Endangered Species & Wildlife / Public News Service

The Mojave Desert Tortoise is now listed as endangered in California, but is still listed as �threatened� under the federal Endangered Species Act. (Joanna Gilkeson/USFWS)

Thursday, May 9, 2024

CA lists Mojave Desert Tortoise as endangered

Groups that fight to recover endangered species are praising the California Fish and Game Commission's decision to change the Mojave Desert tortoise f…

Gray wolf pack sizes range from two to 11 wolves. Most packs contain four to six individuals, according to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. (Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, May 8, 2024

WA considers reclassifying gray wolves as 'sensitive' species

The State of Washington is proposing to downgrade gray wolves from "endangered" to "sensitive" status as a species. At last count, there were 260 …

A well-designed riparian buffer can prevent 80% of excess nutrients from entering rivers and streams. (Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, May 8, 2024

Most SD surface waters fall below state quality standards

There are nearly 150,000 miles of rivers and streams in South Dakota, but new data show many of those don't meet state standards for safe water …

Currently, 90% of public land managed by BLM is open to commodity-driven extraction, like mining and oil and gas development, according to the National Parks Conservation Association. (Adobe Stock)

National parks in UT benefit from BLM rules

Conservation experts are applauding the Bureau of Land Management for releasing two new rules that recognize conservation as an essential part of publ…

The impact of the Public Lands Rule goes beyond BLM-managed lands, benefiting 80 neighboring national parks, according to the National Parks Conservation Association. (Adobe Stock)

NV's public lands to benefit from BLM's new rules

The Bureau of Land Management recently released two rules that alter how the agency manages its 245 million acres of public lands, 48 million of …

More than 80 national park units, including Rocky Mountain National Park, sit next to public lands managed by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. (Adobe Stock)

New BLM rule could help protect America's national parks

As critics work to roll back new Bureau of Land Management rules, public lands advocates are defending the agency's move to put conservation uses on …

New federal rules will govern 245 million acres of public lands in the United States, including in Montana. (Adobe Stock)

New oil and gas mining rules benefit wilderness, rankle companies

The Bureau of Land Management has released a pair of rules that will change how the agency manages 245 million acres of public land. The rules …

Birds are attracted to the Fernhill Wetlands in Forest Grove, Ore., where wastewater is treated naturally. (Bryn Nelson)

Wastewater wetlands in OR, US provide natural filtration option

By Bryn Nelson for Yes! Media.Broadcast version by Eric Tegethoff for Oregon News Service reporting for the YES! Media-Public News Service …

Blackwater Falls in Blackwater Falls State Park attracts visitors who spend more than $25 million in the region yearly, according to West Virginia State Parks. (Adobe Stock).<br />

Report: WV’s Blackwater River among America’s most endangered

The Blackwater River, which flows more than 30 miles through West Virginia's Allegheny Mountains, ranks among the top 10 most endangered rivers in …

The manu o ku, or white fairy tern, is among the thousands of bird species that have benefited from the U.S. Migratory Bird Treaty Act, a more than century-old federal law. (Adobe Stock)

Conservation groups celebrate biodiversity of Hawaiian bird species

Conservation groups say the Hawaiian Islands are on the leading edge of the fight to preserve endangered birds, since climate change and habitat loss …

It's estimated that invasive pests destroy up to 40% of food crops and cause $220 billion in trade losses worldwide. (Lee/Adobe Stock)

USDA: Spring in PA is time to be on lookout for invasive pests

April has been "Invasive Plant Pest and Disease Awareness Month," but the pests don't know that. The U.S. Department of Agriculture says it's the …

Several isolated populations have a low number of mudalia snails, which creates a risk of genetic problems and population loss. (Paul Johnson-Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources)

Lawsuit seeks protection for imperiled Arkansas mudalia snails

An environmental group is suing the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to protect the Arkansas mudalia snail under the Endangered Species Act. In …

For centuries before Europeans arrived in North America, the buffalo not only provided Indigenous societies powerful spiritual support and healing, but also food, clothing, toys, tools, shelter and other necessities of life. (Adobe Stock)

Call for artists to create Wind River Water and Buffalo Alliance logo

The Wind River Water and Buffalo Alliance is looking for a graphic artist to develop a logo. Before Europeans arrived, some 60 million buffalo …

The Endangered Species Coalition supports the Arivaca Pollinator Pathway Project in preparation for Endangered Species Day, which takes place the third Friday in May. (Arivaca Pollinator Pathway Project)

AZ group highlights importance of pollinators on Earth Day

Today is Earth Day, and one initiative in southern Arizona is helping build public gardens providing beneficial habitat for pollinators, from Monarch …

Much of Oregon's BLM lands are in the southeastern part of the state. (John Chedsey/Adobe Stock)

New BLM rule creates opportunities for conservation in OR

Conservation and public access are on equal footing with other considerations for Bureau of Land Management lands under a recently announced rule…

From Alabama to the Everglades, the Florida Wildlife Corridor is a superhighway of interconnected acres of wildlands, working lands and waters. (FAU/FWC aerial view)

FL Wildlife Corridor study reveals role in climate resilience, population growth

As the Sunshine State grapples with rising temperatures and escalating weather events such as hurricanes, a new study sheds light on the pivotal role …

There are more than 1,300 species listed as either endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act, including the piping plover, a shorebird found on sandy beaches in southern Maine. (Adobe Stock)

New Endangered Species Act rules consider climate impact on ME wildlife

Conservationists in Maine said reinstated protections of the Endangered Species Act could help wildlife already struggling to adapt to climate change…

In partnership with the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, volunteers are discovering new bee species and working to fortify bumble bee habitat, in Iowa and across the country. (Xerces/Katie Lamke)

Iowans asked to get busy counting beeezzz, please

The state Department of Natural Resources and Iowa State University are looking for volunteers to help create a new Bumble Bee Atlas. Bees are an …

Montana is home to about 1,100 wolves, according to state wildlife officials. (Adobe Stock)

MT sues for federal wolf protection

A coalition of conservation groups has sued the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for refusing to relist wolves under the Endangered Species Act…

Government-sponsored poisoning and trapping campaigns in the 1930s mostly exterminated the U.S. wolf population. (WikiCommons)

Lawsuit over Endangered Species Act follows outrage at wolf torture photo

A lawsuit over a federal agency's decision not to boost wolf protections in New Mexico and other western states has been filed, days after video …

Researcher Michael Zeiler with GreatAmericanEclipse.com estimated between 84,000 and 337,000 people will visit the Natural State to view the solar eclipse. (Adil/AdobesStock)

Arkansans encouraged to observe birds, wildlife behavior during solar eclipse

On Monday, Arkansans will have the opportunity to witness a once-in-a-lifetime event, a total solar eclipse. It will be visible along a narrow track …

The Lolo National Forest's geographic location is seen as critical for connecting wildlife habitats. (Adobe Stock)

Wildlife habitat, connectivity, key to Lolo National Forest management plan

Today is the deadline for public comment on Montana's Lolo National Forest management plan. Advocates say the input will shape how the land is used …

While they remain listed as endangered, federal officials say the whooping crane's recovery from the brink of extinction is one of the most notable success stories under the Endangered Species Act. (Adobe Stock)

Endangered Species Act gets another makeover, drawing partial praise

The Biden administration is moving forward with plans it says will strengthen the Endangered Species Act, after it saw a major overhaul under former …

The bobcat was recognized as an endangered species in Indiana until 2005. (Adobe stock)

Indiana bobcats in the crosshairs, again

After years of trying and failing, Indiana lawmakers have put bobcats in the crosshairs. The decision forces the Indiana Department of Natural …

A bill called Save Our Sequoias to fund wildfire resilience is tucked into this year's farm bill, currently being negotiated in Congress. (Save the Redwoods League)

Major progress in effort to protect CA giant sequoias from megafires

Crews have been ramping up wildfire resilience projects to thin out brush and dead wood in California's giant sequoia groves, clearing twice as many …

Humpback whales sometimes get tangled up in ropes from discarded crab fishing gear. (Jenn Tackaberry/Kiirsten Flynn/National Marine Fisheries Service)

Partial shutdown of crab fishing season considered to protect whales

A working group convened by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife meets today to consider a partial closure of the commercial Dungeness crab …

Montana land proposed for solar power

The Bureau of Land Management has proposed expanding the public land available for solar power production in 11 states, including Montana. The BLM's …

Mexican gray wolf pups born to captive parents have been successfully introduced to wild wolf packs in an effort to improve genetic diversity. (WildCaliforniaWolfCenter)

More lobos roam NM wilderness, but genetic diversity is missing

Since a reintroduction campaign began in 1998, about 10 Mexican gray wolves have been placed in the Southwest each year, and for them to further …

There are about 200 grizzly bears in Idaho. (tomreichner/Adobe Stock)

Fed judge's wolf trapping decision could help ID grizzly recovery

A federal court ruling that limits wolf trapping and snaring in Idaho could aid recovery of grizzly bears in the region. U.S. Judge Candy Dale …

In 2023, officers confirmed a total of 1,056 wild animals and fish were illegally killed, game worth more than $619,000. (Adobe Stock)

Utah officials investigate illegal killings of game animals

A Utah wildlife expert considers wild animal poaching to be a significant problem in the Beehive State, following several incidents of game animals …

A Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership survey found 92% of Pennsylvania sportsmen and women support designating streams for protections when they meet the right criteria. (Adobe Stock)

A push to update PA stream designations for wild trout protection

Pennsylvania's wild trout streams are getting some much-needed attention and outdoor enthusiasts across the state can voice their views on safeguardin…

Atlantic herring serve as valuable bait for fishermen and lobstermen in Massachusetts, making them vital to the health of the state's blue economy, which grew 38% between 2009 and 2019. (Adobe Stock)

New England anglers seek greater protections for Atlantic herring stock

Recreational fishermen in New England say commercial trawlers are threatening the survival of smaller businesses relying on a healthy stock of Atlanti…

Native plantings and green spaces in urban and suburban areas promote bird diversity, abundance, breeding success and survivorship. (Samuel/AdobeStock)

Migratory bird species will soon flock to the Natural State

Spring marks the season for annual migrations for numerous bird species, with Arkansas hosting a total of 428 avian varieties. Experts said …

Environmental advocates contend a logging project bordering Montana's Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness Area threatens habitat for the lynx, which is listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. (Adobe Stock)

Environmental advocates sue over MT logging project

The Alliance for the Wild Rockies has sued the U.S. Forest Service over a logging project in southwestern Montana. The group claims the agency …

The Environmental Protection Agency said wetlands' sponge-like ability to absorb water slows the momentum of floodwaters or a coastal storm surge. (Adobe Stock)

Action to save remaining Illinois wetlands gains steam

The Supreme Court's decision in 2023 to roll back the Clean Water Act has meant less federal oversight in protecting the country's wetlands. …

The Atlantic herring is one of the most important fishery resources in Maine, supplying the primary bait used in its iconic lobster industry. It is also an important forage species for seabirds, marine mammals and a variety of larger fish species, according to the Maine Department of Marine Resources. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Anglers seek trawler buffer zone as Atlantic herring stock declines

Recreational fishermen in New England say commercial trawlers are threatening the survival of smaller businesses relying on a healthy stock of Atlanti…

Many species, including sea lions, are injured or killed by set gillnets, which target halibut and white sea bass. (Robert Schwemmer/NOAA)

CA bill aims to reduce marine mammal entanglements in set gillnets

A new bill aims to reduce the number of sea lions, sharks, rays, skates and giant sea bass dying off the coast of Southern California in huge set …

Wolverine fur is remarkably waterproof, which helps keep the animal warm in deep snow. (Adobe Stock)

Lawmakers could continue re-wilding Colorado with wolverine bill

Colorado may soon welcome back wolverines, an animal with a reputation for its ferocity and strength nearly wiped out by trapping, poisoning and …

The Environmental Protection Agency finds neonicotinoids could jeopardize more than 200 plants and animals protected by the Endangered Species Act. (Adobe Stock)

CT lawmakers water down bill addressing toxic pesticides

A Connecticut bill would have restricted toxic pesticides called neonicotinoids - or so it seemed. The bill's newest iteration, some experts feel…

The Florida panther is the only mountain lion subspecies remaining in the eastern United States. (Everglades NPS)

Groups push for less pesticide use to save Florida's endangered species

Last month, an environmental group sued the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, accusing it of failing to protect endangered species from dangerous …

The grizzly bear population has made great strides in the region near Yellowstone National Park. (natureguy/Adobe Stock)

Feds propose plan to return grizzlies in ID's Bitterroots

Grizzly bears could make a comeback in Idaho's Bitterroots under proposed plans from the federal government. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has …

The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation has conducted chronic wasting disease monitoring on hunter-harvested deer and elk as well as road-killed deer since 1999. A measure pending in Congress would allow biologists to track and share information on lethal wildlife diseases more effectively. (Adobe Stock)

$42.5 million would track lethal OK wildlife disease

Wildlife advocates are calling on Congress to pass a bill to help states track diseases killing wildlife across the country. House Resolution 6765 …

Salmon populations have dwindled in the Northwest, hurting the orcas that rely on them for food. (Stanislav/Adobe Stock)

Next steps for recovery after endangered orca decision in OR

The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission has decided to list Southern Resident orcas as an endangered species. With it comes guidelines for how the …

The population of New Mexico's red-headed woodpecker has declined more than 70% in the past 50 years.(RGLPhotography/AdobeStock)

NM wildlife advocates work to accelerate human, wildlife coexistence

Wildlife advocates say there's been a shift in public opinion about the value of wildlife over the past few decades, with people supporting …

The Wildlife Disease Surveillance for Pandemic Prevention Act seeks to create a Wildlife Disease Surveillance Program though the Wildlife Health Office at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. (Adobe Stock)

Wildlife disease measure could benefit IA ag industry

Wildlife advocates are asking Congress to pass bill that would help states track diseases killing wildlife across the country. In Iowa, the measure …

Nine in 10 voters across eight Mountain West states including Colorado want oil and gas companies, not federal and state governments, to pay for cleanup and restoration costs. (Adobe Stock)

West's Latino voters want conservation over development on public lands

Voters, including 74% of Republicans, 87% of Independents and 96% of Democrats, would support candidates in elections who prioritize conservation on …

Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge is an internationally recognized wetland and designated Ramsar site. (Adobe Stock)

Calls renewed to protect Ash Meadows wildlife refuge

Nevada conservationists held a webinar to discuss the protection of Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge near the Nevada-California border from propos…

Since the most recent avian influenza outbreak began, the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates almost 82 million birds have been affected in 47 states. (Anton Dios/Adobe Stock)

Avian flu outbreak highlights need for improved wildlife disease tracking

In the wake of the latest, highly contagious bird flu outbreak in Arkansas and across the country, Congress is considering a bill to improve the …

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