Address Wildfire Threat with National Seed Strategy

According to an August 17, 2015 press release, as "part of a comprehensive, science-based strategy to address the threat of wildfires that are damaging landscapes across the West, the Department of the Interior today announced the release of a National Seed Strategy for rehabilitation and restoration to help foster resilient and healthy landscapes." More information is available from the press release and the FAQs.

New Drought Portal

Fifteen government agencies have come together to create a new portal for ascertaining the location and impacts of droughts in the United States. Drought.gov from the National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) is part of an interactive system designed to:

• Provide early warning about emerging and anticipated droughts
  
• Assimilate and quality control data about droughts and models
  
• Provide information about risk and impact of droughts to different agencies and stakeholders
  
• Provide information about past droughts for comparison and to understand current conditions
  
• Explain how to plan for and manage the impacts of droughts
  
• Provide a forum for different stakeholders to discuss drought-related issues

The portal includes the U.S. Drought Monitor and the Drought Impact Reporter which alternate on the screen and use a clickable color-coded United States map to provide a dramatic visual display. Drought conditions and impact statements for states and regions are available from a pull-down menu. Other features include forecasting, planning, research, and recovery information, and educational materials targeted to general audiences and to K-12 students and teachers.