When searching in catalogs and databases:

• Be creative in the words you use; if one doesn't work, try something else. Think of words with related meaning, such as natural resource management or restoration or conservation. 
• Begin with keywords, and use the subjects found in the articles that come up to find more information
• Use quotation marks around phrases, so they won't be searched as individual words.
• Use advanced search features in catalogs and databases to limit by date, language, type of article, etc

For local topics, newspapers can be your best bet. Some local newpapers are available online but many are either only in print or on microfilm. You can also search the web site of the newspapers and often you wll have access to the current articles. 

Learn how to keep up with new information on your topic by:

• setting up research alerts (journal table of contents and/or database search alerts)
• setting up RSS feeds and feedreaders
• reading or writing blogs

The Keeping Current with Research guide has more information.