Endangered Species & Wildlife / Public News Service

Virginia motorists collide with many animals, including bald eagles, according to Meg Gammage-Tucker, president of the Wildlife Center of Virginia. (Adobe Stock)

Thursday, February 13, 2025

Advocates push for program to decrease wildlife collisions in VA

Virginia is the ninth-likeliest state for a driver to hit wildlife but environmental advocates are working to change it. One in 76 people in …

Southern sea otters only inhabit about 13% of their former range and remain absent from the Oregon coast. (Dhayes/Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, February 12, 2025

Grant helps tribes, nonprofits plan to expand range of sea otters

The push to reintroduce southern sea otters to greater sections of the California and Oregon coast is getting a big boost from a $1.56 million grant f…

Farmed seafood products make up half of the world's seafood supply, but U.S. production lags, leading to a $16.9 billion seafood deficit in the United States in 2020, according to NOAA. (Adobe Stock) <br />

Monday, February 10, 2025

Industrial aquaculture poised to grow under second Trump administration

The Trump administration aims to increase domestic seafood production through industrial aquaculture but opponents said it puts Maine's coastal commun…

The Mexican long-nosed bat could only be differentiated from the lesser long-nosed bat by capturing the species in hand and measuring the bat's third finger, according to Bat Conservation International. (J. Scott Altenbach/Bat Conservation International)

Mexican long-nosed bat makes appearance in Arizona

An endangered bat species has been detected in southeastern Arizona. Researchers say the discovery of the Mexican long-nosed bat in the Grand Canyon …

Osprey, bluefish, red drum and cobia rely on menhaden populations for food. (Adobe Stock)

MD menhaden conservation may benefit from VA bill

Atlantic menhaden weigh less than a pound and measure little more than a foot long but the small fish has big consequences for the Chesapeake Bay ecos…

Menhaden are a critical part of the diet of ospreys in the Chesapeake Bay region. A study showed when menhaden stocks are low, osprey chicks have a diminished chance of surviving to adulthood. (Adobe Stock)

Conservationists: Study of Atlantic menhaden critical to preserving species

A small forage fish near the bottom of the food chain has a significant effect on the survival of several iconic predators along the Atlantic Seaboard…

A University of Connecticut study found a growing concentration of certain neonicotinoid pesticides along the state's coast, suggesting potential accumulation and transport of the insecticides. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Harmful pesticides found in CT rivers, groundwater

A new report showed a growing problem of harmful pesticides in Connecticut waterways. The University of Connecticut study analyzed 20 years of data…

Chesapeake Bay Foundation Student Leadership Council members gather around an Eastern hellbender at the Pittsburgh Zoo in 2018. The students spearheaded the effort to designate the hellbender as Pennsylvania's official state amphibian. (Chesapeake Bay Foundation)

Eastern hellbender, PA's state amphibian, faces endangered-species protection

The Eastern hellbender, North America's largest salamander and Pennsylvania's state amphibian, is one step closer to receiving federal protection…

Omega Protein, a Canadian company, removes an estimated 100 million Atlantic menhaden from the Chesapeake Bay each year. (Adobe Stock)

VA advocates push for study on Chesapeake menhaden

A critical fish species in the Chesapeake Bay, the Atlantic menhaden, could be declining rapidly. Or its numbers could be growing. There is no data …

Chronic Wasting Disease was first detected in Wyoming in 1985. According to the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, as of 2023, the disease had been identified in 92% of the state's mule deer herds and 49% of its elk herds. (Adobe Stock)

After Wyoming's new feedground management plan, CWD elk death 'hits home'

A dead elk found east of Pinedale tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease earlier this month, marking the first such death inside a Wyoming …

The hottest year on record was 2024, as average global temperatures continue to rise due to the use of fossil fuels. (Adobe Stock)

Worker's coalition aims to address climate emergency, economic inequality

As President Donald Trump abandons a promise the U.S. made in Paris nearly a decade ago, organized workers across Colorado are joining forces to …

A study found water loss from evaporation at four eastern Washington dam reservoirs will grow by 3.4% over the next three decades. (davidrh/Adobe Stock)

Study finds 'hidden cost' of WA lower Snake River dams

Dams on the lower Snake River in Washington state are losing water to evaporation at a rapid rate, according to a new study. The reservoirs created …

Opponents of genetically engineered fish say if they escaped into the wild, they could bring disease and competition to the 25% of freshwater fish, including Atlantic salmon, already at risk of extinction. (Adobe Stock)

MA company ends production of genetically modified Atlantic salmon

Conservation groups are celebrating the end of a Massachusetts-based biotech company's pursuit of bringing genetically altered Atlantic salmon to mark…

The Yellowstone cutthroat trout and the Westslope cutthroat trout are both threatened species. Projects along Wyoming's Hoback River could help. (Neal Herbert/NPS)

Federal funding to help restore WY's Hoback River native fish habitat

Wyoming agencies will receive about $1.25 million in federal funding to help reconnect native fish migration routes on the Hoback River. The money …

Federal funds will help restore Flint Creek and Jefferson River in Western Montana, benefiting wildlife, including trout, bears and migratory birds. (Melnik/Adobe Stock)

River restoration funding a 'win-win' for MT wildlife, farmers

During President Joe Biden's final weeks in office, the Interior Department has announced $41 million in support of water resources and ecosystem …

Canada lynx in the contiguous United States were listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act in 2020, so their habitat must be considered by agencies pursuing logging projects. (Stan/Adobe Stock)

MT groups sue USFS over logging in lynx habitat

The U.S. Forest Service is facing a lawsuit from Montana conservation groups for authorizing a major logging project in a critical wildlife habitat…

According to the Texas Tree Foundation, the lack of trees and green spaces contributes significantly to the

TX nonprofit calls trees good for your health, cooling your neighborhood

By María Ramos Pacheco for The Dallas Morning News.Broadcast version by Freda Ross for Texas News Service reporting for the Solutions Journalism …

As apex carnivores, wolves sit at the top of the food chain, affecting everything in surrounding ecosystems, from elk to soil. (Adobe Stock)

Livestock industry still howling about wolves' return

It's been 30 years since wolves were reintroduced in Yellowstone National Park, a move that remains controversial today - as Colorado's livestock …

The oysters planted by the foundation will filter more than 5 million gallons of water each day. (Adobe Stock)

Oyster outlook: Thousands grown in Chesapeake Bay this year

Chesapeake Bay has added more than six billion oysters since 2017 through the Chesapeake Oyster Alliance. And last year, the Chesapeake Bay …

High water flows brought young sockeye quickly to the ocean, contributing to the record number of fish passing through the Bonneville Dam last summer, 92,000 more than the previous record. (Jason/Adobe Stock)

Resisting industry on the Columbia in 2025

Oregon salmon populations had some significant wins in 2024, including a record number of sockeye salmon passing through the Columbia River's …

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimates more than one billion birds fly into glass each year in the United States, with most fatal crashes occurring at homes and buildings less than four stories tall. Applying patterns to window exteriors can help avoid these incidents. (Florida Gulf Coast University)

Art, science unite in FL to prevent birds hitting windows

With a thud, the tranquil sounds of nature are shattered as a bird crashes into a glass window. It's an all-too-common, deadly occurrence that …

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed a new lower 48 Distinct Population Segment boundary for grizzly bears that receive protections under the Endangered Species Act, connecting and broadening the current isolated recovery zones. (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

Grizzly bears keep federal protections, despite state efforts

After a months-long delay, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced Wednesday that grizzly bears will retain protections under the Endangered …

A crew helped Jim Hoffman build beaver dam analogs on his cranberry farm in central Wisconsin. (Jim Hoffman)

WI farmer uses 'mock beaver dams' to restore wetlands

By Bennet Goldstein for Wisconsin Watch.Broadcast version by Judith Ruiz-Branch for Wisconsin News Connection reporting for Wisconsin Watch-Public New…

Bald eagle nests can be up to 12 feet high, 8 feet across and weigh as much as 2,000 pounds. (Adobe Stock)

MT home to breeding bald eagles, now officially the U.S. national bird

Montanans are celebrating the official designation of the bald eagle as America's national bird after helping in its recovery. Once close to …

The new Chuckwalla National Monument is part of the Biden Administration's commitment to preserve 30% of the nation's land and waters by the year 2030. (Bureau of Land Management)

Tribes applaud as Biden announces two new national monuments in CA

The White House announced two new national monuments in California on Tuesday, one just east of Palm Springs and the other near Shasta Lake. A …

Grand Teton's Kelly parcel, now owned by the National Park Service, starts the Path of the Pronghorn, the longest land migration route in the lower 48. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Teton park acquires addition after widespread, multiyear effort

The 640-acre Kelly parcel has been in limbo for decades. It sits within the bounds of Grand Teton National Park but has long been owned by the state …

NV groups celebrate temporary oil, gas ban in Ruby Mountains

The Biden-Harris administration is taking another step to protect northeast Nevada's Ruby Mountains - by putting them temporarily off-limits to oil…

Conservation advocates picked up a dozen seats in the Montana Legislature in the November election, according to Montana Conservation Voters. They remain concerned, however, over losing support at the federal level. (Adobe Stock)

Taking stock of Montana's outlook on conservation progress

With the Montana Legislature scheduled to gavel in next week, conservation leaders are looking ahead at ways to protect the state's public lands…

A critically endangered Florida bonneted bat. (Bat Conservation International)

Rare Florida bat’s survival hinges on urban conservation efforts

Beneath the glow of Miami's streetlights and the towering skyline, a rare species of bat clings to survival. The Florida bonneted bat, one of the …

Last year, the Bureau of Land Management reported more than 400 bald eagles visited Lake Coeur d'Alene on a single day in December. (Myk Crawford/Adobe Stock) <br />

Bald eagle becomes national bird as ID population increases

Idahoans are celebrating the official designation of the bald eagle as America's national bird after helping in its recovery. Once close to …

Among recently surveyed Wyomingites, 88% support constructing wildlife crossings across major highways intersecting with known migration routes, though only 48% consider the loss of wildlife and fish habitats an extremely or very serious problem, according to the 2024 State of the Rockies Project poll. (Danita Delimont/Adobe Stock)

Wyoming gets mixed scores on 2024 conservation report card

A new scorecard from the Center for Western Priorities points to Wyoming's success as a western state balancing conservation goals and economic growth…

The Endangered Species Act protects a combined 2,300 domestic and foreign species of plants and wildlife. This includes the grizzly bear, the California condor and the whooping crane. Monarch butterflies are being considered for protection. (Adobe Stock)

Conservation groups celebrate Endangered Species Act anniversary

Conservationists in New York and nationwide will celebrate the 51st anniversary of the Endangered Species Act on Saturday. Since its passage in 1973…

Thanks to conservation efforts, bald eagles now reside in all 16 Maine counties. More than half the population still nests in three Downeast counties: Hancock, Penobscot, and Washington, according to the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. (Adobe Stock) <br />

Bald eagle gets official nod as Maine population soars

Mainers are celebrating the official designation of the bald eagle as America's national bird after helping in its recovery. Once close to …

Bald eagles were taken off the federal endangered list in 1995 and the threatened list in 2007. (About to Launch/Wikimedia Commons)

Bald eagle officially becomes national bird, a conservation success

The United States has a national mammal, tree and flower but the status of America's most treasured bird was not always so clear officially or …

Colorado's San Luis Valley produces two billion pounds of potatoes a year, the second largest yield in the nation. (Adobe Stock)

Colorado’s new tool for preserving aquifers for farming

By Jennifer Oldham for Civil Eats.Broadcast version by Eric Galatas for Colorado News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Public…

Since the passage of The Clean Energy Plan in 2022, Utah has seen more than 3,800 new jobs across the state. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Utah lags on conservation policy

Among Western states, Utah could be doing more to support conservation policy, according to a new report by the Center for Western Priorities…

The impacts of offshore transmission on the seabed can be mitigated with micrositing and proactive planning, which is critical for protecting ocean species, according to a report from the National Wildlife Federation. (Adobe Stock) <br />

Federal regulators urged to consider wildlife in MA transmission plans

Wildlife advocates want federal regulators to consider habitats and migratory routes, when planning new transmission infrastructure in Massachusetts …

Offshore wind energy in the Gulf of Maine has the potential to generate up to 156 gigawatts of power, which is more than 70 times the amount of electricity used by the entire state, according to Maine Audubon. (Adobe Stock)

Reports show ME clean energy projects can include wildlife protections

Wildlife advocates say it's possible to transition to renewable energy while protecting vital habitats and species. As Maine builds out its …

75% of Nevadans think more emphasis should be placed on conserving wildlife migration routes than on new developments, according to Colorado College's State of the Rockies Project. (Adobe Stock)

Report: NV emerges as conservation leader among Western states

Nevada scored high for its well-funded conservation programs and for the state's commitment to public land protections. A new report by The Center …

Audubon's scientists analyzed 140 million bird observations and used advanced climate models to predict the impact of climate change on the loggerhead shrike's range. (AGAMI/Adobe Stock)

TN bird enthusiasts embark on annual count of feathered friends

Bird lovers across Tennessee are enthusiastic participants in the nation's longest-running community science project. The Audubon Society's 125th …

Offshore wind turbines such as these in Maine are currently in the planning stages at sites off of the coast of Morro Bay and Humboldt. (Jack Shapiro/Natural Resources Council of Maine)

Reports: Transmission grid plans must take wildlife into account

The power grid will need to be dramatically upgraded and expanded in the coming years to handle the transition to renewable energy - and two new repor…

The piping plover nests in open, sandy areas near water and winters on coastal tidal flats and beaches<br />(Brian Lasenby/Adobe Stock)

Join the flock: Mississippi's Christmas Bird Count takes flight

Bird enthusiasts across Mississippi are actively participating in a long-standing science project. The Audubon Society is conducting its 125th …

American martens require very specific living parameters and are hyper sensitive to any changes in their habitat. (Adobe Stock)

WI receives federal funds to recover state’s only endangered mammal

The federal Department of the Interior has awarded the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission more than $800,000 for recovery efforts for Ame…

The Hilton Family Forest in Northwestern Maine lies within the Appalachian chain and contains the headwaters of the south branch of the Penobscot River. (�Jerry Monkman/Conservation Fund)

Conservation efforts keep Maine’s Hilton Family Forest wild

A national land trust has purchased 44,000 acres of forest in Northwestern Maine to keep it wild and free for generations to come. The Hilton Family …

Seven in 10 Utah residents say protecting water, air, wildlife habitat and recreation opportunities on public lands is more important than maximizing the amount of land available for drilling and mining. (Galatas)

Utah lawsuit could affect public lands in Colorado, nation

As the U.S. Supreme Court considers a lawsuit brought by Utah officials, asking the court to transfer more than 18 million acres of federal lands to …

Invertebrates include a variety of pollinators, such as bees, butterflies and moths. (Phillip Nalangan/ Wikimedia Commons)

MD expands wildlife protections to new species

Environmental advocates in Maryland are celebrating legislation that expands the definitions of wildlife in the state. The law also requires the …

The Eastern hellbender, one of the largest salamanders in the United States, plays a vital role in freshwater ecosystems. (Adobe Stock)

Hurricane Helene's damage spurs calls to protect NC's threatened species

The southern Appalachian Mountains, known as the salamander capital of the world, are home to some of the most distinct wildlife in the country but …

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management claims fire suppression tactics like large-scale logging would cause Garnet Mountains forests to grow back more densely. This 1898 photo of the forest shows it was thick and mature, decades before industrial logging was practiced. (Western Mining History)

Conservation groups sue to protect wildlife corridor from logging

Conservation groups have sued the U.S. Bureau of Land Management to stop a logging project in Montana's Garnet Mountains. Wildlife advocates said …

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