Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Post

The California Wildlife Conservation Board has approved a $2.4 million grant to help the Tule River Indian Tribe reacquire 14,675 acres of ancestral lands in Tulare County, Tribal Business News reports. The property includes vital grassland, blue oak woodlands and riparian habitat that will connect the San Joaquin Valley to the Sierra Nevada Mountains, supporting tribal sovereignty and preserving critical wildlife corridors and watershed resources.

The California Wildlife Conservation Board has approved a $2.4 million grant to help the Tule River Indian Tribe reacquire 14,675 acres of ancestral lands in Tulare County, Tribal Business News reports. The property includes vital grassland, blue oak woodlands and riparian habitat that will connect the San Joaquin Valley to the Sierra Nevada Mountains, supporting tribal sovereignty and preserving critical wildlife corridors and watershed resources.

Although Split Oak Forest spans Orange and Osceola counties, a good 45-minute drive for most Lake County residents, it is the proverbial “canary in the coal mine” when it comes to the future of conservation land in Florida. If Split Oak falls, no other designated conservation land in the state is safe from those seeking to line their own pockets at the expense of the public’s interest. Let me put it this way: How would you feel if I forced you from your home and moved your family to what is essentially a barren landfill with no infrastructure, no food and no clean water? And my only justification for this was, “But it’s more land than the land you had before!” That is what Osceola County is asking the threatened and endangered wildlife in Split Oak Forest to do in its effort to have a toll road cut through the nature preserve. Why does this matter for Florida residents in other counties? Up until now, if conservation land is still of “high ecological value,” then the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission’s job is to maintain its conservation status and protect its easements. If FWC releases its easements within Split Oak for the toll road, then there is now a legal precedent. Nothing will stop the same from happening anywhere else in Florida. Split Oak Forest was set aside 30 years ago by a contractual agreement between Orange and Osceola counties as mitigation land for the ongoing development around the forest. Since then, it has been managed with taxpayer dollars and is a natural wild preserve where visitors can enjoy walking nature trails. It also houses some of the rarest and most endangered habitats and wildlife species in central Florida. Split Oak Forest was intended to be kept as conservation land “in perpetuity,” as per the Florida State constitution, but Osceola County commissioners, Tavistock – a large development company – and the Central Florida Expressway Authority have decided it is prime real estate to drive a toll road through. They are seeking to extend the Osceola Parkway through the forest. (Continued in the comments) . Read here: https://lnkd.in/g9JT_xW2

How the plan to manage threatened species has evolved since Black Summer https://ab.co/3TFFJSD The article discusses the significant impact of climate change on Australia's approach to protecting endangered wildlife, particularly following the devastating Black Summer bushfires. These events exposed shortcomings in existing conservation strategies, prompting a re-evaluation of how to safeguard vulnerable species and their habitats. Zoos Victoria, overwhelmed during the fires with injured animals, has since enhanced its capacity for wildlife care and conservation, emphasising the need for a shift in conservation paradigms. For Landcare NSW, these developments suggest a need for a proactive, integrated approach to conservation, focusing on readiness and resilience in wildlife care and habitat protection. Landcare NSW plays a vital role by collaborating with organisations participating in habitat restoration, supporting species-specific conservation initiatives, and advocating for robust conservation laws and policies. To tackle these challenges, Landcare NSW raises community awareness and involvement in conservation, facilitate knowledge exchange and collaboration among conservation entities, and advocate for incorporating climate adaptation strategies into conservation planning. Forming partnerships for research and adopting innovative conservation strategies could also be crucial for addressing the effects of climate change on biodiversity in New South Wales. Reach out if you are in interested in investing in our important work.

How the plan to manage threatened species has evolved since Black Summer https://ab.co/3TFFJSD The article discusses the significant impact of climate change on Australia's approach to protecting endangered wildlife, particularly following the devastating Black Summer bushfires. These events exposed shortcomings in existing conservation strategies, prompting a re-evaluation of how to safeguard vulnerable species and their habitats. Zoos Victoria, overwhelmed during the fires with injured animals, has since enhanced its capacity for wildlife care and conservation, emphasising the need for a shift in conservation paradigms. For Landcare NSW, these developments suggest a need for a proactive, integrated approach to conservation, focusing on readiness and resilience in wildlife care and habitat protection. Landcare NSW plays a vital role by collaborating with organisations participating in habitat restoration, supporting species-specific conservation initiatives, and advocating for robust conservation laws and policies. To tackle these challenges, Landcare NSW raises community awareness and involvement in conservation, facilitate knowledge exchange and collaboration among conservation entities, and advocate for incorporating climate adaptation strategies into conservation planning. Forming partnerships for research and adopting innovative conservation strategies could also be crucial for addressing the effects of climate change on biodiversity in New South Wales. Reach out if you are in interested in investing in our important work.

How the plan to manage threatened species has evolved since Black Summer https://ab.co/3TFFJSD The article discusses the significant impact of climate change on Australia's approach to protecting endangered wildlife, particularly following the devastating Black Summer bushfires. These events exposed shortcomings in existing conservation strategies, prompting a re-evaluation of how to safeguard vulnerable species and their habitats. Zoos Victoria, overwhelmed during the fires with injured animals, has since enhanced its capacity for wildlife care and conservation, emphasising the need for a shift in conservation paradigms. For Landcare NSW, these developments suggest a need for a proactive, integrated approach to conservation, focusing on readiness and resilience in wildlife care and habitat protection. Landcare NSW plays a vital role by collaborating with organisations participating in habitat restoration, supporting species-specific conservation initiatives, and advocating for robust conservation laws and policies. To tackle these challenges, Landcare NSW raises community awareness and involvement in conservation, facilitate knowledge exchange and collaboration among conservation entities, and advocate for incorporating climate adaptation strategies into conservation planning. Forming partnerships for research and adopting innovative conservation strategies could also be crucial for addressing the effects of climate change on biodiversity in New South Wales. Reach out if you are in interested in investing in our important work.

Check out this article from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, featuring HVA's Conservation Director Tim Abbott, about the Highlands Conservation Act, its 20 years of successes, and beyond! https://lnkd.in/gzdZMqE4

Reflection on Florida’s Wildlife and Conservation Efforts It’s crucial to step back in time and appreciate the full scope of Florida’s natural landscape. From 1984 to 2022, the removal of wild Florida Panthers reminds us of the urgent need to preserve what remains. Florida has countless abandoned or underutilized areas, like parts of Lake Okeechobee, where conservation efforts could be redirected to help restore wildlife habitats. As we move forward with development, we must balance growth with preserving the ecosystems that make Florida unique. Conservation is key to ensuring that wildlife like the Florida Panther remains a part of our state’s future. We all share the same planet—let’s come together to create a healthier, more sustainable future for everyone. #Florida #Wildlife #Conservation #Nature #Development #Sustainability #WildlifeProtection #PantherPreservation

Human-Wildlife Conflict: A Growing Challenge As human populations expand and encroach upon wildlife habitats, the potential for conflicts between humans and animals is escalating. This phenomenon, known as human-wildlife conflict, is particularly pronounced in regions where agricultural activities intersect with the territories of large wildlife species. One of the most common and devastating examples of this conflict involves elephants and farmers. Elephants, being large and powerful animals, can cause significant damage to crops when they forage for food. This can lead to substantial financial losses for farmers, who may feel compelled to retaliate by killing the elephants. Such actions not only harm the individual animals but also threaten the survival of entire elephant populations. Addressing human-wildlife conflict requires a multifaceted approach that prioritizes coexistence between humans and wildlife. One effective strategy is to create wildlife corridors that allow animals to move safely between different habitats without encroaching on farmland. These corridors can be established through the creation of protected areas or by implementing land-use planning measures that minimize human-wildlife interactions. In addition to physical interventions, it is essential to educate local communities about peaceful solutions to human-wildlife conflict. By providing farmers with information about wildlife behavior, prevention techniques, and the potential consequences of retaliatory killings, it is possible to foster a greater understanding and appreciation for these animals. Furthermore, implementing compensation programs can help alleviate the economic burden on farmers who suffer losses due to wildlife damage, reducing their incentive to resort to harmful measures. Real-life examples of communities that have successfully resolved human-wildlife conflicts can serve as models for others facing similar challenges. In some regions, innovative approaches such as solar-powered electric fences and community-based conservation initiatives have been instrumental in reducing conflict and promoting coexistence. By adopting a comprehensive and collaborative approach, it is possible to mitigate the negative impacts of human-wildlife conflict and ensure the long-term survival of both wildlife populations and human livelihoods #wildlife #animalprotection #wildlifenigeria

Birds Georgia is excited to announce the launch of a new conservation program called the Habitat Stewardship Program. An offshoot of our Wildlife Sanctuary Program, the Habitat Stewardship Program is geared towards larger public and private lands of 10 acres or larger. The goal of the program is to enable property stewards to make improvements to their lands for wildlife while offering educational materials, technical assistance, and connections to cost-share resources. The program is open to properties in any state of conservation, from those who may be new to wildlife management or have recently acquired properties and need a lot of technical assistance to those who have been managing high quality wildlife habitat for decades. Learn more about the Habitat Stewardship Program and how to register in this article by Heather Levy, Birds Georgia's stewardship coordinator. https://ow.ly/9LHz50UbKYE