Protected Area Database

"The Protected Areas Database of the United States is the official inventory of protected open space in United  States. With over 3 billions acreas in thousands of holdings, the spatial data in the PAD-US includes  publiclands, overlappings management designations, and Marine Protected Areas held in trust by national, state, and some local governments, and some nonprofit conservation organizations..." 
Protected land areas

Earth-Friendly Jobs

"Here at the Department of Labor, we track jobs, including jobs that take care of our planet. If you love the great outdoors, here are six career paths to consider:

Atmospheric Scientists, Including Meteorologists

What they do: Study the weather and climate, and how those conditions affect human activity and the earth in general.

• 2016 median pay: $92,460
• Typical entry-level education: bachelor’s degree
• Number of jobs 2014: 11,800
• Projected growth 2014-24: 9 percent

Environmental Scientists and Specialists

What they do: Protect the environment and human health by cleaning up polluted areas, advising policymakers, or working with industry to reduce waste.

• 2016 median pay: $68,910
• Typical entry-level education: bachelor’s degree
• Number of jobs 2014: 94,600
• Projected growth 2014-24: 11 percent

Geoscientists

What they do: Study the physical aspects of the Earth, such as its composition and structure, to learn about its past, present and future.

• 2016 median pay: $89,780
• Typical entry-level education: bachelor’s degree
• Number of jobs 2014: 36,400
• Projected growth 2014-24: 10 percent

Hydrologists

What they do: Study how water moves across and through the Earth’s crust, and solve water quality or availability problems.

• 2016 median pay: $80,480
• Typical entry-level education: bachelor’s degree
• Number of jobs 2014: 7,000
• Projected growth 2014-24: 7 percent

Environmental engineering technicians

What they do: Carry out plans that environmental engineers develop to prevent or clean up environmental pollution.

• 2016 median pay: $49,170
• Typical entry-level education: associate’s degree
• Number of jobs 2014: 18,600
• Projected growth 2014-24: 10 percent.."

Earth friendly jobs

EPA Announces National Enforcement Initiatives for Coming Years

"The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced its seven National Enforcement Initiatives for fiscal years 2017-2019, which focus on national pollution challenges where EPA’s enforcement efforts will protect public health. For the next cycle starting on October 1, 2016, EPA will retain four of its current National Enforcement Initiatives, add two new initiatives, and expand one to include a new area of focus. The fiscal year 2017-2019 National Enforcement Initiatives are:

1. Keeping Industrial Pollutants Out of the Nation’s Waters (new initiative)
2. Reducing Risks of Accidental Releases at Industrial and Chemical Facilities (new initiative)
3. Cutting Hazardous Air Pollutants (expanded initiative)
4. Reducing Air Pollution from the Largest Sources
5. Ensuring Energy Extraction Activities Comply with Environmental Laws
6. Keeping Raw Sewage and Contaminated Stormwater Out of the Nation’s Waters 
7. Preventing Animal Waste from Contaminating Surface and Ground Water.."

EPA

The Land and Water Conservation Fund

"Investing in nature is investing in the future. The Land & Water Conservation Fund was created in 1965 to protect the nation's land and heritage for use by all Americans. But without action from Congress, it is set to expire today. If this happens, it will rob local communities of future conservation, historic preservation and recreation opportunities.
 
Explore 5 amazing public lands that were made possible by the Land & Water Conservation Fund...."
Land and Conservation Fund

Salazar Highlights Two Proposed Projects in Wisconsin to Promote Outdoor Recreation

"...Establishing the proposed Lake Michigan Trail as a National Water Trail and expanding the Ice Age Trail are among 100 projects nationwide that will be highlighted in next week’s report — two in every state — as part of President Obama’s America’s Great Outdoors initiative to establish a 21st century conservation and recreation agenda and reconnect Americans to the outdoors..."

Federal Agencies Release Draft Reports Required by Chesapeake Bay Executive Order
"Federal agencies today released the seven draft reports required by President Obama’s executive order on the Chesapeake Bay, which contain a range of proposed strategies for accelerating cleanup of the nation’s largest estuary and its vast watershed.

The draft reports collectively call for increased accountability and performance from pollution control, habitat protection and land conservation programs at all levels of government, including an expanded use of regulatory authorities to address pollution control and additional voluntary and market-based solutions – particularly when it comes to habitat protection and land conservation programs. Federal agencies are also proposing new ways to harness the latest innovations in science and technology. The proposed actions are in response to overwhelming scientific evidence that the health of the Chesapeake Bay remains exceptionally poor, despite the concerted restoration efforts of the past 25 years.

Full draft reports

Emerging Issues in the U.S. Organic Industry
"Consumer demand for organic products has widened over the last decade. While new producers have emerged to help meet demand, market participants report that a supply squeeze is constraining growth for both individual firms and the organic sector overall. Partly in response to shortages in organic supply, Congress in 2008 included provisions in the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act (2008 Farm Act) that, for the first time, provide direct financial support to farmers to convert to organic production. This report examines recent economic research on the adoption of organic farming systems, organic production costs and returns, and market conditions to gain a better understanding of the organic supply squeeze and other emerging issues in this rapidly changing industry..."