We present the first installment of HI sources extracted from the Arecibo Legacy Fast ALFA (ALFALFA) extragalactic survey, initiated in 2005. Sources have been extracted from 3-D spectral data cubes exploiting a matched filtering technique and then examined interactively to yield global HI parameters. A total of 730 HI detections are catalogued within the solid angle 11 h 44 m < R.A.(J2000) < 14 h 00 m and +12 • < Dec.(J2000) < +16 • , and redshift range −1600 km s −1 < cz < 18000 km s −1 . In comparison, the HI Parkes All-Sky Survey (HIPASS) detected 40 HI signals in the same region. Optical counterparts are assigned via examination of digital optical imaging databases. ALFALFA HI detections are reported for three distinct classes of signals: (a) detections, typically with S/N > 6.5; (b) high velocity clouds in the Milky Way or its periphery; and (c) signals of lower S/N (to ∼ 4.5) which coincide spatially with an optical object of known similar redshift. Although this region of the sky has been heavily surveyed by previous targeted observations based on optical flux-or size-limited samples, 69% of the extracted sources are newly reported HI detections. The resultant positional accuracy of HI sources is dependent on S/N: it averages 24 ′′ (20 ′′ median) for all sources with S/N > 6.5 and is of order ∼17 ′′ (14 ′′ median) for signals with S/N > 12. The median redshift of the sample is ∼7000 km s −1 and its distribution reflects the known local large scale structure including the Virgo cluster and the void behind it, the A1367-Coma supercluster at cz ∼7000 km s −1 and a third more distant overdensity at cz ∼13000 km s −1 . Distance uncertainties in and around the Virgo cluster perturb the derived HI mass distribution. Specifically, an apparent deficiency of the lowest HI mass objects can be attributed, at least in part, to the incorrect assignment of some foreground objects to the cluster distance. Several extended HI features are found in the vicinity of the Virgo cluster. A small percentage (6%) of HI detections have no identifiable optical counterpart, more than half of which are high velocity clouds in the Milky Way vicinity; the remaining 17 objects do not appear connected to or associated with any known galaxy. Based on these initial results, ALFALFA is expected to fulfill, and even exceed, its predicted performance objectives in terms of the number and quality of HI detections.

The annual migration of monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) has high cultural value and recent surveys indicate monarch populations are declining. Protecting migratory species is complex because they cross international borders and depend on multiple regions. Understanding how much, and where, humans place value on migratory species can facilitate market-based conservation approaches. We performed a contingent valuation study of monarchs to understand the potential for such approaches to fund monarch conservation. The survey asked U.S. respondents about the money they would spend, or have spent, growing monarch-friendly plants, and the amount they would donate to monarch conservation organizations. Combining planting payments and donations, the survey indicated U.S. households valued monarchs as a total one-time payment of $4.78-$6.64 billion, levels similar to many endangered vertebrate species. The financial contribution of even a small percentage of households through purchases or donations could generate new funding for monarch conservation through market-based approaches.

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