acres

In 1934, a gun club opened on 9.5 acres beside San Francisco’s Lake Merced; 81 years later it closed, contaminated soil was cleaned up and the lakeside land is now being opened for public recreation

by
In 1934, a gun club opened on 9.5 acres beside San Francisco’s Lake Merced; 81 years later it closed, contaminated soil was cleaned up and the lakeside land is now being opened for public recreation

Aerial view of Lake Merced and surrounding coastal landscape San Francisco city officials have opened a search for private partners to redevelop a 9.5-acre lakeside property that was used as a private shooting range for more than 80 years. The move marks the final stage of a major environmental transformation along the western shore of … Read more

New Mexico has protected nearly 11,000 acres along the Mimbres River as a new wildlife area, safeguarding historic water rights, rare river habitat and a 2-mile stretch of the desert stream

by
New Mexico has protected nearly 11,000 acres along the Mimbres River as a new wildlife area, safeguarding historic water rights, rare river habitat and a 2-mile stretch of the desert stream

An elevated, high-definition view of the newly protected landscape surrounding the Mimbres River in southwestern New Mexico. Conservationists and state officials in New Mexico have completed a deal to buy nearly 11,000 acres of ecologically rich land along the Mimbres River, permanently protecting an important desert watershed and creating the state’s newest public conservation preserve. … Read more

US wildfire crisis: Hawk Fire burns more than 15,000 acres, forcing mass evacuations in Nevada

by
US wildfire crisis: Hawk Fire burns more than 15,000 acres, forcing mass evacuations in Nevada

In Nevada, 23,000 people remained under evacuation orders around Reno on Monday as the Hawk Fire burned more than 15,000 acres. (GIF: @HotshotWake) In Nevada, 23,000 people remained under evacuation orders around Reno on Monday as the Hawk Fire burned more than 15,000 acres, while California lawmakers weighed utility wildfire liability and scientists warned that … Read more

Texas turned 68,000 acres of solar farms into grazing ground for sheep; revealing how solar land could become a new resource for American farmers

by
Texas turned 68,000 acres of solar farms into grazing ground for sheep; revealing how solar land could become a new resource for American farmers

Across Texas, solar panels are appearing on land that has long been associated with farming and ranching, creating an unexpected overlap between energy production and agriculture. Instead of treating solar development as the end of a property’s agricultural use, some projects are finding ways to keep livestock and other activities on the same ground. Sheep … Read more

In 1908, an unschooled Indiana widow began a 20-year fight to defend 120 acres of Lake Michigan dunes from a steel giant; 72 years later, 212 acres including part of her tract joined Indiana Dunes to remain open space forever

by
In 1908, an unschooled Indiana widow began a 20-year fight to defend 120 acres of Lake Michigan dunes from a steel giant; 72 years later, 212 acres including part of her tract joined Indiana Dunes to remain open space forever

Carr remained determined to defend what she believed was hers (Photo: NPS) In the early 1900s, an Indiana widow spent more than two decades fighting to defend her claim to 120 acres along Lake Michigan. Drusilla Carr had lived on the land for decades before it became valuable. As the city of Gary, Indiana, grew … Read more

Reno wildfire update: Hawk Fire prompts new evacuations and road closures as thousands flee; over 10,000 acres burned

by
Smoke rises during wildfire in Reno, Nevada, U.S., in this picture taken from social media. (Natalie Wainwright via REUTERS)

The Hawk fire has grown to more than 10,000 acres near Reno, forcing evacuations, closing roads and prompting emergency measures as firefighters battle strong winds and dry conditions. Smoke rises during wildfire in Reno, Nevada, U.S., in this picture taken from social media. (Natalie Wainwright via REUTERS) What is the Hawk fire and how big … Read more

In 1969, a Church’s Fried Chicken co-founder bought 3,000 acres of neglected Texas ranchland; decades of restoration brought long-absent springs and flowing water back

by
In 1969, a Church’s Fried Chicken co-founder bought 3,000 acres of neglected Texas ranchland; decades of restoration brought long-absent springs and flowing water back

Bamberger Ranch PreservePhoto credit: https://www.bambergerranch.org Back in 1969, R. C. Bamberger made a bold move that left many locals scratching their heads. The co-founder of Church’s Fried Chicken bought 3,000 acres of badly damaged land in the Texas Hill Country, stepping into a landscape ruined by generations of heavy cattle grazing. The topsoil was washed … Read more

In the early 1970s, Virginia Beach compacted 640,000 tons of garbage into a 60-foot hill; the dump became America’s first landfill park and now spans 165 acres

by
In the early 1970s, Virginia Beach compacted 640,000 tons of garbage into a 60-foot hill; the dump became America’s first landfill park and now spans 165 acres

Mount Trashmore Park (Image Credit: Wikipedia) In Virginia Beach, one of the city’s most recognisable parks began with something most communities would rather hide: a mountain of garbage. According to the City of Virginia Beach, a 640,000-ton pile of garbage was converted into a 60-foot-high hill that became Mount Trashmore Park. What had once been … Read more

Reno wildfire update: Scary videos emerge as Hawk Fire explodes to 2,500 acres near Somersett; evacuations underway

by
Smoke rises from the Hawk Fire burning near Somersett in northwest Reno (UnSplash)

A wildfire called the Hawk Fire broke out near Somersett in the foothills of northwest Reno on Saturday, prompting evacuation orders for nearby areas. Smoke rises from the Hawk Fire burning near Somersett in northwest Reno (UnSplash) Where did the Hawk Fire start? The fire started around 11:30am on Saturday, off the Hawk Meadow Trail, … Read more

In 1927, John D Rockefeller Jr secretly used a shell company to buy over 35,000 Wyoming acres for $1.4 million; NPS says acquiring the same amount of Jackson Hole land today would cost over $1 billion

by
In 1927, John D Rockefeller Jr secretly used a shell company to buy over 35,000 Wyoming acres for $1.4 million; NPS says acquiring the same amount of Jackson Hole land today would cost over $1 billion

Rockefeller toured Jackson Hole in 1926. (Alamy stock photo) In the 1920s, Jackson Hole in Wyoming was changing quickly. Tourism was growing, development was spreading and wealthy visitors were arriving in the valley for an authentic cowboy experience. At the same time, local ranchers and businessmen were becoming concerned about the growing number of cabins, … Read more