Fish and Wildlife Service Announces Key Career Leadership Selections
August 31, 2009 by USFWS
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Sam D. Hamilton announced today the selection of Dan Ashe and Rowan Gould to serve as deputy directors for the agency. Gould, who has served as acting director since January 2009, will be deputy director for operations. Ashe, who has served as science advisor to the director since 2003, will be deputy director for policy.
Video Game Takes Kids Outside
August 27, 2009 by USFWS
The Service is launching a new online video game aimed to encourage kids to go outside and learn about the environment. Designed for children ages 8 to 11 years old, Neighborhood Explorers is accessed through the Let’s Go Outside website. Play the game, win the patches and get a free tree from Arbor Day Foundation
Service Provides Nearly $3 Million in Funding to Benefit Fish Habitat
August 25, 2009 by USFWS
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is providing more than $2.7 million to support 52 fish habitat projects in 26 states across the nation. An additional $4.7 million in partner contributions, over $7.4 million in total, will go toward restoring and enhancing stream, lake and coastal habitat, as well as to improving recreational fishing and helping endangered species. The funding is directed to priority projects under the National Fish Habitat Action Plan, which leverages federal, state and privately-raised funds for building partnerships that address the Nation’s biggest fish habitat issues.
Ohio River Islands Refuge Named 2009 Environmental Leadership Refuge of the Year
August 24, 2009 by USFWS
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has selected Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge in West Virginia for the 2009 Refuge of the Year Environmental Leadership Award. The award annually recognizes Service facilities and individuals for their outstanding leadership and commitment to the environment. The refuge was recognized for the construction and operation of its administrative building and visitor center, an ENERGY STAR Building incorporating local, recycled and renewable materials.
National Wildlife Refuge System
New DHC Sponsor – Flambeau Decoys
August 24, 2009 by Chris Hustad
Flambeau Decoys – First Decoys That Match the Ultraviolet Reflection of Feathers I’d like to welcome our newest sponsor to DuckHuntingChat.com – Flambeau Outdoors Flambeau has secured an exclusive license to utilize the patent pending UVision™ coating technology on its leading brand of waterfowl decoys. Developed by the coatings scientists at Twilight Labs, UVision™ matches [...]
Secretary Salazar Releases Study that Reveals Mercury Contamination in Fish Nationwide
August 21, 2009 by USFWS
Scientists detected mercury contamination in every fish sampled in 291 streams across the country, according to a U.S. Geological Survey study. "This study shows just how widespread mercury pollution has become in our air, watersheds and many of our fish in freshwater streams," said Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar. "This science sends a clear message that our country must continue to confront pollution, restore our nation’s waterways and protect the public from potential health dangers."
Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery Complex Awarded 2009 Hatchery of the Year
August 19, 2009 by USFWS
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has named the Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery Complex in eastern Washington Hatchery of the Year for its innovative achievements in environmental leadership. The hatchery complex was recognized for eliminating all hazardous waste streams, removing invasive plants without the use of pesticides and operating an on-site alternative high school that teaches natural resource education.
Shark Fin Dealer Sentenced for Federal Violations
August 19, 2009 by USFWS
A Florida man and his company were fined $10,000 and placed on probation for five years for illegally trafficking in shark fins from federally or state protected species. Service special agents teamed with investigators from NOAA Fisheries and the Food and Drug Administration to expose the dealer’s crimes, which included trying to export unlawfully purchased fins and drying fins in unsanitary conditions.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Mountain-Prairie Region Spring 2009 Dakotas Flood Response Recognition Ceremonies
August 18, 2009 by USFWS
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service leadership recently recognized employees in the Mountain-Prairie Region (Region 6) and Great Lakes-Big Rivers Region (Region 3), who responded to the severe flooding in the Dakotas earlier this year.
Secretary Salazar Announces Approval of Wetlands Mapping Standard
August 18, 2009 by USFWS
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced today the adoption of a Wetlands Mapping Standard that provides minimum requirements and guidelines for wetlands mapping efforts. The new standard is designed to guide current and future wetlands digital mapping projects and enhance the overall quality and consistency of wetlands data. Quality data on wetlands are considered critical for planning effective conservation strategies to benefit fish and wildlife resources now and in the future.
Wetlands Mapping Standard Guidelines
City of Philadelphia Receives Grant for Urban Conservation Treaty for Migratory Birds
August 17, 2009 by USFWS
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced $70,000 in grant funding as part of the Urban Conservation Treaty for Migratory Birds to the City of Philadelphia. The Treaty, a partnership between the Service, the City of Philadelphia, and Fairmount Park is a commitment to restore, conserve and protect valuable bird habitat within Philadelphia’s urban environment and to develop an informed public through education and training programs.
Learn More About Urban Treaties
Service Investigation Secures Guilty Plea from Major Oil Company
August 14, 2009 by USFWS
Exxon Mobil Corporation, whose oil and gas drilling and production facilities in 5 States were linked to the deaths of Federally protected birds, has pleaded guily to violating the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The company must pay $600,000 in fines and community service payments and implement an environmental compliance plan to prevent bird deaths at its facilities in Colorado, Wyoming, Oklahoma, Texas, and Kansas. The company has already spent $2.5 million to protect birds at these sites.
