Environment

Experts help develop Trees for Energy Conservation online resource

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 00:00:00 -0400

The Trees for Energy Conservation website helps consumers and professionals make decisions about selecting, planting, and maintaining trees.

University researchers find widespread but neglected disease as real health threat in Africa

Wed, 15 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Researchers have identified leptospirosis -- the world's most common disease transmitted to humans by animals -- as a significant health threat in Botswana.

Study shows human-wildlife microbe exchange and multidrug resistance in wildlife in protected areas in Africa

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

The research team found that multidrug resistance among banded mongoose at the Botswana study site was higher in animals that live in a protected area than in village areas.

Photos: Sycamore clone to be planted on Henderson Lawn

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Virginia Tech's sycamore is still standing by way of its clone, and the DNA is in it

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

On April 22, at 11:30 a.m., Virginia Tech President Charles W. Steger will preside over a town-gown celebration on Henderson Lawn with Blacksburg Mayor Ron Rordam to plant a clone of the sycamore tree that once stood there.

Virginia Tech researchers unveil large robotic jellyfish that one day could patrol oceans

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Virginia Tech College of Engineering researchers have unveiled a life-like, autonomous robotic jellyfish the size and weight of a grown man, 5 foot 7 inches in length and weighing 170 pounds, as part of a U.S. Navy-funded project.

Kathleen Alexander finds climate change likely to worsen public health threat of diarrheal disease in Botswana and other arid African countries

Fri, 29 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Dr. Kathleen Alexander's study, which is based on three decades of historical data, has important implications for arid countries around the world struggling with poverty and increasing health challenges.

New portable biomass power plant draws visitors to campus

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0400

The Department of Sustainable Biomaterials' biomass power system, capable of generating enough energy to power 100 100-watt light bulbs, will be used for research and teaching efforts.

Future cruise control to have environmental, safety features

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 00:00:00 -0500

The use of an eco-cruise control system being developed by Virginia Tech Transportation Institute researchers could save billions of gallons of fuel and reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

Natural resources professor helps National Park Service improve interpretive programs

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 00:00:00 -0500

The research team tracked over 50 characteristics of the 376 live programs they attended to identify those most commonly associated with more positive visitor outcomes.

Online course offered for Virginia forest landowners

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 00:00:00 -0500

The Virginia Forest Landowner Education Program is offering an online course to help private landowners become better stewards of their land.

Harold Burkhart named Virginia's Outstanding Scientist of 2013

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 00:00:00 -0500

Harold Burkhart's contributions to the advancement of forest growth are unprecedented, and he has led the way in developing new methodology for tree and stand modeling and in elucidating the complex mathematical relationships between models of differing levels.

Virginia Tech works with Dominion Virginia Power to help Department of Energy launch offshore wind energy in U.S.

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 00:00:00 -0500

As part of the Dominion Virginia Power-led team -- one of seven selected by the Department of Energy to receive $4 million in federal matching funds to undertake initial engineering, design, and permitting for an offshore wind turbine demonstration facility -- the Virginia Tech Advanced Research Institute will work closely with Virginia Tech in Hampton Roads. Offshore wind represents an economic and energy opportunity that could mirror the success of land-based wind development.

Woods and Wildlife Conference: Bring out the best in your property

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 00:00:00 -0500

Owners of woodlands large and small are invited to learn how to maximize their property's potential at this year's Woods and Wildlife Conference to be held Feb. 23.

Selling Your Timber course offered for Virginia forest landowners

Fri, 11 Jan 2013 00:00:00 -0500

Virginia Cooperative Extension and the Virginia Forest Landowner Education Program will host a short course to help landowners learn how to harvest and sell their timber in a biologically and economically sound manner.

Virginia Tech's tree app tops at Google Play

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Researchers have developed Virginia Tech Tree Identification, a new Android smartphone application that helps users identify the woody plants around them.

Forest resources department partners to host forest health conference

Thu, 13 Dec 2012 00:00:00 -0500

The Virginia Association of Forest Health Professionals will host its 21st annual conference on Feb. 4 and 5, 2013, at the Inn at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va.

Resolving mountaintop mining will depend upon people who value their jobs and the natural world

Fri, 07 Dec 2012 00:00:00 -0500

In a recent article, three Virginia Tech researchers note that recent efforts by federal and state governments and the mining industry to increase the community's voice in decision making hasn't succeeded in incorporating stakeholders' values and concerns.

Forest ecosystem research team helps improve satellite data

Wed, 05 Dec 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Randolph Wynne, professor of forest remote sensing in Virginia Tech's College of Natural Resources and Environment, has been selected by the U.S. Geological Survey and NASA to be a member of the Landsat Science Team.

Digital tool allows public to see urban tree canopy coverage in neighborhoods

Wed, 21 Nov 2012 00:00:00 -0500

The Urban Tree Canopy Mapper allows both professionals and average citizens to zoom in for views and create custom maps of the urban tree canopy in their communities.

Virginia Tech to accept applications for urban forestry fellowships and scholarships

Wed, 07 Nov 2012 00:00:00 -0500

The fellowships offered by the Garden Club of America and scholarships offered by Trees Virginia will support undergraduate and graduate students in a range of fields relating to urban forestry.

Amy Pruden to spearhead $250,000 study on the building plumbing microbiome

Thu, 01 Nov 2012 00:00:00 -0400

The project aims to determine the effects of pipe material, water flow, and chemistry on the building plumbing microbiome. The research will determine if the "right" microbes are being selected in the built environment.

Partners collaborate on largest release of endangered mussels in Powell River

Fri, 26 Oct 2012 00:00:00 -0400

More than 7,000 mussels propagated at Virginia Tech's Freshwater Mollusk Conservation Center were planted in the Powell River -- the largest number in the history of the river restoration project.

Photos: Virginia Tech program saves farmers' livelihoods in Asia

Mon, 15 Oct 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Rangaswamy “Muni” Muniappan travels the world working directly with farmers to protect their fields from pests. Explore this photo gallery to learn more about his work.

Training wheels come off for Virginia Tech program in Nepal

Mon, 24 Sep 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Since 2007, Virginia Tech has partnered with Yale University and Principia College to establish the Memorial Center of Excellence in Teaching and Learning at the Institute of Forestry in Pokhara, Nepal.

Extension and cooperatives to hold 36th annual Forestry and Wildlife Field Tours

Wed, 19 Sep 2012 00:00:00 -0400

The field tour series, the longest running program of its kind in Virginia, will start on Oct. 8.

New edition of plant identification software released

Fri, 31 Aug 2012 00:00:00 -0400

A pair of researchers recently released the third edition of Woody Plants in North America, an interactive multimedia tutorial containing information on 920 native and ornamental plants.

Can nature parks save biodiversity?

Mon, 20 Aug 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Associate Professor Sarah Karpanty's 14 years of research in Madagascar contributed to a report on biodiversity in natural areas published in the journal Nature.

Motorcycle team races to next level of worldwide competition

Wed, 25 Jul 2012 00:00:00 -0400

A team of Virginia Tech College of Engineering undergraduate students this week will take its self-built electric-powered motorcycle to the third-round race of the North American TTXGP eGrandPrIx competition.

Protect trees from summer storm damage

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 00:00:00 -0400

While there is little landowners can do to avoid damage from excessively high winds, thoughtful planting and routine maintenance can go a long way toward protecting trees from the average storm.

Green roof design may help control urban runoff

Tue, 03 Jul 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Green roofs have been shown to be beneficial for numerous reasons. A team at Virginia Tech has added a new dimension to green roof research that will answer the question, "How much?"

Virginia Tech storm chasers hit the road

Wed, 16 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Virginia Tech's Storm Chase Team left Blacksburg on May 15 on its annual search for tornadoes and large storms across the Midwest.

Virginia Tech students dig into national championship

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400

While basketball fans were watching college hoops the last weekend in March, a team of Virginia Tech soil science students made a slam dunk of their own when they won the National Collegiate Soil Judging Championship in Morgantown, W.Va.

Graduate student team captures national GeoLeague Challenge

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400

A team of eight Virginia Tech geography and forestry graduate students won the national GeoLeague Challenge at the conference of the American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing in Sacramento, Calif.

Virginia Tech hosts Ecological Society of America conference on disturbed environments

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400

The region's ecologists will be focusing on disturbed environments with a special track on urban issues at the Ecological Society of America's Mid-Atlantic Chapter annual conference at Virginia Tech April 14 and 15.

Montpelier touts tree ID technology

Fri, 06 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Montpelier's "Working Woods Walk" guides visitors through the Big Woods to a loop trail that explores various conservation management practices based on today's best forest science. A new element of the walk features a technology-enhanced tree identification experience, using common smart phone technology.

Kathleen Alexander's work in Botswana attracts attention of U.S. ambassador

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Kathleen Alexander gave an overview of her research and outreach program in Botswana to U.S. Ambassador Michelle Gavin, who attended the opening of a women's craft center that was funded with part of a $2.6-million grant spearheaded by Alexander.

Virginia Tech wildlife researchers explore DNA research to help save Nepal's Bengal tigers

Tue, 13 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Associate Professor Marcella Kelly and Kanchan Thapa, a doctoral student in wildlife science, are collecting and analyzing DNA samples from Bengal tigers to help conserve this endandered species.

Kathleen Alexander finds brucellosis pathogen persists in Botswana buffalo, may pose a threat to humans

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Alexander's study found that buffalo may not only be a potential source of the brucellosis pathogen for Botswana's domestic cattle, but they may also pose a threat to humans who consume buffalo meat.

Nowhere to hide: New study finds future of Sumatran tigers threatened by human disturbances

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0500

The study, conducted by Virginia Tech and World Wildlife Fund, is the first of its kind to systematically investigate the use of different land cover types for tiger habitat.

First projects certified by SITES national rating system for sustainable landscapes

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Assistant Professor Susan D. Day helped develop the soil restoration criteria for the Sustainable Sites Initiative (SITES), the nation's most comprehensive system for rating the sustainable design, construction, and maintenance of built landscapes.

College of Natural Resources and Environment department renamed Sustainable Biomaterials to reflect wider scope

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

The name change more accurately reflect the new, wider scope of education and research being conducted by the department and aligns with the college's broader transition toward an increased emphasis on sustainability and the environment.

Virginia Tech wildlife ecologist links severe declines in Everglades mammals with invasive pythons

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Collaborative research, led by John "J.D." Willson of Virginia Tech's College of Natural Resources and Environment and Michael Dorcas of Davidson College, has linked precipitous declines in formerly common mammals in Everglades National Park to the presence of invasive Burmese pythons.

Online course offered for Virginia forest landowners

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Virginia Cooperative Extension and the Virginia Forest Landowner Education Program in Virginia Tech's College of Natural Resources and Environment are offering an online course to help private landowners become better stewards of their land.

Virginia Tech research magazine reports on saving wildlife, recovering coal from slurry ponds, treating brain tumors, who is running the country

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Articles in the winter 2012 Virginia Tech research magazine look at the human-wildlife interface, inventions to treat tumors and to remove coal from slurry ponds, and the role of appointees in the federal government.

Kathleen Alexander receives NSF grant to research human-animal linkage in water quality

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Kathleen Alexander, of the College of Natural Resources and Environment, received a grant to investigate the links between humans and animals as they influence water quality and, in turn, how water quality affects their health.

Bear magnets: Bird feeders, pet dishes, and trash cans lure wildlife into neighborhoods

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500

As Virginia's bear population rises and development increases, bears are taking advantage of food resources in residential areas. People may unknowingly feed bears without realizing that their actions often result in negative consequences for the bears.

Virginia Tech researchers using new technology to study breath for toxins

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Virginia Tech researchers Andrea Dietrich and Masoud Agah have published a paper in the journal Environmental Science and Technology, it takes a new look ways to study toxins and everyday impurities that enter the body through the air we breathe.

Green500 shows continuing trend toward environmentally friendly supercomputers

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500

The November 2011 Green500 List shows two continuing trends despite seven of the world’s Top 10 greenest supercomputers changing up from the previous June 2011 rankings.

Conservation Management Institute instrumental in completing carbon offset project

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Virginia Tech's Conservation Management Institute has provided technical expertise for the world's first avoided planned deforestation project to receive certification under the requirements of the international Verified Carbon Standard.