Category: Conservation

News from state, federal and private wildlife conservation organizations.

No comments

Delta Waterfowl Research Spans North America

  By ,
Photo courtesy of Delta Waterfowl Foundation

Photo courtesy of Delta Waterfowl Foundation

BISMARCK, N.D. — For 75 years, science has been the cornerstone of Delta Waterfowl. Research shapes the conservation programs and management policies that help put more ducks in the air, year after year.

“It’s been our history — research defines what we do,” said Dr. Frank Rohwer, Delta Waterfowl’s president. “Research drives us and our programs, and it should always drive wildlife management. We’re committed to finding things that work.”  Continue reading

No comments

NSSF Endorses National Hunting and Fishing Day

  By
Youth Pheasant Hunt © 2011 Darin M Sakas

Youth Pheasant Hunt © 2011 Darin M Sakas

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (May 28, 2013) —Conserving wildlife and the lands that house what we all enjoy are of the utmost importance. National Hunting and Fishing Day is a day set aside to celebrate all that sportsmen do to support those efforts. This year the National Shooting Sports Foundation once again announces its continued, major sponsorship of National Hunting and Fishing Day.

Their support has forged new pathways for hunters, fishermen and outdoorsmen for the past 42 years. Each year, NHF Day is set to take place on the fourth Saturday in September. This year NHF Day falls on September 28th.  Continue reading

No comments

Senate introduces bipartisan NAWCA reauthorization to protect U.S. wetlands

  By ,
Wetland, Nomans Island, Nantucket, MA. -- Fish & WIldlife Service

Wetland, Nomans Island, Nantucket, MA. — FWS,gov

WASHINGTON – April 16, 2013 – In a bipartisan showing, lead co-sponsors Sens. Barbara Boxer (CA) and David Vitter (LA) introduced S. 741 today, asking for the reauthorizations and appropriations of the successful public-private partnerships funded by the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA).

The bill is a straight reauthorization of NAWCA funding of $75 million through FY17.

“This joint effort by the chair and ranking member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works to reauthorize NAWCA clearly illustrates that it is a model for employing effective partnerships to support shared conservation goals,” said DU CEO Dale Hall. “NAWCA is the ideal public-private partnership since it benefits not only hunters and anglers, but all U.S. citizens. It conserves functioning wetlands, thus diminishing floods, preventing soil erosion and improving our water quality.” Continue reading

No comments

Illinois Jr. Duck Stamp Contest Fast Approaching

  By ,
2012 Illinois Best of Show - Justas Varpucanskis, 14

2012 Illinois Best of Show – Justas Varpucanskis, 14

The submission deadline for the 2013 Illinois U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Junior Duck Stamp Contest is fast approaching. Administered by the Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge, the contest requires entries to be postmarked by March 15, 2013.

The Federal Junior Duck Stamp Program is unique in its blend of science and art. It engages children in the study of waterfowl and habitat conservation, as well as, migration. The program guides students, using scientific and wildlife observation principles, to communicate visually what they have learned. Students then submit artwork featuring an eligible North American waterfowl species to a judging process. Continue reading

No comments

Ohio Waterfowl Hunters Asked to Participate in Online Survey for 2013-2014 Seasons

  By ,
Ohio Waterfowl Hunting - Member Photo Credit: Al Faber

Ohio Waterfowl Hunting – Member Photo Credit: Al Faber

COLUMBUS, OH – The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) is requesting the state’s waterfowl hunters provide input on the timing of the 2013-2014 fall waterfowl hunting seasons and the locations where they prefer to hunt.

ODNR Division of Wildlife biologists are seeking input from Ohio waterfowl hunters through an online survey so season dates and opportunities can be matched to the preferences of as many hunters as possible within federal guidelines.

The ODNR Division of Wildlife survey will be available Jan. 22-Feb. 15 at wildohio.com. Hunters need to provide their customer identification number to participate in the survey. The customer identification number is found on all Ohio hunting and fishing licenses or at wildohio.com in the Wild Ohio Customer Center by clicking on the Manage Your Customer Account link. Continue reading

No comments

2013 Nevada Duck Stamp Winner Announced

  By ,
2013 Nevada Duck Stamp - Rebekah Nastav

2013 Nevada Duck Stamp – Rebekah Nastav

Missouri artist Rebekah Nastav has been named the winner of the 2013 Nevada Duck Stamp Art Contest.  Her winning entry featuring a snow goose standing on the shore will now grace Nevada’s 2013-2014 State Duck Stamp.

The contest, sponsored by the Nevada Waterfowl Association and sanctioned by the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW), drew a total of 17 entries from 15 states. All of the winning entries can be viewed on the NDOW website at www.ndow.org/wild/stamp/.

The winning entry in the annual art contest was selected by a panel of seven judges including two Nevada Wildlife Commissioners.

“It was great to find out that my artwork will grace the 2013 Nevada duck stamp and be seen by many duck stamp collectors,” said Nastav, who finished fourth in last year’s contest. Continue reading

No comments

Kentucky Wetland Restoration Attracts Endangered Cranes

  By ,
Whooping Crane - US FWS, Ryan Hagerty

Whooping Crane – US FWS, Ryan Hagerty

February 1, 2013 – A wetland restoration project completed by USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Kentucky has attracted the fancy of a pair of endangered whooping cranes.

In early November, a pair of whooping cranes was discovered on a property in western Kentucky that was recently restored, with NRCS’ help, to bottomland hardwood wetlands. The restoration included tree planting and the creation of shallow water areas for migratory wildlife on nearly 900 acres of former cropland that was put into a conservation easement.

The cranes have been residing on the conservation easement since December 2012, roosting and feeding in the shallow water areas. This is a significant sighting because by the 20th century, the majestic bird was nearly wiped out. Continue reading