U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)

Never underestimate the power of mussels. 💪🏼 Did you know we have a Mussel Mortality Response Team? In partnership with other organizations, this team investigates pathogenic causes of mussel mortality events. Unlike fish die-offs, mussel mass mortality events can be harder to find because the shells are often found under the surface of the water. Scientists are trying to better understand the scope of these events. Freshwater mussels are one of the most endangered species in the world and the ecosystems they are found in cannot afford to lose such an important organism. Check out the comments to learn more about a critter that some call "the livers of our rivers" because of their ability to filter water. #UnleashTheScience Photo of two tanks showing the impact of freshwater mussels' pumping power. The one on the left had no mussels and the one on the right had fifteen mussels. In just 90 minutes, the mussels cleared the tank of suspended particles. Photo courtesy of D. Kreeger, Partnership for the Delaware Estuary

Sac fry energy! These spring Chinook sac fry just hatched and will continue to grow all winter at Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery in the mountains of central Washington. The hatchery raises 1.2M salmon every year. USFWS video: Sophia Troeh Video description: Viewing window shows water cylinder full of tiny fish fry swimming about with bright red sacs underneath their body.

One thing we are thankful for this week are our partnerships! Last week, our Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) Team from across 9 states met in Reno, Nevada and got a chance to visit a few of our partners in the Great Basin!   The team visited sites that showcased meadow restoration, grazing management techniques, conifer encroachment control, and efforts to increase the native seed supply. Funded in part by Sage BIL, these projects are the result of collaborative work with private landowners, bi-state greater sage-grouse collaborative and Walker Basin Conservancy.   This field tour helped our team see on the ground actions and have conversations with our partners to continue improving how we allocate this funding. This helps the team effectively use funding on the right projects, in the right places, with our partners.   We are grateful for the sagebrush ecosystem, our partners, and our continued conservation efforts! Photos by Nathan Hurner/USFWS

In the cold of winter, a bird was found dead on the sidewalk of Philadelphia, killed after colliding with a building window. It was an American woodcock, or timberdoodle – an iconic gamebird of eastern North America, adored by nature lovers and hunters alike. In recent decades, the bird has become known as a common casualty to collisions. Though it is just one bird, it is one of a billion birds who are dying from window collisions each year across the country. As some of America's most committed conservationists, the hunting community can play a key role in helping to reverse these trends. There are simple solutions available now to prevent collisions and give the beloved American woodcock – and all birds – a fighting chance into the future. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eFKDAdMp American woodcock (left): USFWS, (right): USGS

In the early 1900s, wild turkeys were nearly extinct. Thanks to conservation efforts, their population count today is approximately 6.9 million, with ranges expanding in many areas. Next time you spot a wild turkey, remember this amazing rebound! 📷 Courtney Celley/USFWS

Great news - a few captive-raised California condors were released into the wild a few weeks ago and are settling in nicely to their new home at Bitter Creek National Wildlife Refuge in California. The Condor Crew diligently tracked and monitored their behavior everyday to ensure they were roosting in appropriate trees, finding sources of food and water, and integrating well with the local flock. We're happy to report that all three have officially passed their "probationary period" with flying black and white colors and seem to be doing well out in the wild. Condor #1190 seems particularly well adjusted having come back to the flight pen to feed and then get a little bathtime in afterwards! Eleven captive-reared California condors will be released in total at Bitter Creek National Wildlife Refuge this season. Video by Amy List/USFWS Video description: vertical camera orientation, human-made pool in center frame with large bush in background. Juvenile condor standing facing away from camera in pool, regularly dipping its entire body into the pool, turning to the right and towards the camera, shakes wings out and jumps out of the pool as an adult condor comes into the frame towards the juvenile.

Sometimes, between a rock and a hard place is just where you want to be. Chuckwallas are large lizards but face threats from predators all the same. To protect themselves, they squeeze into rock crevices and suck in air to fill the space and make it difficult for the pesky predator to get them. Photo: Greg Risdahl/USFWS

An actual photo of me just lost in my thoughts. Friendly reminder: get out in nature this week if you need a breather! The Shorebird Loop trail at Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge in California is a great spot to decompress. National Wildlife Refuges are here for you for any occasion and so are we. 💝 Photo of a great egret courtesy of Ed Dini

A+ for these fish photos! Do you know why we like them so much? Hint: it has to do with the water. On our latest (and 200th!) #podcast episode of Fish of the Week, we chat with lifelong bass enthusiast and conservation director of the Bass Angler Sportsman Society (BASS): Gene Gilliland! Learn about the variety of ways to fish for largemouth bass, why they're so popular, and how to handle fish properly. For example, when you're holding a fish for a photo and plan to release it - whether it's a largemouth bass or muskie or bigmouth buffalo or redband trout or anything in-between - you can reduce stress by keeping the fish wet and releasing it quickly. New episodes every Monday at FWS.gov or wherever you get your podcasts! 🐟 We hope you enjoy getting to know #AllTheFish - not just the sportfish, but also the roughfish and nongame fish too. They're all super cool! Largemouth bass. 📷 Fizzishin ccby4 https://lnkd.in/dsPDeaxN Juvenile largemouth bass. 📷 Illyedi ccbync4 https://lnkd.in/dz8PgWp6

Sorry, can't talk right now. I'm watching a live-stream. Salmon require free and open waterways when migrating up stream to their breeding grounds. However, a little shallow water is nothing to prevent these three adult chum salmon from splashing their way up McLane Creek near Olympia, WA! Video of salmon swimming up a stream by Dan Spencer/USFWS