Threatened and Endangered Species: Achieving Recovery and Preventing Extinction
Service Addresses Myths and Facts of Captive-Bred African Antelope Species Rule
January 30, 2012
 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recognizes the important contribution captive breeding has made to the continued survival of three African antelope species — the scimitar-horned oryx, addax, and dama gazelle. Many game ranches within the United States have been breeding and maintaining these species on their properties and, as a result of strong management practices, have offered hunting of these species as a way to manage the size and health of their herds. As a result of a Court ruling, the Service published a final rule on January 5, 2012, to require ranchers to obtain permits for these activities under the Endangered Species Act with U.S. captive-bred animals and sport-hunted trophies of the three endangered African antelope species. The rule goes into effect on April 4, 2012. The agency is actively working to streamline the permitting process and minimize any burden on the public with regard to issuing permits and authorizations for activities under the ESA. Working together we can ensure that United States ranches continue in the long tradition of wildlife conservation for the benefit of these endangered species. Photo Caption: Scimitar-horned oryx. Credit: ©National Zoo
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National Wildlife Refuge System: Conserving Our Lands and Resources
National Wildlife Refuge System Releases Implementation Plan for Vision Document
January 30, 2012
 The Implementation Plan for Conserving the Future: Wildlife Refuges and the Next Generation is now available at www.America’s Wildlife.org. Nine implementation teams -- in the areas of strategic growth; urban wildlife refuges; leadership; planning; scientific excellence; community partnerships; hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation; and interpretation and education – are at work to develop the policies and actions needed to make the Refuge System’s vision for the next decade a reality. Many teams will have draft recommendations available as early as June 2012. Photo Caption: Cover of Conserving the Future: Wildlife Refuges and the Next Generation vision document.Credit: USFWS
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National Wildlife Refuge System: Conserving Our Lands and Resources
Dressed for Fire - A Look at Wildland Firefighter Clothing
January 25, 2012
 With wildfires already bearing down on national wildlife refuges in the Southeast, and a large wildfire still burning from last year at Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, this timely videocast is 3rd in a 5-part series A Look Inside Wildland Fire. This series explores the work of managing wildland fire to protect and conserve wildlife and the lands managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. How does someone work long, hard hours next to flames and smoke, without being worse for the wear? In this 3:00 minute video, fire crew member Kaili McCray, provides an in-depth view of the personal protective equipment worn by all wildland fire personnel on the fireline. Photo Caption: Firefighter James Padilla, from the Caribbean Islands National Wildlife Refuge Complex in Puerto Rico, uses a drip torch to assist with lighting a controlled burn at Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge.Credit: Josh O’Connor / USFWS
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Connecting People With Nature: Ensuring the Future of Conservation
AMERICA’S GREAT OUTDOORS: Salazar Announces Grants to Boost Recreational Boating in 10 States Infrastructure projects provide opportunities for outdoor recreation, create jobs
January 25, 2012
 Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today announced more than $7.5 million in competitive grants to 10 states for 11 projects to support recreational boating through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Boating Infrastructure Grant program. “Recreational boaters and anglers contribute to our nation’s thriving outdoor recreation economy and play an important role in conservation of our rivers, watersheds and oceans,” Secretary Salazar said. “These competitive grants will help provide quality opportunities and access to America’s great outdoors for our nation’s boaters and anglers, while creating jobs by funding major construction projects to build docks, boat slips and facilities.” Photo Caption: Father and son spend a day of recreational boating. Credit: Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation
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Threatened and Endangered Species: Achieving Recovery and Preventing Extinction
Endangered Species Bulletin Showcases 2011 Recovery Highlights
January 23, 2012
 The Endangered Species Act provides a safety net for America’s native fish, wildlife and plants. Looking back on 2011, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proud of the remarkable successes of this landmark conservation law. The latest edition of the Endangered Species Bulletin looks at some of the exciting events and incredible achievements from 2011, and the many groups and individuals that helped make them happen. Photo Caption: On September 26, 2011, the Black-footed Ferret Recovery Program celebrated the 30th anniversary of an effort to restore to the wild what was once one of most endangered animals in the United States. Credit: Kimberly Tamkun / USFWS
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National Wildlife Refuge System: Conserving Our Lands and Resources
Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge Earns Sanibel Island Top Place as Travel Destination
January 23, 2012
 Travel guru Arthur Frommer has ranked Florida’s Sanibel Island his favorite travel destination — ahead of Bali, Paris and St. John — because the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge makes the island a mecca for “thousands of birds of every species.” The birds, says Frommer, “bask in the sun after diving for fish, and are one of the great natural sights of wildlife in America.” Photo Caption: A group of brightly colored roseate spoonbills patrols a section of marsh at J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge in Florida. Credit: Steve Hillebrand / USFWS
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Climate Change: Ensuring the Future of Conservation
National Strategy Proposed to Respond to Climate
Change’s Impacts on Fish, Wildlife, Plants
January 23, 2012
 In partnership with state, tribal, and federal agency partners, the Obama Administration today released the first draft national strategy to help decision makers and resource managers prepare for and help reduce the impacts of climate change on species, ecosystems, and the people and economies that depend on them. The draft National Fish, Wildlife and Plants Climate Adaptation Strategy, available for public review and comment through March 5, 2012, can be found on the web at www.wildlifeadaptationstrategy.gov Photo Caption: Warming climate may impact cold-water fish species such as the bull trout. Credit: USFWS
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Connecting People With Nature: Ensuring the Future of Conservation
Join America’s WILD READ for Virtual Trek Across the Continent
January 19, 2012
 Whether you are a nature enthusiast, book lover, student, teacher, or Refuge Friend, you are invited to participate in America's WILD READ, a project of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Conservation Training Center. This popular on-line literary forum brings readers and nature writers together from across the country to share their insights. This month features nature writer Scott Weidensaul's "Return to Wild America." Visit the WILD READ today to read about and comment on the latest post from Weidensaul as he highlights his trek across North America, including visits to Monomoy and Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuges. This year, America's WILD READ will feature themes ranging from urban ecology to fish stories to women's voices, with authors Terry Tempest Williams and David James Duncan, as well as Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge manager John Hartig. It will also offer a discussion of Rachel Carson's "Silent Spring" on the 50th anniversary of its publication in 1962. Photo Caption: Scott Weidensaul's "Return to Wild America" is this month's featured selection for America's WILD READ. Credit: Scott Weidensaul
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National Wildlife Refuge System: Conserving Our Lands and Resources
AMERICA’S GREAT OUTDOORS: Salazar Announces Establishment of Everglades Headwaters National Wildlife Refuge and Conservation Area
January 18, 2012
Secretary of the Interior Ke n Salazar today accepted a 10-acre donation of land in south-central Florida to officially establish the Everglades Headwaters National Wildlife Refuge and Conservation Area. The new refuge and conservation area – the 556th unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System – is being established with the support of local ranchers and landowners who have worked cooperatively with the Department of the Interior and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Photo Caption: Central Florida landscape. Credit: © Carlton Ward, Jr. / CarltonWard.com
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Threatened and Endangered Species: Achieving Recovery and Preventing Extinction
North American Bat Death Toll Exceeds 5.5 Million From White-nose Syndrome
January 17, 2012
 On the verge of another season of winter hibernating bat surveys, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologists and partners estimate that at least 5.7 million to 6.7 million bats have now died from white-nose syndrome (WNS). Biologists expect the disease to continue to spread. WNS is decimating bat populations across eastern North America, with mortality rates reaching up to 100 percent at many sites. First documented in New York in 2006, the disease has spread quickly into 16 states and four Canadian provinces. In response, the Service has been leading an extensive network of partners in implementing the national WNS plan to provide a framework of coordination and management, develop science-based protocols and guidance, as well as fund numerous research projects and improve our basic understanding of the dynamics of the disease. Photo Caption: Eastern small-footed bat with white-nose syndrome. Credit: Ryan von Linden / New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
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Connecting People With Nature: Ensuring the Future of Conservation
Salazar Announces Ban on Importation and Interstate Transportation of Four Giant Snakes that Threaten Everglades
January 17, 2012
 In Florida this morning, Secretary Salazar announced that the Service has finalized a rule that will ban the importation and interstate transportation of four nonnative constrictor snakes that threaten the Everglades and other sensitive ecosystems across the United States. The rule lists the Burmese python, the yellow anaconda, and the northern and southern African pythons as injurious wildlife under the Lacey Act in order to restrict their spread in the wild in the United States. Photo Caption: Officer holds the tail of a Burmese python in the Everglades. Credit: National Park Service
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Connecting People With Nature: Ensuring the Future of Conservation
Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program Recognizing 75 Years of Wildlife Conservation and Partnership Success
January 17, 2012
 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) joins the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA), and other partners at the 2012 SHOT-SHOW to announce the start of a yearlong celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program (WSFR), one of the most significant and successful partnership approaches to fish and wildlife conservation in U.S. history. The “WSFR 75 – It’s Your Nature” celebration brings together federal and state fish and wildlife agencies; the hunting, shooting, angling, and boating industries; and conservation groups to mark a milestone of partnership success that has led to 75 years of quality hunting, fishing, shooting, boating and wildlife-related recreation. The occasion also marks the beginning of a new era in wildlife conservation, during which the partners will establish new goals for fostering and maintaining partnerships to continue conservation and outdoor recreation into the next 75 years and beyond. Photo Caption: Wildlife & Sport Fish Restoration 75 Years It's Your Nature logo. Credit: USFWS
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National Wildlife Refuge System: Conserving Our Lands and Resources
National Wildlife Refuges Featured on the Silver Screen
January 13, 2012
 This year’s Academy Awards ceremony holds special interest for the Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Wildlife Refuge System. Some movie critics are listing “Meeks Cutoff,” with scenes from Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon, as a possible Oscar contender. Other refuge-linked movies include the 1923 silent classic, “The Ten Commandments,” filmed near Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes National Wildlife Refuge in California and the 1971 movie, “Swamp Girl,” filmed at Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge in Georgia. Photo Caption: A view from the north side of Harney Lake on Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon shows the alkali saltgrass landscape seen by Stephen Meek’s 1845 wagon train. The pioneers’ hardships inspired the 2011 film “Meek’s Cutoff,” which includes scenes of the high desert refuge. The refuge protects habitat for migratory birds and wildlife. Credit: Carla Burnside / USFWS
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National Wildlife Refuge System: Conserving Our Lands and Resources
AMERICA’S GREAT OUTDOORS: An Urban Wildlife Refuge Along the Rio Grande
January 11, 2012
 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has big plans for America’s most recently authorized national wildlife refuge, a 570-acre flatland that hugs a fish and wildlife habitat-rich stretch of the Rio Grande outside Albuquerque, NM. One goal is to provide “a valuable showcase for the public as they come on the property to see those restoration activities, participate in them and witness the evolution of the property as those things are restored,” says regional refuge supervisor Tom Harvey. Read this story plus a Focus section on Implementing the Conserving the Future vision and more in the January-February issue of Refuge Update. Photo Caption: Sandhill cranes forage on former dairy farmland along the Rio Grande. The land was authorized in September 2011 by Interior Secretary Ken Salazar to become an urban national wildlife refuge. Credit: Bill O’Brian / USFWS
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Connecting People With Nature: Ensuring the Future of Conservation
2012 Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest Regulations Available
January 11, 2012
 Wildlife artists, fire up your paint brushes! The regulations for the 2012 Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest are now available (the contest opens for entries on June 1). Any U.S. citizen age 18 or older may enter the Federal Duck Stamp Contest, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious wildlife art competition. The winning artist sees his or her work made into the Federal Duck Stamp, which the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service sells for $15. Ninety-eight percent of the money raised by the sale of Federal Duck Stamps goes toward acquiring wetlands habitat for the benefit of wildlife and people. Photo Caption: 2011-2012 Federal Duck Stamp featuring art by Jim Hautman.
Credit: USFWS
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Threatened and Endangered Species: Achieving Recovery and Preventing Extinction
Service Announces Finding on Status of Broad-snouted Caiman
January 5, 2012
 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced a 12-month finding on a petition and a proposed rule to reclassify the broad-snouted caiman population in Argentina from endangered to threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The Service proposes to establish the Argentina population of the broad-snouted caiman as a distinct population segment of this species. Intense management of the broad-snouted caiman in Argentina has been successful in increasing the population of this species.Photo Caption: Broad-snouted caiman.Credit: © Jeff Whitlock, Palm Beach Zoo
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Threatened and Endangered Species: Achieving Recovery and Preventing Extinction
Service Repeals Regulatory Exclusion for Captive-Bred African Antelope Species under the Endangered Species Act
January 4, 2012
 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced a final rule to eliminate a regulation that authorized certain otherwise prohibited activities under the Endangered Species Act with U.S. captive-bred animals and sport-hunted trophies of three endangered African antelope species — the scimitar-horned oryx, addax and dama gazelle. The regulation being eliminated had excluded these three species from permitting requirements as long as certain conditions were met.
Photo Caption: Scimitar-horned oryx. Credit: © National Zoo
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Connecting People With Nature: Ensuring the Future of Conservation
A Look Inside Wildland Fire
January 3, 2012
 A 5-part series exploring the work of managing wildland fire to protect and conserve wildlife and the lands managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Managing wildland fire is tough and dangerous work. Do you ever wonder what really happens to deer, bears, and other wildlife in the path of a wildfire? Who keeps controlled burns under control, and how they do it? What it takes to do the job of a wildland firefighter? Join us for Part 2: Keeping Fire on Our Side – Stepping into a Controlled Burn to see what this important work is all about. Photo Caption: Firefighters monitor a prescribed burn along the Colorado River. Credit: USFWS
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Coastal Wetlands : Ensuring the Future of Conservation
$20 Million in Grants to Conserve Coastal Wetlands
January 3, 2012
 Secretary Salazar announced $20.5 million in grants to support 24 projects in 13 states to conserve and restore coastal wetlands and their fish and wildlife habitat. The grants, awarded under the 2012 National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program, will be matched by nearly $21 million in partner contributions from state and local governments, private landowners and conservation groups. Photo Caption: One of the National Coastal Wetland Grants will go to the Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife to protect 194 acres of wetlands as part of the Thousand Acre Marsh Credit: USFWS
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The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recognizes the important contribution captive breeding has made to the continued survival of three African antelope species — the scimitar-horned oryx, addax, and dama gazelle. Many game ranches within the United States have been breeding and maintaining these species on their properties and, as a result of strong management practices, have offered hunting of these species as a way to manage the size and health of their herds. As a result of a Court ruling, the Service published a final rule on January 5, 2012, to require ranchers to obtain permits for these activities under the Endangered Species Act with U.S. captive-bred animals and sport-hunted trophies of the three endangered African antelope species. The rule goes into effect on April 4, 2012. The agency is actively working to streamline the permitting process and minimize any burden on the public with regard to issuing permits and authorizations for activities under the ESA. Working together we can ensure that United States ranches continue in the long tradition of wildlife conservation for the benefit of these endangered species. Photo Caption: Scimitar-horned oryx. Credit: ©National Zoo
