NEWS
Call for Award Nominations - Elk, Deer & Turkey
It is that time of year - the elk are bugeling, the turkeys are gobbling and the deer are eating your shrubery. It is fall! Also time to submit nominations for the 7th Annual Elk Country Awards, the 7th Annual Mule Deer Conservation Award, and the 8th Annual Making Tracks Awards. These awards recognize outstanding projects, programs, and individual achievement in the conservation of elk, mule deer, black-tailed deer, and wild turkeys and management of their habitat. We have significant wildlife-related work that is being accomplished by dedicated and conscientious employees every year in partnership with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, the Mule Deer Foundation, and the National Wild Turkey Federation. Please take the time to nominate your employees or co-workers that deserve special recognition.
Call Letter for Nominations
Elk Country
Million Bucks/Mule Deer Conservation
Making Tracks
Answer the Call 2008 Award Winners - CONGRATULATIONS!
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Answer the Call” is a partnership program between the Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Quail Unlimited and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. The program promotes quail and upland game bird habitat management nationwide through cooperative projects. This year's award winners were honored at Quail Unlimited’s National Convention in Springfield, MO.
Jay Cox, member of Patoka Hills (IN) Chapter of Quail Unlimited, was presented the 2008 “Answer the Call” Award for an outstanding volunteer.
Gary Rotta, Wildlife Biologist on the Plumas National Forest, was presented the National “Answer the Call” Award.
Dave Zalunardo, Pacific Northwest Regional Representative to the “Answer the Call” partnership was recognized for 14 years of exemplary service.
Congratulations Jay, Gary and Dave! Thank you for your dedication.
More information...
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New Bighorn Sheep/Goat Publications
Kudos to Melanie Woolever and Tim Schommer for doing this review and producing this product! It is huge and very significant effort.
A Review of Disease-related Conflicts Between Domestic Sheep and Goats and Bighorn Sheep;
Schommer, Timothy J.; Woolever, Melanie M. 2008; RMRS-GTR-209
Download pdf file 425 KB
Abstract:
Research shows that contact between bighorn sheep and domestic sheep and goats can lead to respiratory disease and fatal pneumonia in bighorn sheep. We reviewed experimental methods and evidence regarding respiratory disease in bighorn sheep relative to domestic sheep and goats based upon the contact hypothesis and categorized by experimental approach. Although efforts to identify organisms causing pneumonia in bighorn sheep following contact with domestic sheep have identified multiple bacteria species, the complete range of mechanisms/causal agents leading to epizootic disease events are not completely understood. However, based upon the effect of disease transmission, spatial and/or temporal separation between domestic sheep and goats and bighorn sheep is prudent when the management objective is to maintain bighorn sheep populations.
Climate Change Report for Hunters and Anglers
(Excerpt from WMI site)
A new report outlining the potential impacts of climate change on North America’s fish and game species is released by a joint cooperation of nine leading conservation organizations. Seasons’ End is the result of a collaborative partnership between the American Sportfishing Association, Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, BASS/ESPN, Coastal Conservation Association, Ducks Unlimited, Inc., Isaac Walton League of America, Pheasants Forever, Trout Unlimited and the Wildlife Management Institute. Delta Waterfowl recently joined the partnership to aid in the outreach and dissemination of the report. Only summaries of the 111-page report are available online; copies of Seasons’ End are available upon request and free of charge from the Bipartisan Policy Center at 1225 Eye Street, NW, Suite 1000, Washington, DC 20005.
More information...
Link: www.seasonsend.org
USDI Fish & Wildlife Service - Flyways Website:
http://www.flyways.us/
Initial Assessments of Waterfowl Breeding Habitat Conditions Available
Up to date waterfowl hunting information is available at the site.
It also has some great links to other information that can be used for monitoring such as "waterfowl breeding populations and monitoring surveys", "2007 Waterfowl report", "midwinter ground surveys", and more.
Radar Technologies - Interesting Applications for Bats, Birds and some Insects
(Meeting Report Out by Gail Tunberg/USFS/R3/Wildlife Program Manager. Gail attended the workshop in Albuquerque on behalf of the USFS WFW/WO)
Several universities are currently using radar technology to study birds and bats. Radar technology is being used as a tool for understanding 'aerofauna'. Excerpted from the website..."Understanding the factors affecting migratory bird and bat populations during all three phases of their life cycle – breeding, non-breeding, and migration – is critical to species conservation planning. This includes the need for information about these species’ responses to natural challenges, as well as information about the impact of human activities that alter resources critical to migrants during passage and stopovers. Birds and bats are also uniquely susceptible to human use of the airspace. Wind turbines, communication and power transmission towers, and other tall structures known to cause bird and bat mortality are being erected or proposed in increasing numbers across the country. In addition, the potential for bird-aircraft collisions poses human safety threats. Management and regulatory agencies, conservation organizations, and industry currently lack this information needed to meet their missions and statutory responsibilities."
Radar Technology Website
(A few talented participants from the Radar Technology workshop designed and launched this website; hosted by USGS)
Sections of interest:
Visit the Radar Technology Website - you will probably learn something new.
Audubon Launches Exciting New Initiative - TogetherGreen
(Excerpt from Drew Burnett/USFS email)
Application Due Date: June 27, 2008
A major component of 'TogetherGreen' is a Conservation Leadership Program designed to support and build the capacity of current and emerging conservation leaders and provide networking opportunities and training support. This leadership program is open to conservation professionals working in non-profits, business, government, media, universities, and other organizations. Open to rising stars to mid-career professionals to seasoned volunteers. The fellowship is designed to supplement full-time jobs (plus, applicants receive a $10,000 grant for their organization to apply to a project they would complete during the program). In addition to the grant, fellows receive several professional development opportunities, including funding to attend a five-day Conservation Leadership Institute and follow up retreat.
Applications and additional information: www.togethergreen.org/fellows
Flier
Minorities in Birding
Wings-on-Disk, the publisher of John C. Robinson's new book entitled, Birding for Everyone, has reserved a limited supply of copies of the book for distribution to those individuals, agencies, and conservation groups who are interested in encouraging more people of color to become birdwatchers and enjoy nature. The book identifies outreach programs that invite more people of diverse cultures to enjoy nature through birds. Foreword by Kenn Kaufman. Contact Wings-on-Disk at Logshrike@Comcast.net to receive a complimentary copy, while supplies last.
More information ... www.onmymountain.com
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EPA, National and Environmental Groups Launch "Green Infrastructure" Plan to Benefit Communities and the Environment
News for Release: Thursday, January 17, 2008
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Contact: Shakeba Carter-Jenkins, (202) 564-4355/carter-jenkins.shakeba@epa.gov
More information...
(Washington, D.C. – January 17, 2008) Today, EPA, with state and national partners, released a comprehensive plan to reduce runoff and increase environmental and economic benefits for communities. The strategy will help reduce stormwater runoff and sewer overflows by promoting “green infrastructure” approaches, such as green roofs, trees and tree boxes, rain gardens, and porous pavements. Green infrastructure techniques, technologies, and practices reduce the amount of water and pollutants that run off a site. These tools have many other benefits, including cost savings, improved air quality, urban heat island reductions, energy savings, water conservation, and urban habitat creation.
The plan explains how states, municipalities, permitting authorities, and non-governmental organizations can use green infrastructure practices to meet water quality goals while sustaining their water infrastructure. The document, “Managing Wet Weather with Green Infrastructure Action Strategy 2008,” outlines ways to bring green infrastructure technologies and approaches into mainstream use for runoff and sewer overflow management.
This plan follows an April 19, 2007, agreement to promote green infrastructure as an environmentally preferable approach to wet weather management. It also represents a key set of actions that EPA and its partners are taking to reduce projected impacts of climate change. The plan, which includes 7 major implementation areas: Research, Outreach and Communication, Tools, Clean Water Act Regulatory Support, Economic Viability and Funding, Demonstrations and Recognition, and Partnerships and Promotion was developed by EPA, American Rivers, the Association of State and Interstate Water Pollution Control Administrators, the National Association of Clean Water Agencies, the Natural Resources Defense Council, and the Low Impact Development Center.
Federal Register: FWS Final Rule Listing Six Foreign Birds as Endangered
50 CFR Part 17 - Wednesday; January 16, 2008
Volume 73, No. 11, p3146-3179 PDF
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The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service determine endangered status for six avian species—black stilt (Himantopus novaezelandiae), caerulean paradise flycatcher (Eutrichomyias rowleyi), giant ibis (Pseudibis gigantea), Gurney's pitta (Pitta gurneyi), long-legged thicketbird (Trichocichla rufa), and Socorro mockingbird (Mimus graysoni)—under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. This rule implements the protection of the Act for these six species.
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EFFECTIVE DATE: This final rule is effective February 15, 2008.
Background Information - Center for Biological Diversity
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Contact FS![[Header with links to]: USDA Forest Service](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090514042402im_/http://www.fs.fed.us/biology/images/header_fs01.gif)
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