This week, over 100 delegates from 50 different federal and state wildlife agencies, research and academic institutions, non-governmental organizations, and private industry from Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. are gathering for the 18th Annual Trilateral Committee for Wildlife and Ecosystem Conservation. The Service is hosting the meeting, both online and in-person, at the National Conservation Training Center in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. Photo Caption: North America's monarch butterfly is the only butterfly species known to make biannual migrations. Credit: Ron Holmes / USFWS

Today, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recognized 61 conservation heroes for their outstanding efforts to protect our most threatened fish, wildlife and plants by designating them 2012 Recovery Champions. These individuals exemplify the dedication and determination that has helped save countless animals and plants from extinction, and that continues to raise the bar in the field of endangered species conservation. Photo Caption: Margaret R. Petersen, Ph.D., one of 61 2012 Recovery Champions honored today by the Service for their contributions to endangered species conservation. Credit: USFWS

Two California businessmen who spearheaded a wildlife trafficking network that smuggled rhino horn to Vietnam from the United States have been sentenced to serve 42 and 46 months in prison. Some $800,000 in cash, gold, and other assets seized by Service special agents from these defendants will go to the agency’s Multinational Species Conservation Fund for use in protecting rhinos in Africa. Photo Caption: This sentencing is the latest in Operation Crash – an ongoing Service investigation of the black market trade in rhino horn that has already resulted in the arrest of 14 individuals involved in this trafficking. Credit: Richard Ruggeiro / USFWS

The Service has announced more than $25 million to conserve habitat for migratory bird populations. $6 million in duck stamp revenues will protect habitat at four national wildlife refuges, and $19.5 million in North American Wetlands Conservation Act grants matched by $57 million in leveraged funds will support 25 conservation projects across the United States and Mexico. Grants will protect, restore and enhance more than 170,000 acres of habitat for migratory waterfowl, shorebirds, waterbirds and land birds. Photo Caption: The White-fronted goose is one of many priority waterfowl species that will benefit from wetland conservation grants and land acquisitions. Credit: Gary Kramer / USFWS

An Iowa man who cut down and removed 32 black walnut trees (a source of highly valued wood and veneers) from the Service’s Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge and property managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has been sentenced to serve 15 months in federal prison and pay $56,225 in restitution. Service special agents teamed with refuge staff, Corps investigators, and Iowa State conservation officers to secure federal charges for the destruction and theft of these trees.  Photo Caption: Remains of a 40-inch diameter, 140-year-old black walnut tree destroyed by the defendant, who was only able to remove one log (worth an estimated $1,400) from the site because of the size of the tree. Credit: Hill / USACE

The Department of Defense (DoD) is this year’s recipient of the Presidential Migratory Bird Federal Stewardship Award. Led by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other federal agencies, the Council for the Conservation of Migratory Birds selected DoD for the award, which was presented last night at the Embassy of Canada in Washington D.C. The award recognizes DoD’s Legacy Resource Management Program, the multi-year "Migratory Linkages of Burrowing Owls on Department of Defense Installations and Adjacent Lands" project.  Photo Caption: Burrowing Owl on Kirtland AFB. Credit: Envirological Services Inc.

The 8th annual national Endangered Species Day will be celebrated on May 17, 2013, with special events and other programs throughout the country to recognize conservation efforts underway across the nation aimed at helping America’s imperiled species. For 40 years, the Endangered Species Act has helped our nation protect the wild things and wild places, ensuring that our children’s children and future generations can see species such as the bald eagle, the black-footed ferret and the American alligator. Photo Caption: An endangered Delmarva Peninsula fox squirrel during a population survey on Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. Credit: USFWS

As part the Service's commemoration of the Endangered Species Act's 40th Anniversary, each week a different state and their unique story features our continued success in recovering threatened and endangered species. This week, we learn about the recovery efforts to conserve four endangered mussels in Minnesota. Between pollution in the mighty Mississippi River and competition with non-native zebra mussels, federally protected mussels have been swimming an upstream battle, but are making some headway with help from Service biologists and our partners. Photo Caption: Higgin's eye pearlymussel. Credit: USFWS

Drop by the Director's Corner and meet Service Director Dan Ashe