Tech: Remote-Controlled Conservation

Tag: Illinois

Tech: Remote-Controlled Conservation

February 11, 2013 | by: Matt Miller | 0

Illinois researchers searching for the best ways to reduce nitrates in drinking water are looking to an unlikely tool: a remote-controlled airplane.

In the Mackinaw River watershed in Central Illinois, The Nature Conservancy and partners are working to reduce high nitrate levels in water by filtering agricultural run-off through wetlands, a tactic that research shows can reduce nitrates by 50%.

These particular types of wetlands are specifically constructed to collect and retain water from tile drainage. Tiling is an underground system of tubing that drains wet fields. These tiles then drain water—and untreated nitrates and phosphates from the field—directly into the river.

The challenge: Tiling is underground. You can’t detect it with your eyes. Literally millions of miles of tile run under Illinois farm fields, so locating tile patterns in farm fields is imprecise at best.

Enter the remote-controlled airplane.

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Feature: Building Wetlands for Clean Drinking Water

January 30, 2013 | by: Matt Miller | 0

Can building wetlands reduce dangerous high nitrate levels and thus provide clean, safe drinking water for thousands of people?

Yes.

But, when it comes to ensuring clean water, not all wetlands are created equal.

Biologists know how to restore great wetlands to draw in ducks and shorebirds. Restoring wetlands to also help people may require a different approach.

That’s the focus of an intensive research effort conducted by Nature Conservancy scientists on the Mackinaw River watershed in central Illinois. The wetlands—while providing wildlife habitat and healthier rivers—are being designed and tested to provide safe drinking water for the 90,000 residents of Bloomington, Illinois and surrounding communities where the town’s primary reservoir has had a history of high nitrate levels.

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What is Cool Green Science?

Most projections say at least 9 billion people will be alive on Earth come 2050 -- putting tremendous pressures on the natural systems that we all rely on for survival and prosperity.

Cool Green Science is where Nature Conservancy scientists and science writers discuss and debate how conservation can help meet those challenges head on -- in partnership with you, of course. You'll also find photos, videos and dispatches from our fieldwork, book reviews, raves and groans about new research, natural history accounts, citizen science opps, and much much more -- including stuff about critters that are just cool.

Cool Green Science is managed by Matt Miller, senior science writer for the Conservancy, and edited by Bob Lalasz, its director of science communications. Email us your feedback.

Editors’ Choice

Danya Gross: Science Illustration: More Than Pretty Pictures
Great illustrations often communicate conservation science when photos, text and CAD sketches fail -- and they can make all the difference in winning community support for a restoration project.

Tim Boucher: The Best Apps for Novice and Serious Birders
Tim reviews offerings from Audubon, iBird, Nat Geo, Peterson and Sibley and tells you which works best in the field.

Criag Groves: Genetic Engineers and Conservation Biologists: Scenes from a First Date
Synthetic biology is way more than "de-extinction" -- and its findings and their consequences could be profound for conservation practice.

Matt Miller: Big Fish: Return of the Alligator gar
Alligator gars were persecuted and eliminated for crimes they didn't commit. A new conservation effort is bringing them back.

Spotlight: Marine Restoration Science

The Future of Coral Reef Restoration Science
Conservancy coral scientist James Byrne says it's discovering how to plant corals in a way that optimizes genetic diversity--but without crossing a very thin line.

The Future of Sea Grass and Shellfish Restoration
Conservancy Marine Steward Bo Lusk argues that letting barrier island breaches remain open is the best thing for bay and sound ecosystems and the shellfish and fish they support.

Restoring Blue Forests--Opportunities for Mangroves
Mangroves grow like weeds -- which makes restoring them easy...unless you put them in the wrong places, says Nature Conservancy senior marine scientist Mark Spalding.

Tales from the Cab -- Risk & Restoration in SE Louisiana
Conservancy Marine Lead Scientist Mike Beck finds passionate support for coastal marsh restoration from a New Orleans cab driver who's lived through Hurricanes Katrina and Isaac.

RT @keithkloor: Good respectful discussion btw @Revkin & @drgrist on different climate change perspectives http://t.co/S6C5K4gmrb

Tag: Illinois