Devin Stoker, PE, CFM’s Post

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has released its latest Wetlands Status and Trends Report. The new report finds that, nationwide, wetland loss increased substantially between 2009 and 2019. Here in Massachusetts, our wetland losses are noted as low, thanks to our strong local and state laws and regulations. Wetlands, especially salt marshes, are also subject to climate change pressures. There's a lot to consider when replicating or creating wetlands; check out some of our work here https://buff.ly/40xH7sb. Read the entire report here: https://buff.ly/4e4NCJh #WetlandPreservation #USFWS #BealsAndThomas

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) released their latest report on wetlands status and trends late last week. I’m still working my way through it but something that stands out to me is the focus mitigation puts on functions, but the reporting is still focused on acreage of loss. If our mitigation is shifting instead to replacing functions, how do we do this and still measure our “no net loss”? In PA, both are still considered but new protocols are being developed that are more scientific/function based. One of the stats provided indicated that vegetated wetlands have decreased by 50% but non-vegetated wetlands have increased by 7%. Function based replacement will help improve this statistic. And with the latest CWA guidance updates, state protections of wetlands become more important and the level of state wetland protection varies greatly. Will this be a big contributing factor in years to come? Or instead will we just lose this data because if an isolated wetland is not regulated federally or by the state, will it even be included in the data as a loss as it may not be delineated/tracked? Thought provoking report, for sure. https://lnkd.in/dq2xpwTT

Two dams that stand between Atlantic salmon and upstream spawning habitat on the Saranac River are coming down, the culmination of years of collaboration among the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Trout Unlimited and other public-private partners. The dam represents a hazard for paddlers, and increase flooding risks by creating an artificial bottleneck in the river. https://lnkd.in/damFxwqb

📢 New report: Status & trends of US wetlands (2009-2019) U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has released their 2009-2019 Wetlands Status and Trends national report. Here are some of their key findings of wetlands in the USA: - Wetland loss increased by more than 50% since the previous study. - 221K acres of wetlands were lost, primarily to uplands through drainage and fill. - Salt marsh experienced the largest net percent reduction of any wetland category while freshwater forested experienced the largest loss by area. - There was a net gain in non-vegetated wetlands of 488 acres, and a related increase in pond area of over 7%. - The USA's remaining wetlands are being transformed from vegetated wetlands, like salt marsh and swamp, to non-vegetated wetlands, like ponds, mudflats, and sand bars. Read the full report: https://lnkd.in/eu_Nv4wc

Wetlands provide numerous life-sustaining benefits that are vital to the environment as well as human health and well-being. Loss of wetlands contributes to a decrease in human safety, health, and economic prosperity due to increased susceptibility of people and infrastructure to natural disasters, decreased food and water security, increased harmful algal blooms and greater vulnerability to sea level rise.   A recent report from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) found that wetlands now cover less than 6% of the lower 48 states, which is half of their original area. Loss rates have increased by 50% since 2009.   To achieve no net loss of all wetlands, including vegetated wetlands, a strategic update is needed to America’s approach to wetland conservation.   https://lnkd.in/ex9MSBk2

https://lnkd.in/gd2muFDY 🌿 Delve into the complexities of human-wildlife interactions and the pressing need for wildlife protection. Explore the implications of a recent black bear incident and the ongoing discussions on grizzly bear reintroduction. #WildlifeConservation #NaturePreservation 🐻

Wildlife exclusion is a crucial concept in the realm of pest management and conservation efforts! 🦇 It involves the strategic and humane methods used to prevent unwanted wildlife species from entering buildings, structures, or specific areas where their presence can lead to damage, health hazards, or conflicts. By employing exclusion techniques, we can achieve a harmonious coexistence between humans and wildlife while ensuring the safety and well-being of both. Understanding Wildlife Exclusion... 🌟 Wildlife exclusion goes beyond traditional pest control, focusing on preventing access rather than simply removing animals after they've entered a space. This approach aims to create a barrier that denies wildlife entry without causing harm to the animals. 🌟 By blocking potential entry points, property owners and conservationists can effectively manage and control the movement of wildlife species. Contact us! 🔗 https://zurl.co/odMb #furbusters #mchenrycountyil #lakecountyil #southernwisconsin #wildliferemoval

Wildlife exclusion is a crucial concept in the realm of pest management and conservation efforts! 🦇 It involves the strategic and humane methods used to prevent unwanted wildlife species from entering buildings, structures, or specific areas where their presence can lead to damage, health hazards, or conflicts. By employing exclusion techniques, we can achieve a harmonious coexistence between humans and wildlife while ensuring the safety and well-being of both. Understanding Wildlife Exclusion... 🌟 Wildlife exclusion goes beyond traditional pest control, focusing on preventing access rather than simply removing animals after they've entered a space. This approach aims to create a barrier that denies wildlife entry without causing harm to the animals. 🌟 By blocking potential entry points, property owners and conservationists can effectively manage and control the movement of wildlife species. Contact us! 🔗 https://zurl.co/odMb #furbusters #mchenrycountyil #lakecountyil #southernwisconsin #wildliferemoval

Wetlands are considered critical ecosystems, yet they're disappearing at an alarming rate. A recent report from our partners at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) reveals that wetlands in the lower 48 states have decreased by half since the 1780s, with loss rates increasing by 50% since 2009. Without immediate action, this trend will continue, impacting habitat for fish, wildlife, and plants, as well as the myriad of ecosystem benefits for people. Collaboration and cooperation are crucial now more than ever to protect and restore these vital habitats for the health and resilience of our coasts. #wetlands #conservation #coastalliving #protectourwetlands https://lnkd.in/eMZcY3Kp

"Net wetland loss increased substantially (>50%) since the last...study period (2004-2009), resulting in the loss of 221,000 acres [89k ha] of wetlands, primary to uplands, between 2009 and 2019." 😳 For an ecosystem that delivers so many benefits to people--cleaning our waters, habitat for species we depend on, high levels of carbon sequestration, beautiful landscapes like the one in the Canaan Valley of WV on the cover of the report--this is such incredibly sad news. Not just sad for the wetlands, but for us. The new U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and U.S. Department of the Interior "Status and Trends of Wetlands in the Conterminous United States 2009 to 2019: Report to Congress" has more numbers and facts, and some recommendations on how we might reverse course. We need to figure this out!