Connecting People With Nature: Ensuring the Future of Conservation New Federal Policy Supports Use of Feathers
in Tribal Cultural and Religious Practices October 12, 2012 The Department of Justice issued a new policy today designed to support the cultural and religious practices of federally-recognized tribes and tribal members while protecting native migratory bird populations. The new policy clarifies and expands existing policy protecting the right of tribal members to posess and use feathers and other parts from eagles and other federally-protected migratory birds for cultural and religious purposes. The Fish and Wildlife Service and DOJ conducted extensive consultation with tribal leaders and tribal groups in developing the new policy. Photo Caption: Diana Sue Uqualla, representing the Havasupai Tribe, offers a blessing at the 2010 dedication of a Native American landmark and ampitheater at Grand Canyon National Park..
Credit: Erin Whittaker / UPS
Landscape Conservation: Working with Others AMERICA'S GREAT OUTDOORS: Partners Work Together to Enhance Rio Grande Watershed October 12, 2012 Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Water and Science Anne Castle during a recent visit to Big Bend National Park recognized the Big Bend Conservation Cooperative's efforts to conserve the Rio Grande watershed. Castle highlighted the Cooperative as a model of the kind of partnership that is the foundation of President Obama's America's Great Outdoors Rivers Initiative. The Big Bend Conservation Cooperative -- led by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Geological Survey and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and includes more than 30 organizations together with state and local partners -- supports conservation efforts that benefit communities, outdoor recreationists and native plants, fish and wildlife. Photo Caption: Anne Castle, Assistant Secretary for the Department of the Interior; Jeff Bennett, National Park Service; and Jack Schmidt, U.S. Geological Survey, talk about river flows and invasive riparian vegetation on a recent visit to Big Bend National Park. Castle highlighted the efforts of the Big Bend Conservation Cooperative, led by USFWS, USGS and Texas Parks and Wildlife Dept and includes more than 30 particiipating organizations.
Credit: Aimee Roberson / USFWS
National Wildlife Refuge System: Conserving Our Lands and Resources Celebrate National Wildlife Refuge Week October 11, 2012 Many of the nation's 560 national wildlife refuges will host public events in honor of National Wildlife Refuge Week, October 14-20. Wildlife refuges protect wildlife and their habitats while also providing world-class hunting, fishing and hiking. Check the special events calendar for Refuge Week events near you. Photo Caption: National Wildlife Refuge Week 2012
Credit: USFWS
Connecting People With Nature: Ensuring the Future of Conservation BoatUS, Service Video Salutes Boaters Contribution to Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration October 6, 2012
This year marks 75 years of successful fish and wildlife
management made possible by America's hunters, anglers, archers, and boaters through
the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program. This effort involves payment of an excise tax, initially paid by
the sporting equipment manufacturer, and passed on to the individual purchaser of sporting
equipment used in their outdoor pursuits. Then most of the funding is passed along
to the various state wildlife agencies by the Service to support their wildlife conservation and
habitat enhancement efforts. One often hears about the role of the hunters and anglers play in this
outstanding program, but less concerning the vital contributions made by America's boating
public through the purchase of boats, motors, motorboat fuel. The Service and BoatUS
recently produced a brief video explaining boater's contributions and saluting the
75th anniversary of this outstanding conservation effort.
Promoting Global Wildlife Conservation Chinese Fishery Specialists Learn About Service Fishery Programs October 2, 2012 Service Deputy Director Rowan Gould and several Assistant Directors met with six Chinese fishery specialists visiting the U.S. to learn about federal hatcheries, technical facilities and fishery program offices in Regions 4 and 5. Their ten-day stay was part of an ongoing series of bilateral activities under the U.S.-China Nature Conservation Protocol, signed 26 years ago to promote exchanges of information and personnel to enhance the conservation and management of wildlife and habitat in both countries. Their itinerary focused on fish nutrition, health, genetic studies and fish passage technology.
Photo Caption: Chinese fishery delegation members meet with Service Deputy Director Rowan Gould and Assistant Directors to discuss bilateral cooperation.
Credit: FAN Enyuan of China
Connecting People With Nature: Ensuring the Future of Conservation California Artist Robert Steiner Wins 2012 Federal Duck Stamp Contest September 29, 2012 Robert Steiner, an artist from San Francisco, Calif., is the winner of the 2012 Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest. The announcement was made today by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Deputy Director Rowan Gould at Weber State University in Ogden, Utah. Steiner's acrylic painting of a common goldeneye will be made into the 2013-2014 Federal Duck Stamp, which will go on sale in late June 2013.
Photo Caption: Image of the 2012 Federal Duck Stamp winner Robert Steiner, an artist from San Francisco, California.
Credit: Robert Steiner
National Wildlife Refuge System: Conserving Our Lands and Resources AMERICA’S GREAT OUTDOORS: Salazar Dedicates the Nation’s 559th and 560th National Wildlife Refuges in New Mexico September 27, 2012 Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today dedicated the Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge in Albuquerque, making it the first urban refuge in the Southwest and one of a handful across the nation. Salazar was joined by Senator Jeff Bingaman, Representative Martin Heinrich, Bernalillo County Commissioner Art De La Cruz, Chief of the Refuge System Jim Kurth, Service Regional Director Ben Tuggle, and local stakeholders and partners, including the Trust for Public Land. Salazar also traveled to Wind River Ranch near Mora, N.M. for a signing ceremony establishing the Rio Mora National Wildlife Refuge and Conservation Area on over 4,200 acres donated by the Thaw Charitable Trust. Photo Caption: Valle de Oro and Rio Mora in New Mexico are Nation's
newest refuges. Credit: USFWS
Promoting Global Wildlife Conservation Detroit Tigers Kick Off Partnership to Save Tigers
September 27, 2012 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Wildlife Without Borders program has joined forces with the Detroit Tigers to enhance a global endangered species conservation initiative to help save tigers. To commence the partnership, the Detroit Tigers have donated $25,000 to the Wildlife Without Borders’ Tiger Conservation Fund.
Photo Caption: Amur tiger in winter.
Credit: John Goodrich / WCS
National Wildlife Refuge System: Conserving Our Lands and Resources Senate Resolution Designates National Wildlife Refuge Week September 25, 2012 The U.S. Senate, led by Senator Chris Coons of Delaware and 25 co-sponsors, has officially designated October 14-20, 2012, as National Wildlife Refuge Week. The resolution acknowledges the importance of national wildlife refuges for their recreational opportunities, their contribution to local economies and their role in keeping alive the American heritage of hunting and fishing. The resolution also reaffirms the intent of the Senate to continue working to conserve wildlife and manage the Refuge System for current and future generations. Photo Caption: 2012 National Wildlife Refuge Week image.
Credit:USFWS
Protecting the Nation's Wildlife Resources Colorado Big Game Outfitter Convicted on Six Felony Charges September 25, 2012 A Federal jury in Denver found a long-time big game outfitter guilty of six felony Lacey Act violations in connection with unlawful elk and deer hunts sold to non-resident hunters for between $1,200 and $1,600. The defendant, who faces fines of up to $250,000 and 5-year prison terms on each count, will also forfeit two ATVs and a utility trailer used in committing the crimes. Photo Caption: This investigation, which was conducted by the Service and Colorado Parks and Wildlife, documented the recurring use of hundreds of pounds of salt to bait elk and deer.
Credit: Edwin & Peggy Bauer / USFWS
Carson's 'Silent Spring' Spurred Environmental Movement
Rachel Carson wasn't someone you'd expect to spark a movement..Yet 50 years ago Thursday, this marine biologist published Silent Spring, widely credited with spurring the modern environmental movement...Learn More