A Base for War Training, and Species Preservation

A New York Times front-page story featured the Department of Defense's efforts at restoring habitat for threatened and endangered species to protect its testing and training mission. Highlighted is Fort Stewart, Georgia, which is working to protect the red-cockaded woodpecker and forming partnerships with organizations like the Georgia Land Trust and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Click here to read about these efforts (New York Times).

Pentagon Making Room for Wildlife at Military Bases

Through alliances and strategic investments with environmentalists, the REPI program protects habitat to help the recovery of threatened and endangered species. Efforts at Fort Benning, Georgia have aided the gopher tortoise, while Fort Bragg, North Carolina has protected longleaf pine habitat for the red-cockaded woodpecker. Read more about these efforts here (New York Times).

Army Preserves a Testing Ground by Saving a Farm

At Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, a partnership among the Army, Harford County, and the Harford Land Trust preserved the Hopkins family farm and protected the Army's vehicle testing area. The conservation easement to protect Deer Creek will allow the Hopkins family to continue its crops, cattle and horse operations, ongoing since 1955. Click here to read more about this story (Washington Post).

Another Shade of Green: Military Aids Nature Lovers

A Wall Street Journal article featured the REPI program's efforts to work proactively on environmental issues, and explains how growing local communities can impact military training and habitat for threatened and endangered species. Read more about the efforts here. (A subscription to the Wall Street Journal may be required.)

A national USA Today story highlighted how the Department of Defense works proactively with communities to encourage compatible land uses around military bases to protect training missions. As a result, the military, state and local governments, and environmental groups are looking for ways to work together to protect wildlife and natural habitats near military bases. Click here to read more about these efforts, particularly in Florida, Colorado, and North Carolina (USA Today).