British Trust for Ornithology (BTO)’s Post

#PopUpPuddle records wildlife living on this sheep farm & tracks their lives over time. Over time means greater evidence of RESIDENT wildlife - wildlife that relies on the farm to live. That is a very important piece of evidence for any Natural Capital Profile any farm has written for them. Because it shows the lifetime use - not just a moment in time. Visitation and residency should have different value weights for biodiversity custodianship scores in my opinion. The #PopUpPuddle that has been in this exact spot since 2018, first saw this Sugar Glider that's blind in one eye in Jan 2020. Prior to the puddle being placed, the farmer of 60 years didn't know there were Sugar Gliders here. Because of the #PopUpPuddle, there's 4 years of proof that the farm-sustained habitat has helped this resident animal survive, even with a significant disability. In that same time there is ZERO evidence that the presence of the puddle has taught any predator to hunt here. The #PopUpPuddle is my IP. If your group or organization or business wants to learn how to make them and use them based on my six years of in-field tweaking of them, then get in touch. There is a fee for my IP but you can afford it.

Conservation efforts for the black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes) have gained momentum over the past few decades. Captive breeding programs have successfully reintroduced ferrets into their natural habitats, significantly increasing their numbers. Organizations like the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and various conservation groups such as Southern Plains Land Trust are working collaboratively to monitor ferret populations, restore prairie dog colonies, reintroduce ferrets and educate the public about the importance of preserving this unique species. These initiatives are crucial for ensuring the black-footed ferret’s survival in the wild.

This week, the US House of Representatives will vote on the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, a bill that attempts to undermine species recovery by making decisions based on politics over science. If this bill passes Congress, the Department of the Interior’s budget would be slashed by 74% to $14.7 billion. Within this total, the US Fish and Wildlife Service budget would be reduced by $144 million to $1.3 billion, including a 20% cut in funding to list new species under the Endangered Species Act. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eP5sbDcY

In October 2024, the red-cockaded woodpecker was downlisted from endangered to threatened, thanks to the tireless work of conservation organizations, private landowners, state agencies, and others. Bo Reid, Wildlife Biologist in Lufkin, TX, has managed land for this iconic species through several methods, including: • Prescribed fire in pine forests to promote grassy groundcover and pine canopies, which are conducive to nesting and foraging. • Installing artificial nest cavities to promote nesting and breeding (red-cockaded woodpeckers are the only bird to create nest cavities in live trees, which can take up to seven years to make). • Raking around cavity trees to protect them from fire. Although critical improvements have been made to ensure the rebound of red-cockaded woodpeckers, there is still work to do. If you are a landowner in the Southern United States and are interested in managing your property for red-cockaded woodpeckers, contact us today for a consultation to ensure a full recovery for this species.

We just released our Wetlands Status and Trends report, and our findings show that more than half of wetlands in the lower 48 states are gone, and losses continue. Loss rates have increased by 50 percent since 2009. Without additional conservation actions taken to protect these ecosystems, wetland loss will likely continue, reducing ecosystem benefits for people and habitat for fish, wildlife and plants. Wetlands are one of the most productive and biodiverse habitats, with 40 percent of all plant and animal species living or breeding in wetlands. Threatened and endangered species are no exception, with approximately half of all Endangered Species Act species in the United States being wetland dependent. Read the full report here ▶️ https://ow.ly/w49P50R0erI Photo at Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge by USFWS

Why does wetland loss matter? For starters, it impinges on public health by decreasing supplies of #cleanwater, reduces opportunities for hunting, fishing and ecotourism, and makes the practice of cultural traditions more challenging. Only have a few minutes? Scroll this StoryMap 🔎 https://arcg.is/zH0v9

The findings of the latest Wetlands Status and Trends report are stark, and they underscore how potentially damaging the impacts of the #SackettvEPA decision could be for wetland habitats across the country. Without state protections for wetlands, more of these incredible ecosystems will be lost. Learn more about what's at risk – and what Environmental Defense Fund is doing about it – here 👉 edf.org/wetlands #SCOTUS #wetlands #flooding #habitat #wildlife #climatechange #floodrisk #habitatloss #biodiversity #naturalinfrastructure #naturalclimatesolution #naturebasedsolutions

We are back! Recovering animal populations. Conservationists usually have to cope with negative news. But there are a few good ones too! American bison recovered from less than 1,000 to approximately 400,000 today (https://lnkd.in/eWMDTaPU). European bison were extinct in the wild in 1927. Their numbers are back to almost 10,000 individuals – with increasing size and numbers of sub-populations in the wild (https://lnkd.in/et354PFt). Across southern Africa, elephant numbers grew at 0.16% annually for the past quarter century. (https://lnkd.in/esRaeUrE). Mountain gorilla numbers increased from less than 400 in 1980 to more than 1,000 today (https://lnkd.in/eVyTrRQa). Even the slow breeding, majestic blue whale show’s signs of slight population increase (https://lnkd.in/eY56RXZF). So, let’s continue our work for the protection of nature and its restoration! #biodiversity #rewilding #goodnews #conservation #nature #bison #whale #bluwhale #gorilla #mountaingorilla #wisent #elephant #Africanelephant #species #speciesrecovery #natureconservation #ecosystemrestoration #ecosystem

🌍 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱’𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗹𝘀 We are at a critical moment for the survival of some of the world’s most incredible species. Here are the most endangered animals globally, each in urgent need of conservation efforts: 🦏 Javan Rhino: 75 🐆 Amur Leopard: 100 🐅 Sunda Island Tiger: 600 🐒 Tapanuli Orangutan: 800 🦍 Mountain Gorilla: 1,000 🐋 Yangtze Finless Porpoise: 1,000 🦏 Black Rhino: 5,600 🐢 Hawksbill Turtle: 23,000 🐘 African Forest Elephant: 30,000 Each of these species is critically endangered, and without immediate action, we risk losing them forever. Conservation is no longer a choice, it’s a necessity. For a more detailed exploration into animal conservation, check out this article by illuminem Voice Simon Gupta, Founder of Broadpeak GmbH: https://lnkd.in/ewbQxaaU #animalconservation #biodiversity #sustainability #endangeredspecies #wildlifeconservation

Species reintroductions can be difficult and controversial, especially where predators are involved. Done right, however, they can be positive and inspiring. Hats off to Devon Wildlife Trust and partners for a careful and well-prepared release of these pine martens on #Dartmoor. https://lnkd.in/ed-pGjga