The Hidden Risk Enviro Show

Greetings Earthlings. We knew mercury makes us stupid, didn't we? I can't remember. In any case, "mercury accumulation, previously considered a risk for aquatic ecosystems, is also found in many wildlife species living on the land", that according to the Biodiversity Research Institute (BRI) and the Nature Conservancy. Allyson Jackson, Mercury in Forest Songbirds Project Leader and Associate Wildlife Research Biologist for BRI's Migratory Bird Program calls in with the details and our co-host, Glen calls in on another line as well, maybe from poolside at some fancy conference center. You know how Glen gets all mercurial on us when the subject of heavy metals comes up. BTW, Robin from Farm to Fork will join us on the board. As always, we'll checkout The Enviro Show Echo Chamber, visit the Fool-on-the-Hill and some E-Valley-uation, but first it's time for....Revenge of the Critters! Bengal tigers attack busload of tourists!

In our E-Valley-uation segment we think you might want to checkout the fledgling falcons and their parents nesting on top of the UMass library. We've been watching since the three chicks were eggs. Very cool (though you might not care for feeding time). Meanwhile, up in Maine, the Biodiversity Research Institute have their own eagle cam here. BRI has a Raptor Program as well. Since we're straying from the Valley here, checkout where Garrett and Maure from our anti-nuke SAGE Alliance strayed to: one of Entergy's other radioactive horror shows out at Plymouth, MA.

Speaking of cool, in The Enviro Show Echo Chamber we pass on this excellent story from Grist. Also, eco-warrior Capt. Paul Watson finds himself in another legal dust-up, this time in Germany facing extradition to Costa Rica on trumped-up charges after monkeywrenching some shark fining operation. Treehugger has the update. And, Treehugger also gives us an update on that North Sea mega-gas drilling leak we covered on an earlier Enviro Show. It looks like the leak has finally been plugged. But guess what: oil & gas drilling leaks and blowouts happen all the time, it goes with the territory (and everything in the territory suffers). Finally, an Enviro Show Blog Bonus Action Link: bats are victims of a hidden risk as well. Please help them out!

Our Fool-on-the-Hill has once again morphed into a plural Fools-on-the-Hill. Remember last year (or was it the year before?) when we reported on the record of the worst Repugnican Congress ever? Well guess what, they've out done themselves and beat their own record!

One of our favorites, "Nature Hatin' Blues" by The Lone Tones takes us to our interview with Allyson Jackson and our experiment with the phones. Then it's on to the Bus Stop Billboard:

Wednesday, May 23, 12:30 - 1:30; Brown Bag lunch - Noon. GreenWork. Pioneer Valley AFL-CIO Hall, 640 Page Boulevard, Springfield. GreenWork (the Western Mass Green Economy Working Group) consists of advocates for a Green Economy which serves local communities; guarantees workers' rights to organize; and promotes community-owned sustainable projects. Call: 413-565-2381

Wednesday May 23 5:30 - 8:30pm NRC Open House on VY Yankee Multipurpose room, Brattleboro Union High School Brattleboro VT The Nuclear Regulatory Commission will be in Brattleboro on Wednesday, May 23, to discuss the 2011 performance assessment for Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant. An open house will kick off the meeting, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., followed by a public meeting from 7 to 8:30 p.m. The 2011 assessment was issued on March 5. NRC staff will be available to answer questions on its role in ensuring safe plant operation. In addition, the NRC will host a question and answer session, during which members of the public will be able to ask questions or make statements in a public meeting. There will not be a formal NRC presentation during the public meeting. There are plans underway for street theater and other actions. More info: info@safeandgreencampaign.org or http://www.safeandgreencampaign.org/ai1ec_event/nrc-open-house-on-vy-yankee?instance_id=307

Friday June 1. Wade Rathke | The Battle for Lower Ninth: ACORN and the Rebuilding of New Orleans. 11:30am, lunch & discussion on the anniversary of the Springfield area tornado, 640 Page Blvd, Springfield. We need a head count – RSVP to (413) 827-0301 or wmjwj@wmjwj.org. 7pm, discussion & book signing, Odyssey Bookshop, 9 College St (Routes 116 & 47), in the Village Commons, South Hadley; 534-7307 or 800-540-7307; odysseybks@aol.com; www.odysseybks.com

Friday May 25 to Thursday Jun 14 Solar Rollers Ride Again Brattleboro, VT and throughout the 14 counties of Vermont. The Solar Rollers are an anti-nuclear bicycling group formed to ride to Seabrook in 1978. Their first stop was the Vermont Yankee nuke – and they’ve been working to shut it down ever since.Beginning May 25th at 9:00am , the Solar Rollers will ride again, for their 34th anniversary tour. They will travel through all 14 counties of Vermont, talking to citizens along the way at potluck gatherings, through local media, and handing out informational fliers about the campaign to close VY. The Solar Rollers pedal what they preach – Turn on the Sun; Turn off the Nuke. They’ll bring that message to every corner of Vermont this spring.We need the informed citizens of the entire state behind us when we shut Vermont Yankee down – and the Solar Rollers need your help to reach ‘em. So get on a bike and join the Solar Rollers, or make a donation to their outreach tour; contact: 413-863-9296 for more information. Support events in different locations are being planned. Complete itinerary at: http://sagealliance.net/actions/vermont-solar-rollers-5-25-12

SATURDAY JUNE 9, 9 AM – 6 PM NEW ENGLAND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE SUMMIT. Clark University, Higgins University Center, 950 Main Street, Worcester. At this daylong event, community residents and activists, EJ advocates, citizens, lawyers, and policymakers will meet to discuss environmental issues in New England and their impacts on low-income people and people of color. Summit workshops will cover toxics and women’s health, energy justice, urban and rural issues, food justice, and a workshop on Title VI geared to lawyers interested in assisting environmental justice groups. Free breakfast/lunch/child care. Free admission. Go to: http://newenglandejsummit.eventbrite.com

That's it. We are out of here. Please be sure to listen to your Mother.....OK?