Yorkshire Dales National Park’s Post

Today, the American Wildlife Conservation Partners (AWCP) – comprised of the nation’s top 52 sporting-conservation organizations that represent America’s hunter-conservationists, professional wildlife and natural resource managers, outdoor recreation users, conservation educators, and wildlife scientists – released Wildlife for the 21st Century, Volume VII (W-21). This comprehensive publication focuses on solutions to conserve wildlife and their habitats across the nation, bolstering public access, and protecting our outdoor traditions. Every four years since AWCP was first convened in 2000, the partners have put forth their collective priorities in Wildlife for the 21st Century, which serves as the roadmap for AWCP’s vision for wildlife and sportsmen and sportswomen. “Our partners that make up AWCP should be proud of their ability to coalesce around a shared set of policy priorities which, should they be adopted, would produce real and meaningful benefits for hunters, habitat, and wildlife across the United States. It is a comprehensive suite of recommendations that can serve as a blueprint for conservation and hunting policy in the future,” said John Devney, AWCP Vice-Chair and Chief Policy Officer for Delta Waterfowl. Find a copy of Wildlife for the 21st Century, Volume 7 here: https://hubs.li/Q02Ptx4L0 #wildlife21#wildlife21stcentury#americanwildlifeconservationpartners#awcpwildlife21

Within the Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge is Lake Mattamuskeet, the largest lake in North Carolina. The lake covers 40,000 acres and is a bird sanctuary, offering a critical stopover for hundreds of thousands of migratory birds every year. It is also a proposed testing area for an algaecide treatment by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). The proposed treatment is known to be toxic to birds and the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) is asking a federal court to block USFWS’ plan. SELC, the Sierra Club and Defenders of Wildlife are challenging USFWS through a lawsuit citing violations of the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act, the National Environmental Policy Act and the Administrative Procedure Act. The groups are asking the court to intervene and stop the proposed plan until USFWS conducts a full analysis and considers available alternatives. SELC cites plans led by a local coalition that include a safer and more sustainable option to improve water quality and reduce algal blooms. The treatment USFWS is planning on using can kill birds and corrode their beaks. Additionally, the Florida legislature spent millions of dollars already to test the product in state waterways, and it has failed to provide a lasting solution for algal blooms. 🦆 To follow this story and find out more information, please visit the SELC website: https://lnkd.in/eMCDsQpf #migratorybirds #NEPA #wildliferefuge

US Wildlife Officials to Cull 450,000 Barred Owls: A Controversial Plan to Save Spotted Owls The US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) recently announced a controversial plan to cull nearly 450,000 barred owls over the next 30 years. This decision, aimed at saving the endangered spotted owl, has sparked heated debate among conservationists, wildlife advocates, and the general public. Barred owls, originally from the eastern United States, have displaced native spotted owls from their habitats in the Pacific Northwest. The population of spotted owls has plummeted, with some regions experiencing a decline of over 75%. The USFWS believes that without intervention, the spotted owl could face extinction in significant portions of its range. The culling plan involves sending trained shooters into dense forests to target barred owls, using recorded owl calls to lure them, and then eliminating them. This method, tested on a smaller scale since 2009, proposes the removal of up to 450,000 barred owls over 30 years. Reactions to the plan are mixed, with some conservation groups supporting it as necessary to save the spotted owl, while animal welfare advocates and public officials express concerns about its feasibility and ethical implications. As this debate continues, it highlights the complexities and ethical dilemmas in wildlife management. The outcome of this contentious plan will set a significant precedent in conservation policy, shaping future strategies for managing invasive species and protecting endangered wildlife. Dive deeper into the details and implications of this plan in our blog post here. https://lnkd.in/e3atQyDR #Conservation #WildlifeManagement #SpottedOwl #BarredOwl #USFWS #EnvironmentalPolicy

🦉 US Wildlife Officials to Cull 450,000 Barred Owls: A Controversial Plan to Save Spotted Owls The US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has unveiled a controversial plan to cull nearly 450,000 barred owls over the next 30 years to protect the endangered spotted owl. This decision has sparked a heated debate among conservationists, wildlife advocates, and the general public. Key Points: Barred vs. Spotted Owls: Barred owls, native to the eastern US, have encroached on the habitats of spotted owls in the Pacific Northwest, causing a significant decline in spotted owl populations. Culling Plan: Trained shooters will use recorded owl calls to lure and remove barred owls. The plan aims to cull a small percentage of the barred owl population. Public Reaction: While some conservation groups support the plan, animal welfare advocates and public officials have raised ethical and practical concerns. Discover More: Explore the full story behind this controversial wildlife management plan. Understand the challenges, historical context, and future implications. Read our detailed blog post. https://lnkd.in/egqspFdK #WildlifeConservation #EnvironmentalPolicy #SpottedOwl #BarredOwl #Biodiversity

We're at the forefront of wildlife research and conservation, setting a benchmark for innovative practices in safeguarding Africa's iconic species. With a commitment to balancing human-wildlife coexistence, Mugie in partnership with Lion Landscapes and the Kenya Wildlife Service KWS, employs advanced technologies and collaborative efforts to monitor and protect its diverse wildlife population. Among these efforts, lion monitoring stands out as a key initiative, addressing the challenges posed by predator-livestock conflicts and ensuring the long-term survival of these majestic animals within the conservancy. Lions pose a major conservation challenge due to the conflicts that arise from the killing of livestock. In order to reduce and prevent the predation of livestock, seven females in three different prides and one male were fitted with a collar in partnership with Lion Landscapes, KWS, and WRTI. The collars allow the Conservation Team to follow the pride movements and prevent incidents from happening by making the herders/community aware of the presence of lions in their specific areas. The collars also allow the Conservation Team to better understand the movements of the prides inside the Conservancy and the overlapping of the territories. All the monitoring, tracking, and analysis is done through EarthRanger. This image, extracted from EarthRanger, shows the tracked movements of Esmi, Walimu, Sarabi, Dada, Bast, Vida, and Mfalme over the month. The map details the distinct paths and territories covered by the lions, with unique colors and patterns marking each lion’s movement within Mugie Conservancy. Walimu, Bast, and Sarabi were seen spending a lot of time in specific areas, and upon investigation, it was found that the lionesses all had their own litters. #MugieConservancy #MugiePartnership #LionTracking #LionMonitoring #LionConservation #MugieConservancy

I recently read an article called “For Wildlife in Rehab Centers, Humans are the Culprit”, written by Dana Kobilinsky from the wildlife society. It’s linked below. Here are some of my insights and takeaways- Realizing the extent to which humans are responsible for the bad condition of these animals can be eye-opening and can serve as a powerful motivator to take action. It highlights the urgent need for individuals and communities to become more aware of their impact on the natural world and to strive towards more sustainable and compassionate ways of coexisting with wildlife. Reading about these issues ignite a desire to get involved in wildlife conservation efforts, whether through supporting rehabilitation centers, advocating for policy changes, participating in habitat restoration projects, or simply making more conscious choices in my daily life to reduce harm to wildlife. It underscores the interconnectedness of all living beings and the importance of taking responsibility for the well-being of our fellow inhabitants on this planet.

Congress had sharp criticism for a proposed rule that would prioritize a climate change agenda over a proven hunting conservation strategy that has benefitted wildlife conservation and sportsmen and women. It’s not the first time, either. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (USFWS) proposed Biological Integrity, Diversity and Environmental Health (BIDEH) rule update would implement a rule to “combat” climate change at the expense of wildlife conservation through hunting and angling. The proposal would put National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS) decisions based solidly in Washington, D.C., and not in the hands of local biologists who are best positioned to make policy decisions for sustainable conservation. https://lnkd.in/gncWuQYT #BIDEH #USFWS #climatechange #wildlifeconservation

Congress had sharp criticism for a proposed rule that would prioritize a climate change agenda over a proven hunting conservation strategy that has benefitted wildlife conservation and sportsmen and women. It’s not the first time, either. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (USFWS) proposed Biological Integrity, Diversity and Environmental Health (BIDEH) rule update would implement a rule to “combat” climate change at the expense of wildlife conservation through hunting and angling. The proposal would put National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS) decisions based solidly in Washington, D.C., and not in the hands of local biologists who are best positioned to make policy decisions for sustainable conservation. https://lnkd.in/gncWuQYT #BIDEH #USFWS #climatechange #wildlifeconservation

Did you hear?? 👀🐺 On December 5, 2024, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (WRC) took a crucial step forward in collaboration toward Red Wolf recovery efforts by adopting a resolution that supersedes previous state agency resolutions related to the species. This new resolution was passed unanimously by WRC Commissioners and reflects a forward-thinking, collaborative approach to conservation, marking a pivotal moment for Red Wolf recovery efforts and coyote management on the Albemarle Peninsula. The WRC’s decision is in response to ongoing scientific findings, including the National Academy of Sciences’ confirmation of the Red Wolf as a distinct species. It also comes in the wake of a federal court order requiring the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to resume Red Wolf reintroductions in recent years. Importantly, the resolution also directs WRC staff to collaborate with the FWS to create a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at effective, cooperative management of canid species in the region. Find out more: https://lnkd.in/gfMNX45h #conservation #redwolves #wolves #endangeredspecies #wildlife #northcarolina

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has announced their intention to list the Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus) as a threatened species with a special Section 4(d) Rule. This means that the butterfly will have protection under the Endangered Species Act, but certain incidental take of the species will be exempt from prohibition (effectively allowed) under certain conditions or circumstances. USFWS is accepting comments on the proposed listing for 90 days, and the listing is likely to become final sometime in 2025. Monarch butterflies commonly use a wide variety of habitats, but rely strongly on select wintering areas in Southern California and Mexico. California wintering areas are proposed as critical habitat for this species. They also rely on early successional habitats (old fields) with milkweed plants for breeding. They use multiple species of milkweed, but common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) seems to be frequently used in the eastern U.S. Edgewood has been performing habitat assessments for Monarch butterflies for years, and has developed land management recommendations to support the recovery of this species. Does your land use project potentially impact Monarchs? Give us a call!