU be impacted?
DRIVERS have been issued a warning after a new overnight parking ban kicks in for thousands of Brits. The new regulations will see motorists banned between 8pm and 8am at a popular tourist location following local concerns. 1 The ban will affect motorhomes and campervans Credit: Getty Hampshire City Council has banned motorhomes and campervans from resting in Keyhaven. The new restrictions come after visitors flocking to the holiday hotspot have been leaving the area in a state. It has led to local concerns with county councillor highlighting a a massive spike in campervan numbers flocking to Keyhaven post-Covid. County Counillor, Fran Carpenter, told Read more Motors news She said: "Campervans, some bigger than buses, were parked as far as the eye could see. "A van selling souvenirs and an Uber Eats car blocked the road while dropping off pizzas." Councillor, Lulu Bowerman, Hampshire County Council's Cabinet Member for Highways and Passenger Transport, warned there was a clear impact of having the larger vehicles in the area. "There are no public facilities overnight for parking, and campers use the local land, and many residents have asked for these controls to be introduced," she said. Most read in Motors Bowerman explained "the new proposal will manage the situation". "I think the scheme would bring order to this particular beautiful part of Hampshire, and I think it's very necessary to maintain full accessible travel at all times." Additionally, she mentioned a "modest charge" in the area, which falls in line with similar locations, will deliver broader benefits to visitors. It will also help with the upkeep of the ecologically delicate area. New Pay and Display arrangements will be introduced at New Lane and Saltgrasss Lane, Keyhaven. The charges have been set at £1 per hour, up to a maximum stay of all day, operating Monday to Sunday from 10am to 6pm. But as part of the new traffic management arrangements, motorhomes and campervans won't be able to park between 8am and 8pm. Award-winning holiday park in St Ives In a council press release, Bowerman said: "Proposals to introduce parking charges on two seafront roads in Keyhaven stem from local concerns about unrestricted parking, resulting in an increase of overnight stays by motorhomes and campervans. "This has led to littering and other anti-social issues linked to camping activities for which the location is unsuited. "Introducing parking charges enables the County Council to curb overnight parking more effectively and to encourage a quicker turnaround of daytime parking so more people can enjoy this popular location. "We have carefully looked at the feedback received through two rounds of consultation and believe that on balance, a modest charge in line with those in place at similar locations, will deliver broader benefits to visitors whilst importantly, supporting the management of this ecologically sensitive site.' The new charging scheme is expected to be introduced later this year. The new regulation saw a "pay and display" machines scrapped in favour of Automatic Number Plate Recognition with drivers now having to pay for their parking online. The move was designed to be "quicker and easier" for motorists who previously had to walk to the machine and back to their car to display their ticket.
