Tracking the Elusive Eastern Fox Snake
August 11, 2009 by USFWS
Kile R. Kucher, a graduate student at Central Michigan University, is deep into his second year of field work and marsh water looking for Eastern fox snakes at Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge. The species is listed by the state as threatened due to wetlands loss, illegal collecting and indiscriminate killing by people who think fox snakes are venomous. By tracking the snake, the refuge hopes to better protect and integrate the snake into its habitat management program.
Celebrate Fall at a National Wildlife Refuge Near You
August 11, 2009 by USFWS
Whether it’s watching butterflies, taking a guided birding tour or learning about cultural resources, this year celebrate fall with the diversity of the National Wildlife Refuge System. And it’s a great opportunity to find a family event in your community, such as during National Wildlife Refuge Week, October 12-18. There is a refuge within an hour’s drive of most major cities.
Don’t Feed Wild Dolphins
August 10, 2009 by USFWS
Feeding wild animals — including the loveable dolphin — can have deadly consequences for them. Wild creatures learn to beg for food and, in the process, lose their natural fear of people. And so dolphins swim too close to churning boat propellers and get severely injured. Or they get entangled in fishing hooks and lines and die. They get sick from eating bait and people food like beer, pretzels, candy and hot dogs. And finally, feeding wild dolphins disrupts their social groups and ultimately threatens their ability to survive in the wild. Hear it straight from a dolphin.
Kansas National Wildlife Refuge Garners Carbon Kudos
August 10, 2009 by USFWS
The Conservation Fund, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Environmental Synergy Inc. (ESI), announced Aug. 3 that a forest-based carbon sequestration project near Kansas City has received Gold validation, the highest level available under Climate, Community and Biodiversity Alliance standards.
Protection of Pacific Walrus Under the ESA May Be Warranted
August 8, 2009 by USFWS
The Service announced that a petition to protect the Pacific walrus under the Endangered Species Act presents substantial information indicating that adding the species to the federal list of threatened and endangered species may be warranted. This preliminary finding is based, in part, upon projected changes in sea ice habitats associated with climate change.
Enjoy Premier Hunting Experiences at National Wildlife Refuges
August 4, 2009 by USFWS
More than 2 million hunters visit National Wildlife Refuges each year. Hunting, within specified limits, is permitted on more than 300 refuges. A new interactive Web site, Your Guide to Hunting on National Wildlife Refuges, provides hunters with an easy search mechanism to find a refuge by special interest like game species. The instructive Web site offers additional information, such as becoming a more effective waterfowl hunter. In addition, information on state hunting licenses is provided. For those who wish to bring the guide with them; it is available as a downloadable publication.
Senate Confirms Sam Hamilton to be New Fish and Wildlife Service Director
July 31, 2009 by USFWS
The U.S. Senate voted to confirm Sam D. Hamilton to be the new Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. A career Service employee with over 30 years of experience, Hamilton will lead the nation’s principal Federal agency dedicated to the conservation of fish and wildlife and their habitats, with nearly 9,000 employees located in all 50 states and U.S. territories.
Interior Department Withdraws 2008 Critical Habitat Designation for the Northern Spotted Owl
July 16, 2009 by USFWS
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced today that the Department will ask a Federal District Court to vacate the Fish and Wildlife Service’s 2008 revision of designated critical habitat for the spotted owl under the Endangered Species Act, because Interior’s Inspector General determined that the decisionmaking process for the owl’s recovery plan was potentially jeopardized by improper political influence.
Fisheries Friends Groups Embrace National Partnership
July 16, 2009 by USFWS
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service joined with Fisheries Friends Groups in the official establishment of a National Fisheries Friends Partnership (NFFP). From across the United States, representatives of Fisheries Friends Groups gathered this past spring in the nation’s capital to formalize this new partnership.
Safe Harbor Agreement Protects Northern Spotted Owl and Marbled Murrelet
July 15, 2009 by USFWS
Port Blakely Tree Farms in Washington state will manage more than 45,000 acres of private timberland for the northern spotted and the marbled murrelet. The Safe Harbor Agreement is the first of its kind for these species and celebrates a partnership between a timber producer, and state and federal natural resource agencies.
Birdwatchers No Featherweights in Contributions to Economy
July 15, 2009 by USFWS
A new report released today by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service shows one of every five Americans watches birds, and in doing so, birdwatchers contributed $36 billion to the U.S. economy in 2006, the most recent year for which economic data are available. The report shows that total participation in birdwatching is strong at 48 million, and remaining at a steady 20 percent of the U.S. population since 1996.
Service Investigation of PacifiCorp Secures Improved Safeguards for Eagles
July 13, 2009 by USFWS
PacifiCorp, one of the largest electric utilities in the West, has pleaded guilty to 34 Federal charges involving the electrocution of golden eagles and other protected migratory birds. The company was ordered to pay a $510,000 fine and $900,000 in restitution and must spend $9.1 million over the next five years to make its power network in Wyoming "bird friendly."
