EDGEWISE Environmental’s Post

It's officially spring and we're ringing in the season with our first spring migration tracker featured observation! This observation is of a red-winged blackbird, spotted by iNaturalist user juliereid in Hamilton, ON. Among the cattails, red-winged blackbirds are a common sight and their distinctive “conk-la-dee” song announces that spring is here. At Ducks Unlimited Canada's Institute for Wetland and Waterfowl Research, we record bird and amphibian calls, such as the red-winged blackbird’s “conk-la-dee” song, at wetlands that have been restored by DUC. We’re comparing how many species use restored wetlands to the number of species using natural wetlands. Across Prairie Canada in the past two years, we have recorded over 230,000 minutes of audio and detected over 200 species of birds and 6 species of amphibians. If you want the chance to be featured, join our #DUCMigrationTracker project on #iNaturalist. Get started today at: https://loom.ly/VAdQQVE #DucksUnlimitedCanada #IWWR #SpringMigration #BirdMigration #CommunityScience #Science #Research #Wetlands #Conservation

The Irish Hare, Lepus timidus hibernicus. One of several subspecies of mountain Hare, the Irish variety is not known to populate anywhere else naturally. Of the 3 lagomorphs found in Ireland, this is the only native species (as evident from fossils gathered around the country). The fur can be variable shades of dark brown to light brown, and sometimes white, like the underbelly and tail. Hares also do not dig dens, but form shallow indents in vegetation, such as Heather, to created their resting areas. These will ofen be in sheltered areas for protection from the elements. They are also known to breed all year round but are particularly active during the spring and summer months. The Irish Hare is protected under several EU legislations. One if the mire important pieces is the EU Habitats Directive for which it is listed as an Annex IV species. Even though protected, a license can be got to shoot and kill this species. More info here -> https://lnkd.in/eAUjZqFA. More of me -> instagram.com/quirke9 #Irish ##irishwildlife ##wildlifephotography #wildlife #Conservation #protectedspecies

The North Pacific Right Whale is perhaps the rarest, most endangered large whale species in the world. Only about thirty surviving individuals make up the eastern population, which lives in waters around Alaska. In her note, “Among the Rarest: Saving the Eastern North Pacific Right Whale,” Elza Bouhassira examines the crisis facing these whales. Bouhassira analyzes a recent petition to expand North Pacific Right Whale critical habitat in the context of the species’ history and existing legal regimes, putting forth six recommendations on how to protect the Eastern North Pacific Right Whale going forward. Read it here: https://buff.ly/3J6ffU9 #NorthPacificRightWhales #whales #conservation #endangeredspecies #alaska

Sandworms dominate the 'Dune' landscape, but within the confines of our coral nursery, we encounter an equally compelling creature, the fire worm (Hermodice carunculata). Though smaller in stature, the impact and ecological significance of these corallivores are profound. Fire worms engage in a unique feeding mechanism, employing their engorged pharynx to envelop the tips of branching corals, such as staghorn coral (Acropora cervicornis). This process results in the removal of tissue directly from the coral skeleton, leaving distinct white tips on the branches of coral. Fireworm predation emphasizes the critical and ongoing need for vigilance in our coral restoration projects. Monitoring and managing the impact of these corallivores are essential to ensure the health and growth of our restored reefs. We have interns who are focused on the development of a baited trapping system that will allow for safe relocation of the fire worms. As we continue our efforts to revive and protect coral habitats, understanding and adapting to these natural processes are key. Have you ever encountered a fire worm? Let us know your experience in the comments! Video: Jackson Harris for Coral Restoration Foundation #CoralRestoration #MarineConservation #Dune #Sandworms #Biodiversity #UnderwaterWorld #OceanProtection #ReefLife #MarineBiology

And your traditional methods encouraging Re-Wilding and the support of nature are captured here: https://lnkd.in/eYMc_UCZ

🐋🌊 The results are in from the latest whale count event in Hawaii! Volunteers spotted a total of 855 majestic whales across the state during Saturday's coordinated efforts, including 387 whales counted within Maui Nui. This final count of the season marks another successful collaboration between Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Ocean Count and Pacific Whale Foundation's Great Whale Count.      The data collected not only provides insights into humpback whale occurrence but also highlights the importance of public awareness and community science. Despite varying weather conditions, dedicated volunteers across 46 sites ensured a comprehensive snapshot of whale activity.      Such collaborative efforts are crucial for the ongoing protection of these magnificent creatures and their habitat in Hawaiian waters. Preliminary data and more information about the Sanctuary Ocean Count and Great Whale Count can be found at:  https://lnkd.in/gwHFfaiz and https://bit.ly/41h7EKt   Let's continue to support and celebrate these conservation initiatives! 🌊🐋 Thank you to all the awesome volunteers who participated this season! #CommunityScience #VolunteerOpportunities #PacificWhaleFoundation #OceanResearch #LongTermData  

🇦🇺 Great to see this leadership by example from #Australia's Department of Climate Change, #Energy, the #Environment and #Water. 🇳🇬 I know how important mangroves are, but knew less about seagrass meadows, so thought to look into them as in #Nigeria, they are likely to be at risk as Shell plans to move operations off shore. 💁🏿♀️ I was surprised to find out: 1. Seagrass meadows are important carbon sinks, absorbing carbon dioxide up to 35 times faster than tropical rainforests 🌊 So it is important to raise awareness of this fact and install advanced mooring systems to protect seagrass beds. 2. "The West African region contains about 1.97 million hectares of mangroves, 4.8 million #Seagrasses, and 1.1 million Salt marshes. Nigeria contains close to 52% of the total #Mangroves with an estimated mangrove area covering 10,515 Km2, making about 5.8% of the world's total mangrove area." 🧐 The #Nigerian #government must commit to monitoring and protecting seagrass beds in all regions but in particular where offshore petroleum mining occurs. In the British Parliament on 28th February 2024, Labour MP Clive Lewis stated of Shell's plans to divest from onshore petroleum mining, leaving behind catastrophic pollution: “This is one of the most significant business and human rights issues of our generation. Shell is responsible for some of the most brutal, violent, and repressive actions by a #company, in this case against #communities in the Niger delta.” 3. Seagrass meadows are important features in the coastal environment as they reduce flow velocities, increase #sedimentation and limit #erosion. In addition, they form important marine #habitats for #flora & #fauna while also sequestering #carbon. 🐋 In alignment with Agenda 2030's focus on #Sustainability and 2045's likely prioritisation of Intangible Cultural Heritage (#ICH), it is important that marine biodiversity is valued, championed and preserved by relevant state departments. 4. The onset of a major seagrass #initiative in #WestAfrica enabled important seagrass discoveries in several countries, in one of the least documented seagrass regions in the world. 🌿 Four #seagrass species occur in western Africa, Cymodocea nodosa, Halodule wrightii, Ruppia maritima and Zostera noltei. An area of about 62,108 ha of seagrasses was documented in the studied region comprising seven countries: Mauritania, Senegal, The Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Guinea, Sierra Leone and Cabo Verde. Extensive meadows of Zostera noltei were recorded for the first time at Saloum Delta, Senegal, which represents the new southernmost distribution limit of this species. Unity of #purpose and #action are imperative to protect marine habitats and preserve the West African environment for future generations. #ECOWAS, the African Union and other bodies must spearhead and effectively deliver necessary initiatives, with the support of global #NGOs and private foundations if their budgets and expertise are inadequate.

This week's #DUCProjectDragonfly featured observation is not a dragonfly, but a Blanding's turtle, photographed and logged by iNaturalist user: mhalsted in Lennox and Addington County, Ontario. The Blanding's turtle is a medium-sized turtle with a yellow throat and chin. Both its colouration and the rounder shape of its shell distinguish this species from most other turtles found in Canada. But what does a turtle have to do with Project Dragonfly? Dragonfly nymphs are a major food source for Blanding's turtles! They are just one of many species in a wetland that depend on dragonflies to survive. Read more about the threats Canada's turtles are facing. ➡️ https://loom.ly/aWWfn98 #DucksUnlimitedCanada #Turtles #SpeciesAtRisk #Biodiversity #Ecosystems #Habitat #Wetlands #Conservation

Work with sharks, rays, or chimaeras in #NewZealand or any Pacific Islands? 🦈 Help us delineate the most critical habitats for them! New Zealand & Pacific Islands is the next global region the Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRAs) project is investigating! 🦈🌏 Want to get involved? The ISRA Criteria encompasses the vulnerability, life history, and special attributes of #sharks. It may be applied to each species and their habitats all shark species and their habitats. ISRAs are a tool that can assist global spatial management approaches and aim to benefit shark #conservation. 🦈 Please share with your colleagues. See details below. #sharkscience #marinebiology IUCN SSC Shark Specialist Group (SSG) Shark Conservation Fund (SCF) IUCN IUCN Species Survival Commission #sharkconservationfund #chimaera #marinebiology

Do you know what an abundance mindset is? #conservation #conservationpreneurship #protectedareas #wildlife #mangoves #privatelandconservation #conservancy #biodiversity #rewilding