Uruguay to create MPA around Isla de Lobos

Montevideo, Uruguay (June 8, 2023)—As people around the world gear up to commemorate World Ocean Day, in Uruguay, Gerando Amarilla, Vice Minister of Environment, announced the government’s commitment to establish a new marine protected area (MPA) around the island of Isla de Lobos. The designation will take place in the next few months. This future marine reserve represents the current administration’s first step toward the ambitious goal set by President Luis Lacalle to protect 30% of Uruguay’s waters by 2030. Currently, Uruguay has less than 1% protected coverage of its marine ecosystems.

https://blog.nationalgeographic.org/2023/06/08/uruguay-commits-to-establish-a-new-marine-protected-area-around-isla-de-lobos/

Industry group pushes back at new USNPS plans for restrictions on air tours

National Park Service proposals to reduce, and even ban, air tours over four national parks are being fought by the Helicopter Association International, which has asked its members and supporters to file comments against the proposals.

"Besides closing off opportunities for thousands of visitors to enjoy the natural beauty of the parks, the NPS aims to cut back air-tour flights to such a degree that some tour operations will close," the association, which represents more than 1,100 companies and over 16,000 industry professionals in more than 65 countries, said Wednesday in a release.

https://www.nationalparkstraveler.org/2023/06/helicopter-industry-lobbying-against-proposed-cuts-national-park-air-tours

Ukraine | Riparian wildlife devastated after dam destroyed

The destruction of the Kakhovka dam in southern Ukraine has decimated riparian wildlife, according to a Ukrainian conservation group.

The Kakhovka dam, which straddles Russian- and Ukrainian-held territorities, was destroyed Tuesday, with each country blaming the other for the attack. The breach let loose a cascade of floodwater from the massive Kahovka reservoir, a waterbody the size of Utah’s Great Salt Lake, draining the reservoir and flooding areas downstream.

https://e360.yale.edu/digest/kakhovka-dam-destruction-wildlife