New census of world's marine species sets ambitious 10-year goal

On April 29, a team of scientists sailed on a research vessel to the chilly waters of the Barents Sea in the Arctic. They aim to find new marine species around cold seeps — cracks on the seafloor from which hydrogen sulfide, methane and other gases bubble up. Near these fissures, species, including soft corals, glass sponges, sea pens and crustaceans, could be waiting to be discovered.

Scientists estimate that only about 10% of marine species have been formally described, and about 2 million species have yet to be identified. A new global initiative called the Ocean Census aspires to change this.

https://news.mongabay.com/2023/05/global-ocean-census-aims-to-find-100000-marine-species-in-10-years/

Historic hospital, cemetery discovered on submerged island at Dry Tortugas NP

A chapter of 19th century history at Dry Tortugas National Park has been discovered underwater on a submerged island near Garden Key that once housed a quarantine hospital and cemetery.

While only one grave has been identified so far, historical records indicate that dozens of people, mostly U.S. soldiers stationed at Fort Jefferson, may have been buried there, park staff said in a release. The small quarantine hospital was used to treat yellow fever patients at the fort between 1890 and 1900. The cemetery has been identified as the Fort Jefferson Post Cemetery.

https://www.nationalparkstraveler.org/2023/05/remains-hospital-cemetery-discovered-waters-dry-tortugas-national-park

Boosters vow to get NP designation for Ocmulgee NHP this year; Tribal reconciliation top of list

MACON, GA. — Everything seemed in place at Macon City Hall as Mayor Lester Miller slipped into his pink jacket to kick off the opening of the International Cherry Blossom Festival last month, when more than 350,000 Yoshino cherry trees hit their peak bloom.

Locals called it “the pinkest party on Earth,” yet another reason to celebrate the city’s growing national profile. With Macon marking its bicentennial this year, even The New York Times put the small Georgia city of roughly 100,0000 on its list of the top 52 places to visit in 2023, along with the likes of London, Cuba and Istanbul.

https://www.eenews.net/articles/will-a-new-national-park-mend-tribal-ties/