Connected Classrooms: Freedom Rising at the Museum of African American History – Video

Posted on by


Connected Classrooms: Freedom Rising at the Museum of African American History
Meet MAAH Educators and join us to explore the history of Boston #39;s vibrant black community in the late 18th and 19th centuries. Learn about our historic site...

By: Museum of African American History

Excerpt from:

Connected Classrooms: Freedom Rising at the Museum of African American History - Video

Eco-friendly shrimp farming with biofloc

Posted on by

High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)-lined shrimp ponds dot the landscape of Mahendrapalli, a small village on the banks of Pazhayar about 18 km from Kollidam.

Here, Suryakumar Boriah, is silently working on an eco-friendly, disease resistant shrimp farming called biofloc on his vast farm. Biofloc is a beneficial bacterial colony-based culture that keeps other bacterial diseases at bay, making it an ecologically sustainable symbiotic system. Biofloc shrimp farming differs from traditional plankton-based shrimp culture that often keeps farmers on tenterhooks due to the threat of disease outbreak.

Owning the only one-of-its-kind farm in the State, Mr.Suryakumar is one of the very few farmers in the country practising biofloc since 2011.

The zero-water exchange of biofloc makes it eco-friendly. pH and nitrogen levels in water are the biggest concern in shrimp culture, says Mr.Suryakumar. The bioflocs keep the pH levels steady and feed on the nitrogen produced by the shrimps. In conventional farming, nitrogen is flushed out through water exchange every 25-30 days to keep animals stress-free and disease-free. The bioflocs use up the nitrogen and convert it into proteins, for the shrimps, says Mr. Suryakumar. This cuts down artificial probiotics for the animals. Traditionally, water exchange is often a contention between local land users and shrimp farms.

The tightly HDP-lined ponds insulate the animals from diseases, says Govindaraj, manager of Suryakumars farm. It costs about Rs.14 lakh per hectare for a biofloc pond, thrice as much as a traditional pond. But the capital investment is out-weighed by the benefits of the system. There is no dry-out season, and the ponds are crop ready anytime. The HDP linings are intact for five years, says Mr. Govindaraj. Biofloc cuts down on fish meal as shrimp feed. According to Mr.Suryakumar, the eventual goal is to bring down food conversion ratio to 800 gm of fishmeal to produce 1 kg of shrimp (FCR 0.8:1).

Production per unit area is high in biofloc system. Production per hectare in a conventional pond is 10-15 tonnes, while a biofloc pond gives out 20-30 tonnes.

The stocking density of animals in HDP-lined biofloc pond is twice the density of an ordinary shrimp pond.

Mr. Suryakumar had picked up the system from Yoram Avnimelech, the man known to have founded the technology in Tilapea fish culture. Currently heading the International Working Group on Biofloc Technology, Professor Yoram has referred to Mr. Suryakumars innovations in biofloc shrimp culture in his publication.

However, constraints to adopting biofloc remain. This system requires continuous supply of oxygen through aerators, needs capital subsidy from Marine Products Exports Development Authority and demo-farms for exposure and institutional support for farmers, says Mr. Suryakumar.

Besides, Coastal Aquaculture Authoritys regulation on maximum stocking density of ponds, and general excise restrictions on use of molasses for carbon source should be revised for licensed farmers, says Mr.Suryakumar. According to Kandan, Assistant Director, MPEDA, it is a reversal to traditional knowledge. Traditionally moss was allowed to grow in ponds as fish feed. Biofloc draws from the same method. Just as the shrimp sector in the country finds itself on the brink of potential EMS (early mortality syndrome) outbreak, biofloc shrimp ponds ring in a ray of hope; provided there is institutional support for farmers.

Read the original:

Eco-friendly shrimp farming with biofloc

Local beaches are getting better, Metropolitan Beaches Commission report finds

Posted on by

A final report from the commission is expected to be released by the end of March.

Formed in 2006 by the Massachusetts Legislature and made up of non-profit leaders, residents, and elected officials, the commission released its first report on the condition of the DCR managed beaches in 2007. The report evaluated beaches from Nahant to Nantasket and provided recommendations for ways to improve the waterfronts.

The second report, like the first, evaluated the beaches for cleanliness and accessibility as well as programming, infrastructure, and appeal.

The first report and the infusion of cash that came after it are credited with many of the improvements that have been seen at the beaches since 2007, something advocates would like to continue.

A tremendous amount of progress is being made, explained Patricia Foley, the president of Save the Harbor/Save the Bay, a clean water advocacy group that helps administer the commission.

Although progress has been made at the beaches that dot the Massachusetts coastline, Foley said advocates must remain vigilant especially when conversations turn to the states budget.

The funds we seek are modest, said Foley, who learned to swim in the waters off of South Boston. We have convinced the public that these beaches belong to them and its not unreasonable for us to expect the government to join us in the effort to make sure the beaches are clean and safe.

For the South Boston beaches, the report highlighted improvements in the beaches water quality, the cleanliness of their sand, and improvements made to the boardwalks and walkways that run along them.

The report, however, also mentioned a number of challenges DCR officials and residents face at the recreation areas, including a lack of public facilities, safety concerns, and balancing the opinions of both dog opponents and proponents.

Some suggested investments in the report included the restoration of Castle Island, updated visitor amenities, and the construction of a new bath house.

Read more here:

Local beaches are getting better, Metropolitan Beaches Commission report finds

Shark-shooting at Australia beaches reassures some, horrifies others

Posted on by

SYDNEY, Australia As Australians flocked to the beaches at the height of a hot Southern Hemisphere summer, a commercial fisherman hired for the task hauled in a 10-foot tiger shark, caught on a baited line set off the states south coast. The fisherman shot the shark in the head four times with a .22-caliber rifle and then towed the carcass out to sea, where it was dumped.

The catch on Jan. 26 Australia Day, a national holiday popular for beachgoing was the first under a new catch and kill policy in the state of Western Australia for large tiger, bull and great white sharks. Since then, at least one more large shark has died on the line; several smaller ones were caught and released.

The official cull comes after seven fatal shark attacks on swimmers in the state in the last three years, the most recent in November, when a 35-year-old surfer was killed. In one of the attacks, at one of the most popular beaches in Perth, no body was found, only the mans damaged swim trunks. Five of the attacks were by great whites, officials say.

The state governments decision is meant to reassure beachgoers, but it has horrified conservationists and flies in the face of global efforts to protect sharks, whose numbers have been in decline amid heavy pressure from Asian appetites for shark fin soup.

Opponents of the cull policy have mounted protests and consulted lawyers about trying to halt it in the courts. International celebrities have weighed in, including British actor and comedian Ricky Gervais and billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson.

Idiots, idiots, idiots, said Valerie Taylor, an Australian underwater cinematographer, referring to the state government, led by Colin Barnett of the Liberal Party. Taylor, 78, is known around the world for her work filming sharks; with her husband, Ron Taylor, she shot many scenes for Jaws, the 1975 movie blockbuster about a great white shark terrorizing swimmers off New England.

The worst part of what the government is doing is killing sharks that are innocent, Taylor said, by taking any large shark rather than just those known to have attacked humans. Tiger sharks are the sweetest, gentlest sharks to work with, she said. I cant believe the stupidity.

Sharks common

Sharks are common along Australias long coastline, and some swimming beaches, including Sydneys famous Bondi Beach on the east coast, have installed nets to protect swimmers. But the nets themselves are controversial because other kinds of marine life become snagged in them and sometimes die. In New South Wales last summer, the toll included two humpback whales and two sea turtles.

Western Australia generally has not installed nets on its beaches, relying instead on aerial and beach patrols to warn swimmers. It has also tried an alert system, tweeting the whereabouts of some tagged sharks.

Read more here:

Shark-shooting at Australia beaches reassures some, horrifies others

Administrative ineptitude

Posted on by

04 February 2014| last updated at 10:59PM

VISIT Malaysia Year 2014 is the campaign enticing tourists from all over the world on the promise of beautiful beaches, a wide range of shopping options and the cultural pluralism that makes the country "truly Asia". Malaysia boasts eco-tourism that includes such natural wonders as the Rafflesia, the world's largest flower; the orang utan and other wildlife; and, beautiful waters for snorkelling and diving. In short, almost a paradise here on Earth. For the most part, all this is not too far off and tourists are seldom let down. Many will be visitors to this country again and again. In Penang, heritage is a big selling point given the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) recognition. The whole island is liberally dotted with all kinds of tourist attractions, and prime among them are the beaches of white sand and blue seas.

That pristine and postcard-worthy picture is now being marred by the severe pollution of Batu Ferringhi beach. The blue seas are tainted by a large patch of black water, the source of which is a mystery, but nevertheless polluted and not merely there for the colour contrast. The beach is also strewn with rubbish left unattended by the local authorities. It is an ugly representation of official neglect not in keeping with the photographs and videos making the rounds worldwide of beautiful "Malaysia Truly Asia". Instead, a regular visitor would voice disappointment and disgust at the apparent carelessness of those in charge -- who else but the DAP-led state government ensconced there for the last five years and now fresh in their second term, but already exhibiting a lacklustre performance as witnessed by the effluents polluting the waters off Batu Ferringhi and the uncollected rubbish on its beaches.

Undoubtedly the state government is busy with ensuring Penang island's physical connectivity to the mainland, what with the soon to be officiated second bridge and the much-objected-to proposed tunnel. Even if this is intended to ease tourist access to the island, of what use are they if the final destination is nothing less than a rubbish dump? The idyllic setting of Penang Island with its colonial and multi-cultural heritage is being denuded by lack of care. To what end is not certain, but one thing nearly undeniable is that all the states now in the hands of the so-called Pakatan are exhibiting a degree of wear-and-tear symptomatic of administrators who are novices at the game. But Kelantan, after decades of Pas, suggests that the Pakatan parties are just not equipped to govern. The Batu Ferringhi pollution then is testimony to DAP's mistaken priorities and an agenda unfathomable from the perspective of the public good.

Excerpt from:

Administrative ineptitude

UC students are helping the public reach for the stars

Posted on by

There is more than meets the eye in the night sky and two University of Canterbury (UC) physics and mathematics students are showing this to the public.

Ryan Ridden-Harper and Toby Hendy, members of the Canterbury Astronomical Society, were keen to show passion about astronomy and developed the Christchurch Urban Astronomers along Malcolm Locke from the society. Their aim is to educate and inspire the public.

"The Urban Astronomers initiative is a way to encourage people to look up at the sky and consider what it may hold," says Ridden-Harper.

"We want to show people that astronomy is not just an abstract subject but rather one with great influence to life on Earth and our perspective of the universe."

Ridden-Harper and Hendy have been running the Urban Astronomy sessions since late last year, showing the public interesting bright objects such as the moon, Saturn and Venus, and more recently, allowing them to see the sun using solar telescopes.

"We started running night time Urban Astronomy sessions in September last year, at the Pallet Pavilion. We began using the solar telescopes in January this year. Weve run a few sessions across Christchurch, mainly at the Re:Start Mall," says Hendy.

The group mainly targets foot traffic so it can reach people who might otherwise never have used a telescope, or had the opportunity to develop an interest in astronomy.

"Generally, people are curious about the telescopes and approach us to see what we are doing. This gives us a wide range of people to talk to such as Christchurch residents and tourist from all over the world.

"We welcome anyone interested in becoming involved. All that is needed is a passion for science and a willingness to interact with the public," says Ridden-Harper.

Ridden-Harper and Hendy say they have received extremely positive feedback from the public.

Originally posted here:

UC students are helping the public reach for the stars

Barona Cultural Center & Museum Hosts Kumeyaay Astronomy Lecture

Posted on by

SAN DIEGO, CA -- (Marketwired) -- 02/04/14 -- The Barona Cultural Center & Museum will present a lecture on Kumeyaay Astronomy with Kumeyaay historian Michael Connolly Miskwish and special guest Harry Cuero , Jr. The lecture is scheduled for Wednesday, February 12 from 6 until 8 p.m. The Kumeyaay lecture will explore how the Kumeyaay/Diegueo people utilized rock structures and constellations as tools to predict seasonal change and manage land resources. Mr. Connolly will share his research on the astronomy of this fascinating people including the terms for celestial events, constellations, observatories and practical uses. As a former Councilman for the Campo Band of the Kumeyaay Nation , Mr. Connolly has worked extensively in Kumeyaay history and authored two books on the subject. He utilizes his degrees in economics and engineering to reintroduce traditional environmental management into modern land conservation. Mr. Connolly is currently an adjunct faculty at San Diego State University in the American Indian Studies department. Harry Cuero , Jr. will share songs associated with the constellation 'emuu (big horn sheep) and its importance to the spiritual beliefs of the Kumeyaay/Diegueo people. Mr. Cuero has been a bird singer for over 25 years and served many positions of tribal government in the Campo Band of the Kumeyaay Nation , prior to being elected Vice Chairman. Mr. Cuero has studied the meanings behind traditional songs and their relationship to Kumeyaay cosmology and other teachings. He is an active participant in cultural heritage preservation as well as a teacher and mentor to younger singers. Admission is free but space is limited. Please call 619-443-7003 ext. 219 to make a reservation. Add to Digg Bookmark with del.icio.us Add to Newsvine CONTACT: Audrey Doherty 619-236-8397 Kelly Jacobs Speer 619-933-5013 Source: Barona Band of Mission Indians

Read more:

Barona Cultural Center & Museum Hosts Kumeyaay Astronomy Lecture