Iowa State University Extension and Outreach’s Post

Pluto, Buddy, Lucky | Wildlife Conservation Society & S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications Check out this captivating student campaign titled 'Pluto, Buddy, Lucky', which was crafted for the Wildlife Conservation Society by the talented students of S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. This thought-provoking ad campaign, unveiled in December 2017, utilizes poignant visuals featuring wild animals in familiar domestic settings. Through imagery like a rhino near a food bowl or a bat in a birdcage, it urges viewers to reconsider their relationship with wildlife and emphasizes the importance of human responsibility towards conservation efforts. The campaign not only sparks empathy but also prompts a reflection on the impact of human actions on biodiversity. In the wake of increasing extinction rates, it serves as a call to action to safeguard wildlife and preserve their habitats. The powerful tagline "Here, we are wildly equal" underscores the significance of treating all species with respect and advocating for conservation measures. #wildlifeconservation #publiccommunications #adcampaign #conservationefforts #environmentalawareness #studentcampaign #sinewhouseschool #creativity #marketinganalysis #wildlifeprotection #animalconservation #conservationeducation #storytelling #brandstrategy #digitalmarketing #marketinginspiration #connections #community #letsconnect  #valuesinadvertising #savewildlife #environmentalimpact #biodiversity #awarenesscampaign #visualstorytelling #campaignstrategy #socialresponsibility #natureconservation

The below message and video are taken directly from the Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Management (CRWM), a nonprofit in Colorado advocating for the proven science-based conservation methods that protect wildlife through proper herd management. Politics and "ballot biology" are hurting the future of wildlife in CO, and the critical role that hunters play in sustaining healthy wildlife populations, as well as predator management. I share this for awareness, as ballot initiatives here in CO will undoubtably be watched by other states where similar measures could be put in the hands of non-experts and the non-impacted. These initiatives are drafted by crafty lawyers that use language that is designed to confuse novice voters, as well as create legal precedent with broad reaching consequences that can be cited for future rulings beyond the scope of their initial intent. If anyone has questions I would be happy to explain further. __ In recent years, Colorado has become the battleground for a movement threatening not just the hunting tradition, but the very essence of wildlife management. This is not merely a local issue; it’s a ripple that could stir waves across all states. The assault on Colorado’s hunting community and wildlife managers is a precursor to what sportsmen across America might face. Over the last 5 years, relentless attempts have been made to undermine the regulated harvest of Colorado Mountain Lions and Bobcats. The onslaught has now escalated with the Proposed Initiative 91, which aims to strip away the very foundation of Science-Based Wildlife Management. By doing so, it seeks to deprive Colorado’s Wildlife Managers and the sporting community of their rights to manage, pursue, and harvest these well-regulated species. The proponents of this initiative are wielding misinformation as their weapon. They’ve coined the term “Trophy Hunting” to mislead the public and potential voters, veiling their true intentions behind a facade of concern over fair chase, cruelty, and mismanagement. We, the Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Management, a 501(C-4) organization, have embarked on a painstaking journey of legal, educational, and logistical endeavors to quash this unfounded initiative. Source: CRWM #conservation #colorado #wildlife #crwm #rmef Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation

I recently read an article called “For Wildlife in Rehab Centers, Humans are the Culprit”, written by Dana Kobilinsky from the wildlife society. It’s linked below. Here are some of my insights and takeaways- Realizing the extent to which humans are responsible for the bad condition of these animals can be eye-opening and can serve as a powerful motivator to take action. It highlights the urgent need for individuals and communities to become more aware of their impact on the natural world and to strive towards more sustainable and compassionate ways of coexisting with wildlife. Reading about these issues ignite a desire to get involved in wildlife conservation efforts, whether through supporting rehabilitation centers, advocating for policy changes, participating in habitat restoration projects, or simply making more conscious choices in my daily life to reduce harm to wildlife. It underscores the interconnectedness of all living beings and the importance of taking responsibility for the well-being of our fellow inhabitants on this planet.

New Legislation Would Support Wildlife Habitat on Private Lands. The Habitat Connectivity on Working Lands Act is aimed at expanding voluntary efforts to enhance wildlife habitat connectivity on private and working lands. https://lnkd.in/gmX7hjfP

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently approved Idaho Fish and Game’s revision of its State Wildlife Action Plan, which extends the plan for a decade and ensures Idaho will continue to receive about $700,000 annually in federal funding. The Wildlife Action Plan is for conserving and managing Idaho’s most at-risk fish, wildlife, and plants and their habitats. For the first time, plant species were incorporated into the 2023 revision. #IdahoWildlife #StateWildlifeActionPlan #IdahoFishAndGame #WildlifePlan

BOBWHITE QUAIL EFFORTS ON THE RISE IN VIRGINIA By Phil Bastron Perhaps Virginia is not the first state that comes to mind when you think of bobwhite quail. Like many other states in the bobwhite range, habitat loss in Virginia has led to sharp declines in a once thriving quail population. This trend was noticed by Quail Forever members Briscoe and Kenan White. Passionate conservationists, they wanted to make a difference for quail in their home state. Meanwhile, Marc Puckett and Jay Howell, small game project leaders with the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR), were developing a vision for a project that could change the trajectory of the state’s bobwhite quail population. Their focus of this vision was on one of the state’s wildlife management areas – Flippo-Gentry WMA. Located in Sussex County in the southeastern part of the state, Flippo-Gentry WMA spans approximately 1,700 acres, and is contiguous to Big Woods WMA, as well The Nature Conservancy’s Piney Grove property. Together, the properties total over 11,000 acres of managed conservation land in the area. The goal for Flippo-Gentry’s 1,700 acres was clear – establish the premier quail focal area on public land in Virginia to serve as a showcase for modern best practices in habitat management in the southern pine system while supporting a viable, measurable, and sustained quail population. Watch at https://lnkd.in/gQ9D2KAN via Phil Bastron Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources

Are wolverines making a comeback in Colorado? With the help of rewilding it sure looks like it. A bipartisan group of lawmakers is proposing legislation to reintroduce these carnivores into the state, marking a historic moment in conservation efforts! The reintroduction of wolverines to the Centennial state could provide a much-needed boost to the species, offering them a buffer population against the threats of climate change and habitat fragmentation. With ample unoccupied landscapes and the potential to support 180 wolverines, Colorado could play a crucial role in increasing the species' North American population. While some believe wolverines will naturally find their way back to Colorado, others argue that a planned reintroduction would ensure the population's genetic diversity and success. Regardless of the approach, the goal of rewilding remains the same: to give these animals a fighting chance to thrive in their natural habitats once again. #Wolverines #Rewilding #WildlifeConservation

Wetland plant once nearly extinct may have recovered enough to come off the endangered species list MARY ANN FUREDI/ASSOCIATED PRESS BOSTON, July 31, 2024— The federal wildlife service on Tuesday proposed that a wetland plant once in danger of going extinct be taken off the endangered species list due to its successful recovery. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is asking that the northeastern bulrush be delisted. The plant is a leafy perennial herb with a cluster of flowers found in the Northeast from Vermont to Virginia. The federal service’s proposal opens a 60 day comment period. The plant was listed as endangered in 1991 when there were only 13 known populations left in seven states. It now has 148 populations in eight states, often in vernal pools, swamps and small wetlands. “Our important partnerships with state agencies, conservation organizations and academic researchers have helped us better understand and conserve northeastern bulrush through long-term population monitoring, habitat conservation, and increased surveys in prime habitat areas,” said Wendi Weber, northeast regional director for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Detailed surveys of the plant’s unique behavior have aided the recovery effort. The bulrush can disappear for years and reemerge when conditions are right. Several states also worked to reduce invasive species that encroach on wetlands and protect land where the bulrush is found. Vermont, for example, has purchased two parcels for the bulrush. In 2014, a coalition of soil and water conservation groups and a wetlands organization launched a successful pilot program to establish a new northeastern bulrush population in New York. Photo: Northeastern bulrush (Scirpus ancistrochaetus), © Arthur Haines

New Legislation Would Support Wildlife Habitat on Private Lands. The Habitat Connectivity on Working Lands Act is aimed at expanding voluntary efforts to enhance wildlife habitat connectivity on private and working lands. https://lnkd.in/gBYbWDV3

Just as huge herds of bison once roamed the plains, prairie dogs used to live on enormous swaths of grassland in numbers more like cities than towns. Over time, due to human actions, prairie dog numbers dropped by more than 95%.   Their decline actually represents more than just the loss of one species; it also accelerated the decline of the black-footed ferret. Black-footed ferrets were thought to be extinct until a small population was discovered in 1981, and now all black-footed ferrets today live in a captive breeding and reintroduction program. But scientists need to understand the underground lives of the black-footed ferret's most important prey, the prairie dog, to know how to support reintroduction and recovery.   By leveraging technology, we can advance efforts to recover both black-footed ferrets and prairie dogs.   We are thrilled to share an update about the success of a recent project to map prairie dog behavior underground to make decisions on how to protect the keystone species and the delicate balance of North America's Northern Great Plains ecosystem. Huge thanks to our grantees and partners at Smithsonian Institution’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, American Prairie, Fort Belknap Fish and Wildlife and Tribes of Fort Belknap Indiana Community, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and Swansea University for their work supporting the recovery of this vital, interconnected ecosystem. #environment #conservation #philanthropy #technology #techforgood Read more: