Sep 27Okaloosa Darter Makes Epic Comeback: What’s Next?How Do We Make Sure a Species Continues to Thrive After Removal From Endangered Species List — When the Okaloosa darter was protected as an endangered species in 1973 only 1,500 were left. It was on the brink of extinction. This year, on the 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act, the population has grown to more than 600,000 and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service took…Endangered Species3 min readEndangered Species3 min read
Published inUpdates from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service·Sep 22Flight to SurviveFrom the Razor’s Edge of Extinction, Whooping Cranes Stage a Remarkable Comeback — The natural world marks the changing of seasons with fascinating rituals. Some animals spend fall feasting to gain as much weight as they can, some seek out secluded places to hunker down before it gets cold, and some pack up the family and travel across the continent for warmer weather. …Endangered Species10 min readEndangered Species10 min read
Published inUpdates from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service·Sep 21Long-abandoned, ‘Orphaned’ Wells Find Champion Named BILFunding From the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Will Remediate Wells, Help Protect Endangered Species at Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge — Orson Welles? — No, no, no, orphaned wells. Whenever someone says “orphaned wells” it is likely to start with that little exchange. So, what does it even mean? Oil and gas wells are considered “orphaned” when there is no known owner and therefore no party (person, business, landowner) responsible for…Conservation3 min readConservation3 min read
Sep 20Black-capped Vireo Surveys Show Continued RecoveryBird Was Once on the Brink of Extinction — The black-capped vireo is a conversational migratory songbird, with one of the most varied songs in the vireo genus. Males make full use of their song catalogs during the mating season, as they search for mates or defend their small territories. They will flit from branch to low hanging branch…Endangered Species6 min readEndangered Species6 min read
Published inUpdates from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service·Sep 13How a River was Moved to Save Tiny SnailsPerhaps the Largest Habitat Restoration Project for Micro Snails also Saved its Spring System Habitat — Take a pen and look at the tip and try to bring into focus the ball point that rolls and puts ink onto paper. It’s tiny, right? That’s what it’s like to look at some springsnail species. If you live in the western U.S. and enjoy spring-influenced wetlands, chances are…Wildlife6 min readWildlife6 min read
Published inUpdates from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service·Sep 11Helping PollinatorsPollinators provide vital benefits to people and wildlife, but for the past 25 years, many species of bees and other pollinators have experienced large drops in numbers. Habitat that pollinators need in order to survive is shrinking. Invasive wildlife crowds out native plants and increases disease threats. …Pollinators2 min readPollinators2 min read
Published inUpdates from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service·Sep 6Bird PollinatorsWhile Bees and Butterflies Often Steal the Spotlight, Birds Also a Part of This Crucial Ecological Process — From the charismatic hummingbirds of the continental United States to honeycreepers of the Hawaiian Islands and doves in the desert, a diverse array of bird species play an important role in pollination. Pollination is the process of transferring pollen from one flower to another, enabling plants to reproduce. …Pollinators5 min readPollinators5 min read
Published inUpdates from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service·Aug 31The Struggle to Save Pacific SalmonAfter decades of work to counter the negative impacts of human-activities on salmon, climate change presents new challenges. — Over the last 150 years, the effects of human activities such as agriculture, mining, damming, logging, and overfishing have led to declines in Pacific salmon species. For decades, efforts have been made to help salmon persist through the challenges they faced. Now climate change is adding to the suite of…Salmon16 min readSalmon16 min read
Published inUpdates from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service·Aug 29Endangered Sea Turtle Stranded in Wales Returning to Texas for Release“Tally” the Kemp’s ridley sea turtle embarking on aerial transatlantic journey thanks to international partners, volunteers — In September, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and partners will release a rehabilitated Kemp’s ridley sea turtle named “Tally” from Galveston into the Gulf of Mexico for a second chance at life. …Sea Turtles4 min readSea Turtles4 min read
Aug 22Butterflies Are Tough, But We’ve Pushed Them to the LimitThese Rugged Little Critters Can Live at Extremes, But Many Are Challenged by Shrinking, Scattered Habitat — Forget whatever assumptions you have about those small, fluttery insects with tissue-paper-thin wings: Butterflies are tough. Ever consider why one of the biggest construction-equipment companies in the world is named for a stage in a butterfly’s life cycle? Or why the most popular tattoo in the U.S. is a butterfly…Butterfly6 min readButterfly6 min read
