American Woodcock

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- In the wild, some species go all out to woo their mates in spring with noisy and colorful shows. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s national wildlife refuges are great places to see or hear them.

Here are a few examples of species to look for at refuges across the country:

The male Attwater’s prairie chicken — a member of the grouse family — does a jig and makes a “booming” sound by filling orange air sacks on the sides of its neck. The daytime spectacle is popular with visitors every March and April at the Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge in Texas, established to protect habitat for the critically endangered bird. See and hear booming here. This year’s annual Attwater’s Prairie Chicken Festival takes place April 14 and 15.

Further north, the American woodcock — also known as the timberdoodle — puts on a striking “sky dance” after dark. Starting at the end of March, the male woodcock leaves its cover for open fields, where it calls to females with a series of sharp “peent”s. Then it suddenly flies up, twittering, in a widening spiral, floats briefly and dives zigzag back to earth. You can follow it with a flashlight. In his book A Sand County Almanac, famed conservationist Aldo Leopold wrote of the woodcock’s sky dance: “Since we discovered it, my family and I have been reluctant to miss even a single performance.” Spring woodcock walks are favorites at Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge in Vermont and Trustom Pond National Wildlife Refuge in Rhode Island. American woodcocks can also be found at Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge in Maine, Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge in New Jersey and other refuges. Hear a courting woodcock here.

At Mingo National Wildlife Refuge in Missouri, White River National Wildlife Refuge in Arkansas, and elsewhere, the grey tree frog makes a racket to attract females in spring breeding season. Beginning in early April, it inflates its vocal pouch to balloon-like proportions and emits a melodic trill. University of Missouri researchers recently found that the male calibrates his love song to attract mates with matching chromosomes. See and hear a grey tree frog calling here.

And along the Delaware Bay, the annual coming ashore of thousands of horseshoe crabs to spawn is a tourist attraction in May and June. Male horseshoe crabs crowd along the water line to vie for arriving females. A male grabs onto a mate and rides ashore, where she deposits her eggs in the sand and he fertilizes them. Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge in Delaware and Cape May National Wildlife Refuge in New Jersey are good spots to watch the show. See a video here.

The National Wildlife Refuge System includes more than 2,500 miles of land and water trails. There is at least one national wildlife refuge in every state and one within an hour’s drive of most major cities. National wildlife refuges are dedicated to the conservation of fish and wildlife and their habitats. The nation’s 556 national wildlife refuges and other units of the Refuge System, plus 38 wetland management districts, offer a wide range of wildlife-dependent recreation — from fishing, boating, hunting and hiking to wildlife observation and photography, nature interpretation and environmental education. Refuges offer many programs and events geared to families and children. These include festivals, junior naturalist classes, boating and fishing instruction, crafts and more.

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals, and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov. Connect with our Facebook page, follow our tweets, watch our YouTube Channel, and download photos from our Flickr page.

Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) joined the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA), and other partners at the 2012 SHOT Show to announce the start of a yearlong celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program (WSFR), one of the most significant and successful partnership approaches to fish and wildlife conservation in U.S. history.

The “WSFR 75 – It’s Your Nature” celebration brings together federal and state fish and wildlife agencies; the hunting, shooting, angling, and boating industries; and conservation groups to mark a milestone of partnership success that has led to 75 years of quality hunting, fishing, shooting, boating and wildlife-related recreation. The occasion also marks the beginning of a new era in wildlife conservation, during which the partners will establish new goals for fostering and maintaining partnerships to continue conservation and outdoor recreation into the next 75 years and beyond.

“The Service is proud to join our partners in recognizing more than seven decades of wildlife conservation and quality outdoor recreational opportunities,” said Director Dan Ashe of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “With our nation’s support and our partnership’s renewed commitment, WSFR will help more Americans enjoy wildlife and our great outdoors for many years to come.”

Through the WSFR program, several innovative and foundational fish and wildlife conservation programs are administered. The first was created on September 2, 1937 when President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act, which raises funds through a dedicated excise tax on sporting guns and ammunition. In 1950, the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act was enacted and added to the WSFR program. Through this law, funds are provided for fish conservation and boating and fishing recreational programs in each state through an excise tax placed on certain fishing and boating equipment and fuels.

“Since its 1937 inception, WSFR has provided more than $14 billion to support fish and wildlife restoration and management,” said Hannibal Bolton, the Service’s assistant director for the WSFR program. “The program and its partners, including the sporting arms industry, conservation groups, and sportsmen and sportswomen, are coming together for this anniversary to renew their commitment to conserve fish and wildlife and enhance hunter, angler, and boater recreation.”

These funds, administered by the Service, are combined with hunting license dollars in each state to fund important state wildlife conservation and hunting programs.

“The 75th anniversary of the WSFR program is a tremendous opportunity to celebrate the conservation victories that have been made possible because of this innovative funding approach,” said Jonathan Gassett, PhD, president, Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. “WSFR has made the difference for the survival and abundance of some species, and because of it, many fish and wildlife populations are at historically high levels today.”

Industry and agency partnerships have helped to the successes of the WSFR program to become what it is today.

“The WSFR programs have not only supported fish and wildlife conservation, they have also supported small businesses that manufacture and sell hunting and fishing equipment,” said Myke Lynch, general manager of Green Top Sporting Goods in Richmond, Virginia. “The industry supporting sportsmen has a multi-million dollar impact on the nation’s economy, and it depends on healthy fish and wildlife populations.”

The WSFR 75th anniversary will include participation in various fish and wildlife conservation events and conferences throughout the year, to culminate with National Hunting and Fishing Day in September 2012.

For more information about the WSFR program and its 75th Anniversary in 2012, visit:

• wsfrprograms.fws.gov
• www.wsfr75.com
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/WSFR75
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/wsfr75

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals, and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov. Connect with our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/usfws, follow our tweets at www.twitter.com/usfwshq, watch our YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/usfws and download photos from our Flickr page at http://www.flickr.com/photos/usfwshq.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- In partnership with state, tribal, and federal agency partners, the Obama Administration today released the first draft national strategy to help decision makers and resource managers prepare for and help reduce the impacts of climate change on species, ecosystems, and the people and economies that depend on them.

The draft National Fish, Wildlife and Plants Climate Adaptation Strategy, available for public review and comment through March 5, 2012, can be found on the web at www.wildlifeadaptationstrategy.gov

The strategy represents a draft framework for unified action to safeguard fish, wildlife and plants, as well as the important benefits and services the natural world provides the nation every day, including jobs, food, clean water, clean air, building materials, storm protection, and recreation.

“The impacts of climate change are already here and those who manage our landscapes are already dealing with them,” said Deputy Secretary of the Interior David J. Hayes. “The reality is that rising sea levels, warmer temperatures, loss of sea ice and changing precipitation patterns – trends scientists have definitively connected to climate change – are already affecting the species we care about, the services we value, and the places we call home. A national strategy will help us prepare and adapt.”

Congress called for a national, government-wide strategy in 2010, directing the President’s Council on Environmental Quality and the Department of the Interior to develop it. CEQ and Interior responded by assembling an unprecedented partnership of federal, state and tribal fish and wildlife conservation agencies to draft the strategy. More than 100 diverse researchers and managers from across the country participated in the drafting for the partnership.

The partnership is co-led by Interior’s U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Department of Commerce’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, representing state fish and wildlife agencies.

The strategy will guide the nation’s efforts during the next five years to respond to current and future climate change impacts such as changing species distributions and migration patterns, the spread of wildlife diseases and invasive species, the inundation of coastal habitats with rising sea levels, and changes in freshwater availability with shifting precipitation and habitat types. The strategy does not prescribe mandatory activities that agencies must take nor suggest regulatory actions; rather, it provides a roadmap for decision makers and resource managers to use in considering climate change implications to their ongoing wildlife and habitat management activities.

Elements of the draft strategy include: Descriptions of current and projected impacts of climate change on the eight major ecosystems of the United States, the fish, wildlife and plant species those ecosystems support and the vital ecosystem services they provide; Goals, strategies, and actions to reduce the vulnerability and increase the resilience of fish, wildlife, plants and the communities that depend on them in the face of climate change; Collaborative strategies and actions that agriculture, energy, transportation and other sectors can take to promote adaptation of fish, wildlife and plants, and utilize the adaptive benefits of natural resources in their climate adaptation efforts; and A framework for coordinated implementation of the strategy among government and non-governmental entities from national to local scales.

“For more than a century, state fish and wildlife agencies have been entrusted by the public to be good stewards of their natural resources. To do that, we constantly are called upon to address threats to our natural resources,” said Patricia Riexinger, Director of the Division of Fish, Wildlife and Marine Resources for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. “Today’s pressures on fish and wildlife and their habitats are exacerbated by climate change and together they emphasize the need for increased conservation and science-based management. The strategy is our nation’s insurance for managing healthy and robust ecosystems in uncertain future conditions.”

“This strategy provides a framework for safeguarding America’s fish, wildlife and plant resources and the valuable services they provide over the long-term,” said Jane Lubchenco, Ph.D., undersecretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator. “NOAA is committed to working with federal, state, tribal and local government agencies, non-government organizations and the public in this process because we all have important roles to play in preparing all regions of our nation in a changing climate.”

Leading the development of the strategy is a Steering Committee that includes government representatives from 16 federal agencies, five state fish and wildlife agencies and two inter-tribal commissions. The Steering Committee includes representatives from the California, Washington, Wisconsin, New York and North Carolina fish and wildlife agencies to ensure that all 50 states’ fish and wildlife concerns are considered. The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies is providing staff support for developing the strategy.

Public comments can be submitted online through the strategy website via a special link. Written comments may be submitted via the U.S. mail to the Office of the Science Advisor, Attn: National Fish, Wildlife, and Plants Climate Adaptation Strategy, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive Suite 222, Arlington, VA 22203. In addition, there will be five public information sessions in various locations around the country and two webinars to provide details and encourage dialogue on the strategy and its development. To register for these meetings and for more information on the public comment process, visit http://www.wildlifeadaptationstrategy.gov/public-comments.php

About:
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.

Meeks Cutoff

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- This year’s Academy Awards ceremony holds special interest for the Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Wildlife Refuge System.

Some critics are listing “Meeks Cutoff,” with scenes from Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon, as a possible Oscar contender.

“Meeks Cutoff,” starring Michelle Williams, Bruce Greenwood and Paul Dano, is about pioneers stranded on the Oregon Trail and was filmed from federal lands adjacent to the wildlife refuge.

Malheur Refuge manager Tim Bodeen knows why director Kelly Reichardt wanted to capture scenes of the refuge:

“We’re one of the nation’s great wild places where you can get wide open views of the natural environment,” he says. “And we have bountiful wildlife [including coyotes and mule deer] that people associate with historic America.”

Today’s visitors can hike, bike, fish and hunt on the refuge as well as see wildlife and tour the 19 th-century Sod House Ranch.

What are some of the better known refuge-linked movies? Besides “Meeks Cutoff,” there’s everything from a 1923 silent classic filmed at Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes National Wildlife Refuge in California to a 1971 B movie filmed at Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge in Georgia.

Okefenokee Refuge boasts about the refuge scenes in the 1971 film “Swamp Girl” and shows the movie to visitors. It does so even though the movie’s depiction of the swamp doesn’t match the refuge’s perspective, laughs refuge office assistant Judy Drury, who recalls the filming. It depicts, she says, “what everybody thought the swamp was – scary, bad, dreary, full of alligators and snakes – and not what it actually is. It’s so beautiful out there.”

Okefenokee Refuge is popular with paddlers, nature photographers, hunters and fishermen. Canoeists can follow water trails deep into the 354,000 acre wilderness, and visitors can tour a restored homestead to discover how “swampers” once made their home here.

In the case of the 1923 silent classic, director Cecil B. DeMille set up shop at or near what would later become Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Refuge to film his epic “The Ten Commandments.”

It’s “the only refuge that has an Egyptian city underneath,” jokes Fish and Wildlife Service senior writer/editor David Klinger. He’s not kidding entirely.

DeMille’s colossus of a movie built a lavish set to replicate the ancient City of Seti that boasted of “21 sphinxes, four 35-foot-tall statues of Ramses, and a commanding, awe-inspiring 110-foot-high set of massive city gates,” says Klinger. (The film won an Oscar for best visual effects.) When filming ended, the company simply dynamited the set, costumes and all, and buried them in the dunes. There they lay for decades until bits began resurfacing, exposed by wind and weather. Now, movie artifacts are on display where visitors can see them at the Dunes Center in nearby Guadalupe.

Refuge visitors can walk four miles across the beach to the refuge to see migrating waterfowl and shorebirds and coastal dune plants in bloom. The site is also a popular spot for surf fishing enthusiasts and wildlife photographers.

These days, commercial filmmakers work with refuge managers and need to obtain a special use permit to film on refuge lands. Rules posted by Merrit Island National Wildlife Refuge in Florida show the kinds of concerns typically addressed – primarily those of compatibility with wildlife conservation and safeguarding refuge resources.

Klinger says that carefully chosen film projects can enhance the public’s view of refuges “as long as they do not harm the resource,” he says. “Our job is to protect refuges for the present and future.”

About:
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the California Department of Fish and Game, and the San Diego County Water Authority have entered into a long-term agreement that will help conserve San Diego County’s natural heritage for future generations while providing a more efficient endangered species permitting process for the Water Authority as it builds and maintains vital water supply infrastructure.

The Water Authority and the state and federal wildlife agencies signed an Implementing Agreement for a multiple species conservation plan, known as a Natural Community Conservation Plan/Habitat Conservation Plan (NCCP/HCP), that meets the requirements of the state’s Natural Community Conservation Planning Act and the federal Endangered Species Act.

The NCCP/HCP protects 63 plant and animal species and their habitats that may be adversely affected by the construction, operation, repair and maintenance of current and future Water Authority facilities. The 63 covered species include 26 plants, 13 birds, nine reptiles, eight mammals, five invertebrates and two amphibians.

Of the 63 covered species, 18 are currently listed as endangered or threatened pursuant to the state and/or federal Endangered Species Acts. Concurrent with signing the agreement, each wildlife agency issued the Water Authority an incidental take permit that allows limited impacts to those listed species. If any of the 45 covered species currently not listed as endangered or threatened become listed as such in the future, those species will automatically be added to the respective permit.

The comprehensive NCCP/HCP conservation strategy spans roughly 992,000 acres where covered activities could potentially occur in San Diego County and a small portion of south-central Riverside County. The Water Authority already has assembled 705 acres of preserve land to compensate for future impacts and the NCCP/HCP contains provisions for adding more preserve lands.

“This is a great example of innovative and effective environmental planning,” said Jim Bartel, Field Supervisor for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Carlsbad Office. “Our three agencies worked closely and collaboratively to find a way to comprehensively address potential endangered species impacts from the Water Authority’s projects and activities.”

“The assembly, management, and monitoring of the preserve established under the Water Authority’s NCCP will augment and enhance the other biological preserves established under other approved regional NCCPs and several other habitat conservation plans that are in progress,” said Ed Pert, South Coast Regional Manager for the Department of Fish and Game. “We worked collaboratively with the parties involved in the NCCP/HCP to ensure that habitat protection measures would also satisfy the Water Authority’s vital mission to provide the San Diego region with a safe and reliable water supply.”

“The big benefit for our ratepayers is that this plan will save time and money as we build and operate current and future projects,” said Ken Weinberg, Director of Water Resources for the San Diego County Water Authority. “This plan precludes the need to obtain individual federal or state endangered species permits for each of our activities or projects. It also simplifies future compliance with state and federal endangered species regulations. We are very grateful and appreciative for the wildlife agencies’ help and guidance through this process.”

The state’s Natural Community Conservation Planning program and federal Habitat Conservation Plan process promote coordination and cooperation among public agencies, landowners, and other interested parties to minimize conflicts during construction and other activities that may affect endangered or threatened species. The long-term goals of such habitat conservation plans are to provide for the recovery and persistence of populations of covered species and the ecosystems on which they depend.

A copy of the plan is available at: www.sdcwa.org/habitat-conservation.

The San Diego County Water Authority is a public agency serving the San Diego region as a wholesale supplier of water from the Colorado River and Northern California. The Water Authority works through its 24 member agencies to provide a safe, reliable water supply to support the region’s $186 billion economy and the quality of life of 3.1 million residents.

The California Department of Fish and Game manages California‘s diverse fish, wildlife, and plant resources, and the habitats upon which they depend, for their ecological values and for their use and enjoyment by the public.

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals, and commitment to public service.

Sage Grouse

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Cheyenne, Wy --(Ammoland.com)- Secretary Of The Interior Ken Salazar And Wyoming Governor Matt Mead Today Convened A Meeting With Representatives From Eight Western States To Discuss Ongoing Efforts To Conserve The Greater Sage-Grouse And Identify Next Steps In Implementing A Landscape Level Strategy That Will Benefit The Species While Maintaining A Robust Economy In The West.

Participants Discussed Current Strategies, Challenges, And Areas Of Collaboration For Local, State, And Federal Governments To Proactively Address The Needs Of The Species To Ensure Its Long-Term Health And Stability.

During The Meeting, The Attendees Discussed Developing A New Working Agreement That Puts In Place Conservation Actions And Commitments To Meaningfully Address Both The Threats To The Survival Of The Greater Sage-Grouse And The Need Of Westerners To Enjoy Multiple Uses Of Their Land And Have Reasonable Predictability Regarding Regulatory Requirements.

“Sagebrush Habitat, With Its Open Spaces, Wildlife, And Heritage, Is Iconic To The West And Is At The Root Of Many Of Our Proud Traditions,” Salazar Said. “Protecting The Health Of This Land And Its Wildlife, While Also Facilitating Energy And Other Development In The Right Ways And The Right Places, Is Going To Take Strong, Well-Coordinated, Comprehensive Action By Leaders At All Levels. Today’S Meeting Is A Milestone In Our Efforts To Accelerate And Expand The Smart, Ladscape-Scale Approaches That Are Already Underway In Many Places.”

From Wyoming’S Sage Grouse Initiative Developed Under The Leadership Of Governor Mead To The Bureau Of Land Management’S National Greater Sage-Grouse Planning Strategy ( Http://Www.Blm.Gov/Wo/St/En/Prog/More/Sagegrouse.Html), To The Ongoing Implementation Of The Western Association Of Fish And Wildlife Agencies Comprehensive Strategy, Progress Is Being Made To Protect The Species While Ensuring That Energy Production, Recreational Access And Other Uses Of Federal Lands Continue.

“The Goal Of The Endangered Species Act Is Not To Add To The List, But To Protect The Species So They Never Make It To The Endangered Species List,” Governor Mead Said. “Partnering With Private Industry, Agriculture And The Federal Government Has Allowed Us To Balance Conservation Of The Sage-Grouse With Development And Job Creation While Keeping The Bird From Being Listed.”

A Large Ground-Dwelling Bird Predominantly Found In The West, The Decline Of The Sage-Grouse Population Has Been A Result Of Primary Threats Such As Habitat Loss And Fragmentation Due To Energy Development, Wildfire, And Invasive Plant Species. Based On A 12-Month Status Review Pursuant To The Endangered Species Act, The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Determined That The Listing Of The Species Was Warranted, But Precluded By Higher Priorities. For A Fws Fact Sheet On The Greater Sage-Grouse, Please Click Here: Http://Www.Fws.Gov/Mountain-Prairie/Species/Birds/Sagegrouse/Greatersagegrousefactsheet2011.Pdf .

Meeting Participants Included: Bob Abbey, Bureau Of Land Management Director; Dan Ashe, U.S. Fish And Wildlife Service Director; Marlene Finley, U.S. Forest Service Deputy Regional Forester; Dave White, Natural Resources Conservation Service Chief, As Well As Senior Representatives From The States Of Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, And Wyoming.

Click Here Http://Www.Doi.Gov/News/Photos/Photo-Of-The-Week-December-2011.Cfm For A Picture From Today’S Meeting.

About:
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.

USFWS Announces Recovery of Gray Wolves in the Western Great Lakes

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today announced that gray wolf populations in the Great Lakes region have recovered and no longer require the protection of the Endangered Species Act. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is publishing a final rule in the Federal Register removing wolves in Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin, and in portions of adjoining states, from the list of endangered and threatened wildlife and plants.

“Once again, the Endangered Species Act has proved to be an effective tool for bringing species back from the brink of extinction,” Secretary Salazar said. “Thanks to the work of our scientists, wildlife managers, and our state, tribal, and stakeholder partners, gray wolves in the western Great Lakes region are now fully recovered and healthy.”

The rule removing ESA protection for gray wolves in the western Great Lakes becomes effective 30 days after publication in the Federal Register.

“Gray wolves are thriving in the Great Lakes region, and their successful recovery is a testament to the hard work of the Service and our state and local partners,” said Fish and Wildlife Service Director Dan Ashe. “We are confident state and tribal wildlife managers in Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin will effectively manage healthy wolf populations now that federal protection is no longer needed.”

Wolves total more than 4,000 animals in the three core recovery states in the western Great Lakes area and have exceeded recovery goals. Minnesota’s population is estimated at 2,921 wolves, while an estimated 687 wolves live in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and another 782 in Wisconsin. Each state has developed a plan to manage wolves after federal protection is removed.

Wolf populations in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan will be monitored for at least five years to ensure the species continues to thrive. If it appears, at any time, that the gray wolf cannot sustain itself without the protections of the ESA, the Service can initiate the listing process, including emergency listing.

In the Service’s May 5, 2011, proposal to delist western Great Lakes wolves, the agency also proposed accepting recent taxonomic information that the gray wolf subspecies Canis lupus lycaon should be elevated to the full species Canis lycaon, and that the population of wolves in the Western Great Lakes is a mix of the two full species, Canis lupus and Canis lycaon. Based on substantial information received from scientists and others during the public comment period, the Service has re-evaluated that proposal, and the final rule considers all wolves in the Western Great Lakes DPS to be Canis lupus.

The Service also previously proposed delisting gray wolves in all or parts of 29 states in the eastern half of the United States. The Service continues to evaluate that portion of the May 5, 2011, proposal and will make a final separate determination at a later date.

Gray wolves were originally listed as subspecies or as regional populations of subspecies in the lower 48 states and Mexico under the ESA in 1973 and its predecessor statutes before that. In 1978, the Service reclassified the gray wolf as an endangered species across all of the lower 48 states and Mexico, except in Minnesota where the gray wolf was classified as threatened.

More information on the recovery of gray wolves in the Western Great Lakes can be found at www.fws.gov/midwest/wolf/

The ESA provides a critical safety net for America’s native fish, wildlife and plants. The Service works to actively engage conservation partners and the public in the search for improved and innovative ways to conserve and recover imperiled species.

To learn more about the Endangered Species Program, visit http://www.fws.gov/endangered/.

About:
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- Most snowy owls normally live year-round in the Fish and Wildlife Service’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and other sites north of Alaska’s Brooks Range; a few overwinter in the Northern Plains and New England.

But this fall they are spreading across the United States in great numbers and turning heads. The nearly two-foot-tall, predominantly white owls – Harry Potter’s Hedwig is a snowy – are hard to miss.

Sharp-eyed folks at the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge in Washington state have reported sightings. Other sightings come from as far east as Parker River National Wildlife Refuge in Massachusetts and as far south as Kansas. Snowy owls have also been spotted in Connecticut, Maine, New York, Vermont, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri and North Dakota.

Why do snowy owls sometimes fly south en masse? Snowy owls’ favorite prey is small rodents called lemmings, which are notorious for boom and bust population cycles. Biologists think the owls’ sudden upsurge south from the Arctic occurs when lemmings are in short supply. See a map of snowy owl sightings in the Lower 48, compiled this fall from reports on eBird and state bird listservs. (Check the map again in a few days, and see how sightings have multiplied.)

Snowy Owl, Newburyport, MA, 28 November 2011. Photograph by Ryan Schain.

Unlike many other owls, snowy owls are active in the daytime. They tend to perch at high points overlooking open sites such as beaches and airports. Exhausted from their long flights, some starve if prey is scarce.

Read more about refuge sightings of snowy owls on the Refuge System’s Facebook page. Katie Brashear Koch wrote recently, “We had an adult female at the USFWS Marquette Biological Station in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula this morning!”

She took a photo of it perched on a power pole. She added that there have been sightings of the owls across the Upper Peninsula for the past two weeks, with each day seeming to bring more.

See the Cornell Lab of Ornithology for additional information on snowy owls.

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals, and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov. Connect with our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/usfws, follow our tweets at www.twitter.com/usfwshq, watch our YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/usfws and download photos from our Flickr page at http://www.flickr.com/photos/usfwshq

U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance

Columbus, OH --(Ammoland.com)- In a controversial new policy, the Obama Administration plans to broaden the reach of the already far reaching federal Endangered Species Act (ESA).

The new policy will make it easier to list more species of fish and wildlife as “endangered or threatened” and more broadly impose the ESA’s many restrictions.

Greater limitations on fishing and hunting, wildlife management, and public land access are a likely result.

The proposed policy, released on December 9 by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), see www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-12-09/pdf/2011-31782.pdf which newly interprets an old statutory term in the ESA: “a significant portion of its range,” or SPR for short.

Under the new interpretation, if a species is endangered or threatened in its SPR, it will be listed (and subject to the full range of ESA restrictions) in ALL areas where it is found even if not endangered or threatened in those other areas. The policy admits “we recognize this interpretation may lead to application of the protections of the Act in areas in which a species is not currently endangered or threatened with extinction, and in some circumstances may lead to the expenditure of resources without concomitant conservation benefits.”

Furthermore, those federal agencies admit that “application of the draft policy would result in the Services listing and protecting throughout their ranges species that previously we would not have listed, or would have listed in only portions of their ranges.”

Previously the SPR term had been regarded as a restriction on determining the existence of endangered or threatened species and the geographic scope of related ESA restrictions. In fact, when the original ESA was signed into law in 1973, that was precisely the meaning ascribed to SPR: “the term ‘significant portion of its range’ is used … to provide the Secretary with the authority to protect a [fish or wildlife] population [not the whole species] unique to some portion of the country.” The proposed Obama policy turns this intent on its head and recasts SPR as the basis for expanding species listings and the on-the-ground effect of such listings.

What does this mean to anglers and hunters?

U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance is worried that it gives the anti-angling, anti-hunting animal rights lobby more ammunition to attack our community. For example, activists have been pushing hard to put sage grouse on the list of endangered or threatened species. If they can show that the grouse are “threatened” in one area (and it’s a “significant portion of its range”), then all of the grouse could be listed – and made off limits to hunting everywhere. Anglers could face similar restrictions – get a species listed because it is in trouble in one area, then it’s off-limits everywhere because “this interpretation may lead to application of the protections [and restrictions] of the Act in areas in which a species is not currently endangered or threatened.”

Besides these threats – plainly stated in the proposed policy – new rounds of litigation impacting a wide variety of fish and wildlife species are almost guaranteed. The policy opines that “Congressional intent regarding the SPR phrase is unclear” and admits that court rulings interpreting the phrase are also inconsistent. The USFWS and NMFS are plowing ahead to twist and broaden the meaning of this phrase which will spawn litigation, create more costs to taxpayers, and open more opportunities for activists, including activist judges, to call the shots on fish and wildlife management.

We shouldn’t be surprised by this action. Broader federal power, more regulations, hostility to state management of fish and wildlife, and a determination to spend more federal money (even where public benefits aren’t clear) have been hallmarks of the Obama Administration. Reinterpreting the ESA as part of its continuing federal power grab is just par for the course.

USSA has carefully read 20 pages of Federal Register fine print and will be re-reading it again to see if there are any other buried regulatory “gotchas.” Public comments can be filed by February 7, 2012, and you can be sure we will be registering our strong opposition.

About:
The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance is a national association of sportsmen and sportsmen’s organizations that protects the rights of hunters, anglers and trappers in the courts, legislatures, at the ballot, in Congress and through public education programs. Visit www.ussportsmen.org.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- A new federal policy proposed today will help clarify which species or populations of species are eligible for protection under the Endangered Species Act and will provide for earlier and more effective opportunities to conserve declining species.

The public is invited to comment on the policy, proposed by the Interior Department’s U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries), the two federal agencies responsible for administering the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Comments will be accepted for the next 60 days.

The proposed policy will define the key phrase “significant portion of its range” in the ESA and provide consistency for how it should be applied, aiding the agencies in making decisions on whether to add or remove species from the federal list of threatened and endangered wildlife and plants. The phrase is not defined in the ESA, but appears in the statutory definitions of “endangered species” and “threatened species” in the ESA.

The policy would clarify that the FWS and NOAA Fisheries could list a species if it is endangered or threatened in a “significant portion of its range,” even if that species is not endangered or threatened throughout all its range. Under the proposed policy, a portion of the range of any given species would be defined as “significant” if its contribution to the viability of the species is so important that, without that portion, the species would be in danger of extinction. While the services expect this circumstance to arise infrequently, this policy interpretation will allow ESA protections to help species in trouble before large-scale decline occurs throughout the species’ entire range.

“This proposed interpretation will provide consistency and clarity for the services and our partners, while making more effective use of our resources and improving our ability to protect and recover species before they are on the brink of extinction,” said Fish and Wildlife Service Director Dan Ashe. “By taking action to protect imperiled native fish, wildlife and plants, we can ensure a healthy future for our communities and protect treasured landscapes for future generations.”

“A clear and consistent policy will help our partners and improve the process of evaluating species status under the Endangered Species Act,” said Eric Schwaab, NOAA’s Assistant Administrator for Fisheries.

Uncertainty about the meaning of this important phrase has led to debate and litigation. A formal opinion developed by the Solicitor of the Department of the Interior (known as the “M-Opinion”) had been applied by the FWS since March 16, 2007. But the M-Opinion was withdrawn on May 4, 2011, after two courts rejected key aspects of it. NOAA Fisheries has never applied the FWS interpretation, nor did it issue separate guidance, instead relying on a general understanding similar to the policy interpretation in today’s proposal.

This proposed policy differs substantially from the DOI’s M-Opinion interpretation. Today’s proposal requires that if a species is found to be threatened or endangered in a significant portion of its range, the entire species must be listed and protections of the ESA applied throughout its range. However, if the significant portion of the range is the exact same area inhabited by a “distinct population segment” of the species, only the distinct population segment would be listed. A distinct population segment is a vertebrate animal population or group of populations that is discrete from other populations of the species and significant to the overall species.

In contrast, under the M-Opinion, only individuals of a species found within the “significant portion of its range” were protected under the ESA. Today’s proposed policy also establishes a more specific and stringent standard to evaluate whether a portion of a species’ range would be considered “significant” than the standard applied under the M-Opinion interpretation. This higher bar will ensure that the species being evaluated for ESA protection on the basis of threats to only a significant portion of its range are truly in need of conservation.

Before finalizing the policy, FWS and NOAA are seeking public comments on the proposal for 60 days beginning on the date of the proposed rule’s publication in the Federal Register. All comments will be posted on http://www.regulations.gov. You may submit written comments and information through:

Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments to Docket No. [FWS–R9–ES–2011–0031]; or U.S. mail or hand delivery: Public Comments Processing, Attn: [FWS–R9–ES–2011–0031]; Division of Policy and Directives Management; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, MS 2042–PDM; Arlington, VA 22203.

Until the policy is final, FWS and NOAA Fisheries have an obligation to meet statutory timeframes and make determinations in response to petitions to list, reclassify, and delist species. During this interim period, FWS and NOAA Fisheries will consider the interpretations and principles in this proposed policy as nonbinding guidance in making individual listing determinations. As nonbinding guidance, FWS and NOAA Fisheries will apply these interpretations and principles only as the circumstances warrant, and the agencies will independently explain and justify any decision made in this interim period in light of the circumstances of the species under consideration. In preparing a final policy, FWS and NOAA Fisheries will consider all comments and information received during the comment period on this proposed policy, as well as experience gained during the interim period.

America’s fish, wildlife and plant resources belong to all of us, and ensuring the health of imperiled species is a shared responsibility. To learn more about the FWS Endangered Species program, go to http://www.fws.gov/endangered/.

NOAA’s mission is to understand and predict changes in the Earth’s environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and to conserve and manage our coastal and marine resources. Visit us at http://www.noaa.gov or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/usnoaagov. To learn more about the NOAA Fisheries Endangered Species program, go to http://www.nmfs.gov/pr.

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals, and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov. Connect with our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/usfws, follow our tweets at www.twitter.com/usfwshq, watch our YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/usfws and download photos from our Flickr page at http://www.flickr.com/photos/usfwshq.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- The Montrose and Luckenbach Trustee Councils and the Government of Mexico have announced a $4 million dollar award to a U.S-Mexico partnership that will implement a comprehensive five-year program focused on restoring seabird populations on seven islands off the Pacific coast of Mexico.

Improvement of nesting grounds in Mexico will create more stable and viable populations of seabirds in California and the Mexican islands off the Baja California peninsula.

With support from the Trustee Councils, a partnership comprised of the National Audubon Society, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Grupo de Ecología y Conservación de Islas (GECI), and the Mexican Fund for the Conservation of Nature will implement the seabird restoration program. This partnership will strengthen an ongoing successful conservation program conducted by GECI on these islands over the past 15 years.

The Montrose and Luckenbach Trustee Councils manage funds received in settlements from pollution releases involving the Montrose Chemical Corporation and the SS Jacob Luckenbach. The Trustees of natural resources act on behalf of the public to recover and direct funds to projects that will provide for restoration of natural resources that were injured by the releases. The natural resource trustees for these councils include the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), National Park Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG), California State Lands Commission, and California Department of Parks and Recreation. The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation will provide administrative support of the program.

“The Trustee Councils are thrilled to support this partnership between leading conservation organizations in both Mexico and the U.S.” said Dan Ashe, Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “Seabirds cross freely over international boundaries and so must our restoration efforts. This bi-national project on the Baja California Pacific Islands will benefit seabird populations in both countries for years to come.”

The partnership will begin work in January 2012 on Coronado, Todos Santos, San Martín, San Jerónimo, Natividad, Asunción, and San Roque Islands, targeting seabird species such as the California Brown Pelican, Cassin’s Auklet, Ashy Storm-Petrel, and Xantus’s Murrelet. These populations face threats from non-native species; nest and burrow destruction in high use areas; and disturbances from lights and other man-made structures.

Restoration projects will use decoys, mirrors, and broadcast calls and songs to increase social interactions and construct artificial nests to improve nesting opportunities. The partners will also conduct habitat restoration, reduce human disturbance and artificial light, and support environmental education in surrounding communities.

The target islands are located in the northwestern portion of Mexico, off of the Pacific coast of the Baja California peninsula.

These islands support a diverse group of breeding seabirds and are known for high levels of biological diversity. Seventeen species of seabirds breed on the islands, ten of which also breed on the California Channel Islands in the U.S. Most of the seabird colonies in Mexico form part of a larger population that breeds, forages, and disperses into California.

About:
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service named Aaron Archibeque, the Assistant Regional Director of the National Wildlife Refuge System in the Southwest Region, its 2011 Diversity Champion at a recent ceremony.

The Diversity Champion award honors Service employees who promote diversity and inclusion among co-workers and in the public, and who exemplify a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion through their personal behaviors and actions.  In line with its commitment to achieve an inclusive workforce, the Service asks each Region to identify a Diversity Champion and then a Senior Executive Diversity Council chooses the Service’s Diversity Champion.

“To remain relevant to the nation and continue to strengthen our organization, the Service needs a workforce that reflects America’s increasing diversity,” said Service Director Dan Ashe. “Aaron and our Regional Diversity Champions are helping us meet that workforce challenge.”

As a member of the Outreach Recruitment and Retention Team, Archibeque assisted in the promotion, recruitment and retention of a diverse workforce.  He works tirelessly as a volunteer for assignments that work toward increased participation of diverse groups in the workforce.  He drafted implementation plans for student employment programs and participated with the recruiting teams, which resulted in several diverse student hires in FY 2011.  Archibeque recently became a Diversity Change Agent and attends numerous diversity events and trainings, embracing every opportunity to learn more about equal opportunity, inclusivity and diversity

Diversity Champions make it an everyday practice to be inclusive in all they do, making a mark for diversity and inclusion in not only their Region but the Service as a whole.

Through its diversity and inclusion work, the Service is proud to provide wounded veterans with transition opportunities and appropriate work accommodations.  The Service’s efforts for veterans and people with disabilities garnered the “Best in Practice” recognition from the Department of the Interior (DOI) along with the Department’s “Diversity Partnership Award.”

This year, the Service also honored the following Regional Diversity Champions:

• Kristin Young, Chief, Division of Contracting and General Services in the Pacific Region, developed a diverse workforce and helps maintain it by creating a work environment that respects and values the unique contributions of each member of her team.
• Jackie Parrish, Assistant Regional Director, Budget & Administration in the Southeast Region, promotes the benefits of a diverse workforce and puts her money where her mouth is: Consulting on hiring authorities and recruiting strategies to increase opportunities for a more diverse and qualified workforce.
• Lamar Gore, Chief, Diversity and Civil Rights in the Northeast Region, created the Career Discovery Internship Program, which introduces culturally and ethnically diverse college freshmen and sophomores from all over the United States to the Service and vice versa.
• Ann Timberman, Project Leader at Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge Complex in Colorado in the Mountain-Prairie Region, helped develop the Region 6 Diversity Outreach Plan and lead the Diversity Outreach Team.
• Michael Boylan, Wildlife Refuges’ Supervisor in the Alaska Region, identified and conducts recruitment with the Alaska Native Science & Engineering Program to bring qualified native Alaskans into the Service.
• Kimby Wells, Environmental Education Specialist, San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex in California in the Pacific Southwest Region, crafted a Youth Conservation Corps program that supports diversity and reaches out to underserved communities.
• Robert Pos, Fishery Biologist, Branch of Budget, Performance and Policy for the Division of Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Conservation in the Washington Office, works and volunteers with many outreach programs that help build pipelines to the Service, including the Federal Asian Pacific American Council.

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals, and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov. Connect with our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/usfws, follow our tweets at www.twitter.com/usfwshq, watch our YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/usfws and download photos from our Flickr page at http://www.flickr.com/photos/usfwshq.

US Fish And Wildlife Service Announces The Endangered Species Bulletin

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- Today, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proudly announces the Endangered Species Bulletin has taken on an online exclusive format that will be updated bi-monthly to ensure timely updates regarding endangered and threatened species issues.

Each edition will include an in-depth feature article coupled with several supporting articles, a live endangered and threatened species news feed, plus other new and social media offerings.

As the principal federal partner responsible for administering the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the Service takes the lead in recovering and conserving our Nation’s imperiled species by fostering partnerships, employing scientific excellence and developing a workforce of conservation leaders. Although we have made significant progress in safeguarding species and the habitats upon which they depend, we face continuing challenges. The road to imperiled species recovery can be a long one, full of twists and turns. A single, catastrophic event — whether natural or human-caused — can quickly undo years of progress and provide a setback to recovery. Some of the devastating flooding and wildfire events of 2011 are testament to this.

The November-December edition of the Endangered Species Bulletin outlines the implications of these extreme flooding, wildfire and drought events and the management actions currently underway to help move impacted species closer towards recovery.

Here is a sampling of more stories in this edition:

Jeremy Voeltz discusses the challenges and opportunities the Wallow fire — a high-intensity wildfire that scorched over half a million acres in the pristine White Mountains of eastern Arizona—has posed on the Apache trout and other rare aquatic species. Christie Deloria, pens a piece on the historical importance of fire in managing healthy jack pine forests in Michigan, which the endangered Kirtland’s warbler depends. Marian Smith, Ph.D., offers her insight to the best management strategies for mitigating the impacts of chaotic flooding events to the decurrent false aster, so that this rare plant may flourish along the Illinois River once again.

The Endangered Species Bulletin is available online at http://www.fws.gov/endangered/news/bulletin.html. To be notified when a new on-line edition has been posted, sign up for our list-serv by clicking on “E-Mail List” on the Bulletin Web page. The Bulletin welcomes manuscripts on a wide range of topics related to endangered species. Please send an inquiry before drafting the article.

The Service is very interested in your comments and suggestions about the Endangered Species Bulletin. Please send them to esb@fws.gov or mail them to Endangered Species Bulletin, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Suite 420, 4401 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203-1610. You can also call us at 703-358-2171.

The ESA provides a safety net for fish, wildlife and plants and to date has prevented the extinction of hundreds of imperiled species, as well as promoting the recovery of many others. The Service is actively engaged with conservation partners and the public in the search for improved and innovative ways to conserve and recover imperiled species. To learn more about the Endangered Species Program, visit: http://www.fws.gov/endangered/ where you can download podcasts and find links to follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov. Connect with our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/usfws, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/usfwshq, watch our YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/usfws and download photos from our Flickr page at http://www.flickr.com/photos/usfwshq.

Long Island Refuge Complex Staff Credit: Jamie Weliver/USFWS

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Shirley, N.Y. –-(Ammoland.com)- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today dedicated the new Long Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex Visitor Center and Headquarters at Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge in Shirley.

The 13,000-square-foot center is located within an hour’s drive of New York City, and it will serve as a hub for visitors to the ten national wildlife refuges on Long Island. Service staff will move into the building by early December, and a grand opening event is planned for May 2012.

Design and construction of the “green” building was funded with nearly $9.8 million under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. It will serve the greater NYC metropolitan area and visitors to the area. The center features interactive exhibits, an environmental classroom with a wet lab, and a nature store run by the non-profit Friends of Wertheim.

Three miles of new trails originating at the building and two new viewing platforms along the Carmans River will be created before next spring, expanding the refuge’s trail system.

The 18-month project supported 120 jobs, most of which were construction subcontractors from Long Island.

“As part of its vision for the 21st century, the National Wildlife Refuge System is undertaking a new urban refuge initiative to better serve people who live in metropolitan areas, ” said Service Deputy Director Rowan Gould. “Facilities like this new center will be central to this effort.”

Gould also referenced the economic benefits that result from recreational uses on national wildlife refuges, citing that refuges generate more than $1.7 billion for local economies and create nearly 27,000 U.S. jobs annually.

“This outstanding new complex is the perfect gateway for residents and tourists seeking to enjoy Long Island’s world-class natural treasures,” said U.S. Congressman Tim Bishop (N.Y.). “With federal funding through the Recovery Act, this project employed local workers to build a facility that will enhance the experience of new and returning visitors to our community for many years to come.”

The center was built to meet the Gold-level certification criteria of the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED.

It has a number of “green” features, including:

• - Water efficient features that will save about 26,000 gallons of water a year;
• - A geothermal system that reduces the use of fossil fuels for heating in the winter and cooling in the summer. This energy savings would be enough to heat three medium-sized houses and cool one house for a year; – Flooring made from recycled rubber from old tires and carpeting made of recycled materials;
• - Wood trim from plantation-grown trees, helping to preserve wild forests;
• - A solar photovoltaic system on the roof that will reduce the building’s power consumption.

A portion of the building will provide office space for Service staff and the Friends of Wertheim.

C&S Companies of Syracuse, N.Y., completed the architectural and engineering design for the building and grounds. T.G. Nickel & Associates, a Long Island company based in Ronkonkoma, N.Y., on Long Island was the general contractor. The building’s exhibits were designed and produced by Lyons and Zaremba, Inc. of Boston, Mass., and installed by Split Rock Studios, of Arden Hills, Minn.

The national wildlife refuges on Long Island provide nearly 6,500 acres of habitat for migratory birds, threatened and endangered species and other wildlife. From rare grasslands to maritime tidal areas, the habitats are rich and diverse. In addition to Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge, other units include Amagansett, Conscience Point, Gardiners Point Island, Lido Beach, Elizabeth A. Morton, Oyster Bay, Sayville, Seatuck, and Target Rock national wildlife refuges.

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals, and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.

Connect with our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/usfwsnortheast, follow our tweets at www.twitter.com/usfwsnortheast, watch our YouTube Channel at www.youtube.com/usfws and download photos from our Flickr page at www.flickr.com/usfwsnortheast.

About:
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.

Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- One U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service employee and four Service-led projects were honored Thursday with the Department of the Interior’s 2011 Environmental Achievement Awards.

The awards honor extraordinary commitment to sustainable practices and environmental remediation at Department of the Interior sites.

“Environmental Achievement Award recipients and honorable mentions represent the Department’s most valuable resource: our creative, dedicated and resourceful employees. I am honored to present these awards to outstanding DOI professionals from various disciplines and locations that took the initiative and put in the extra work to make our lands and facilities cleaner and greener,” Assistant Secretary for Policy, Management and Budget Rhea Suh said. “My heartiest congratulations to this year’s award recipients and honorable mentions—DOI appreciates their service and is proud of their leadership.”

“The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service stands second to none in its commitment to restoring environments and sustainable design,” said Service Director Dan Ashe. “Through projects like these, we are ensuring that future generations can enjoy all nature has to offer.”

Cyrus Brame of the Eastern Virginia Rivers National Wildlife Refuge Complex created the James River Excess to Asset program, leading volunteers who have collected thousands of pounds of metal, tires and other debris from refuge lands. The collected materials are sold to local scrap yards and the money returned to the refuge for promotion of the recycling program. He has also removed antiquated equipment. The results: Several acres of property have been returned to natural habitat; facilities are clean and more modern; and more than $1,300 has been gained through recycling and more than $30,000 in GSA sales of outdated equipment.

The Long Beach West Restoration Project was honored for fully restoring for wildlife and for passive human recreation a Connecticut barrier beach that had been developed and was later abandoned. The project removed hazardous materials, houses and debris from the site, which is a critical nesting habitat for federally threatened piping plovers and state-threatened least terns, an important migratory bird stopover area and home to five state-listed plant species as well as critical shellfish beds.

Sheldon-Hart Mountain National Wildlife Refuge Complex in Nevada took home an award for the renovation and use of an energy-efficient existing facility as a new headquarters. The project provided an innovative use of an existing structure rather than new construction.

Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge in Washington state built its Inland Northwest Complex Headquarters, and was honored for its super-insulated high performance facility that is a model of sustainable design. The building was constructed using stone from a regional quarry, and includes a cool roof; daylighting; low-e glazed windows; efficient LED lighting; occupancy sensors; and a 14-ton geothermal heat pump, resulting in energy performance 32 percent better than an average building.

The Southeast Louisiana National Wildlife Refuge Complex with other Interior partners was recognized for a 180-page report titled Sand Resources, Regional Geology, and Coastal Processes of the Chandeleur Islands Coastal System: an Evaluation of the Breton National Wildlife Refuge. The study began after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, but it, and the partnerships formed during the study, proved invaluable during the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill disaster of 2010. The report was used as a basis to stop poor construction proposals that would hurt the refuge.

In addition, receiving honorable mention were: Frank Drauszewski of Parker River National Wildlife Refuge in Massachusetts, was honored for his work championing photovoltaics, the conversion of light into electricity, and working to get Parker River National Wildlife Refuge a photovoltaic installation. Assabet River Visitor Center in Massachusetts was recognized for its visitor center, a model of sustainable design and operation. As an example, the building envelope is insulated with recycled newspapers. The Branch of Facilities and Property Policy FWS Fleet Fuel Consumption was honored for its commitment to fleet management.

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals, and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov. Connect with our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/usfws, follow our tweets at www.twitter.com/usfwshq, watch our YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/usfws and download photos from our Flickr page at http://www.flickr.com/photos/usfwshq.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has received a prestigious award from Virginia’s Department of Rehabilitative Service for its leadership in increasing employment and accessibility for people with disabilities, highlighting successful efforts by the Service to make the agency a model workplace.

The Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services presented its 2011 Champion in Leadership Award to the Service for acting on its own principles in maintaining a disability-friendly workplace, and for providing thousands of accommodations annually to disabled employees throughout the United States.

“Receiving this award is an affirmation of the Service’s solid commitment to foster diversity and inclusion in the workplace,” said Director Dan Ashe. “We are honored to receive this distinction and will continue to work with our state partners to increase employment of people with disabilities, including veterans.”

Hiring and retention efforts in the Service have led to a 75 percent direct placement rate of individuals with disabilities across the agency. The Service has also increased the number of individuals with disabilities brought in for unpaid work experiences, which have led to hiring of candidates into open positions here and elsewhere.

The Service’s hiring practices for individuals with disabilities were also recognized by the Mid-Atlantic Regional Collaborative’s (MARC) Disability Workforce Consortium. MARC is comprised of individuals from the following agencies: the Washington, D.C., Department on Disability Services in partnership with the D.C. Department of Employment Services and the D.C. Metro Business Leadership Network; the Maryland Department of Disabilities in partnership with the Maryland Department of Education, Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS) and the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing & Regulation Division of Workforce Development & Adult Learning; and the Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services in partnership with the Virginia Employment Commission and the Virginia Community College System/ Workforce Development Services.

Through its disability hiring efforts, the Service has been able to provide wounded veterans with transition opportunities and appropriate work accommodations. The Service’s efforts for disabled veterans garnered the “Best in Practice” recognition from the Department of the Interior (DOI) along with the Department’s “Diversity Partnership Award.”

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals, and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov. Connect with our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/usfws, follow our tweets at www.twitter.com/usfwshq, watch our YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/usfws and download photos from our Flickr page at http://www.flickr.com/photos/usfwshq

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Dan Ashe today announced the selection of James (Jim) Kurth as the agency’s Chief for the National Wildlife Refuge System. Kurth, a 32-year veteran of the Refuge System, has served as the Service’s Deputy Chief for the Refuge System since 1999.

As Chief, Kurth will lead the Agency in the management of the world’s premier system of public lands and waters set aside to conserve America’s fish, wildlife and plants.

The 108-year-old Refuge System comprises more than 150 million acres and 555 units in all 50 states and U.S. territories.

“Jim is the ideal person for this position,” said Service Director Dan Ashe. “His depth of experience with the National Wildlife Refuge System and demonstrated strong leadership are just what the Fish and Wildlife Service needs as we begin implementation of the Conserving the Future document – our renewed vision for the growth and management of the Refuge System during the next decade and beyond.”

Kurth previously managed the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in northern Alaska – the largest refuge in the United States, spanning 20 million acres. He began his Refuge System career in 1979 and has held posts at Mississippi SandhiIl Crane National Wildlife Refuge in Mississippi, Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge in Florida, Bogue Chino National Wildlife Refuge in Louisiana, Seney National Wildlife Refuge in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, and Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge in Rhode Island.

Kurth earned a degree in wildlife management from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

The National Wildlife Refuge System began in 1903 with President Teddy Roosevelt’s establishment of 3-acre Pelican Island in Florida as a protected area for waterbirds. Hundreds of national wildlife refuges located along the four major “flyways” serve as vital stepping stones for migratory waterfowl and other birds, while others are safe havens for endangered species. All of them are part of America’s rich natural heritage where plants, fish, mammals, amphibians, and other wildlife live and thrive.

For more information on the National Wildlife Refuge System, call 1-800-344-WILD; visit the Fish and Wildlife Service’s homepage at www.fws.gov and click on National Wildlife Refuge System; or visit a national wildlife refuge.

About:
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is seeking proposals from states and U.S. territories interested in obtaining federal financial assistance to acquire land or conduct planning efforts for endangered species conservation.

For fiscal year (FY) 2012, the President’s budget request for the Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund includes $100 million in grant funding for conservation activities benefitting federally protected species.

The Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund (CESCF) is authorized under Section 6 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and provides grants to states and territories to support participation in a wide array of voluntary conservation projects for species on the federal list of threatened and endangered species, as well as for species that are either candidates or have been proposed for listing. These projects range from species status surveys, captive propagation, and public education to habitat acquisition, restoration, and the development of conservation plans.

“These grants provide critical funding for state and territory conservation efforts for threatened and endangered species,” said Director Dan Ashe. “By supporting states and territories, the federal funds continue the Endangered Species Act’s long legacy of protecting healthy, thriving ecosystems for generations to come.”

The Service is seeking proposals under the following three CESCF categories:

• Recovery Land Acquisition Grants: These grants provide funds for the acquisition of threatened and endangered species habitat in support of approved and draft species recovery plans. Acquiring habitat in order to secure long-term protection is often the critical element in a comprehensive recovery effort for a listed species. Last year, $449,540 was awarded to the State of Colorado for the 15,000-acre Turtle Ranch Conservation Easement Project. Securing this easement will initiate black-footed ferret reintroduction on the parcel and will serve as a model of incentive-based conservation, highlighting how both endangered species management and an active and profitable agricultural operation can coexist.
• Habitat Conservation Planning Assistance Grants: These grants provide funds to support the development of Habitat Conservation Plans (HCPs). The purpose of an HCP is to ensure adequate protection of suitable habitat for threatened and endangered species, while at the same time providing for economic growth and development. The State of Hawaii was awarded $259,281 last year to fund the coordination and planning of the Kaua’i Seabird HCP to benefit the federally listed Hawaiian hoary bat, Hawaiian petrel, and Newell’s shearwater, as well as approximately 18 listed plant species.
• HCP Land Acquisition Grants: These grants provide funds to states and territories to acquire habitat land for threatened and endangered species associated with approved HCPs. Over $1.1 million was awarded last year to the State of Texas for acquisition of the 67-acre Cobb Cavern tract in Williamson County. The parcel will be added to a preserve to benefit the listed Coffin Cave mold beetle and Bone Cave harvestman.

By law, the state or territory must have a current cooperative agreement with the Secretary of the Interior and contribute at least 25 percent of the total project costs, or ten percent when two or more states or territories undertake a joint project. Proposals must be submitted to the appropriate Service regional offices by January 27, 2012.

For more information about these grants and the application requirements contact: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Consultation, HCPs, Recovery, and State Grants, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Room 420, Arlington, VA 22203, 703-358-2171. The Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund is identified in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance as number 15.615.

The ESA provides a critical safety net for America’s native fish, wildlife, and plants. The Service is working to actively engage conservation partners and the public in the search for improved and innovative ways to conserve and recover imperiled species. To learn more about the grants, visit the Endangered Species Program online at: http://www.fws.gov/endangered/grants/index.html

About:
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.

Archery Trade Association

Indianapolis, IN --(Ammoland.com)- The connection between U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s national refuges and the ATA is growing stronger by the day.

To further enhance this 7-year-old partnership, the two organizations partnered with the Easton Sports Development Foundation and USA Archery (governing body of the Olympic Archery Committee) to hold an Archery Academy, Aug. 9-11,at the Service’s National Conservation Training Center in Shepherdstown, W.Va.

“The ATA recognized years ago that the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is uniquely positioned to get kids off the couch and outside shooting arrows,” Mitch King, ATA government relations director said.

“Because it’s a federal agency, the Service reaches youths and families nationwide. No other agency or organization has such a well-established network of land, staff and programs to reach our nation’s young people and teach them skills for appreciating wildlife and natural resources.”

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

U.S. Fish and Wildlife employees from Wisconsin, Oregon, Arizona and Oklahoma attended the Archery Academy hosted for the Service’s staff and they’re already seeing benefits on refuges and hatcheries in their states.

To get a complete rundown of how this Academy has boosted archery in the Service’s public-outreach programs , check out this month’s ArrowTrade magazine where Pat Durkin delves into the issue and talks to people nationwide about the program and its benefits.

Archery Academy is made possible through an Easton Foundations grant to the ATA. The ATA regularly partners with agencies, schools, retailers, park-and-rec departments, and state and local organizations to expand archery opportunities for people of all ages and ability.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Dan Ashe today named Wendi Weber as the new Regional Director for the Service’s Northeast Region. Weber, a 13-year career Service employee, has served as Deputy Regional Director for the region since 2007.

In her new capacity as Regional Director, Weber will oversee Service activities in the 13-state Northeast Region, which ranges from Maine to Virginia. From the regional office in Hadley, Mass, she will lead more than 900 Service employees working in more than 130 field offices across a region ranging from Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge in northern Maine to the Southwestern Virginia Field Office in Abingdon.

“Wendi Weber is a dynamic and passionate leader who has continually proven her ability to work with others to achieve great things for conservation. She’s a tremendous asset to the Service, and I look forward to having her on our leadership team,” said Ashe.

As Deputy Regional Director, Weber oversaw the day-to-day operations of the region, coordinating and directing activities to ensure compliance with legal, regulatory, and Departmental policies. She also advised and consulted with members of Congress, the Office of Management and Budget, the Office of the Secretary, and other Federal and State agencies and Departmental Bureaus on matters pertaining to Service programs.

Weber is a national leader in the Service’s effort to create a more diverse workforce. She also leads a national team of more than 100 government, non-profit, and academic partners responding to white-nose syndrome, a disease that has killed more than a million bats since it was first documented in New York in 2006.

Prior to coming to the Northeast Region, Weber served as Assistant Regional Director for Ecological Services in the Service’s Midwest Region in Minneapolis from 2004 to 2007. In that capacity, she managed that region’s programs for endangered species, the national wetlands inventory, environmental contaminants, natural resource damage assessment, coastal conservation and review of federal projects. She managed multimillion-dollar budgets for programs that were subject to rapidly changing initiatives and shifting priorities.

From 2002 to 2004, Weber served as Chief of Endangered Species in the Service’s Northwest Region, based in Portland, Ore. She also worked for the Service’s endangered species and international affairs programs in Washington, D.C., for three years.

Prior to joining the Service in 1998, Weber worked for the states of Florida and Georgia as a field biologist. She lives in Hadley with her husband Jon and sons, Bailey, 14, and Clayton, 12.

Originally from Rochester, New York, Weber has a bachelor’s degree in zoology from the University of Rhode Island and a master’s degree in fisheries from the University of Georgia.

About:
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.

Five-Year Survey Shows Wetlands Losses are Slowing

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- WASHINGTON — America’s wetlands declined slightly from 2004-2009, underscoring the need for continued conservation and restoration efforts, according to a report issued today by the Department of the Interior’s U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The findings are consistent with the Service’s Status and Trends Wetlands reports from previous decades that reflect a continuous but diminishing decline in wetlands habitat over time.

The report, which represents the most up-to-date, comprehensive assessment of wetland habitats in the United States, documents substantial losses in forested wetlands and coastal wetlands that serve as storm buffers, absorb pollution that would otherwise find its way into the nation’s drinking water, and provide vital habitat for fish, wildlife and plants.

“Wetlands are at a tipping point,” said Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar. “While we have made great strides in conserving and restoring wetlands since the 1950s when we were losing an area equal to half the size of Rhode Island each year, we remain on a downward trend that is alarming. This report, and the threats to places like the Mississippi River Delta, should serve as a call to action to renew our focus on conservation and restoration efforts hand in hand with states, tribes and other partners.”

“This report offers us a road map for stemming and reversing the decline,” said Fish and Wildlife Service Director Dan Ashe. “It documents a number of successes in wetlands conservation, protection and reestablishment, and will be used to help channel our resources to protect wetlands where they are most threatened and reduce further wetland losses.”

The net wetland loss was estimated to be 62,300 acres between 2004 and 2009, bringing the nation’s total wetlands acreage to just over 110 million acres in the continental United States, excluding Alaska and Hawaii.

The rate of gains from reestablishment of wetlands increased by 17 percent from the previous study period (1998 to 2004), but the wetland loss rate increased 140 percent during the same time period. As a consequence, national wetland losses have outpaced gains.

The net loss includes a combination of gains in certain types of wetlands and losses in other types, especially forested wetlands.

“In a five year period, we lost over 630,000 acres of forested wetlands, mostly in the Southeast – an area equal to half a million football fields each year,” Director Ashe said. “We should all be concerned about the substantial loss of this diminishing resource, which helps ensure good water quality for local communities and provides vital habitat for a diversity of important wildlife species.”

The southeast United States, primarily freshwater wetlands of the Atlantic and Gulf coastal plain, and the Lower Mississippi River experienced the greatest losses. Losses were also observed in the Great Lakes states, the prairie pothole region, and in rapidly developing metropolitan areas nationwide. The reasons for wetland losses are complex and reflect a wide variety of factors, including changes in land use and economic conditions, the impacts of the 2005 hurricane season on the Gulf Coast and climate change impacts.

This report does not draw conclusions regarding the quality or condition of the nation’s wetlands. Rather, it provides data regarding trends in wetland extent and type, and it provides information to facilitate ongoing collaborative efforts to assess wetland condition. Further examination of wetland condition on a national level has been initiated by the Environmental Protection Agency in conjunction with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other federal, state and Tribal partners.

Wetlands provide a multitude of ecological, economic and social benefits. They provide habitat for fish, wildlife, and a variety of plants. Wetlands are nurseries for many saltwater and freshwater fishes and shellfish of commercial and recreational importance. Wetlands are also important landscape features because they hold and slowly release flood water and snow melt, recharge groundwater, act as filters to cleanse water of impurities, recycle nutrients, and provide recreational opportunities for millions of people.

The report, Status and Trends of Wetlands in the Conterminous United States 2004-2009, is the most recent of the five reports to Congress reporting on the status and trends of wetlands across much of the United States since the mid-1950s.

For more details on the report, visit www.fws.gov/wetlands/StatusAndTrends2009

Guitars, Guns, and Federal Excesses

FirearmsCoalition.org

Manassas, VA --(Ammoland.com)- On August 24, 2011, federal agents of the Fish and Wildlife Service raided offices and production facilities of the Gibson Guitar company.

They sent workers home and confiscated several pallets of wood along with computer files and numerous guitars (amounting to about $2 million in lost production and property).

This was the second raid on Gibson in as many years over questions about some of the wood the legendary guitar makers use in their products. The timing of the latest raid is convenient for the government as they are currently trying to convince a federal judge to indefinitely delay a lawsuit from Gibson demanding the return of some half-million dollars worth of ebony wood seized by federal agents back in 2009. No charges have ever been filed against the company regarding that raid, but the government has continued to refuse to return the seized wood which they suspected might have been illegally harvested in Madagascar.

The object of the August 24 raid appears to have been wood imported from India. Gibson says that they have been extra careful to document all of the wood they import since the 2009 federal assault and that the particular wood in question was acquired from a supplier certified by the Forrest Stewardship Council, an environmental organization set up to protect endangered trees by identifying legally harvested wood and closing markets to illegally cut products. The particular wood in question was purchased and imported from India with an extensive paper-trail from the Indian government and the US Customs Service. According to Gibson, the Fish and Wildlife Service is claiming that the wood violates an Indian requirement that wood exported from the country must be processed to a certain degree by Indian craftsmen prior to export. Gibson says this requirement was either met or waived by the Indian government as demonstrated by India’s export authorizations. The Indian government did not sanction or participate in the August raid.

Gibson executives say they are being unjustly bullied by the feds.

The persecution of Gibson Guitars has instrument manufacturers and musicians around the country and around the world deeply concerned. The raids highlight threats posed by well-intentioned laws aimed at curtailing over-harvesting and destruction of certain trees as well as some animal products such as certain types of horn and ivory. When these laws and international agreements were enacted they focused mainly on furniture and art items, but now enforcement is broadening with musical instrument makers and people traveling internationally with instruments being required to provide proof that the ebony, cherry, and ivory used in the instruments’ construction came from legal sources. Even though an instrument might be over 100 years old, the lineage of an ivory bridge or a fingerboard of Brazillian Cherry is subject to question and confiscation if proof of the components’ sources can not be provided.

What this got to do with guns?
This threat also directly impacts gun owners as many fine firearms have exotic wood stocks with inlays and accents of ebony, ivory or other rare and potentially restricted materials.

The whole idiotic assault on Gibson Guitars is reminiscent of what firearms dealers, manufacturers, importers, and owners have been dealing with for decades. Firearms importers have had literal boatloads of products seized on the basis of some obscure paperwork complication and even when the issue is resolved, the seized guns might not be returned. Gun shops have been closed down and their entire inventories confiscated on the basis of customers using “Y” and “N” rather than “Yes” and “No” on purchase forms or abbreviating the name of a city rather than writing it out completely. When guns are returned, they are often damaged from improper storage and handling and there have even been cases where agents have lost parts of a dealers seized records and then come back and cited the dealers for not being able to produce the records the agents lost.

The problems stem from well intentioned, but poorly written laws and regulations. They are emotionally appealing when described in sound bites during congressional consideration, and they’re always supposed to accomplish some laudable goal, but soon federal enforcers realize that it’s easier – and more lucrative – to ignore the real objective of the laws (serious criminals) and go after technical violations by people who have no criminal intent and pose no threat to society or the environment.

The laws get interpreted and implemented in ways that make it virtually impossible for people to conduct their business or pursue their hobby without running afoul of some technicality or paperwork issue. With such a universal failure rate, government agencies are able to target virtually any business or individual for selective enforcement and even if they can’t put together a winning case, they can cause enough disruption and financial damage to effectively destroy productive lives and businesses.

Whether it’s guitar makers besieged by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, farmers under assault from the Environmental Protection Agency or the Army Corps of Engineers, or gun owners and dealers under attack from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, it all boils down to overreaching federal government. While the feds do have some legitimate jurisdiction in these matters, they are overstepping their rightful authority in all directions and it’s well past time for the citizens to rein them in.

If all of the disparate interests being victimized by these overreaching federal bureaucrats would join forces, we could put a stop to this nonsense once and for all.

About:
The Firearms Coalition is a loose-knit coalition of individual Second Amendment activists, clubs and civil rights organizations. Founded by Neal Knox in 1984, the organization provides support to grassroots activists in the form of education, analysis of current issues, and with a historical perspective of the gun rights movement. The Firearms Coalition is a project of Neal Knox Associates, Manassas, VA. Visit: www.FirearmsCoalition.org

Arizona Sonoran Desert Bald Eagles Removed from the List of Endangered Wildlife

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is issuing a final rule removing the bald eagle in the Sonoran Desert area of central Arizona from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife.

Today’s action aligns the list with the 2007 delisting decision for bald eagles in the lower 48 states.

On July 9, 2007, the Service removed all bald eagles in the lower 48 states from the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife due to recovery. On March 6, 2008, as a result of litigation, the court prevented the Service from delisting bald eagles nesting in the Sonoran Desert area of central Arizona pending the outcome of a status review and 12-month finding. On February 25, 2010, the Service published its 12-month finding determining that the bald eagles nesting in the Sonoran Desert area of central Arizona did not qualify as a distinct population segment and were, therefore, not a listable entity under the Endangered Species Act. On September 30, 2010, as a result of the Service’s completed status review and publication of the 12-month finding, the United States District Court for the District of Arizona lifted the injunction.

Bald eagles nesting in the Sonoran Desert area of central Arizona continue to be protected under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, as they do across the nation.

The court order reinstating the provisions of the 2007 delisting rule for the bald eagles nesting in the Sonoran Desert area of central Arizona had legal effect immediately upon its filing on September 30, 2010. This final rule to revise the list is effective upon publication in the Federal Register on September 2, 2011, and is available at http://www.fws.gov/southwest/es/arizona/BaldEagle.htm.

The known Arizona nesting population has doubled over the last 20 years. Continued bald eagle management and monitoring in Arizona occurs as described in the Arizona Game and Fish Department-led Conservation Assessment and Strategy and associated MOU signed in 2007 by numerous land managers and cooperators. http://www.swbemc.org/pdf/NGTR173%20BaldEagleConservationAgreement.pdf

The Endangered Species Act provides a critical safety net for fish, wildlife and plants and to date has prevented the extinction of hundreds of imperiled species, as well as promoting the recovery of many others. The Service working to actively engage conservation partners and the public in the search for improved and innovative ways to conserve and recover imperiled species. To learn more about the Endangered Species Program, visit http://www.fws.gov/endangered/.

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov. Connect with our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/usfws, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/usfwshq, watch our YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/usfws and download photos from our Flickr page at http://www.flickr.com/photos/usfwshq.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- The preliminary 2011 North American waterfowl survey, released by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in late July, totaled 45.5 million, up 12 percent from last year’s 40.8 million.

These counts are based on aerial surveys of breeding waterfowl conducted annually since 1955, and each year the information helps determine the hunting regulations on season length, dates and bag limits.

Several hundred of the country’s 553 national wildlife refuges welcome waterfowl hunting as a traditional recreational use and wildlife management tool under the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997.

Many hunters name refuges such as Edwin B. Forsythe in New Jersey, Anahuac in Texas and Lower Klamath in California among their favorite waterfowl hunting destinations.

At scenic Lower Klamath Refuge, established as the nation’s first waterfowl refuge in 1908, hunt program coordinator Stacy Freitas says it’s easy to see the refuge’s appeal to hunters. “We are one of the first stops in the Pacific Flyway when birds return in the fall from nesting areas in Canada,” says the biological science technician. Ducks and geese flock to the refuge’s marshes and grain fields located in the shadow of 14,000-foot Mt. Shasta. Some hunters take aim from refuge pit blinds and free-roam areas; Freitas and her husband prefer to shoot from a layout boat.

“For most hunters, it’s not just about shooting birds,” she says. “It’s about watching the sunrise, listening to nature, the whole experience. You kind of feel one with nature, but hopefully you get dinner out of the process.”

At Anahuac Refuge in Texas, huntable species include blue- and green-winged teal, mottled ducks, gadwalls, pintails and shovelers, as well as snow geese, greater white-fronted geese, Ross’s geese and Canada geese. American coots are also fair game. Hunting areas can be reached by foot or by boat. An accessible hunt blind is available for hunters with a disability. . All waterfowl hunters, 16 years of age and older, must buy a $15 federal duck stamp each year; the proceeds support wetland conservation. Hunters also need a current state license and, in some cases, a refuge hunting permit. Hunters must use non-toxic, lead-free shot.

Your Guide to Hunting on National Wildlife Refuges can help you find a hunt location and the conditions you want. Many refuges, such as Parker River Refuge in Massachusetts, hold special youth hunts each year to teach conservation, shooting skills and safety to beginning hunters. Some refuges, such as Bombay Hook Refuge in Delaware, designate special hunt days for hunters with disabilities. Others, such as Sherburne Refuge in Minnesota, have special blinds for people with disabilities. The hunting guide also includes wetland management districts open to waterfowl hunting in the Dakotas, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin and Montana.

Other wildlife refuges popular with waterfowl hunters include:

• Cache River National Wildlife Refuge, AR
• Delta National Wildlife Refuge, LA
• Devils Lake Wetland Management District, ND
• Iowa Wetland Management District and Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge, IA
• Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, MA
• Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge, TN
• Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge, CA
• Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge, MN
• Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife & Fish Refuge, MN, WI, IA, IL
• Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge, AK

More 2011 waterfowl hunting information is available from the Division of Migratory Bird Management and the Office of Law Enforcement.

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals, and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov. Connect with our Facebook page, follow our tweets, watch our YouTube Channel, and download photos from our Flickr page.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announced today a final rule to protect six foreign bird species found on islands in French Polynesia and in Europe, Southeast Asia, and Africa as endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

The rule implements federal protections provided by the ESA for the Cantabrian capercaillie, Marquesan imperial pigeon, Eiao Marquesas reed-warbler, greater adjutant, Jerdon’s courser, and slender-billed curlew. Populations of each of these species are small, fragmented, and declining, making them particularly vulnerable to genetic threats associated with small populations and extinction.

This determination follows a thorough review of the best available scientific information, comments from the general public, peer reviews, and any new information received during the public comment period following publication of the proposed rule to list these species.

Significant threats to these six foreign bird species include habitat loss, overutilization and inadequate existing regulatory mechanisms. Information on climate change was available for only one species, the slender-billed curlew; based on this information the Service found climate change to be a potential threat to this species.

Granting foreign species protection under the ESA means that the import or export of any of the species, or their parts or products, as well as their sale in interstate or foreign commerce, is prohibited. Permits for these prohibited actions may be issued for specific purposes consistent with the ESA.

The final rule will publish in the Federal Register on August 11, 2011, and become effective on September 12, 2011.

The ESA provides a critical safety net for fish, wildlife and plants and to date has prevented the extinction of hundreds of imperiled species, as well as promoting the recovery of many others. The Service is actively engaged with conservation partners and the public in the search for improved and innovative ways to conserve and recover imperiled species. To learn more about the Endangered Species program’s Branch of Foreign Species, visit: http://www.fws.gov/endangered/what-we-do/international-activities.html.

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov. Connect with our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/usfws, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/usfwshq, watch our YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/usfws and download photos from our Flickr page at http://www.flickr.com/photos/usfwshq.

Safari Club International Foundation

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- Safari Club International Foundation (SCIF) testified today in front of the U.S. House of Representatives Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans and Insular Affairs Subcommittee of the House Natural Resources Committee in support of H.R. 50, the Multinational Species Conservation Funds Reauthorization Act of 2011 which would extend funding for important conservation projects until the year 2016.

“It was an honor to testify before the committee today, and I hope that our message was clear: that these projects are a needed investment for sustainable wildlife conservation,” said Joseph Hosmer, President of SCIF.

“Support for international conservation projects is necessary for the continued growth of wildlife populations and stability of rural economies throughout many nations of Africa and Asia.”

As a result of the funding from the U.S. Congress, many grants, matching contributions, and in-kind funds have been donated to these programs from other organizations, host countries, and conservation groups.

For example, as a result of the 2009 Congressional appropriation of $2 million for the African Elephant Conservation Fund, over $11.2 million in matching funds were received from outside sources and went to fund 33 African elephant projects.

About SCIF
Safari Club International Foundation is an international non-profit 501(c)(3). SCIF’s mission is to support and promote hunting as a major benefit for wildlife conservation and the sustainable use of wildlife and to fund and manage worldwide programs dedicated to wildlife conservation, outdoor education and humanitarian services. Learn more at: www.safariclubfoundation.org.

Becoming an SCI Member
Joining Safari Club International is the best way to be an advocate for continuing our hunting heritage and supporting worldwide sustainable use conservation, wildlife education and humanitarian services. JOIN NOW: www.safariclub.org/Join.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- Staycations are back, thanks to high pump prices and tight family budgets.

Luckily, relief from boredom is closer than you may have imagined, in often-dramatic natural settings: national wildlife refuges.

There’s a national wildlife refuge within an hour’s drive of most major American cities.

For families, national wildlife refuges are full of free or low-cost outdoor summer adventures from paddle trips and fishing rodeos to butterfly counts and scavenger hunts in the night sky. Spark wonder in kids, thrill to a seasonal wildlife spectacle or just enjoy a quiet walk or hike and an escape from the daily bustle.

The National Wildlife Refuge System, managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, is the premier system of public lands and waters set aside to conserve America’s fish, wildlife and plants. Recreational opportunities and activities for kids abound on national wildlife refuges. Some refuges also protect historic and cultural treasures, such as pueblo sites in New Mexico, ancient Native American burial mounds in Mississippi, segments of the Lewis and Clark Trail in Washington state, and lighthouses along the East Coast. (The Assateague Lighthouse on Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge in Virginia is a popular tourist stop.)

Refuges are outdoor laboratories, teeming with chances to learn about habitat conservation.

What other out-of-the-ordinary things can you do on a national wildlife refuge? Here are three examples: Reserve a “wild ride” to view bison, prairie dogs and other wildlife at Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge near Denver. The free two-hour tours head out Wednesdays and Saturdays year-round at 9:30 a.m. Reserve a boat tour to Lighthouse Island on Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge in South Carolina to see two historic lighthouses — plus wading birds and osprey. The $45 tour at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, August 21, is one of only four a year. To reserve, call 843-884-7684. Or rent a boat in nearby McClellanville and explore the island on your own. Explore Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge by bike. View birds along the 9-mile route, and learn about the restoration of the refuge’s salt pond landscape. The event is slated for Saturday, July 16 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. For reservations, call 510-792-0222 ext. 139. Rain will cancel the event.

To find a refuge near you, use the “Find Your Refuge” feature on the Refuge System homepage. See a list of highlighted summer events on refuges across the country. Or check the special events page accessible from the Refuge System homepage. Listings are chronological and updated regularly.

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals, and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov. Connect with our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/usfws, follow our tweets at www.twitter.com/usfwshq, watch our YouTube Channel at www.youtube.com/usfws and download photos from our Flickr page at http://www.flickr.com/photos/usfwshq.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced a proposal to open Crane Meadows National Wildlife Refuge in Minnesota to deer and turkey hunting for the first time, while expanding hunting activities at nine other refuges in eight states.

If approved, the proposal would provide additional public hunting opportunities in fulfillment of the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997.

“For decades, the National Wildlife Refuge System has offered some of the nation’s best public hunting and fishing, helping to connect generations of Americans to their sporting heritage. The Fish and Wildlife Service is committed to expanding these opportunities wherever they are compatible with refuge purposes,” said Service Director Dan Ashe.

In addition to the new deer and turkey program at Crane Meadows, other proposed changes include:

• Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge, CO, would increase big game hunting by offering elk hunting for the first time. The refuge also allows migratory bird hunting, upland game hunting and fishing.
• Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge, LA, would open for the first time to migratory bird hunting of waterfowl and coot. The refuge also allows fishing.
• Coldwater River National Wildlife Refuge, MS, would open for the first time to migratory bird hunting of duck and geese; upland game hunting of squirrel, rabbit and raccoon; and big game hunting of deer and hogs. The refuge also permits fishing.
• Currituck National Wildlife Refuge, NC, would open for the first time to big game hunting of deer and hogs.
• Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge, MN, would increase acreage for migratory bird hunting, upland game hunting and big game hunting.
• Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge, MN/IA, would increase acreage for migratory bird hunting, upland game hunting and big game hunting. The refuge would expand the species for migratory bird and upland game hunting.
• Ouray National Wildlife Refuge, UT, would allow for the first time upland game hunting of turkey and big game hunting of elk. The refuge also allows migratory bird hunting and fishing.
• Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge, MN, would open new areas to migratory bird hunting. It would allow big game hunting of turkey and deer for the first time. The refuge is also open for fishing. Trinity River National Wildlife Refuge, TX, would open three new units to upland game hunting of squirrels and rabbits and big game hunting of feral hogs and white-tailed deer. The refuge is also open for migratory bird hunting and fishing.

While definitions of hunting categories vary by refuge and state, migratory bird hunting generally includes ducks and geese. Upland game hunting may cover such animals as game birds, rabbit, squirrel, opossum and coyote. Big game hunting may include such animals as wild turkey, deer and feral hogs.

Hunting is an important tool for wildlife management, giving resource managers a valuable tool to control populations of some species that might otherwise exceed the carrying capacity of their habitat and threaten the well-being of other wildlife species, and in some instances, that of human health and safety.

Under the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, the Service can permit hunting and fishing as well as four other types of wildlife-dependent recreation where they are compatible with refuge purpose and mission. Hunting, within specified limits, is permitted on more than 300 national wildlife refuges. Fishing is permitted on more than 270 national wildlife refuges. Other wildlife-dependent recreation on national wildlife refuges includes wildlife photography, environmental education, wildlife observation and interpretation.

Notice of the proposal was published in the Federal Register on July 5, 2011; the public has until August 4, 2011, to provide comments. To comment on the proposed hunting rule changes, please visit http://frwebgate1.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/PDFgate.cgi?WAISdocID=o3Y9mC/1/2/0&WAISaction=retrieve .

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals, and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov. Connect with our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/usfws, follow our tweets at www.twitter.com/usfwshq, watch our YouTube Channel at www.youtube.com/usfws and download photos from our Flickr page at www.flickr.com/photos/usfwshq

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today praised the U.S. Senate’s confirmation of Daniel M. Ashe as the 16th Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Ashe, a career employee of the agency, will assume his duties immediately.

“Dan Ashe has served with distinction and integrity in the Fish and Wildlife Service for more than 15 years. He has worked tirelessly to prepare the Service to meet the resource challenges of the 21st century, and his leadership and vision have never been more necessary,” said Salazar. “I’m excited to work with him to foster innovative science-driven conservation programs and policies to benefit our nation’s fish and wildlife and its habitat.”

On December 3, President Obama formally nominated Ashe, who has served as the service’s deputy director for policy since 2009, to be the agency’s director. As deputy director, Ashe developed policy and guidance to support and promote program development and fulfill the service’s mission. “I’m humbled by the trust that the Secretary and the President have placed in me, and most of all, by the responsibility of leading the finest wildlife conservation organization in the world,” Ashe said. “As director, I will strive to create an atmosphere where we can bring to bear our collective imagination, our tenacity, and our commitment to public service to address today’s challenges to the future of our nation’s fish and wildlife heritage.”

During his tenure with the service, Ashe has helped to craft the strategy that will guide the agency’s efforts to deal with the effects of a changing climate. That plan outlined interagency cooperative efforts across landscapes as the most effective way to help fish and wildlife populations adapt to rapidly changing environmental conditions. Ashe also been a leader in the development of the agency’s Landscape Conservation Cooperatives, which are intended to leverage resources and strategically target science to inform conservation decisions and actions.

President Obama awarded Ashe a Presidential Rank Distinguished Service Award in recognition of his outstanding service.

Prior to being named deputy director, Ashe served as the science advisor to the service’s director from 2003-2009, providing leadership on science policy and scientific applications to resource management.

Ashe served as the chief of the National Wildlife Refuge System from 1998 to 2003, directing operation and management of the 93 million-acre system, and the service’s land acquisition program.

From 1995 to 1998, he served as the Fish and Wildlife Service’s assistant director for external affairs, where he directed the agency’s programs in legislative, public, and Native American affairs, research coordination, and state grants-in-aid.

Prior to joining the Service, Ashe served as a member of the professional staff of the former Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1982 until 1995.

Ashe was born and spent his childhood in Atlanta, Georgia, where his father began his 37-year career with the service. Much of Ashe’s childhood was spent on national wildlife refuges and fish hatcheries in the Southeast, where he learned to band birds, fish, hunt and enjoy the outdoors.

He earned a graduate degree in Marine Affairs from the University of Washington, where he studied under a fellowship from the Jessie Smith Noyes Foundation. He is very active in local civic affairs in Montgomery County, Maryland, where he and his family reside. He is an avid waterfowl hunter, angler and tennis player.

About:
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.

A website, http://americaswildlife.org, has been created to gather comments and ideas.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today announced a draft vision plan to guide the growth and management of the National Wildlife Refuge System.

The draft document, developed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Wildlife Refuge Association, articulates a 10-year vision for the Refuge System.

The vision document, entitled Conserving the Future: Wildlife Refuges and the Next Generation, offers nearly 100 draft recommendations to protect and improve the world’s premier system of public lands and water set aside to conserve America’s fish, wildlife and plants for the continuing benefit of the American people. Starting today, the draft document will be available for public comment until Earth Day, April 22, 2011.

The Conserving the Future process comes on the heels of President Obama’s America’s Great Outdoors initiative to develop a conservation and outdoor recreation agenda for the 21st century. The process to develop a new vision for the Refuge System goes hand-in-hand with many of the priorities identified through the America’s Great Outdoors national dialogue, including greater access to recreation and connecting a new generation of conservationists to the outdoors.

“The National Wildlife Refuge System is one of the crown jewels of our conservation efforts and we must ensure that the System has the tools and vision to meet the challenges of tomorrow,? Salazar said. ?I encourage all Americans to participate in the Conserving the Future process and to voice their bold ideas about the future priorities and management of our national wildlife refuges.”

There are 553 national wildlife refuges with at least one in every state and U.S. territory. Spanning more than 150 million acres of land and water, the Refuge System conserves wildlife habitat for hundreds of animal and plant species and includes more than 20 million acres of designated wilderness. The last time a vision statement was articulated for the System was 1999.

Among the draft vision?s recommendations are:

• To engage youth in an array of work and volunteer programs;
• To review the Appropriate Use Policy, so a wider variety of nature-based experiences may be possible;
• Within the next 10 years, to increase the number of minorities and people with disabilities who work for the Refuge System, in part by reaching high school and college youth from diverse communities and exposing them to Service conservation careers.
• To develop a five-year plan to “green” the Refuge System;
• To encourage a “Friends” group for every staffed refuge; there are now about 230 Friends groups;
• To develop standards for credibility, efficiency and consistent application of science in planning and management;
• Working with state fish and wildlife agencies, to prepare a strategy to double youth participation in hunting and fishing by 2020, paying special attention to individuals of all ages with disabilities.

A website, http://americaswildlife.org, has been created to gather comments and ideas. A refined vision document reflecting the comments and ideas received online is expected to be published in July 2011.

“The use of new technologies and social media for this process invites the American people to contribute their bold ideas to set a new direction for the Refuge System,? said Rowan Gould, Acting Director of the Fish and Wildlife Service. ?The time to engage is now. Join the conversation online through the website.”

For more information on Conserving the Future: Wildlife Refuges and the Next Generation, please visit the website at http://americaswildlife.org. Learn more about the National Wildlife Refuge System at http://www.fws.gov/refuges.

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.

2011-2012 Federal Duck Stamp

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will host the First Day of Sale for the 2011-2012 Federal Duck Stamp and Junior Duck Stamp on June 24 at the Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World retail store at the Katy Mills Mall in Katy, Texas. Doors open at 9:00 a.m., and the ceremony begins at 10:00 a.m. The event is free and open to the public.

The 2011-2012 Federal Duck Stamp features two white-fronted geese painted by artist James Hautman of Chaska, Minn. Last October, five judges chose his art to grace the new Duck Stamp from among 235 paintings at the Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest, held in Berkeley, Calif.

All waterfowl hunters age 16 and older are required to purchase and carry a current Federal Duck Stamp, but conservationists, birders, stamp collectors and others also buy the stamp as an investment in conservation.

Ninety-eight percent of the proceeds from the $15 Duck Stamp go to the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund, which supports wetlands acquisition for the National Wildlife Refuge System. Since 1934, Federal Duck Stamp sales have raised more than $750 million to protect more than 5.3 million acres of wetlands on hundreds of the 551 national wildlife refuges spread across all 50 states and U.S. territories.

The 2011-2012 Junior Duck Stamp was created by Abraham Hunter, 17, of Vienna, Ill. In April, Hunter’s painting of a pair of ring-necked ducks was chosen from among 51 Best-of-Show winners from every state and the U.S. Virgin Islands at the National Junior Duck Stamp Competition. The Service sells the Junior Duck Stamp for $5 to stamp collectors, conservationists and the general public. Proceeds from Junior Duck Stamp sales support environmental education efforts and awards for contest winners.

• WHAT: First Day of Sale for the 2011-2012 Federal and Junior Duck Stamps
• WHEN: Friday, June 24, 2011 Doors open at 9 a.m., ceremony begins at 10 a.m. Autograph session and stamp sales immediately following the ceremony
• WHERE: Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World 5000 Katy Mills Circle Katy, Texas 77494

About:
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Division of International Conservation awarded over $1.9 million in international conservation grants in 2010 through its Wildlife Without Borders (WWB) Regional programs in Africa, Mexico, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Russia/East Asia to help conserve imperiled wildlife.

The funds supported 48 conservation projects in 17 countries. Grant funds leveraged over $3.7 million in matching funds, resulting in over $5.7 million to help strengthen the ability of local institutions in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, Mexico and Russia/East Asia to manage and conserve species and their habitat, as well as improve ecological processes for the benefit of all.

“These grants provide much-needed training and assistance to local organizations and individuals to support the creation and management of sustainable conservation programs and the protection of critical species within their regions” said the Service’s acting Director, Rowan Gould. ” WWB Regional programs empower people and institutions to conserve key species, habitats and ecosystems by building local appreciation and capacity.”

The Wildlife Without Borders Regional funds provide support to mitigate the impact of extractive industries, climate change, human-wildlife conflict, illegal trade in bushmeat and wildlife disease. The funds target local training and capacity-building projects to support wildlife managers, guards, rangers, protected area managers, outreach specialists, community leaders, educators and decision makers.

Examples of projects include: Implementing a MENTOR (Mentoring for ENvironmental Training in Outreach and Resource conservation) fellowship program for young conservation leaders in Kenya, Southern Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda; Training African and Asian veterinarians in all aspects of wildlife and ecosystem health at field sites in Tanzania and the U.S.; Providing educational support for Master?s degree programs in Conservation and Wildlife Management at the Universidad Nacional Autonoma of Costa Rica; Assisting local conservation efforts for bats and monarch butterflies in Mexico; and Enabling participants from China and Russia to attend the Third Annual Symposium on Ecology and Biodiversity in Large Rivers of Northeast Asia and North America.

To learn more about the grants provided through the Wildlife Without Borders Regional Programs, go to: www.fws.gov/international/DIC/regionalprograms/regional.html

Follow us on Twitter @USFWSInternatl and on Facebook, USFWS_International Affairs.

About:
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.

Ducks Unlimited

ROCKWOOD, Ill--(Ammoland.com)- Ducks Unlimited recently donated 318 acres at Rockwood Island to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for inclusion into the recently established Middle Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge (NWR).

The site is located along the Mississippi River and is accessible from the Great River Road National Scenic Byway (Illinois Highway 3) which follows the Mississippi River from its headwaters in Minnesota to its confluence with the Gulf of Mexico in Louisiana.

DU originally purchased the Randolph County property in 2005 using a grant from the North American Wetlands Conservation Council. Since that time, DU has planted more than 145 acres of frequently flooded cropland to bottomland hardwood trees and allowed the rest of the property to naturally revert back to wetlands for the benefit of waterfowl and other wildlife.

“Getting this land protected and restored is a real group effort,” said Eric Schenck, Ducks Unlimited regional biologist. Schenck noted that DU’s donation is part of a strategic partnership effort to conserve wetland and wetland forest habitat along the Mississippi River corridor.

“The Mississippi River is America’s river supporting the lives of fish, wildlife and millions of people. DU is proud to be doing our part to preserve this national treasure.”

DU’s work at Rockwood Island has been in close cooperation with the American Land Conservancy . In recent years, DU and ALC have acquired nearly 2,000 acres at Rockwood Island and on nearby Crain’s Island with the intent to transfer all property to the FWS for the Middle Mississippi River NWR. DU helped ALC cover a portion of the acquisition costs of these land transactions with grant funds from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation.

“We are very grateful for this donation from Ducks Unlimited,” said Robert Cail, refuge manager of the Middle Mississippi River NWR. “If it were not for DU and our other Middle Mississippi River partners, this refuge would not have been possible.

About:
Ducks Unlimited is the world’s largest non-profit organization dedicated to conserving North America’s continually disappearing waterfowl habitats. Established in 1937, Ducks Unlimited has conserved more than 12 million acres thanks to contributions from more than a million supporters across the continent. Guided by science and dedicated to program efficiency, DU works toward the vision of wetlands sufficient to fill the skies with waterfowl today, tomorrow and forever. Visit www.ducks.org

Information about the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway is available at http://www.greatriverroad-illinois.org/.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today that $4.9 million in grants will be going to six state fish and wildlife agencies to help conserve and recover Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) through the State Wildlife Grants (SWG) Competitive Program.

Priority is given to multistate, cooperative conservation projects that demonstrate measurable performance results and benefit SGCN. This federal funding will be matched by $2.9 million in non-Federal funds provided by states and their partners for projects helping SGCN and their habitats.

The SWG Competitive Program, part of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service?s State Wildlife Grants program, awards grants for projects that implement strategies and actions to conserve SGCN contained in approved State Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Plans (also known as State Wildlife Action Plans). Funding for the grants comes from Fiscal Year 2011 appropriations for the SWG Competitive Program. All 56 states and territorial wildlife agencies have approved State Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Plans, which collectively provide a nationwide blueprint for actions to conserve SGCN. The plans were created through a collaborative effort among state and federal agencies, biologists, conservationists, landowners, sportsmen, and the general public. Each plan was then reviewed and approved by a national team that included members from the Fish and Wildlife Service as well as directors from state wildlife agencies.

Funded projects include:

1) Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Title: Multistate Sandhills/Upland Longleaf Ecological Restoration Project (Phase 2): Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, and Mississippi Goals and Objectives: This project will significantly increase the quality and quantity of habitat for priority wildlife species on over 51,775 acres of sandhill/upland longleaf forest in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, and Mississippi by prescribed fire, invasive species removal or hardwood removal and the planting of native longleaf pine and groundcover. This proposal is a substantial effort to improve the habitat and status of about 80 Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) among the 5 primary State partners. Federal Funds awarded: $981,050; Non-Federal match: $552,819

2) Commonwealth of Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife Title: Rangewide New England Cottontail (NEC) Initiative Continuation and Expansion of NEC Conservation Effort Goals and Objectives: The project will integrate conservation design and conservation delivery in 6 States in order to ensure that NEC conservation efforts will be implemented and that they are effective. The project will deliver 1200 acres of NEC habitat restoration in an adaptive management framework creating 50 new habitat patches across the species range. The Primary State partners are Maine, New Hampshire, Connecticut, New York, and Rhode Island. Federal Funds awarded: $1,000,000; Non-Federal match: $452,100

3) Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Title: Driftless Area Restoration and Assessment to Benefit Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) Goals and Objectives: This project will restore at least 1,600 privately-owned acres and 3,150 acres of lands owned or managed by 3 State DNRs to bluff prairie, oak savanna, and/or woodland habitat for up to 79 SGCN. The Driftless Area?s habitat has changed greatly during the past 150 years. Savanna and prairie loss has been substantial across the region, with less than 2 percent savannas and 1percent prairies remaining. Primary State partners include Minnesota and Wisconsin. Federal Funds awarded: $972,000; Non-Federal Match: $783,463

4) New Hampshire Fish and Game Department Title: Conservation of Blanding?s Turtles and Associated Wetland SGCN in the Northeast Goals and Objectives: This project will maintain and enhance functional wetland and upland wildlife habitat in New England, New York, and Pennsylvania by applying conservation principles and practices needed to support a healthy Blanding?s turtle population. The project will seek to prevent further declines by developing and initiating implementation of a regional conservation plan to: identify and protect genetic variation among the Northeast?s turtles to improve habitats critical to their survival; develop monitoring protocols to detect status and trends; and create or enhance at least five nesting areas. Federal Funds awarded: $637,336; Non-Federal Match: $273,912

5) Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources Title: Big Rivers Mussel Restoration Goals and Objectives: This project will support a regional effort to increase populations of mussel SGCNs (in Kentucky, Ohio, and West Virginia), and to develop captive propagation, restoration and monitoring protocols which will be used to inform regional and national mussel conservation efforts. Thirty-five mussel SGCNs including 8 Federally Threatened or Endangered species will benefit from the project. Federal Funds Awarded: $953,899; Non-Federal Match: $638,585

6) Arizona Game and Fish Department Title: Western Coordinated Multi-State Response to a Deadly, Emerging Threat: White Nose Syndrome (WNS) in Bats Goals and Objectives: This proposal addresses eligible issues identified in State Wildlife Action Plans (WAP) of all six major Western project partners and addressed the emerging issue of WNS as a wildlife health threat. All application partners propose improving the status of bat species including SGCN (15) species and/or their habitats. The application will have four WNS Priority Areas: Oversight, Surveillance, Communication, Education and Outreach and Research. WNS has been included in the upcoming revision of the Arizona Game and Fish Department?s WAP. Because the disease is so new and devastating, it is being included in WAP revisions nationwide. Federal Funds Requested: $445,715; Non-Federal Match: $204,087

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)-

Michigan Department of Natural Resources

Michigan --(Ammoland.com)- The Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announce a public information meeting about the Service’s recent proposal to remove Endangered Species Act protection for the gray wolf in the western Great Lakes region, including Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota.

The meeting will take place on June 16, 2011, from 6 pm to 9 pm at Northern Michigan University’s University Center, Michigan Room, 540 West Kaye Avenue, in Marquette, Michigan.

Members of the public will have the opportunity to view a presentation, receive information and ask questions about the Service’s proposal.

The proposal, published May 5, 2011, in the Federal Register, identifies the Western Great Lakes Distinct Population Segment (DPS) of wolves, which includes a core area of Minnesota, Michigan, and Wisconsin, as well as parts of adjacent states that are within the range of wolves dispersing from the core recovery area. The proposal would remove ESA protection and return wolf management to appropriate state and tribal authorities.

The proposal also recognizes the presence of two species of wolves in the western Great Lakes area: the gray wolf (Canis lupus), the wolf species currently listed under the ESA, and the eastern wolf (Canis lycaon), with a historical range that includes portions of eastern Canada and the northeastern United States. Recent wolf genetic studies indicate that what was formerly thought to be a subspecies of gray wolf (Canis lupus lycaon) is actually a distinct species (Canis lycaon). To establish the status of this newly recognized species, the Service is initiating a review of C. lycaon throughout its range in the United States and Canada.

The Service is seeking information from governmental agencies, Native American tribes, scientific community, industry and any other interested parties on threats, population trends, and other data that could affect the long-term survival of the Western Great Lakes DPS of the gray wolf. The Service is also seeking information on the status of the eastern wolf (Canis lycaon) throughout its range in the United States and Canada.

Written comments may be submitted by one of the following methods:

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments to Docket No. [FWS-R3-ES-2011-0029].
• U.S. mail or hand-delivery: Public Comments Processing, Attn: Docket No. [FWS-R3-ES-2011-0029]; Division of Policy and Directives Management; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, MS 2042-PDM; Arlington, VA 22203.

Following the close of the public comment period on July 5, 2011, the Service will analyze information received and develop a final rule. The final rule, which will include information gained from the status review of Canis lycaon, is expected by the end of 2011.

For more information on wolves in the western Great Lakes, visit www.fws.gov/midwest/wolf

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced today that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and NOAA Fisheries Service have launched a joint effort to identify and implement administrative changes to the Endangered Species Act aimed at accelerating recovery of imperiled species, enhancing on-the-ground conservation delivery, and better engaging the resources and expertise of partners to meet the goals of the ESA.

“The Endangered Species Act has made a tremendous contribution to the conservation of imperiled animals and plants, preventing the probable extinction of hundreds of species across the nation and contributing to the recovery of the Bald Eagle, the Peregrine Falcon and many other iconic species,” Secretary Salazar said. “While we celebrate its successes, we recognize there is much that can and should be done to make the Act more effective and efficient. We expect to identify solutions that will help us improve our administration of this landmark conservation law.”

“We need to ensure that our regulations and policies effectively address the conservation challenges of today,” said the Fish and Wildlife Service’s Acting Director, Rowan Gould. “We will ensure that the public and our partners have ample time to review and comment on any regulatory changes we may propose, in order to incorporate the best thinking of endangered species experts from across the country – as well as the people and communities who are affected by the ESA.”

“We will take advantage of more than three decades of experience in implementing the Act,” said Eric Schwaab, Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA Fisheries Service. “Our shared goal is to improve recovery of imperiled species, enhance our ability to achieve meaningful conservation on the ground and better engage the resources and expertise of our partners to meet the goals of the Act.”

This review and update of regulations, policies, and guidance is consistent with President Obama’s Executive Order 13563, Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review and is outlined in the Department of Interior’s Preliminary Plan for Retrospective Regulatory Review.

The effort will focus on the essence of the Endangered Species Act – recovering species – and strive to make administrative and regulatory improvements, while remaining true to the intent of the ESA as enacted by Congress. The Services are not seeking any legislative changes to the ESA, because the agencies believe that implementation can be significantly improved through rulemaking and policy formulation.

The Services will work to harness the expertise of career agency employees, the conservation community, landowners and other affected interests, and the broader public, to address selected issues. In particular, efforts will focus on:

Clarifying, expediting, and improving procedures for the development and approval of conservation agreements with landowners, including habitat conservation plans, safe harbor agreements, and candidate conservation agreements;

Reviewing and revising the process for designating critical habitat to design a more efficient, defensible, and consistent process;

Clarifying the definition of the phrase “destruction or adverse modification” of critical habitat, which is used to determine what actions can and cannot be conducted in critical habitat; and

Clarifying the scope and content of the incidental take statement, particularly with regard to programmatic actions or other actions where direct measurement is difficult. An incidental take statement is a component of a biological opinion that specifies the impact of an incidental taking of an endangered or threatened species and provides reasonable and prudent measures that are necessary to minimize those impacts. Greater flexibility in the quantification of anticipated incidental taking could reduce the burden of developing and implementing biological opinions without any loss of conservation benefits.

The Endangered Species Act was enacted in 1973 to protect plants and animal species threatened with extinction. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, an agency of the Department of the Interior, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries Service, an agency of the Department of Commerce, work together with state and federal agencies, local governments, tribes, private landowners and the public to protect and promote the recovery of the nation’s imperiled species. Under the ESA, the Interior Department is primarily responsible for terrestrial and fresh water species; the Commerce Department has the lead responsibility for most marine and anadromous species, such as salmon.

The Endangered Species Act currently protects more than 1,300 species in the United States and about 570 species abroad. An additional 249 species have been identified as candidates for protection under the Act. Many of the regulations implementing provisions of the ESA were promulgated in the 1980s and do not reflect advances in conservation biology and genetics, as well as recent court decisions interpreting the Act’s provisions.

For more information regarding the Endangered Species Act and efforts to improve its implementation, please visit our web site at: www.fws.gov/endangered/improving_ESA/reg_reform.html

About:
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today announced that Interior’s Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement is the recipient of the first Presidential Migratory Bird Federal Stewardship Award in recognition of OSM’s Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative.

The Secretary’s announcement came in follow-up to yesterday’s national celebration in Washington, D.C., by Environment for the Americas, home to International Migratory Bird Day.

“I commend the Office of Surface Mining for its leadership in establishing and implementing the Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative,” Secretary Salazar said.

“This project is helping restore forest habitat that is vital for countless neo-tropical migratory birds and other wildlife while improving the quality of life for many communities in Appalachia. Moreover, this OSM initiative has fostered partnerships that will further the conservation of migratory birds for generations to come.”

The Council for the Conservation of Migratory Birds, which is led by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and composed of other federal agencies with migratory bird responsibilities, chose the winner of the award. The award was presented to OSM by FWS Deputy Director Dan Ashe at an event yesterday evening at the Dumbarton House in Washington.

“The presentation of the 2011 Presidential Migratory Bird Federal Stewardship Award at the International Migratory Bird Day celebration and recognition event in the nation’s capital reflects the importance of OSM and their partners’ work to educate the public and conserve migratory birds – public awareness and concern are crucial components of migratory bird conservation,” said Susan Bonfield, executive director of Environment for the Americas.

Created by OSM in 2004, the Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative focuses on restoring forests where deforestation by surface coal mining has occurred. These areas include the Appalachian breeding range of neo-tropical migratory song birds, notably the Cerulean Warbler, which depends on intact interior forests.

Under the leadership of OSM and the Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative, the surface mining industry has planted about 70 million trees on about 103,000 acres of mined land that might have otherwise been reclaimed to grasslands with dense ground cover.

“I am honored to accept this first-ever Presidential Migratory Bird Federal Stewardship Award on behalf of OSM, the Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative, and our partners,” said OSM Director Joseph Pizarchik. “ARRI’s work clearly demonstrates how government agencies working cooperatively can create effective environmental protection programs that benefit everyone. More importantly, programs like ARRI also develop the talents of hard-working volunteers, many of whom have chosen careers in the environmental field.”

The Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative has attracted significant international attention. It is serving as an organizational model for other groups across the world seeking to restore disturbed landscapes with reforestation on a regional scale.

In addition to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Council for the Conservation of Migratory Birds includes representation from the Departments of the Interior, State, Commerce, Agriculture, Transportation, Energy, Defense, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. It is open to all federal agencies whose activities may directly or indirectly affect migratory bird populations.

International Migratory Bird Day, the signature program of Environment for the Americas, is held each year in partnership with the Fish and Wildlife Service and many other federal agencies and conservation organizations. This “day” is recognized throughout May in North America and in the fall in Latin America, Mexico, and the Caribbean. IMBD is the only international education program that highlights and celebrates the migration of nearly 350 species of migratory birds between nesting habitats in North America and non-breeding grounds in Latin America, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Each year, IMBD explores a different aspect of migratory birds and their conservation. To learn more about IMBD celebrations across the Americas, visit http://www.birdday.org/ as well as the Fish and Wildlife Service’s IMBD page at http://www.fws.gov/birds.imbd/.

About:
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.

Wolves in Michigan One Step Closer to State Management

Wildlife Management Institute

Gardners, PA --(Ammoland.com)- In an unprecedented and increasingly controversial move, the United States judicial branch has begun a new chapter in the on-going saga of species protection, reports the Wildlife Management Institute.

Late last month, Congress passed a rider attached to the hotly debated 2011 fiscal appropriations bill that effectively reinstated the 2009 wolf delisting rule for the Northern Rocky Mountain Gray Wolf Distinct Population Segment (NR DPS). That marked the first time any species, plant or animal, has been removed from the endangered species list by legislative action.

The bipartisan compromise to include the rider came just hours before a more conservative settlement to delist wolves in Montana and Idaho only was rejected by U.S. District Court Judge Donald Malloy.

On May 5, the Department of the Interior (DOI) officially removed the gray wolf from the endangered species list throughout much the NR DPS. Wolf management now will fall under state authority in Montana, Idaho and portions of Utah, Washington and Oregon. Wyoming, although in the NR DPS, will remain under federal management authority until the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the Wyoming Fish and Game Department can “develop a wolf management plan that would allow wolves in Wyoming to be removed from the list in the future.”

According to documents released by the FWS, state and federal biologists will “monitor wolf populations in the Northern Rocky Mountain DPS and gather population data for at least five years under a post-delisting monitoring plan previously approved by the Service.”

“Like other iconic species such as the whooping crane, the brown pelican and the bald eagle, the recovery of the gray wolf is another success story of the Endangered Species Act,” said DOI Secretary Ken Salazar in a press release issued earlier this month. “The gray wolf’s biological recovery reflects years of work by scientists, wildlife managers, and our state, tribal and stakeholder partners to bring wolf populations back to healthy levels.”

Not surprisingly, environmental groups have responded to the delisting with a suite of lawsuits. The Alliance for the Wild Rockies, WildEarth Guardians, and Friends of the Clearwaters filed a complaint in the Federal District Court of Montana, arguing violation of the separations of powers doctrine, since Congress’ action repealed a previous federal ruling without amending existing law. The Center for Biological Diversity filed a similar lawsuit citing the same separations of powers violation.

In the meantime, Montana and Idaho are fully preparing to open hunting seasons for wolves this coming fall. On May 12, the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission proposed to create 14 wolf management units within the state and approved an overall harvest quota of 220 animals. The proposal is similar to the one used to develop the state’s planned wolf season in 2009. According to agency biologists, the proposed season and license structure would reduce the current wolf population of 566 wolves by 25 percent.

Wasting no time, Idaho began selling permits for its future wolf season the same day the FWS announced the delisting. Reportedly, Idaho, which supports just over 700 wolves, plans to sell the same number of licenses as Montana.

In conjunction with the NR DPS delisting, the FWS also announced its intention to delist “biologically recovered gray wolf populations in the Western Great Lakes.” This attempt to delist gray wolves in Minnesota, Michigan and Wisconsin currently is open for public comment until July 5. With nearly 3,000 wolves in Minnesota alone, biologists hold no reservation about the species’ future in the region. In addition to delisting the wolf, the proposed rule would seek to revise the species’ range by restricting it from 29 eastern states based on taxonomic evidence that suggests the region did not historically hold gray wolf populations. The rule also calls for a review of gray wolf numbers in the Pacific Northwest and the Southwest in order to determine potential listing status of the species in those areas. (mcd)

About:
Wildlife Management Institute: Founded in 1911, WMI is a private, nonprofit, scientific and educational organization, dedicated to the conservation, enhancement and professional management of North America’s wildlife and other natural resources. Visit: www.wildlifemanagementinstitute.org

White-Nose Syndrome In Bats

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- The Department of the Interior’s U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today unveiled a national management plan to address the threat posed by white-nose syndrome, which has killed more than a million hibernating bats in eastern North America since it was discovered near Albany, New York in 2006.

“Having spread to 18 states and four Canadian provinces, white-nose syndrome threatens far-reaching ecological and economic impacts,” said Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar.

“We’ve learned a lot in the past few years about the disease, but there is much more work to be done to contain it. This national plan provides a road map for federal, state, and tribal agencies and scientific researchers to follow and will facilitate sharing of resources and information to more efficiently address the threat.”

The National Plan for Assisting States, Tribes and Federal Agencies in Managing White-Nose Syndrome in Bats provides a coordinated national management strategy for investigating the cause of the syndrome and finding a means to prevent the spread of the disease. The service considered approximately 17,000 comments received on the draft plan made available to the public in October 2010.

Since the syndrome was first documented, the service has been leading a national response that now includes more than 100 state and federal agencies, tribes, organizations and individuals.

Interior Department agencies have invested more than $10.8 million in this effort since 2007. This includes more than $3 million in research funding that is supporting ongoing research projects looking for methods to control or cure the disease.

For example, researchers working with the U.S. Geological Survey have identified Geomyces destructans, a fungus new to science, as the presumed causative agent.

In addition to research, the national response has also developed decontamination protocols to reduce the transmission of the fungus, surveillance strategies, and technical white-nose syndrome diagnostic procedures.

Bat populations are at risk in some areas of the country as a result of white-nose syndrome. Ecologists and natural resource managers are concerned because of the critical role that bats play in maintaining healthy ecosystems and in agricultural systems. A recent analysis published in Science magazine’s Policy Forum showed that pest-control services provided by insect-eating bats save the U.S. agricultural industry at least $3 billion a year.

The national plan’s release coincides with the fourth annual WNS Symposium to be held in Little Rock, Arkansas, May 17-19. More than 170 of the world’s top scientific experts on bats, wildlife disease, and the WNS fungus will present the latest research and information on how to contain the spread, determine the cause, and hopefully find a cure for WNS.

State, federal and tribal land managers will also discuss the national response to WNS and implementation teams will formalize work plans as part of a more detailed implementation strategy.

The final document and additional information about WNS are available online at www.fws.gov/WhiteNoseSyndrome/.

About:
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and numerous conservation organizations will observe Endangered Species Day on May 20, 2011, to recognize conservation efforts underway across the nation aimed at helping America’s imperiled species.

To date, the Endangered Species Act, which became law in 1973, has helped to prevent the extinction of hundreds of species.

Co-administered by the Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the purpose of the Act is to conserve imperiled species and the ecosystems upon which they depend.

“The Fish and Wildlife Service works with our many conservation partners as well as the public to conserve and protect imperiled species. Endangered Species Day provides an opportunity to celebrate our shared successes.” said Acting Service Director Rowan Gould. “By taking action to help our imperiled native fish, wildlife and plants, we can ensure a healthy future for our community and protect treasured landscapes for future generations.”

The Service and the Endangered Species Coalition are cosponsoring events around the country to focus public support on rare and imperiled species, including at the United States Botanic Garden in Washington, DC.

Many of the Service’s field and regional offices will be hosting events in their communities and providing unique programs to visitors on endangered species conservation. For more information on how you can find an event near you, please visit www.fws.gov/endangered/ESDay/2011.html.

The Service works with other federal agencies, state, local and tribal governments, environmental organizations, industry groups, academia, the scientific community and members of the public to help conserve our nation’s threatened and endangered fish, wildlife and plants. Endangered Species Day honors this national commitment to recovering endangered species and their habitats and provides an opportunity to learn about what efforts are being made to conserve them.

The bald eagle, brown pelican, American alligator and Maguire daisy are all species that were on the brink of extinction, but have successfully rebounded. The wood stork, Kirtland’s warbler, Lake Erie water snake, Okaloosa darter, black-footed ferret and Louisiana black bear are also listed species that are showing significant progress towards recovery — the ultimate goal of the Act. These recovered and recovering species are just a few examples of those benefiting from the protections afforded by the Endangered Species Act and the dedicated people who work to ensure their continued existence.

“Endangered Species Day celebrates America’s natural heritage and our country’s successful efforts to protect imperiled species,” said Leda Huta, Executive Director of the Endangered Species Coalition. “As Americans, we can be proud that we have one of the strongest endangered species programs in the world. Americans have established a legacy of protecting endangered species for our children and grandchildren.”

For more information about events around the country and Endangered Species Day, visit www.EndangeredSpeciesDay.org.

America’s fish, wildlife and plant resources belong to all of us, and ensuring the health of imperiled species is a shared responsibility. To learn more about the Service’s Endangered Species program, go to www.fws.gov/endangered/.

About:
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov. Connect with our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/usfws, follow our tweets at www.twitter.com/usfwshq, watch our YouTube Channel at www.youtube.com/usfwsand download photos from our Flickr page at www.flickr.com/photos/usfwshq.