The Electrification of Parks and Recreation
Courtesy of NRPA
One of the most far-reaching trends that will sweep the field of parks and recreation during the next decade is the conversion of fossil-fueled power sources to electric power. Many park and recreation agencies already have begun to implement the conversion from fossil fuels to electrically powered tools, equipment, vehicles and even buildings.
In a wide-ranging conversation with senior representatives of The Toro Company, one of the leading manufacturers of commercial grade mowers and power equipment, the representatives affirmed they are making the conversion to electrically powered equipment a strategic priority. The company sees the move to electrification as an industry-wide imperative driven by customer demand and regulatory factors. It’s important to note that more leading manufacturers of commercial-grade mowers and power equipment recognize this need in the park and recreation space and either currently offer or plan to introduce electric-powered products in the future.
Read more:
https://www.nrpa.org/parks-recreation-magazine/2023/april/the-electrification-of-parks-and-recreation/
White House Invest in Nature Call to Action
Courtesy of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy
The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to conserving and restoring nature, giving communities the tools they need to be resilient, and achieving our climate goals. Through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act, we are taking aggressive action to drive significant progress. This year’s global theme for Earth Day, “Invest in Nature,” underscores the importance of this these efforts, and the need to do even more.
Building on the bold actions taken and strong partnerships forged across sectors over the past year, and emphasizing areas of action identified in the Administration’s America the Beautiful Initiative and Nature-Based Solutions Roadmap, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) is launching an “Invest in Nature Call to Action”, calling on the private sector, foundations, academic institutions, educators, health care providers, and individuals to join the mission.
We invite you to join us and submit commitments of new or expanded efforts to invest in jobs, youth, and resilient cities and communities – through nature. Send your ambitious commitments to [email protected].
Commitments received by April 6, 2023 may be amplified by OSTP. We will continue accepting commitments through March, 2024.
Read more:
https://www.whitehouse.gov/ostp/news-updates/2023/03/22/investing-in-nature/
States Consider Ending Right on Red to Address Rising Pedestrian Deaths
Courtesy of Pew
By Erika Bolstad
For nearly five decades, drivers in much of the United States have taken for granted a privilege unknown in much of the rest of the world: Arrive at a red light, stop, and if the intersection is clear, turn right even if the signal isn't green.
Transportation planners can do plenty to make streets safer beyond banning right on red, said Jeff Speck, a city planner and the author of "Walkable City." He's an advocate for replacing some signaled intersections with all-way stop signs, which studies have shown can reduce collisions "precipitously," Speck said in an email.
Read more:
https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/blogs/stateline/2023/03/07/states-consider-ending-right-on-red-to-address-rising-pedestrian-deaths
To fight e-bike fires, New York state and city lawmakers crack down on unsafe batteries, chargers
Courtesy of Smart Cities
By Michael Brady
More than 25 lithium-ion batteries in New York City caught fire through Feb. 24, a fourfold increase over the same period in 2022, the lawmakers said. Last year’s 216 fires attributed to such batteries signaled a dramatic increase in just a few years, as there were just 44 such fires in 2020, a New York Fire Department spokesperson told Smart Cities Dive in December.
Under the first statewide bill, lithium-ion batteries and chargers would meet the state’s minimum safety standards if they are certified by Underwriters Laboratories, International Electrotechnical Commission, American National Standards Institute, or Society of Automotive & Aerospace Engineering Manufacturing, distributing, or selling batteries in the state that do not meet such standards could result in a $500 penalty for the first violation and a $1,000 fine for subsequent offenses.
Read more:
https://www.smartcitiesdive.com/news/ny-state-lawmakers-legislation-fight-e-bike-fires/644390/
Philadelphia ‘Lights Out Pledge’ Seeks To Prevent Bird Deaths
Courtesy of Planetizen
By Diana Ionescu
PENNSYLVANIA - Roughly 100 Philadelphia buildings have signed on to a ‘lights out pledge’ aimed at preventing migratory birds from deviating from their migration paths and striking buildings, reports Bridget Reed Morawski in Next City. The Lights Out Philly program was developed over decades by Keith Russell and Audubon Mid-Atlantic, who tried to draw attention to the issue but had little luck until a massively publicized bird strike event in 2020.
Read more:
https://www.planetizen.com/news/2023/03/122183-philadelphia-lights-out-pledge-seeks-prevent-bird-deaths
2023 NACo Achievement Awards
Achievement Award winners earn recognition that can include local media coverage, features in County News, congressional testimony, White House and federal agency briefings, NACo publications, and a spotlight at the 2023 Annual Conference.
The deadline to apply is April 7.
For more information:
https://www.naco.org/resources/2023-achievement-awards
DOD and DOI Partnership Provides $80 Million to Preserve Natural Landscapes Around Military Installations and Enhance Outdoor Recreation Opportunities
Courtesy of SORP
The Department of Defense and the Department of the Interior are joining forces to preserve land around military installations and improve access to outdoor recreation for millions of Americans and defense communities. Through the new Readiness and Recreation Initiative, DOI's National Park Service will provide $40 million in funding from unobligated Land and Water Conservation Fund balances to safeguard natural areas, protect water resources, preserve cultural heritage sites, and provide recreation opportunities for the public. The REPI Program will provide a matching $40 million in funds to support projects within an existing REPI agreement area or an area that is actively developing a REPI agreement area.
Read more:
https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3337361/dod-and-doi-partnership-provides-80-million-to-preserve-natural-landscapes-arou/
America’s Outdoor Recreation Act Reintroduced
Courtesy of SORP
By Eric Colby
America’s Outdoor Recreation Act yesterday was reintroduced in the 118th Congress with strong bipartisan support. The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable and its members across the $862 billion outdoor recreation economy urged approval of the bill, which aims to improve access to outdoor spaces, including waterways.
Read more:
https://www.tradeonlytoday.com/industry-news/americas-outdoor-recreation-act-reintroduced
