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A summary of how the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and its partners are facing today's global conservation challenges and leading change in the 21st century.

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National Wildlife Refuge System: Conserving Our Lands and Resources
New Leadership Announced for Refuges, Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs
January 8, 2009
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently announced two new appointments to its senior leadership team. Hannibal Bolton and Greg Siekaniec have been named as the new Assistant Directors for Wildlife and Sport Fish restoration and the National Wildlife Refuge System, respectively. The positions are part of the government's Senior Executive Service and have been approved by the Interior Department's Executive Review Board.

News Release

Migratory Birds: Conservation and Management
Remaining 75th Anniversary Artist-Signed Panes of One To Go On Sale
January 8, 2009


75th Anniversary Artist-Signed Panes. Credit: USFWS

The Federal Duck Stamp Program announced that beginning February 9, 2009, it will offer for sale the remaining 5,000 of the original offering of 10,000, 2008-2009 Artist-Signed Panes of One featuring the 75th Federal Duck Stamp, a pair of northern pintails by Minnesota artist Joseph Hautman.

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News Release

National Wildlife Refuge System: Conserving Our Lands and Resources
Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument Nominated for Inscription on World Heritage List
January 8, 2009
On January 6, President Bush announced the nomination of Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument for inscription on the World Heritage List. The Monument is being nominated for its cultural and natural resource values, and would be America’s first marine site and the world’s first cultural seascape.


Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge hosts the largest albatross colony in the world. Credit: USFWS
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National Wildlife Refuge System: Conserving Our Lands and Resources
Thousands of Species to Benefit From New Marine National Monument Designations
January 7, 2009
Broadening protections already provided by seven Pacific Island national wildlife refuges, three marine national monuments created by President Bush on January 6 join Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument in conserving some of the most pristine areas of the Pacific Ocean.


Thousands of marine species, such as this leather anemone at Kingman Reef National Wildlife Refuge, will benefit from the new marine monument designations. Credit: James Maragos / USFWS
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Threatened and Endangered Species: Achieving Recovery and Preventing Extinction
Partial Finding Announced on Major ESA Petition
January 7, 2009
The Fish and Wildlife Service has announced a negative 90-day finding on a petition that would add hundreds of species to the Federal Lists of Threatened and Endangered Wildlife and Plants. The Service made the determination as a partial response to a petition requesting 475 species be protected under the Endangered Species Act. The action found that the petition does not contain substantial scientific data for 270 species.

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Question and Answers

Threatened and Endangered Species: Achieving Recovery and Preventing Extinction
Three Bird Species from Latin America and the Caribbean Proposed for Protection
January 7, 2009
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently proposed to protect three species of birds from Latin America and the Caribbean under the Endangered Species Act.


Male Chilean woodstar. (c) Cristian Estades
News Release

National Wildlife Refuge System: Conserving Our Lands and Resources
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to Establish National Wildlife Refuge in Pennsylvania
December 23, 2008
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has approved the establishment of Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge in eastern Pennsylvania.

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Visit the National Wildlife Refuge Web site

Threatened and Endangered Species: Achieving Recovery and Preventing Extinction
Fish and Wildlife Service Proposes Addition of Penguin Species to Endangered Species List
December 17, 2008
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing to list one penguin species as endangered and five penguin species as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The Service also found that three species of penguins do not warrant listing throughout their range and is proposing listing one species as threatened in a significant portion of its range.
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Migratory Birds: Conservation and Management
Service Releases Proposed Rule to Remove Two Species from Depredation Order
December 17, 2008
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently released a Proposed Rule to remove two species, the rusty blackbird and the Mexican (Tamaulipas) crow from the list of species that may be controlled under the depredation order for blackbirds, cowbirds, grackles, crows, and magpies.
News Release

Connecting People With Nature: Ensuring the Future of Conservation
Inaugural Science Awards Bestowed by Director
December 16, 2008
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director H. Dale Hall recently recognized the outstanding contributions of Service employees to science-based management of the Nation’s fish and wildlife resources. Hall announced the Service’s first ever science awards during a broadcast to employees.
News Release

Migratory Birds: Conservation and Management
Service Finalizes Environmental Assessment on Allowing Falconers to Remove and Possess Migratory Peregrine Falcons from the Wild
December 16, 2008
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently released the Final Environmental Assessment and Management Plan (FEA) allowing the limited removal and possession of migrant first-year “Northern” (predominantly Arctic subspecies) peregrine falcons from the wild for use in the sport of falconry.
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Threatened and Endangered Species: Achieving Recovery and Preventing Extinction
New Rule Unifies Domestic and International Conservation Laws to Manage Polar Bear
December 11, 2008
Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne announced today that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has finalized a Special Rule under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) providing for the conservation of the polar bear.

News Release

Polar Bear Information