U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)’s Post

Wolves, extinct in Washington state since the 1930s, have been steadily returning since 2008 due to conservation efforts. Researchers from the University of Washington School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife, Washington State University and the Spokane Tribe of Indians studied the impact of wolves on white-tailed deer in northeast Washington. Their findings reveal that habitat quality and cougar predation are the primary factors affecting deer populations, with wolves having a minimal impact. This research underscores the complexity of predator-prey dynamics and the importance of considering various environmental factors in wildlife management. Read more at: https://ow.ly/pFj650SzQUT #UWEnvironment #WildlifeConservation #WashingtonForests

Spring is here and so is the sensitive timing periods for a variety of wildlife. In BC, most native birds and their nests are protected under the provincial Wildlife Act and federal Migratory Birds Convention Act – some all year round, and most only when active and occupied by a bird or its egg. In the Lower Mainland, the nesting period is generally between March 1 and August 31; however, for some birds, such as the Bald Eagle, Osprey, Great Blue Heron, and Pileated Woodpecker nests are protected year-round. Bird nest surveys can be an effective tool to reduce the risk of harming actively nesting birds if vegetation clearing for your project is required during the bird nesting window. Our professional biologists and Qualified Environmental Professionals (QEPs) can help identify active nests before vegetation is cleared. Read more about Bird Nesting Season on our website and to connect with one of our biologists. https://lnkd.in/gB88uhNA #EnvironmentalConsulting #BirdNestingSeason #BiologicalServices #TechnicalExperts

Bald eagles, ospreys and peregrine falcons (shown here)—these once-endangered birds are repopulating Pennsylvania’s skies, thanks to protection under the federal Endangered Species Act, enacted 50 years ago. But dozens more species in our state still face dire threats from invasive species, habitat loss, climate change and more. Our Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program staff provides data and expertise on 664 at-risk birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, fish and invertebrates to inform PA State Wildlife Action Plans. We’re currently working on the upcoming plan. Through the state action plans, we partner with other organizations to bring awareness to at-risk species. Read the current PA State Wildlife Action Plan, where you can find lists of endangered species and more: https://bit.ly/4860Oue. Pennsylvania Game Commission #EndangeredSpecies #EndangeredSpeciesAct #WildlifeActionPlan #ESA50

This week's Wildlife Wednesday highlights the Black-crowned Night-heron (Nycticorax nycticorax). They are fairly common in most wetland habitat types across North and South America. They do most of their feeding at night and roost in trees and vegetation during the day. Adults can be differentiated from juveniles by their all black bill, black back, and black crown while juveniles are brown with white spots on the wings, blurry streaks on the underside, and have a black and yellow bill. They are social birds that nest and roost in groups, but forage solitarily. They are opportunistic feeders that eat many kinds of terrestrial, freshwater, and marine animals, as well as vegetation, carrion, and garbage from landfills. Males typically build nests in locations safe from predators (in trees or cattails on an island, in a swamp, or over open water). They typically are colonial nesters with up to a dozen nests in one tree and colonies lasting up to 50 years or more. Females lay 3-5 eggs and both sexes incubate the eggs and brood the chicks. Chicks leave the nest at about 4 weeks of age and learn how to fly when they are about 6 weeks old. They are medium distant migrants with some populations not migrating, some migrating short distances, and some migrating long distances (e.g. Alberta to Mexico or Cuba). Photo Credit: Ronena Wolach (Intermediate Wildlife Biologist).  #RCBioSolutions #RCBioSolutionsLtd #Fish #Wildlife #Wetlands #Regulatory #Alberta #EnvironmentalConsulting #SylvanLake #Edmonton #Calgary #fieldwork #WildlifeWednesday   

#ICYMI: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has published various proposed rules and revisions in the Federal Register. The comment periods are now open. Read more in our #RegAlerts and find out how to submit comments on the proposed rules/revisions ⤵️ 1) USFWS Proposes Revisions to Permitting Rules for Rights-of-Way Across Federal Lands - https://ow.ly/yPKT50PmUQu; 2) USFWS Proposes Critical Habitat Designations for Three Species of Mussels - https://ow.ly/NjWp50PmKUW; and 3) USFWS Proposes to List the Dunes Sagebrush Lizard as an Endangered Species - https://ow.ly/AfFJ50PmUQt. #regulatoryupdate #USFWS #SBAAdvocacy

#AdvocacyNews: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has published various proposed rules and revisions in the Federal Register. The comment periods are now open. Read more in our #RegAlerts and find out how to submit comments on the proposed rules/revisions ⤵️ 1) USFWS Proposes Revisions to Permitting Rules for Rights-of-Way Across Federal Lands - https://ow.ly/yPKT50PmUQu; 2) USFWS Proposes Critical Habitat Designations for Three Species of Mussels - https://ow.ly/NjWp50PmKUW; and 3) USFWS Proposes to List the Dunes Sagebrush Lizard as an Endangered Species - https://ow.ly/AfFJ50PmUQt. #regulatoryupdate #USFWS #SBAAdvocacy

Citizen scientists at #Florida #BlueSpringsStatePark reported a new record this year: nearly 1,000 #manatees gathered near the spring’s warm waters, surpassing the previous record of 736 on January 1 of this year! Scientists at the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission report that although this trend is encouraging, it may not entirely reflect the widespread trajectory of this species. Extensive declines of #seagrass ecosystems have continued throughout Florida, impacting food availability for manatees and other aquatic herbivores. Death rates have climbed during the past two years, and this year’s huddle illustrates a local #conservationsuccess story against a backdrop of uncertainty. The conservation status of the manatee remains under debate as scientists and citizens monitor the population’s numbers throughout the state. Restoring and protecting Florida’s springs and seagrass ecosystems, which provide the vital service of natural #carbonsequestration, can lay the groundwork for manatees to continue swimming in Florida’s waters for decades to come. https://ow.ly/wOtQ50QzJRm

Endangered and Threatened Species: Dunes Sagebrush Lizard Posted by the Fish and Wildlife Service on May 20, 2024: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), determine endangered species status under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act), as amended, for the dunes sagebrush lizard ( Sceloporus arenicolus ), a lizard species found only in southeastern New Mexico and west Texas. This rule extends the protections of the Act to this species. Because we have concluded that the designation of critical habitat for the dunes sagebrush lizard is prudent but not determinable at this time, we will consider critical habitat for the species in a separate, future rulemaking. READ MROE HERE👇 https://lnkd.in/e9FrtznU cehmm.org #cehmm #environmentalsolutions #teamcehmm #environmentalservices #candidateconservationagreement #dunessagebrushlizard

Endangered and Threatened Species: Dunes Sagebrush Lizard Posted by the Fish and Wildlife Service on May 20, 2024: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), determine endangered species status under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act), as amended, for the dunes sagebrush lizard ( Sceloporus arenicolus ), a lizard species found only in southeastern New Mexico and west Texas. This rule extends the protections of the Act to this species. Because we have concluded that the designation of critical habitat for the dunes sagebrush lizard is prudent but not determinable at this time, we will consider critical habitat for the species in a separate, future rulemaking. READ MROE HERE👇 https://lnkd.in/e9FrtznU cehmm.org #cehmm #environmentalsolutions #teamcehmm #environmentalservices #candidateconservationagreement #dunessagebrushlizard

Endangered and Threatened Species: Dunes Sagebrush Lizard Posted by the Fish and Wildlife Service on May 20, 2024: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), determine endangered species status under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act), as amended, for the dunes sagebrush lizard ( Sceloporus arenicolus ), a lizard species found only in southeastern New Mexico and west Texas. This rule extends the protections of the Act to this species. Because we have concluded that the designation of critical habitat for the dunes sagebrush lizard is prudent but not determinable at this time, we will consider critical habitat for the species in a separate, future rulemaking. READ MROE HERE👇 https://lnkd.in/e9FrtznU cehmm.org #cehmm #environmentalsolutions #teamcehmm #environmentalservices #candidateconservationagreement #dunessagebrushlizard