News
New Website Highlights the 40th Anniversary of Endangered Species Act
In 1972, President Nixon declared that conservation efforts in the United States aimed toward preventing the extinction of species were inadequate and called on the 93rd Congress to develop comprehensive endangered species legislation. Congress responded, and on December 28th, the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973 was signed into law.
Cerulean Warbler to Benefit from Acquisition of Key Colombian Habitat
The Cerulean Warbler, a bird whose population has declined by about 70 percent in the last 40 years, and 25 other neotropical migrating birds are the key beneficiaries of a successful two-year-effort by American Bird Conservancy (ABC) and Fundación ProAves to purchase and protect key wintering habitat for the birds in Colombia, South America.
78th Conference Special Session to Look at Landscape Conservation in North America
The last decade has seen significant advancements in the nature and number of science-management partnerships that address landscape-level conservation throughout North America. Numerous federal and state agencies, as well as conservation NGO’s, have joined forces through these partnerships to advance conservation that is holistic, collaborative, adaptive and grounded in science to ensure the sustainability of our lands, waters, wildlife and cultural resources.
Landmark Publication Celebrates 75 Years of Conservation and Partnership Success Through the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program
The U.S Fish and Wildlife Service has released a landmark publication celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program, the cornerstone of fish and wildlife conservation in North America. This vital program provides more than $700 million each year through the sale of hunting and fishing equipment to support habitat conservation and outdoor recreation projects across the nation.
Secretary Salazar to Return Home to Colorado
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced today that he will return to his home state of Colorado, having fulfilled his promise to President Obama to serve four years as Secretary. Secretary Salazar has informed President Obama that he intends to leave the Department by the end of March.
Call for Science Needs Portfolio Reviewers
The Appalachian LCC is currently conducting the first annual review of the Science Needs Portfolio.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Seeks Comments on Draft Summer Survey Guidelines for Indiana Bats
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is inviting input on draft guidelines and protocols for determining whether endangered Indiana bats (Myotis sodalis) are present or likely absent at a given site during the summer, from May 15 to August 15. Deadline for comments is February 8, 2013.
RISA Program Federal Funding Opportunity
The NOAA Climate Program Office is pleased to announce that its Federal Funding Opportunity for the RISA program is now available at grants.gov.
USGS Climate Science Centers Annual Funding Opportunity
Funding Opportunity Announcement for the eight Department of Interior Climate Science Centers (CSC) for Fiscal Years 2013 and 2014.
2012 was Warmest and Second Most Extreme Year on Record for the Contiguous U.S.
2012 marked the warmest year on record for the contiguous United States with the year consisting of a record warm spring, second warmest summer, fourth warmest winter and a warmer-than-average autumn.
National Park Service Announces Nearly $23 million in Historic Preservation Grants to States
National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis today announced $22.9 million in historic preservation grants. The grants will enable states and territories to preserve and protect our nation’s historic sites utilizing revenues from federal oil leases on the Outer Continental Shelf.
Emerging Consensus Shows Climate Change Already Having Major Effects on Ecosystems and Species
Plant and animal species are shifting their geographic ranges and the timing of their life events – such as flowering, laying eggs or migrating – at faster rates than researchers documented just a few years ago, according to a technical report on biodiversity and ecosystems used as scientific input for the 2013 Third National Climate Assessment.
Fish and Wildlife Service, Kentucky Division of Forestry Sign Agreement Protecting Indiana Bats on State Forests
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet, Division of Forestry announce entering into an agreement to promote the survival, conservation, and recovery of the federally endangered Indiana bat on state forests within the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
Free Apps Feature Wildlife Refuges
Introduced a year ago, the free app, “MyRefuge,” helps explore national wildlife refuges, such as Charles M. Russell Refuge in Montana or Canaan Valley Refuge in West Virginia.
Drought persists, causing water resource issues for central U.S.; 2012 virtually certain to become warmest year on record for the nation
The average temperature for the contiguous U.S. during November was 44.1°F, 2.1°F above the 20th century average, tying 2004 as the 20th warmest November on record. The autumn contiguous U.S. temperature of 54.7°F was the 21st warmest autumn, 1.1°F above average.
Partnership Celebrates Successful Conservation of Rugged West Virginia Forest
More than 400 acres of mountain forest along Mount Porte Crayon is protected for future generations through a partnership involving The Nature Conservancy, the U.S. Forest Service, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Highly anticipated down-scaled climate data to be released this winter
Global climate models project that Earth’s temperature will warm by about 2°-4°C (about 3°-7°F) in the coming century. But what does that mean for communities, natural resource managers, and other local interests?
Service Releases Annual List of Candidates for Endangered Species Act
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced its Candidate Notice of Review, a yearly appraisal of the current status of plants and animals considered candidates for protection under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
New Website launches - ConservationCorridor.org
Landscape corridors are among the most important conservation strategies in the face of global changes such as habitat fragmentation, habitat destruction, and climate change.
Fish and Wildlife Service and NOAA Fisheries Reopen Public Comment Period on Process for Identifying Habitat Essential to Species Protected Under the ESA
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries) have reopened the public comment period on a joint proposal to simplify the process of identifying habitat essential to the survival and recovery of species protected by the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Due to public interest in this proposal and multiple requests for additional time, the agencies, which jointly administer the ESA, will accept comments and information from the public for an additional 90 days.
