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Connecting People With Nature: Ensuring the Future of Conservation
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Supports Hispanic Heritage Month 2008
October 10, 2008
The month of October is ideal for everyone to go outside and connect with the outdoors. This month, we as a nation also observe Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15 – October 15, 2008. During this observance, we honor the many accomplishments of Hispanic Americans and recognize their exemplary contributions to America. The national theme is “Getting Involved: Our Families, Our Communities, Our Nation.”
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Connecting People With Nature: Ensuring the Future of Conservation
New Report Measures Wildlife Watching’s Contribution to Nation’s Economy
October 9, 2008
A new report recently released by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service shows that expenditures for wildlife watching are equivalent to the revenues generated from all spectator sports, amusement parks and arcades, non-hotel casinos, bowling centers and skiing facilities combined.


A visitor observes snow geese at Chincoteague NWR. Credit: John and Karen Hollingsworth
News Release

Migratory Birds: Conservation and Management
Final Falconry Regulations Published
October 8, 2008
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced a major revision to the regulations governing falconry in the United States and its territories. The changes, published in today’s Federal Register, simplify the agency’s regulations and reflect current practices in the traditional use of raptors for sport hunting.


Falconer with peregrine falcon. Credit: George Allen / USFWS
News Release

National Wildlife Refuge System: Conserving Our Lands and Resources
Hunting at the Click of a Computer Mouse
October 8, 2008
Finding terrific hunting opportunities at national wildlife refuges has just gotten easier with Your Guide to Hunting at National Wildlife Refuges, the first comprehensive compilation of all hunting programs within the National Wildlife Refuge System. More than 300 hunting programs are available on national wildlife refuges.


Your Guide to Hunting at National Wildlife Refuges cover. Credit: USFWS
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Threatened and Endangered Species: Achieving Recovery and Preventing Extinction
New Report Documents Great Ape Conservation Fund Efforts
October 7, 2008
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has issued a new report, The Great Ape Conservation Fund Summary Report 2001-2007, outlining ape conservation efforts supported by the Fund. The report highlights the major issues confronting ape species in Africa and Asia and the contribution of the Great Ape Conservation Fund in combating a diverse range of threats jeopardizing the future survival of our closest genetic relatives.

Cover of the Great Ape Conservation Fund Summary Report 2001-2007.

Bulletin

Summary Report

Threatened and Endangered Species: Achieving Recovery and Preventing Extinction
New Regulations Reduce Amount of Caviar International Travelers Can Import
October 6, 2008
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently implemented changes to the regulations governing international trade in sturgeon and paddlefish caviar. The new regulations reduce from 250 to 125 grams the quantity of caviar that international travelers may carry into or out of the country as a personal effect (i.e., without a permit).

News Release

Threatened and Endangered Species: Achieving Recovery and Preventing Extinction
Kempthorne Announces Proposal to Protect 48 Hawaii Species
September 30, 2008
Applying a newly developed, ecosystem-based approach to species conservation, the Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne announced a proposal to add 48 species found only on the island of Kauai to the federal endangered species list and designate critical habitat. This new approach provides hope for Kauai’s natural ecosystems and the species that call them home. The 48 species include 45 plants, two birds and one Hawaiian picture-wing fly.


Akikiki. (c) Eric VanderWerf
News Release

Questions? Email USFWS Customer Service Center or call 1-800-344-WILD

"Ten Days of Duck Stamp"
Stamp Stories: Northern Shoveler

The Northern shoveler is one of five species eligible for this year’s Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest. Not surprisingly, its most visible characteristic is its large, spoon-shaped bill, unique among North American waterfowl. The only time this distinctive duck has ever appeared on the Federal Duck Stamp was the 1945-46 stamp, painted by Owen J. Gromme, who was Curator of Birds and Mammals at the Milwaukee Public Museum. Will the Northern shoveler grace the Duck Stamp again after 53 years? The 2008 Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest will be held Oct. 17 and 18 at the Bloomington Art Center in Bloomington, Minn. Watch this space for a NEW Duck Stamp fact each day!

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Contest Information
Federal Duck Stamp Program

Connecting People With Nature: Ensuring the Future of Conservation
Celebrate National Wildlife Refuge Week in Your State, October 12-18, 2008
September 26, 2008
Whether it’s taking a walk among the fall colors, spotting a rare bird species, or learning about the cultural resources that are part of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s conservation mission, National Wildlife Refuge Week, October 12-18, 2008, celebrates the diversity and resources of America’s 548 national wildlife refuges. And it’s a great opportunity to find a family event in your community.
News Release

National Wildlife Refuge System: Conserving Our Lands and Resources
On the Border
September 26, 2008
Along the international border of Mexico and the United States thousands of indivduals attempt to cross into the United States illegally. The Service is responsible for managing natural resources along 158 miles of this border in Arizona, Texas and California. The illegal off road traffic and resulting border enforcement actions have left their mark on sensitive natural resources that the Service has worked for decades to restore and protect.
On the Border

Landscape Conservation, Threatened and Endangered Species
Sanctuary for the Houston Toad
September 26, 2008
Through the Service's Safe Harbor Program, Texas rancher and minister, Bob Long, is helping to conserve the endangered amphibian.
Sanctuary for the Houston Toad

Migratory Birds: Conservation and Management
Majestic Journey
September 26, 2008
Avid birders, conservationalists, tourists, and nature enthusiasts from around the world visit the small town of Kearner, Nebraska to witness what locals proudly call one of the Seven Wonders of the World - the Sandhill crane migration.
Majestic Journey

Migratory Birds: Conservation and Management
Secretary Kempthorne Announces $26 Million for Wetlands Grants, $4.1 Million for Refuge Acquisitions - New Video Released on Migratory Bird Conservation Commission
September 15, 2008
Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne announced that the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission has approved more than $26 million in funding to protect and restore more than 135,000 acres of U.S. wetland areas and wildlife habitats under the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA). Chaired by Secretary Kempthorne, the commission also approved $4.1 million in funding to add more than 4,400 other wetland acres to seven national wildlife refuges.
News Release

Video

NAWCA project summaries

Migratory Bird Conservation Fund’s billionth dollar.

Connecting People With Nature: Ensuring the Future of Conservation
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director H. Dale Hall Honored For Lifetime Contributions to Conservation
September 11, 2008
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director H. Dale Hall has been recognized by the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA) for his career-long history of working with states and other conservation partners on issues ranging from climate change to endangered species protection.
News Release

Threatened and Endangered Species: Achieving Recovery and Preventing Extinction
Captive Breeding Used to Boost Declining Population of Lange's Metalmark Butterfly at Antioch Dunes National Wildlife Refuge
September 11, 2008
In August biologists from Moorpark College, The Urban Wildlands Group, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released adults and caterpillars of the Lange's metalmark butterfly to increase their numbers at Antioch Dunes National Wildlife Refuge. Antioch Dunes NWR is the only place on earth where the Lange's metalmark butterfly exists.
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Pollinators Home Page

Connecting People With Nature: Ensuring the Future of Conservation
Service Supports 2008 Year of the Frog
September 5, 2008
Amphibian populations are in decline in many areas of the world. Areas which previously hosted a range of healthy frogs and other amphibian populations now have fewer, or even no frogs, toads, and salamanders. 2008 has been declared the "Year of the Frog" to highlight this crisis and emphasize the importance of amphibian conservation.
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Slide Show

Endangered Species Bulletin, Spring 2008, "Year of the Frog"

Connecting People With Nature: Ensuring the Future of Conservation
BoatUS and Service Sign Agreement to Promote "Ethical Angler" Campaign
September 2, 2008
The Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service joined forces today to reinforce the values of sport fishing through a public information campaign called The Ethical Angler.
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Landscape Conservation: Working With Others
New Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge Video Garners Two Prestigious Film Awards
August 27, 2008
Produced by the Service's National Conservation Training Center and the staff at Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge, this beautifully photographed video follows the bears as they travel through the seasons. The video, Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge—Home of the Great Kodiak Bear recently received an Award of Excellence at the 14th Annual Communicators Award and a Silver at the 29th Annual Telly Awards.
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Threatened and Endangered Species: Achieving Recovery and Preventing Extinction
West Virginia Northern Flying Squirrel has Recovered, Glides Off Endangered Species List
August 25, 2008
Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne announced today that the West Virginia northern flying squirrel has recovered from the brink of extinction and will be removed from Endangered Species Act protection. The species' rebound can be attributed to a combination of conservation efforts and regeneration of the flying squirrel's forest habitat.
News Release