International Paper’s Post

Last month, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed listing the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) as Threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The Xerces Society Western Monarch Count announced yesterday that just 9,119 monarchs overwintered along the Pacific coast this season - compared to more than 200,000 counted in recent years. It's a powerful reminder of how urgent the need for conservation is, as populations throughout the country face similar challenges. Here are a few ways you can help monarchs in Texas and beyond: ✅ Plant native milkweeds like antelope-horns (Asclepias asperula) and zizotes (Asclepias oenotheroides) ✅ Grow fall nectar plants such as Gregg’s mistflower (Conoclinium greggii) and frostweed (Helianthemum canadense) ✅ Avoid pesticides and herbicides that harm pollinators ✅ Support conservation efforts and advocate for native plant habitats Many have spoken up for monarch butterflies this month - now's the time! USFWS is still accepting public comments on their ESA listing: https://lnkd.in/daSJ-czZ Find more resources about monarchs on our Power the Migration page: https://lnkd.in/dM3JnTgG #WildflowerCenter #StayWild #MonarchButterfly

Global freshwater biodiversity is in decline. "Crabs, crayfishes, and shrimps are at the highest risk of extinction of the groups studied, with 30% threatened," according to an analysis published in Nature Portfolio. These freshwater landscapes impact "billions of people’s safe drinking water, livelihoods, flood control, and climate change mitigation, and must be protected for nature and people alike." GW Milken Institutes's Keith A. Crandall, a co-author of the study and co-chair of the IUCN Freshwater Crustacean Specialist Group, contributed foundational data on global crayfish species for this critical study. 🦞🔍 Read more about the IUCN-coauthored study and its calls for governments and industry to use this data in targeted policy measures.

It is a great honour to be among the authors of the paper published in Nature yesterday. Thanks to all those who contributed to this great achievement, in particular past and current members of the IUCN Freshwater Biodiversity Unit, and members of the IUCN Species Survival Commission. After more than 2 decades of intense work involving over 1000 experts around the world and more than 100 workshops, we have finally a better idea of the state of freshwater biodiversity. As expected, the picture is not good: 23,496 decapod crustaceans, fishes and odonates species were assessed and one-quarter are threatened with extinction. This is not great news because the presence and state of these species is a good indicator of the quality of freshwater ecosystems which are essential to all of us. Freshwater ecosystems are often overlooked. Few people are aware of the incredible diversity of freshwater habitats which concentrate 10% of the world's biodiversity on 1% of the surface of the planet. Few know that there are more species of freshwater fishes than marine fishes, that hundreds of millions of people depend on freshwater species for their subsistance, that most rivers have been massively impacted by dams, that many rivers do not reach the sea anymore... When Will Darwall (work) and I initiated this work in 2002, we did not imagine it would take that long. With appropriate levels of funding, it could have been done much much faster! Let's hope that the results of this study will quickly stimulate concrete conservation action. Lack of knowledge is no longer a valid excuse! Global Center for Species Survival; IUCN Water and Wetlands; Ian Harrison; Topiltzin Contreras; Monika Bohm; Kevin Smith; Neil Cox; Thomas Brooks; Mike Hoffmann; Richard Jenkins; #biodiversity #freshwater #conservation #wetlands #lakes #rivers #fishes

🇧🇷 Did you know that Rewild Carbon helps wild giant anteaters in Brazil? 🇧🇷 🌱 Rewild Carbon is Durrell's wild, colourful and impactful carbon balancing programme. We reduce carbon in the atmosphere by working with local partners and communities to rewild threatened ecosystems. 📡 Thanks to Rewild Carbon, we’re funding radio collars for giant anteaters. This allows our conservation partners Icas - Wild Animal Conservation Institute to monitor their behaviour and movement through the landscape. 🌿 Understanding habitat preferences will help us to establish wildlife corridors to protect giant anteaters and other species. 👇 Learn more about Rewild Carbon this #WorldAnteaterDay https://lnkd.in/g2s4DZf7 📷 Alessandra Bertassoni / ICAS

We need to do more to control rodents if we want to achieve good conservation outcome, but we also need to find better methods. The first and second generation anticoagulants/rodenticides are very long lasting, inhumane, and end up in the food chain causing by-kill of native wildlife. This article from the States but there is wide use of these poisons in Aotearoa NZ as well (pindone, diphacinone, brodifacoum, etc). https://lnkd.in/gtAdtsjv

BREAKING NEWS: One quarter of freshwater animals at risk of extinction - IUCN Red List    The largest global assessment of freshwater animals on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ to date has revealed that 24% of the world’s freshwater fish, dragonfly, damselfly, crab, crayfish and shrimp species are at high risk of extinction, according to an analysis published in Nature today. The IUCN co-authored study recommends targeted action to prevent further extinctions and calls for governments and industry to use this data in water management and policy measures. ➡️ https://bit.ly/4adwI9N

The findings of this assessment highlight the critical need for companies to understand their dependencies and impacts on freshwater biodiversity. Tools like IBAT provide essential data to help businesses identify and mitigate risks to species, aligning with frameworks such as CSRD and TNFD. By integrating biodiversity into decision-making and water management strategies, companies can play a key role in safeguarding freshwater species. 🌍 #Biodiversity #FreshwaterConservation #SustainableBusiness"

Mediterranean experts contribute to this global study on freshwater animals at risk 🌊 This breaking news serves as a critical reminder of the extraordinary biodiversity within our Mediterranean region, particularly North Africa—a true biodiversity hotspot with a remarkable abundance of species, many of which are endemic, threatened, and now comprehensively assessed.

"Mangroves support #biodiversity and fish nurseries, reduce erosion, protect coasts, regulate the climate, and provide resources." Check out this informative infographic to learn more about the ecosystem services provided by #mangroves. 👇 via Wildlife Conservation Society, Sarah Markes

APHIS Wildlife Services' efforts to control and prevent introduction of feral swine in Michigan and Ohio are crucial for conserving habitats and enhancing native biodiversity in the Great Lakes ecosystem. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gDXJgZYf #APHIS #WildlifeServices