http://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/category/natural-resources.html en Fri, 01 May 2009 01:00:00 -0400 http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/rss/rss.html http://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/354/354-313/354-313.html Thu, 13 Jan 2011 09:00:21 -0500 http://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/354/354-313/354-313.html Alternative Agriculture Natural Resources Vegetables & Specialty Crops http://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/420/420-039/420-039.html Tue, 05 Oct 2010 15:54:05 -0400 http://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/420/420-039/420-039.html Forestry Natural Resources Natural Resources & Environmental Quality Wildlife http://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/420/420-148/420-148.html Tue, 28 Sep 2010 10:39:34 -0400 http://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/420/420-148/420-148.html Forestry Natural Resources Wood Products http://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/3001/3001-1431/3001-1431.html <p>The Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP) is part of the latest Farm Bill to assist forestland owners and operators with matching payments for eligible material by a qualified Biomass Conversion Facility. The objective of this program is to stimulate the production of biomass based energy throughout the United States.</p> Fri, 08 Jan 2010 09:46:00 -0500 http://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/3001/3001-1431/3001-1431.html Energy Forestry Natural Resources Wood Products http://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/442/442-138/442-138.html Thu, 28 May 2009 13:36:54 -0400 http://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/442/442-138/442-138.html Agricultural Financial Mgmt. Environmental Quality Natural Resources Natural Resources & Environmental Quality http://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/303/303-202/303-202.html <p>GPS Utility is an easy-to-use software application that allows you to manage, manipulate, and map your GPS information. This is a “point-and-click” software package that is fairly user-friendly</p> Fri, 01 May 2009 01:00:00 -0400 http://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/303/303-202/303-202.html Precision, Geospatial, & Sensor Technologies Natural Resources http://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/303/303-201/303-201.html Fri, 01 May 2009 01:00:00 -0400 http://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/303/303-201/303-201.html Precision, Geospatial, & Sensor Technologies Natural Resources http://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/420/420-141/420-141.html two streams are alike, but many share certain problems and characteristics. For example, all streams are products of the land they drain, and their waters reflect streamside land management practices, good and poor. Much can be done to protect clean streams and restore damaged ones. Since most streams originate on private lands, their fate depends largely on wise management by streamside landowners. This publication provides general information and management guidelines to help stream property owners and their neighbors protect, improve, and restore these valuable running waters. Fri, 01 May 2009 01:00:00 -0400 http://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/420/420-141/420-141.html Natural Resources http://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/420/420-035/420-035.html Fri, 01 May 2009 01:00:00 -0400 http://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/420/420-035/420-035.html Natural Resources Wildlife http://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/418/418-013/418-013.html <p>Switchgrass is a tall-growing, warm-season, perennial grass that is native to much of the United States including Virginia. Switchgrass (SG) was widespread in open areas before settlers populated an area and remained in one place year after year. Their livestock were free roaming and would graze the new switchgrass growth in the spring before the new plants were tall enough to withstand defoliation. This mismanagement weakened the stands and eventually led to their demise. They were replaced by cool-season grasses introduced from other countries such as bluegrass, tall fescue, and orchardgrass. These cool-season grasses began growth much earlier in the spring so they could tolerate the early season grazing by cattle. As a result, the native warm-season grasses such as SG were destroyed and can now only be found growing wild in abandoned sites such as old cemeteries or roadways.</p> Fri, 01 May 2009 01:00:00 -0400 http://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/418/418-013/418-013.html Pasture & Forage - Crops & Soils Natural Resources Wildlife http://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/426/426-109/426-109.html <p>Those who experience the blisters, swelling, and extreme itching that result from contact with poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans), poison oak (Toxicodendron pubescens), or poison sumac (Toxicodendron vernix) learn to avoid these pesky plants. Although poison oak and poison sumac do grow in Virginia, poison ivy is by far the most common. This publication will help you identify poison ivy, recognize the symptoms of a poison ivy encounter, and control poison ivy around your home.</p> Fri, 01 May 2009 01:00:00 -0400 http://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/426/426-109/426-109.html Home Safety Garden Insects / Pests Weeds Forestry Natural Resources http://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/426/426-041/426-041.html <p>A watershed is an area of land that drains to a lake, river, wetland, or other waterway. When precipitation occurs, water travels over forest, agricultural, or urban/suburban land areas before entering a waterway. Water can also travel into underground aquifers on its way to larger bodies of water. Together, land and water make up a watershed system.</p> Fri, 01 May 2009 01:00:00 -0400 http://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/426/426-041/426-041.html Gardening & The Environment Natural Resources http://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/420/420-320/420-320.html Invasive exotic species are plants that are not native to a given area and have the ability to out-compete indigenous plant species. Invasive exotics are often brought into their non-native surroundings by humans with good intentions. Fri, 01 May 2009 01:00:00 -0400 http://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/420/420-320/420-320.html Natural Resources Forestry Trees, Shrubs, & Groundcovers http://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/452/452-014/452-014.html <p>Water reuse can be defined as the use of reclaimed water for a direct beneficial purpose. The use of reclaimed water for irrigation and other purposes has been employed as a water conservation practice in Florida, California, Texas, Arizona, and other states for many years.</p> Fri, 01 May 2009 01:00:00 -0400 http://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/452/452-014/452-014.html Equipment & Structures Environmental Quality Natural Resources http://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/442/442-766/442-766.html <p><strong>Did you know that livestock</strong>, like humans, prefer a clean water source and are healthier and more productive when they drink clean water? Virginia producers who have restricted or eliminated livestock access to streams and farm ponds and converted to a clean, alternative water source have observed increased livestock productivity, improved water quality, and restored stream banks on their farms. As a consequence, livestock stream exclusion practices are gaining popularity across Virginia. This publication, produced through the cooperation of Virginia Cooperative Extension and the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, describes the findings, experiences, and successes of individual producers who are limiting livestock stream access.</p> Fri, 01 May 2009 01:00:00 -0400 http://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/442/442-766/442-766.html Equipment & Structures Environmental Quality Natural Resources http://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/442/442-758/442-758.html <p>The definitions and associated explanations of water-related terms presented here are intended to provide the reader with a working knowledge of terms that apply to Virginia's water resources. The list is designed to assist the user in understanding and interpreting water related information that may come from sources as varied as governmental agencies, environmental groups, or the news media. While terms and definitions are fairly consistent, some terminology presented here could be defined differently to describe water resources issues in other locations.</p> Fri, 01 May 2009 01:00:00 -0400 http://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/442/442-758/442-758.html Natural Resources Environmental Quality http://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/442/442-559/442-559.html <p>A TMDL, or total maximum daily load defines the total pollutant loading a water body can receive and still meet applicable <i>water quality standards</i>. (Italicized terms are defined in the boxes at the bottom of each page.) A TMDL equation is developed from a study that identifies the sources of a particular pollutant in a watershed, the pollutant contribution from each source, and the pollutant reduction required to attain and maintain water quality standards. In TMDL calculations, all identified sources of the particular pollutant are quantified, including both <i>point and nonpoint sources of pollution</i>. Because some TMDL calculations involve assumptions and professional judgment, TMDLs also include a <i>margin of safety</i> to account for uncertainty. (See <i>TMDLs [Total Maximum Daily Loads</i>]: Terms and Definitions, Virginia Cooperative Extension publication 442-550, <a href="http://pubs.ext.vt.edu/442-550/">http://pubs.ext.vt.edu/442-550/</a>.)</p> Fri, 01 May 2009 01:00:00 -0400 http://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/442/442-559/442-559.html Natural Resources Environmental Quality http://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/442/442-556/442-556.html <div xmlns:o="urn:www.microsoft.com/office" xmlns:st1="urn:www.microsoft.com/smarttags" xmlns:st2="urn:www.microsoft.com/smarttags2" xmlns:w="urn:www.microsoft.com/word" xmlns:x="urn:www.microsoft.com/excel">"Benthic" refers to the aquatic organisms living in or on the bottom of a body of water. Benthic organisms include crayfish, aquatic snails, clams, leeches, aquatic worms, certain insect larvae and nymphs (e.g., mayflies, dragonflies), and adult aquatic insects (e.g., riffle beetles). Changes in water quality generally result in changes in the types, numbers, or diversity of the benthic community. <p>In general, a water quality "impairment" exists if a body of water does not support its designated uses. Italicized terms are defined in the boxes at the bottom of each page.</p></div> Fri, 01 May 2009 01:00:00 -0400 http://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/442/442-556/442-556.html Natural Resources Environmental Quality http://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/442/442-555/442-555.html <p>A water-quality "impairment" exists if a body of water is unable to support its <i>designated uses</i>. (Italicized terms are defined in the boxes at the bottom of each page.) Virginia's <i>water-quality standards</i> specify that surface waters are either designated for "recreational use" (e.g., swimming, fishing, and boating) or "aquatic life use" (e.g., viable fishing populations). To support the "recreational use," the state sets numeric <i>waterquality criteria</i> for the maximum amount of bacteria in surface waters (<i>Escherichia coli (E. coli)</i>) for fresh water and <i>enterococci</i> for marine waters). When the concentration of bacteria exceeds the state-specified water-quality criteria, the water does not support the designated recreational use and is deemed to have a bacteria or pathogen impairment. <i>E. coli</i> and enterococci bacteria are found in the intestinal tracts and feces of warm-blooded animals, including humans. High counts of these bacteria indicate the presence of fecal contamination in water.</p> Fri, 01 May 2009 01:00:00 -0400 http://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/442/442-555/442-555.html Natural Resources Environmental Quality http://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/442/442-554/442-554.html <p>Microbial Source Tracking (MST), also commonly referred to as bacterial source tracking (BST), is a method used to determine the sources of <i>fecal bacteria</i> and establish whether fecal bacteria are being introduced into water bodies through human, wildlife, agricultural, or pet wastes. MST is considered to be a novel technology still in developmental stages. However, the use of MST is rapidly becoming widespread as more researchers and states are recognizing its potential.</p> Fri, 01 May 2009 01:00:00 -0400 http://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/442/442-554/442-554.html Natural Resources Environmental Quality http://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/442/442-550/442-550.html <p>The definitions of TMDL-related terms presented here are intended to provide the reader with a working knowledge of terms that apply to Virginia's TMDL program. This is the first in a series of Virginia Cooperative Extension publications that deal specifically with TMDLs. The federal Clean Water Act requires States to develop TMDLs for streams, rivers, lakes and estuaries that do not or are not expected to meet applicable water quality standards. This glossary is designed to assist the reader in understanding and interpreting TMDL related information that may come from sources as varied as governmental agencies, environmental groups, consulting firms, or the news media.</p> Fri, 01 May 2009 01:00:00 -0400 http://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/442/442-550/442-550.html Natural Resources Environmental Quality http://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/426/426-080/426-080.html <p><strong>Invasive</strong> nonnative (nonindigenous) plants are the subject of a considerable amount of attention and debate. Stories about invasive plants are now common in the popular media. As purchasers of nonindigenous plants that have the potential to invade natural areas, consumers are links in the distribution chain of invasive plants. Other links are those who import, propagate, transport, and sell nonindigenous plants. Ultimately, the result is a potential impact on our natural environment.</p> Tue, 28 Apr 2009 15:43:23 -0400 http://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/426/426-080/426-080.html Natural Resources Gardening & The Environment