Ultralight Migration Leads Endangered Whooping Cranes into Alabama – A First for the Migration
Ultralight-led whooping cranes fly from Cumberland County, IL to Union County, KY on Thanksgiving Day 2008. Photo by Operation Migration
Fourteen whooping crane chicks reached Franklin County, Alabama, today on their ultralight-guided migration from Necedah National Wildlife Refuge in central Wisconsin to Chassahowitzka and St. Marks National Wildlife Refuges along Florida's Gulf Coast.
These majestic birds, the tallest in North America, left Necedah refuge on Oct. 17, following four ultralight aircraft. For the first time, they will pass through the state of Alabama. Alabama is one of the seven states the ultralight-guided migration will fly over before reaching Florida.
SARP: An effective partnership to manage the region’s aquatics
Restoring vital oyster reefs in Florida and Texas. Credit: Jeff Rester, USFWS
The Southeast Aquatic Resources Partnership (SARP) was initiated in 2001 to address the myriad issues related to the management of aquatic resources in the Southeast. These issues include significant threats to the region’s aquatic resources, as illustrated by the fact that 34 percent of North American fish species and 90 percent of the native mussel species designated as endangered, threatened, or of special concern are found here. Given these stark realities, and the predicted increased pressure on Southeast aquatic resources in the future, SARP was established with the following mission:
With partners, protect, conserve, and restore aquatic resources including habitats throughout the Southeast, for the continuing benefit, use, and enjoyment of the American people.
