Joel Beckman, MSEM’s Post

You may wonder what are the most common ways humans harm wildlife, because, as we know, wildlife faces an intricate web of threats, a consequence of human activities and climate change. From vehicle collisions to habitat destruction, these challenges demand a thorough understanding to inform effective conservation strategies. To find out the most common ways humans harm wildlife, we may look at a recent study that dives into digitized records from 94 wildlife rehabilitation centers across the United States and Canada, encompassing 674,320 cases between 2011 and 2019. By examining this extensive dataset, they unraveled the prevalence, patterns, and impacts of diverse threats on wildlife, identifying species at risk and proposing informed conservation strategies. https://lnkd.in/eXjqqP7Z

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.

Given the resources, conservation investments can provide spectacular outcomes

From my new piece in Forbes: "More than one-third of America’s plants and animals are struggling to survive in the face of shrinking habitats, invasive species, novel diseases and climate change impacts. The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (RAWA), a bill currently under consideration by Congress, could become the most significant investment in wildlife conservation in a generation. It’s an investment that can’t come soon enough." https://lnkd.in/eUKP2e9j #RAWA #wildlife #conservation The Nature Conservancy

Given the resources, conservation investments can provide spectacular outcomes

Yesterday, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced changes to how the Endangered Species Act is implemented. One of the changes known as the "blanket rule" rolls back a key distinction in how threatened and endangered species are regulated. Unfortunately, restoring the blanket rule is a setback for species recovery. Why? Because species-specific guidance informed by science results in more effective recovery plans than a one-size-fits-all approach. With two-thirds of endangered species dependent on private lands, the most effective way to help wildlife recover is to improve the incentives for private landowners to protect and restore habitat. The Fish and Wildlife Service's decision makes states and landowners indifferent to whether species are improving or declining. https://lnkd.in/guVi9_VW

Flipboard: Wildlife Crossings Can Mend a Landscape Economic and social development projects have been, are and will continue to be part and parcel of our nature — both biotic and abiotic. #sustainabledevelopment — in layman terms it ensures all components of environment can sustain themselves over longer periods. Integrating #wildlifeconservation in planning and designing development projects can make or break the integrity of ecosystems. When designing development projects, local, regional, and cross-boarder migration of mobile species must be considered — whether small, medium, or large creatures. Wild animals movement facilitation structures in the form of — overpass and underpass are crucially and ecologically important in enabling movement of wild animals between ecosystems. This overpass wildlife crossing (image below) is a typical “greenway crossing” for wild animals that not only prevents “wildlife-traffic collision” it also promotes wildlife gene flow preventing risks such as #inbreeding. Greenway wildlife crossings are important wildlife conservation tools not least in projects coming into contact with wildlife sanctuaries. #wildlifecorridors #wildlifecrossings #wildlifeconservation #biodiversity_conservation #wildlife #biodiversity

Join Conservation Officer, Jess Price for this free Sussex Planning Network for Nature webinar - - Protecting Local Wildlife Sites. From mystical ancient woodlands to quiet churchyards and bustling flower-rich meadows, there are over 600 Local Wildlife Sites in Sussex. They provide vital spaces for wildlife, where special habitats can flourish. There is a general misconception that all the best nature conservation sites are nationally designated and legally protected. This is not the case. While Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) are crucially important, they represent only a small sample of our most important habitats and species. Many places are not designated as SSSIs, and have no legal protection despite being of equal or greater value for wildlife. So instead many of these places are designated locally as Local Wildlife Sites. This short webinar by the Sussex Wildlife Trust will explain why Local Wildlife Sites are so important, why the planning system can and should be protecting them and what you can do to help. Free webinar, registration essential: https://lnkd.in/e4f8mrd3

Habitat with Norm Wagenaar Wildlife Ponds: the Next Wave of Naturalization A wildlife pond can be a gift to your property’s ecosystem that can support everything from waterfowl to frogs and salamanders. But before you start digging, there are some key points to consider. https://lnkd.in/gCHF_SWc

The Cool Down: Construction on world's largest wildlife crossing hits big milestone: 'We're reconnecting and restoring habitats' Integrating #nature objectives in development projects such like construction of "linear infrastructure" is crucially important to protect #wildlife and ensure healthy ecosystems. The image in this article is a 210-foot-long crossing under construction in Los Angeles, 🇺🇸. When completed, the crossing will protect both animals and humans against vehicle collisions. Conservation-wise, wildlife crossings are biodiversity conservation tools as in Arizona they have reduced animal-related collisions by 90% in the central part of the state, per National Geographic. #wildlifecrossings #wildlife #biodiversity #conservation