Region 2

Santa Cruz River Species

The Cottonwood Springs Partners for Wildlife project, located in southern Arizona on Sonoita Creek (a major tributary of the Santa Cruz River), continues to serve as an excellent opportunity for biodiversity restoration. This effort has improved habitat for an endangered fish, the Gila topminnow (Poeciliopsis occidentalis), and the Huachuca water umbel (Lilaeopsis schaffneriana var. recirva), a plant proposed in 1995 for listing as endangered. Both species are found in cienegas, unique wetland ecosystems in the arid southwest.

Of additional and perhaps greater significance for biodiversity restoration, this partnership with a willing landowner has led to significant increases in the growth of willows, cottonwoods, and other species. The growth of these native trees, when combined with recovery of other cienega and riparian plants, has increased the area's diversity of neotropical migratory bird species, such as flycatchers, vireos, warblers, and grosbeaks.

The Fish and Wildlife Service's (FWS) Arizona Ecological Services State Office hopes to use this Partners for Wildlife partnership and others nearby as examples to promote similar restoration efforts along the Santa Cruz River in Mexico.

Three Springsnail Species

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's (FWS) New Mexico Ecological Services State Office has been working with Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge, the FWS Albuquerque Regional Office (Division of Water Resources), New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (formerly the Soil Conservation Service), The Nature Conservancy, and the New Mexico Natural Heritage Inventory to develop conservation agreements for three springsnail species that are candidates for listing under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The Chupadera springsnail ( Pyrgulopsis (="Fontelicella") chupadae), Roswell springsnail (Pyrgulopsis (="Fontelicella") roswellensis), and Koster's tryonia (Tryonia kosteri) are all endemic to New Mexico. The Chupadera springsnail is found only on private land, while the other two species are known from springs on Bitter Lake NWR and on private land. FWS biologists are participating in efforts to determine the current status of these species and are working with private landowners to protect springs that support the snails.

Lower Rio Grande Valley Bridge Construction

The U.S. Department of State has agreed to prepare a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) to address the cumulative impacts of bridges over the Rio Grande between Texas and Mexico. The FWS, along with other Federal agencies (General Services Administration, Army Corps of Engineers, Border Patrol, Customs Bureau), is participating in the effort. Currently, 15 bridges span the Rio Grande in the stretch from Del Rio to Brownsville alone, and another 9 are proposed for construction. At least 20 listed species of plants and animals, and hundreds of rare or peripheral species, occur in the Lower Rio Grande Valley.

Since the turn of the century, approximately 95 percent of the native Tamaulipan thornbrush habitat once found in this area has been cleared for agriculture and urban development. The remaining 5 percent of the Lower Rio Grande area of Texas still supports many unique and rare species. Because of the need to protect the remaining native habitats, three national wildlife refuges are located in this area. In fact, the Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge was established specifically to preserve habitats along the lower Rio Grande and to establish a "wildlife corridor" to connect larger "islands" of habitat in the United States. Unfortunately, additional bridges or other development proposed for construction along the Rio Grande in this area may inhibit the movement of wildlife along the narrow corridor of habitat between the U.S. and Mexico. Secondary and indirect impacts associated with construction of an international bridge (increased highway construction and other development) are often as detrimental to wildlife resources as the direct impacts of the bridge itself.

Representatives of the FWS Lower Rio Grande Ecosystem Team attended an interagency scoping meeting for the PEIS last spring in Austin, Texas, along with about 20 other State and Federal agencies. Three public scoping meetings were held in May 1995 in Harlingen, Laredo, and El Paso, Texas. The FWS provided written comments to the State Department on June 12, 1995. The final PEIS on the bridge construction projects is expected by March 1996.

Region 3

Running Buffalo Clover (Trifolium stoloniferum)

In early June, a new site for this endangered plant was confirmed in Lawrence County, Ohio. Botanists from the Ohio Department of Transportation, the Ohio Division of Natural Areas and Preserves, and the U.S. Forest Service verified the clover find.

Dakota Skipper (Hesperia dacotae)

Federal agriculture and natural resource agencies, species experts, and private agriculture interests met in late June to launch a prelisting recovery effort for the Dakota skipper, a butterfly of tall and midgrass prairies. The group is united in its desire to keep the skipper's status healthy enough that it will not need Endangered Species Act (ESA) protection.

Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus)

Cooperative efforts to protect this small shorebird, which is classified in the Great Lakes region as endangered, are paying off this year, with more plover young sighted in this region since the population was listed in 1985. Preliminary reports from the 1995 nesting season indicate that at least 21 pairs nested this year and produced approximately 40 fledglings.

Eastern Prairie Fringed Orchid (Platanthera leucophaea)

As part of the artificial pollination project for this threatened wildflower, which is being coordinated by The Nature Conservancy and the FWS Chicago, Illinois, Field Office, over 60 volunteers from TNC's Volunteer Steward Network censused orchid populations, hand-pollinated orchids, and collected and dispersed seeds for the third year in a row. It may be several years before results from the seed dispersal are apparent, but this year we were rewarded with dramatic population increases at sites that were managed as grasslands through prescribed burning and clearing of invasive, non-native brush. Land managers with the Lake County Forest Preserve District were particularly delighted to see over 100 flowering plants at one site where no more than 5 plants have been seen annually for 8 years.

The much-needed habitat management was accomplished through ESA section 6 funding and the cooperation of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, three County Forest Preserve Districts, private landowners, volunteer, the TNC, and the FWS Chicago Office.

Mitchell's Satyr Butterfly (Neonympha mitchelli mitchelli)

In July 1995, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and the FWS Bloomington, Indiana, Field Office initiated much needed conservation efforts for the endangered Mitchell's satyr butterfly (Neonympha mitchellii mitchellii). Only five apparently viable populations remain rangewide (Indiana and Michigan). At the time of its listing, two populations existed in Indiana. Unfortunately, recent surveys failed to locate the butterfly at one of the two previously occupied sites. In an attempt to strengthen the Indiana population, efforts to reintroduce the butterfly to a nearby TNC-owned property were completed this year. Biologists will monitor the site next year to determine if the project was successful.

Lake Sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens)

In an effort to determine the movements of lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) in Wisconsin's Wolf River, large sturgeon were collected and implanted with radio tags for tracking over a 3-year period. The fish were released upstream of the Shawano Hydroelectric Dam. If they are found to migrate downstream through the Shawano Dam and the next downstream dam (Shawano Paper Mills Dam), then the installation of fish ladders at these dams will likely be required to allow lake sturgeon and other fish species to move back upstream to Menominee Indian Tribal waters on the Wolf River. The Menominee Reservation was a historic spawning area for the lake sturgeon before fish passage was blocked by the two dams.

Approximately 11,000 visitors learned about endangered species recently during a "Conservation Fest" at the Kansas City, Missouri, Zoo. The FWS Columbia, Missouri, Field Office hosted an endangered species booth during this 2-day event.

Region 4

Clasping warea (Warea amplexifolia)

At Lake Griffin State Recreation Area in Leesburg, Florida, park managers, aided by a grant from the FWS, are continuing recovery efforts for this endangered, summer-flowering annual. Encroaching evergreen oaks are being removed from the species' pineland habitat and protective fences have been built. In addition, the Florida Division of Forestry has been producing wiregrass (Aristida stricta) plants from seed collected from another State park. Over 2,000 wiregrass plants are being transplanted into warea habitat to restore the habitat's understory.

Mussels

The FWS Jacksonville, Florida, Field Office is sponsoring several surveys and recovery efforts by the National Biological Service (NBS) for the conservation of freshwater mussels. An on-going status survey on mussels of the Altamaha River system of central Georgia is focusing on seven species restricted to that drainage, including the Altamaha spinymussel (Elliptio spinosa). Recent recovery projects include NBS research on which fish species host the larvae of four mussels that are proposed for listing, and a study to determine the effects of sedimentation on mussels and fish communities within several Apalachicola River system tributaries.

In addition, the FWS Jacksonville and Asheville, North Carolina, Field Offices are cooperating to fund research projects and outreach activities. One study at the NBS Tennessee cooperative research unit involves experiments on how best to feed and raise juvenile mussels in tanks for eventual placement into native habitat. The other project, which is being conducted by the NBS Virginia co-op unit, will investigate the potential of using fish hatchery raceways to propagate mussels for reintroduction. Both research projects are using non-endangered mussels as surrogates for listed species. The outreach activities, initiated by the Asheville office in cooperation with the FWS Jackson, Mississippi, Field Office, include an exhibit at the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga on the conservation of freshwater aquatic biodiversity, a travelling interactive display on mussels, and the development of a freshwater ecosystem "trunk" or container that provides educators with a variety of information and exhibits on lesser known aquatic species.

Region 5

Indiana Bat (Myotis sodalis)

Sightings of the Indiana bat in New Jersey are on the rise. This endangered mammal was first documented in the State in 1993, when a colony was found hibernating in an abandoned mine. Two additional Indiana bat hibernacula were discovered in 1994, also within abandoned mines. In July 1995, biologists captured a post-lactating female Indiana bat, confirming summer breeding activity in New Jersey.

Northeastern Tiger Beetle (Cicindela dorsalis dorsalis)

Historically found in "great swarms" along New Jersey's undeveloped beaches from Sandy Hook to Holgate, the northeastern tiger beetle had disappeared from the State by the 1970's. Recently, the FWS began to restore this threatened insect to portions of its former range. In October 1994, biologists with the FWS New Jersey Field Office and tiger beetle researcher C. Barry Knisley of Randolph-Macon College (Ashland, Virginia), in cooperation with the National Park Service, reintroduced approximately 600 beetle larvae at 2 sites on the Sandy Hook unit of the Gateway National Recreation Area. The larvae were collected from Virginia populations along the Chesapeake Bay.

During a July 1995 survey of the reintroduction sites, biologists found about 50 adult beetles. The predatory insects displayed normal feeding and mating behavior. In addition, the presence of active larvae confirmed that beetles were reproducing. The success of the first year's reintroduction exceeded expectations, and another release of larvae is scheduled to take place shortly.

Dwarf Wedge Mussel (Alismidonta heterodon)

Volunteers from the New England Aquarium Dive Club, Vermont Field Office of The Nature Conservancy (TNC), and FWS New England Field Office spent a day diving in the Connecticut River to search for this endangered mollusk. FWS biologists and Chris Fichtel of TNC trained the volunteers in identifying freshwater mussels and their habitats, and provided back-up support (e.g., food, equipment).

The 9 volunteer divers found 11 dwarf wedge mussels, all in depths of 8 to 13 feet. Because the day was so successful, a number of the divers asked to assist in future explorations of the Connecticut River. This was the second time the New England Aquarium Dive Club has volunteered to help search for mussels and, we hope, not the last.

Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar)

Wild stocks of Atlantic salmon from seven Maine rivers constitute a distinct population that was proposed September 29 for listing as threatened under the ESA. The FWS and State of Maine are working closely to produce fry for augmenting the reduced wild salmon populations, using captured wild fish as broodstock. Thousands of hatchery-produced salmon fry were released recently into three of the seven rivers. Each river received only fry from stock native to that river.

The Craig Brook National Fish Hatchery has been converted to a river-specific facility capable of holding and isolating fish from five of the seven rivers. The FWS plans to stock all five rivers next year.

Swamp Pink (Helonias bullata)

In August 1995, the FWS New Jersey Field Office concluded informal consultation with the EPA regarding changes in plans for the clean-up of the Gloucester Environmental Management Service's (GEMS) Superfund site in Camden County, New Jersey. The EPA's original design for removal of contaminated groundwater at the GEMS landfill could have damaged adjacent wetlands supporting over 25,000 clumps of the swamp pink (Helonias bullata), a threatened wildflower. Working with FWS biologists, EPA modified the project by reducing the number of groundwater extraction wells to avoid draining the critical wetlands while allowing capture of the contaminant plume. Long-term hydrological and vegetative monitoring will be conducted to ensure that the redesigned clean-up plan does not adversely affect swamp pink habitat.

Mussels

The Freshwater Mussels of Vermont, a new publication resulting from years of joint effort by the FWS, Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife, and private groups and individuals, is now available. It describes the distribution and status of all freshwater mussels known to occur in Vermont, and includes distribution maps and photos (in both color and black-and-white) of each species. Introductory sections discuss ecology and life history, threats, and historical and current mussel surveys. The price is $6.00 (postpaid). To order, contact The Nature Conservancy, 27 State Street, Montpelier, Vermont 05602 (ATTN: Chris Fichtel).

Region 7

Aleutian Canada Goose (Branta canadensis leucopareia)

The Aleutian Canada goose continues to make progress toward recovery. In August, a total of 173 geese were translocated to Yunaska and Skagul Islands in the Aleutian Chain. Improvements in handling the wild-caught geese resulted in no losses despite the 48-hour holding time between capture and release. Fifty percent (86 geese) of the translocated birds were female goslings, which will improve the chances for successful reestablishment of a nesting population. The first long-distance (500 miles) translocation in 1994 proved successful when 35 percent of the geese released on Yunaska Island were observed on the wintering grounds in California last winter.

The Aleutian Canada goose breeding pair survey of Alaid/Nizki Islands in summer 1995 produced an estimate of 124 nests, a four-fold increase from the 1992 estimate, indicating that the islands' nesting population is self-sustaining.

Aleutian Shield Fern (Polystichum aleuticum)

Recovery efforts in the summer of 1995 involved the collection of fronds from wild populations for cultivation by the New York Botanical Garden and the Royal Botanical Garden (Kew) Gardens in Kew, England. Living material transferred to these facilities last year from a previous experiment are contaminated with algae, so an attempt will be made to cultivate this species directly from spores. Spores will also be supplied to the Cincinnati Zoo Plant Conservation Program, where they will be deposited into a permanent germplasm repository.

Spectacled Eider (Somateria fischeri)

Work during the summer of 1995 focused on pinpointing the cause(s) of the spectacled eider's (Somateria fischeri) precipitous population decline in Alaska. Twenty adult male eiders were collected from St. Lawrence Island in early May during migration to their wintering areas. Satellite transmitters were implanted in 9 males from Russia, 10 females from the Yukon Delta, and 10 females from Prudhoe Bay. Tissue samples were collected to screen for contaminants, and prey items collected from these birds are being identified.

Research conducted by the National Biological Service has included tissue analysis of lead levels in spectacled eiders from the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge and North Slope in Alaska, as well as eiders from Russia. Blood samples and x-ray images were collected from females at hatching time and again 30 days later, and from ducklings at 30 days of age. The X-rays indicated that some females and ducklings had ingested lead shot.