Feed Editor 22 Sep 2008 21:18:14 GMT The Southern Appalachian Creature Feature provides a glimpse into the fascinating world of plants and animals in the Southern Appalachians, one of the most biologically diverse temperate regions in the world. Beyond that it also examines the pressing conservation issues of the region that affect those plants and animals - from invasive species, to growth management, to engaging people in the ourdooors. The program is presented through a partnership between the Asheville Field Office of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and WNCW, 88.7, at Isothermal Community College in Spindale, North Carolina. http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html en Southern Appalachian Creature Feature The Southern Appalachian Creature Feature provides a glimpse into the fascinating world of plants and animals in the Southern Appalachians, one of the most biologically diverse temperate regions in the world. Beyond that it also examines the pressing conservation issues of the region that affect those plants and animals - from invasive species, to growth management, to engaging people in the ourdooors. The program is presented through a partnership between the Asheville Field Office of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and WNCW, 88.7, at Isothermal Community College in Spindale, North Carolina. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service fish, plants, wildlife, conservation, Appalachians no Gary Peeples gary_peeples@fws.gov http://www.fws.gov/asheville/rss/creature_feature_logo.jpg http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html The Southern Appalachian Creature Feature provides a glimpse into the fascinating world of plants and animals in the Southern Appalachians, one of the most biologically diverse temperate regions in the world. Beyond that it also examines the pressing conservation issues of the region that affect those plants and animals - from invasive species, to growth management, to engaging people in the ourdooors. The program is presented through a partnership between the Asheville Field Office of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and WNCW, 88.7, at Isothermal Community College in Spindale, North Carolina. no Every five years the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service conducts a national survey providing a look at the level of participation and spending on wildlife-based recreation, such as hunting, fishing, and wildlife watching. It’s done at the request of all the state fish and wildlife agencies, and the actual questioning is done by the U.S. Census bureau, who spoke with more than 48,000 households in 2011. The results from this latest survey are beginning to come in. 10 Dec 2012 15:40:05 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 7C5BB6BB-BC9B-4A93-B6FE-4DD61EE4923C 2011 Survey of Wildlife-Based Recreation Every five years the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service conducts a national survey providing a look at the level of participation and spending on wildlife-based recreation, such as hunting, fishing, and wildlife watching. It’s done at the request of all the state fish and wildlife agencies, and the actual questioning is done by the U.S. Census bureau, who spoke with more than 48,000 households in 2011. The results from this latest survey are beginning to come in. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Asheville, wildlife, recreation, survey 01:30 no no Invasive species management is an on-going challenge for land managers as there always seem to be new or spreading outbreaks. On a recent afternoon, biologists working at a bog in Henderson County actually experimented with using a shop-vacuum to remove Japanese stilt-grass seeds, sadly to no avail. Also called Nepalese browntop or by its genus name, microstegium, in the United States, this Asian plant was first seen in the Knoxville area around 1919, and its suspected it was used as packing material for porcelain. 3 Dec 2012 14:57:01 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html DE8F2668-637F-4EC7-A834-D1E21FCA61A8 Japanese stilt-grass Invasive species management is an on-going challenge for land managers as there always seem to be new or spreading outbreaks. On a recent afternoon, biologists working at a bog in Henderson County actually experimented with using a shop-vacuum to remove Japanese stilt-grass seeds, sadly to no avail. Also called Nepalese browntop or by its genus name, microstegium, in the United States, this Asian plant was first seen in the Knoxville area around 1919, and its suspected it was used as packing material for porcelain. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Asheville, exotic, microstegium, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 01:30 no no The Powell River flows southwest out of Virginia’s coal country and into east Tennessee, before its waters eventually flow into the Tennessee River, draining some of the most rural land in the Southern Appalachians. 20 Nov 2012 21:09:53 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 47D4D2E7-F934-4774-ACB5-4518B516B619 Endangered mussels released into Tennessee portion of the Powell River. The Powell River flows southwest out of Virginia’s coal country and into east Tennessee, before its waters eventually flow into the Tennessee River, draining some of the most rural land in the Southern Appalachians. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, mussel, Powell, Tennessee, Virginia 01:30 no no Few children ever get the opportunity to wade into a stream, shoes on, while their teacher not only looks one, but encourages them. However, nearly every fifth grade student in Yancey and Mitchell counties recently had just that opportunity as they went out to the North and South Toe rivers for this year’s Toes in the Toe Discovery – an annual event that aims to get kids out of the classroom and to a river in their community for a day of learning. 26 Oct 2012 17:37:04 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 65FF717F-F637-452C-99ED-068B84FFC548 Toes in the Toe Watershed Discovery Few children ever get the opportunity to wade into a stream, shoes on, while their teacher not only looks one, but encourages them. However, nearly every fifth grade student in Yancey and Mitchell counties recently had just that opportunity as they went out to the North and South Toe rivers for this year’s Toes in the Toe Discovery – an annual event that aims to get kids out of the classroom and to a river in their community for a day of learning. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Asheville, Toe River, Watershed 01:30 no no Fall is upon us, and amid the leaf raking, firewood splitting, pumpkin harvesting, and other fall chores, this is an opportunity for planting shrubs and trees. 5 Oct 2012 16:19:10 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 84915FA1-C599-4D48-8DA4-1A6A15DE0A4E Landscaping with native plants Fall is upon us, and amid the leaf raking, firewood splitting, pumpkin harvesting, and other fall chores, this is an opportunity for planting shrubs and trees. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Asheville, plant, invasive, exotic 01:30 no no Invasive species are plants and animals that are not from here but have been introduced and are thriving in the absence of their natural controls, to the detriment of our native species. Their impacts is especially notable in the Southern Appalachians, as they’re responsible for the loss of the American chestnut, the current decline of hemlock trees, and patches of kudzu across the region. Japanese knotweed is another. 5 Oct 2012 16:17:56 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html CE941B4E-BDF4-4D0D-A973-614DD86BBF4D Japanese Knotweed Invasive species are plants and animals that are not from here but have been introduced and are thriving in the absence of their natural controls, to the detriment of our native species. Their impacts is especially notable in the Southern Appalachians, as they’re responsible for the loss of the American chestnut, the current decline of hemlock trees, and patches of kudzu across the region. Japanese knotweed is another. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Asheville, knot, weed, invasive, exotic, plant 01:30 no no Yancey County’s South Toe River is one of the most beautiful in the Southern Appalachians. Its headwaters are protected by Pisgah National Forest and Mount Mitchell State Park and it flows through a sparsely developed landscape all the way to its confluence with the North Toe River. 5 Oct 2012 16:16:37 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 21847745-C581-49D2-8D5B-8F4CBE719726 Kudzu Yancey County’s South Toe River is one of the most beautiful in the Southern Appalachians. Its headwaters are protected by Pisgah National Forest and Mount Mitchell State Park and it flows through a sparsely developed landscape all the way to its confluence with the North Toe River. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Asheville, Toe, River, Judzu 01:30 no no Invasive exotic species are plants and animals that are not from here but have been introduced and are thriving in the absence of their natural controls, to the detriment of our native species. Kudzu is perhaps the most famous of these, a Japanese plant widely planted in the last century, but there are a host of others, including the chestnut blight that removed chestnuts from our Appalachian forests, the balsam woolly adelgid which has killed Fraser firs on our highest mountaintops, and the hemlock woolly adelgid which is killing hemlock trees. 5 Oct 2012 16:15:15 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 60AB222D-C3DA-4460-9C11-F363CD924A41 Southern Appalachian Cooperative Weed Management Partnership Invasive exotic species are plants and animals that are not from here but have been introduced and are thriving in the absence of their natural controls, to the detriment of our native species. Kudzu is perhaps the most famous of these, a Japanese plant widely planted in the last century, but there are a host of others, including the chestnut blight that removed chestnuts from our Appalachian forests, the balsam woolly adelgid which has killed Fraser firs on our highest mountaintops, and the hemlock woolly adelgid which is killing hemlock trees. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Asheville, invasive, plant, exotic 01:30 no no This summer’s West Nile virus numbers are up. What better time to take a closer look at the vector for this disease – mosquitoes. 5 Oct 2012 16:13:55 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 8B93FF53-3BB3-4AB4-9CFD-0B7CD686D3EC Mosquitoes This summer’s West Nile virus numbers are up. What better time to take a closer look at the vector for this disease – mosquitoes. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Asheville, mosquito 01:30 no no A pair of biologists sat patiently beside the Tuckasegee River, staring at a set of wooden boxes mounted on a wooden pole on the rivers’ bank, waiting for the sun to go down. 5 Oct 2012 16:12:03 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 5B2B71DC-9020-4909-9E19-117C4C92A09D Watching bats thrive in Dillsboro A pair of biologists sat patiently beside the Tuckasegee River, staring at a set of wooden boxes mounted on a wooden pole on the rivers’ bank, waiting for the sun to go down. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Asheville, Dillsboro, Tuckasegee, dam, bats 01:30 no no The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission wants your help. Commission biologists noticed an unusually high number of cases of hemorrhagic disease in white-tailed deer in Wilkes and Surry counties, and are asking the public to report sightings of sick or diseased animals. 5 Oct 2012 16:02:49 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 1FD41760-1CB5-47DA-9AEE-8B49B9BA3BA3 Hemorrahgic disease in Western North Carolina The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission wants your help. Commission biologists noticed an unusually high number of cases of hemorrhagic disease in white-tailed deer in Wilkes and Surry counties, and are asking the public to report sightings of sick or diseased animals. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Asheville, deer 01:30 no no Elk once roamed the southern Appalachian Mountains and the eastern United States before over-harvesting extirpated them from the area in the late 1700’s. The experimental release of elk into the Great Smoky Mountains, which began in 2001 with a population of 25 elk, has been successful. To this point, the population has been growing and the park has been monitoring the herd with the assistance of radio collars. 5 Oct 2012 16:01:33 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html B14DC033-EDF3-4DDC-B3B9-15B7802FD9B1 Illegal possession of elk antlers Elk once roamed the southern Appalachian Mountains and the eastern United States before over-harvesting extirpated them from the area in the late 1700’s. The experimental release of elk into the Great Smoky Mountains, which began in 2001 with a population of 25 elk, has been successful. To this point, the population has been growing and the park has been monitoring the herd with the assistance of radio collars. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Asheville, elk 01:30 no no Though the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service currently proposes creating a National Wildlife Refuge to protect rare Southern Appalachian Mountain Bogs, efforts to conserve these areas have been going on for decades, with farmers playing a key role. 5 Oct 2012 15:59:53 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 3B485C2D-273D-43C7-A9A5-BE9E5027D163 Farmers and bog turtles Though the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service currently proposes creating a National Wildlife Refuge to protect rare Southern Appalachian Mountain Bogs, efforts to conserve these areas have been going on for decades, with farmers playing a key role. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, bogs, turtles, farmers 01:30 no no White-nose syndrome, the disease responsible for killing millions of North American bats continues to spread in Western North Carolina. Earlier this spring the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission confirmed the disease in Haywood County, the fifth North Carolina county where the disease has been discovered. 5 Oct 2012 15:57:44 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 4D4FF84A-02BE-46D0-AA9A-589504659485 White-nose syndrome spreads in North Carolina White-nose syndrome, the disease responsible for killing millions of North American bats continues to spread in Western North Carolina. Earlier this spring the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission confirmed the disease in Haywood County, the fifth North Carolina county where the disease has been discovered. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Asheville, white, nose, bat, syndrome 01:30 no no As the bat disease white nose syndrome continues to spread in the Southern Appalachians, the U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service recently announced 1.4 million dollars to fund research into the disease and ways to control it. Funding for the grants was provided under the Endangered Species Act. 5 Oct 2012 15:56:25 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 2BCAC1D5-48FD-48F2-B0AD-0AEA75F64D63 Grants to combat white-nose syndrome As the bat disease white nose syndrome continues to spread in the Southern Appalachians, the U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service recently announced 1.4 million dollars to fund research into the disease and ways to control it. Funding for the grants was provided under the Endangered Species Act. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Asheville, white, nose, bat, syndrome 01:30 no no A standard tool for biologists working to recover endangered species is either breeding rare plants or animals in captivity or raising them in captivity to increase their likelihood of survival. This can be quite complicated, as it involves plants or animals that are extremely rare, and for which we know little about their life cycles. 5 Oct 2012 15:55:10 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 9FF54670-DFD7-469B-8CB1-BBDDE0F48512 Rearing Appalachian elktoes in captivity A standard tool for biologists working to recover endangered species is either breeding rare plants or animals in captivity or raising them in captivity to increase their likelihood of survival. This can be quite complicated, as it involves plants or animals that are extremely rare, and for which we know little about their life cycles. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Asheville, eagle 01:30 no no We came to a stop on the shoulder of the dirt road, got out of the car, crossed the road, and the driver pointed to a spot near the top of a rocky cliff. It was a golden eagle nest, and on it was the first golden eagle I had ever seen. But that was Montana. 5 Oct 2012 15:46:45 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 587D0400-BC0A-4C00-8D21-32FF2A0AE5BC Golden eagles in Appalachia We came to a stop on the shoulder of the dirt road, got out of the car, crossed the road, and the driver pointed to a spot near the top of a rocky cliff. It was a golden eagle nest, and on it was the first golden eagle I had ever seen. But that was Montana. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Asheville, eagle 01:30 no no The dry, late-winter brush covering the field was several feet high as we walked across, side-by-side, looking for birds. Then, with startling suddenness, a bird shot out of the brush, flying for several yards before settling back down to earth. 5 Oct 2012 15:44:04 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 1EF9E846-EEAA-467A-994D-EAB84159ED80 Birding at Ochlawaha Bog The dry, late-winter brush covering the field was several feet high as we walked across, side-by-side, looking for birds. Then, with startling suddenness, a bird shot out of the brush, flying for several yards before settling back down to earth. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Asheville. Ochlawaha, bird 01:30 no no This tiny olive dater is a fish is rare enough to get the attention of state and federal wildlife biologists, so any help it gets is welcome. The fish had never been found upstream of Dillsboro Dam in North Carolina’s Tuckasegee River. However, that dam was removed two years ago, and biologists have since discovered one of the darters upstream of the former dam site, hopefully expanding a range previously limited by a massive stone wall. 5 Oct 2012 15:45:30 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 96610C19-4F9F-4251-B9A2-304D94E950D6 Anniversary of the Dillsboro Dam removal This tiny olive dater is a fish is rare enough to get the attention of state and federal wildlife biologists, so any help it gets is welcome. The fish had never been found upstream of Dillsboro Dam in North Carolina’s Tuckasegee River. However, that dam was removed two years ago, and biologists have since discovered one of the darters upstream of the former dam site, hopefully expanding a range previously limited by a massive stone wall. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Asheville, Dillsboro, Tuckasegee, dam 01:30 no no The Chattooga River is perhaps best known across the nation as the place where the movie Deliverance was filmed, beginning what seems like endless banjo and paddling jokes. Locally, the Chattooga enjoys a reputation as home to some of the wildest angling and paddling experiences in the Southern Appalachians. 5 Oct 2012 15:40:51 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html B373CC64-6FAA-487C-A5B0-927ECC0F9622 Fishing and boating the Chattooga River The Chattooga River is perhaps best known across the nation as the place where the movie Deliverance was filmed, beginning what seems like endless banjo and paddling jokes. Locally, the Chattooga enjoys a reputation as home to some of the wildest angling and paddling experiences in the Southern Appalachians. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Asheville, Chattooga 01:30 no no Tax time. A burden, with a bit of a consolation for those receiving a refund. But for people in North Carolina, it’s also an opportunity. 5 Oct 2012 15:39:47 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 9B6D950C-851A-4140-B86F-9A0F7C9F7022 Checking the box for wildlife Tax time. A burden, with a bit of a consolation for those receiving a refund. But for people in North Carolina, it’s also an opportunity. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Asheville, wildlife, tax 01:30 no no When you work with endangered species, you sometimes reflect on those that may disappear in your life, or the pristine places that have become spoiled. However, our generation is poised to bear witness to the near opposite – the revival and return of what was once one of our most important species here in the Eastern United States. 5 Oct 2012 15:37:20 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 0D2A2CE2-9C2C-43C9-91B6-980829B95F7B Return of the American chestnut When you work with endangered species, you sometimes reflect on those that may disappear in your life, or the pristine places that have become spoiled. However, our generation is poised to bear witness to the near opposite – the revival and return of what was once one of our most important species here in the Eastern United States. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Asheville, chestnut 01:30 no no Great Smoky Mountains National Park has long held the title of the nation’s most visited national park, but a recent study shows it holds the top spot in terms of visitor spending. 5 Oct 2012 15:35:17 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html C009EC50-0CAF-43B3-9CCD-0166248D8937 Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s economic impact Great Smoky Mountains National Park has long held the title of the nation’s most visited national park, but a recent study shows it holds the top spot in terms of visitor spending. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Asheville, Great Smoky Mountains National Park 01:30 no no Most people don’t get the opportunity to spend a day with biologists snorkeling a river looking for mussels, hiking through the high country keeping tabs on northern flying squirrels, or going underground to check on bat populations. I’m blessed in that I get to do all of those things on occasion. 5 Oct 2012 15:33:36 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 6DD7BBFA-2330-444B-B6DE-85D8103E65E9 Experience the Smokies Most people don’t get the opportunity to spend a day with biologists snorkeling a river looking for mussels, hiking through the high country keeping tabs on northern flying squirrels, or going underground to check on bat populations. I’m blessed in that I get to do all of those things on occasion. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Asheville, Smokies 01:30 no no Whooping cranes are one of the rarest animals in the world, with only between 525 and 550 remaining. Of those, two recently touched down in Western North Carolina. Biologists recently confirmed the presence of a pair of whooping cranes in Clay County, North Carolina, marking the first time the birds have been documented wintering in Western North Carolina. 5 Oct 2012 15:32:10 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 0168D953-8F4D-4F6E-ADE2-B4799F628DF2 Whoopers in Western North Carolina Whooping cranes are one of the rarest animals in the world, with only between 525 and 550 remaining. Of those, two recently touched down in Western North Carolina. Biologists recently confirmed the presence of a pair of whooping cranes in Clay County, North Carolina, marking the first time the birds have been documented wintering in Western North Carolina. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Asheville, whooping crane 01:30 no no I previously spoke about the arrest and conviction of Johnny Carl Grooms of Cosby, Tennessee for conspiring to distribute oxycodone and cocaine, interstate travel to further drug trafficking, possession of oxycodone with the intent to distribute, distribution of cocaine, possession of firearms by a convicted felon, and illegally trafficking in ginseng. Grooms was recently sentenced, and his crimes earned him more than 24 years in prison. 5 Oct 2012 15:28:21 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 35E2BD9C-36FD-4246-899C-22AB8080CCA3 Ginseng conviction I previously spoke about the arrest and conviction of Johnny Carl Grooms of Cosby, Tennessee for conspiring to distribute oxycodone and cocaine, interstate travel to further drug trafficking, possession of oxycodone with the intent to distribute, distribution of cocaine, possession of firearms by a convicted felon, and illegally trafficking in ginseng. Grooms was recently sentenced, and his crimes earned him more than 24 years in prison. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Asheville, ginseng 01:30 no no In the depths of winter, it may be a little hard to think ahead to early spring, but soon spring peepers, tiny frogs found across the Eastern United States and among the first frogs to emerge and begin mating, will begin their calling. 5 Oct 2012 15:26:49 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html D3BD71DB-A112-48B9-B6A8-D4B6191357F4 Volunteers keep tabs on Amphibians In the depths of winter, it may be a little hard to think ahead to early spring, but soon spring peepers, tiny frogs found across the Eastern United States and among the first frogs to emerge and begin mating, will begin their calling. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, amphibians, CASP, citizen science 01:30 no no The holidays -the gifts, the time with family and friends, the question of what to do when not eating or watching football. 5 Oct 2012 15:25:01 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html FB9AC335-62DF-424E-9313-6B653AB06FE5 Christmas bird count The holidays -the gifts, the time with family and friends, the question of what to do when not eating or watching football. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Asheville, Christmas, bird 01:30 no no Ginseng and goldenseal are widely known and used for their purported medicinal properties. Galax is a native plant harvested for use in flower arrangements. White oak is used in traditional Cherokee basket weaving. The Southern Appalachians are home to a botanical bounty of wild plants that have found plenty of human uses. In many cases, behind those uses is a market where these plants are bought and sold, usually legally, sometimes not so. A great challenge for all involved in the legal trade of these plants is ensuring they are properly managed and sustainably harvested. 5 Oct 2012 14:54:02 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 7F55E36E-F21A-491B-9DB8-6939CA1DEEC3 SAMAB Conference and forest products Ginseng and goldenseal are widely known and used for their purported medicinal properties. Galax is a native plant harvested for use in flower arrangements. White oak is used in traditional Cherokee basket weaving. The Southern Appalachians are home to a botanical bounty of wild plants that have found plenty of human uses. In many cases, behind those uses is a market where these plants are bought and sold, usually legally, sometimes not so. A great challenge for all involved in the legal trade of these plants is ensuring they are properly managed and sustainably harvested. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Asheville, SAMAB, forest, sustainable, ginseng, galax, goldenseal 01:30 no no The importance of streams, in general, and especially here in the mountains, can’t be understated. For many they’re the source of drinking water, and here in the mountains they’re a key part of our outdoor recreation culture, which in turn fuels an outdoor recreation economy. In western North Carolina, our streams are home to three endangered species – the Appalachian elktoe mussel, the littlewing pearlymussel, and the spotfin chub – a tiny fish found in the Little Tennessee River. 5 Oct 2012 14:51:59 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html D274726E-D6D3-47A3-8F9C-C260228E578D Master Stream Stewards The importance of streams, in general, and especially here in the mountains, can’t be understated. For many they’re the source of drinking water, and here in the mountains they’re a key part of our outdoor recreation culture, which in turn fuels an outdoor recreation economy. In western North Carolina, our streams are home to three endangered species – the Appalachian elktoe mussel, the littlewing pearlymussel, and the spotfin chub – a tiny fish found in the Little Tennessee River. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Asheville, stream 01:30 no no The U.S.D.A. Forest Service recently announced prescribed burns near a pair of popular Western North Carolina recreation areas – Max Patch and Harmon Den, both in Haywood County. 5 Oct 2012 14:49:53 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 34CBE5D1-9F58-48BB-BCF5-63C28BD4BE0F Prescribed fire The U.S.D.A. Forest Service recently announced prescribed burns near a pair of popular Western North Carolina recreation areas – Max Patch and Harmon Den, both in Haywood County. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Asheville, fire 01:30 no no The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is the keeper of the federal endangered species list. One of the species we’re considering adding to that list is the Grandfather Mountain crayfish. 5 Oct 2012 14:47:17 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 949221CF-ACF6-4FD8-9EE4-0C697AF6FDC6 Grandfather Mountain crayfish The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is the keeper of the federal endangered species list. One of the species we’re considering adding to that list is the Grandfather Mountain crayfish. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Asheville, Grandfather Mountain, crayfish 01:30 no no My daily commute usually takes me by a small patch of forest owned by the University of North Carolina at Asheville. Going home one recent afternoon, I went around a sharp curve and came upon a bump in the road. A bump that was slowly moving. 5 Oct 2012 14:43:49 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html A7373705-236D-4B3A-A27F-E894A665D3A0 Box turtle threats My daily commute usually takes me by a small patch of forest owned by the University of North Carolina at Asheville. Going home one recent afternoon, I went around a sharp curve and came upon a bump in the road. A bump that was slowly moving. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, box turtle, Asheville 01:30 no no Cold weather has descended upon the Southern Appalachians and on some mornings, perhaps most mornings, soft, warm flannel sheets make the notion of hibernation seem incredibly appealing. 2 Mar 2012 13:43:37 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html E5B9180E-222B-4964-A5C5-8C55C91FABED Frog hibernation Cold weather has descended upon the Southern Appalachians and on some mornings, perhaps most mornings, soft, warm flannel sheets make the notion of hibernation seem incredibly appealing. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service U.S. Fish & Wildlfie Service, frog, hibernation, winter 01:30 no no We wanted to get to a remote section of Great Smoky Mountains National Park to do some bat work. To get there by land would require going by foot nearly the entire way and turn a day’s worth of work into a three-day expedition. However, going by boat cuts out all that leg work. The Smokies has a program to control feral hogs, and we were able to catch a ride with a couple of their hog control staff travelling by boat to their work area. 2 Mar 2012 13:42:24 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 9988E8D6-6586-4575-A658-EA4E4C5B4565 Feral hog trapping We wanted to get to a remote section of Great Smoky Mountains National Park to do some bat work. To get there by land would require going by foot nearly the entire way and turn a day’s worth of work into a three-day expedition. However, going by boat cuts out all that leg work. The Smokies has a program to control feral hogs, and we were able to catch a ride with a couple of their hog control staff travelling by boat to their work area. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service U.S. Fish & Wildlfie Service, feral, hog 01:30 no no Scientists recently announced a break-through in their study of the deadly bat disease white-nose syndrome. First discovered in a New York cave in 2006, the disease has spread in all directions, including into the Southern Appalachians, and is blamed for the deaths of more than a million bats. 2 Mar 2012 13:40:00 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 4C6B2B37-8713-46FE-9A85-2C5F9BA94E8D White-nose syndrome discovery Scientists recently announced a break-through in their study of the deadly bat disease white-nose syndrome. First discovered in a New York cave in 2006, the disease has spread in all directions, including into the Southern Appalachians, and is blamed for the deaths of more than a million bats. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service U.S. Fish & Wildlfie Service, bats, WNS 01:30 no no Ginseng and goldenseal are widely known and used for their purported medicinal properties. Galax is a native plant harvested for use in flower arrangements. White oak is used in traditional Cherokee basket weaving. The Southern Appalachians are home to a botanical bounty of wild plants that have found plenty of human uses. In many cases, behind those uses is a market where these plants are bought and sold, usually legally, sometimes not so. A great challenge for all involved in the legal trade of these plants is ensuring they are properly managed and sustainably harvested. 2 Mar 2012 13:37:52 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html A636E131-82D7-4B82-9544-234DC3F1119A 2011 SAMAB Conference Ginseng and goldenseal are widely known and used for their purported medicinal properties. Galax is a native plant harvested for use in flower arrangements. White oak is used in traditional Cherokee basket weaving. The Southern Appalachians are home to a botanical bounty of wild plants that have found plenty of human uses. In many cases, behind those uses is a market where these plants are bought and sold, usually legally, sometimes not so. A great challenge for all involved in the legal trade of these plants is ensuring they are properly managed and sustainably harvested. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service U.S. Fish & Wildlfie Service, SAMAB, ginseng 01:30 no no People across the United States now have an incredibly simple way to help protect animals like tigers, rhinos and gorillas. 1 Mar 2012 19:53:33 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 17FB1F00-9817-4F58-BD46-A12E8B2CD2DE Tiger Stamp Helps Conserve Species People across the United States now have an incredibly simple way to help protect animals like tigers, rhinos and gorillas. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service U.S. Fish & Wildlfie Service, tiger, stamp 01:30 no no The first toe in the cold water of Yancey County’s South Toe River usually brings shrieks among many fifth-graders, but the excitement of getting to wade the river during school keeps them going. 1 Mar 2012 19:48:29 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html EF918A20-D5CB-4E00-8EE9-1992682BC018 Toe River Valley Festival 2011 The first toe in the cold water of Yancey County’s South Toe River usually brings shrieks among many fifth-graders, but the excitement of getting to wade the river during school keeps them going. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service U.S. Fish & Wildlfie Service, river, festival 01:30 no no The Southeastern United States, including the Southern Appalachians, is a global center of aquatic biodiversity, which includes nearly 500 different fish, more than 300 snails, and nearly 300 mussels. 1 Mar 2012 19:46:38 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 4C03B1F1-C463-4C7D-AF18-7415829CB122 Hundreds of species examined for the endangered species list The Southeastern United States, including the Southern Appalachians, is a global center of aquatic biodiversity, which includes nearly 500 different fish, more than 300 snails, and nearly 300 mussels. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service U.S. Fish & Wildlfie Service, endangered 01:30 no no Salmon are perhaps the most famous migratory fish in the United States, but here in the east, from Greenland to South America, we have the American eel. Spending most of it’s time in rivers, all American eels migrate to the Sargasso Sea to reproduce, and then young eels return to rivers to become adults. 1 Mar 2012 19:45:08 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 45951D68-90D3-4A96-808E-03C3E48389FF American eel an endangered species? Salmon are perhaps the most famous migratory fish in the United States, but here in the east, from Greenland to South America, we have the American eel. Spending most of it’s time in rivers, all American eels migrate to the Sargasso Sea to reproduce, and then young eels return to rivers to become adults. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service U.S. Fish & Wildlfie Service, eel, endangered 01:30 no no The first bat was caught just as night set in, nearly immediately after biologists set the fine net designed to ensnare bats before they could sense its presence. Biologists immediately pulled the bat from the net and began the process of collecting data from it. Species, gender, and general age were determined. It was weighed. Wings were checked for damage – a sign of the deadly bat disease white-nose syndrome. It was tagged, then released. The scene was played out continuously from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. on an early August night, and this was but one of ten stations set up that night and the next two nights. 1 Mar 2012 19:43:02 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 80285665-2293-4ED4-AE72-96B154746609 Bat Blitz 2011 The first bat was caught just as night set in, nearly immediately after biologists set the fine net designed to ensnare bats before they could sense its presence. Biologists immediately pulled the bat from the net and began the process of collecting data from it. Species, gender, and general age were determined. It was weighed. Wings were checked for damage – a sign of the deadly bat disease white-nose syndrome. It was tagged, then released. The scene was played out continuously from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. on an early August night, and this was but one of ten stations set up that night and the next two nights. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service U.S. Fish & Wildlfie Service, bat 01:30 no no Over lunch one afternoon in a restaurant on the corner of the Burnsville, North Carolina town square, Jake Blood expounded on a vision of a Yancey County connected by trails, where one could walk from downtown Burnsville up to the top of Mount Mitchell. A notion, he explained, that would not only be good for outdoor recreation, but also the health of community members, and the local economy. 1 Mar 2012 19:41:28 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 67422C38-CD71-48C8-B421-C90FEB0BFC78 Mountain Heritage Nature Trail Over lunch one afternoon in a restaurant on the corner of the Burnsville, North Carolina town square, Jake Blood expounded on a vision of a Yancey County connected by trails, where one could walk from downtown Burnsville up to the top of Mount Mitchell. A notion, he explained, that would not only be good for outdoor recreation, but also the health of community members, and the local economy. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service U.S. Fish & Wildlfie Service, trail 01:30 no no The idea of picking up a young bird that seems to be orphaned or in trouble may seem advisable but can often do more harm than good. 1 Mar 2012 19:40:10 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 9888E7F7-6434-4839-BB2D-B44946FFFCC1 Orphaned birds The idea of picking up a young bird that seems to be orphaned or in trouble may seem advisable but can often do more harm than good. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service U.S. Fish & Wildlfie Service, bird 01:30 no no Little Chucky Creek flows through scenic farmland of eastern Tennessee. Looking at it, you would never guess it’s the only place in the world where a tiny catfish, the Chucky madtom, lives. In fact, in the past 11 years, only three individuals have been found. Come September 8th, the madtom and three other Appalachian fish will be placed on the federal endangered species list. 1 Mar 2012 19:37:46 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 1554A32D-945E-4CC2-B893-705B7DEB24CE Appalachian fish added to Endangered Species list Little Chucky Creek flows through scenic farmland of eastern Tennessee. Looking at it, you would never guess it’s the only place in the world where a tiny catfish, the Chucky madtom, lives. In fact, in the past 11 years, only three individuals have been found. Come September 8th, the madtom and three other Appalachian fish will be placed on the federal endangered species list. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service U.S. Fish & Wildlfie Service, fish, endangered 01:30 no no We put our boats in Yancey County’s South Toe River at a small sandy beach amidst the abutments of the highway 19 bridge 1 Mar 2012 19:35:58 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html F271E629-13CD-4001-9B3E-1E761C347DD3 South Toe River Trip We put our boats in Yancey County’s South Toe River at a small sandy beach amidst the abutments of the highway 19 bridge U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service U.S. Fish & Wildlfie Service, river, Toe 01:30 no no White-nose syndrome is a deadly bat disease that has killed more than a million bats in the Eastern United States. Many have asked what this means for the long-term survival of entire species of bats, and we may be beginning to get an idea. 1 Mar 2012 19:34:26 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 2DA9DA6A-A7D0-4AED-AE97-E6FBC8A8C5A8 Bat listing White-nose syndrome is a deadly bat disease that has killed more than a million bats in the Eastern United States. Many have asked what this means for the long-term survival of entire species of bats, and we may be beginning to get an idea. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service U.S. Fish & Wildlfie Service, bat, white, nose, syndrome 01:30 no no As the Tuckasegee River flows through the Jackson County community of Webster it flows over a V-shaped line of rocks. Far too carefully placed to be a natural formation, the rocks form one of the most intact remnants of a Cherokee fish weir. 1 Mar 2012 19:27:29 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html CCB295E2-AEC8-4B8D-B337-34E37C095B62 Tuckasegee Fish Weir As the Tuckasegee River flows through the Jackson County community of Webster it flows over a V-shaped line of rocks. Far too carefully placed to be a natural formation, the rocks form one of the most intact remnants of a Cherokee fish weir. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service U.S. Fish & Wildlfie Service, Tuckasegee, weir 01:30 no no BatFest 2011 is nearly upon us. Sunday, July 31st from 2:00 to 5:30 at the North Carolina Forest Service’s training center in Crossnore, North Carolina you’ll have your chance to learn everything you wanted to know about bats. 1 Mar 2012 19:25:58 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 6036F70C-EEC8-4EA6-A43E-B96D888EBB3D BatFest is upon us BatFest 2011 is nearly upon us. Sunday, July 31st from 2:00 to 5:30 at the North Carolina Forest Service’s training center in Crossnore, North Carolina you’ll have your chance to learn everything you wanted to know about bats. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service U.S. Fish & Wildlfie Service, bat 01:30 no no It was a small hole on the side of a cliff, viewable from just the right spot on a two-lane road in a far corner of North Carolina’s Transylvania County – amazing that anyone had ever seen it at all, must less recognized its significance. 1 Mar 2012 19:24:08 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 37328DD2-DB43-4D05-9EA4-F6F2150DAE1D Peregrine falcon search It was a small hole on the side of a cliff, viewable from just the right spot on a two-lane road in a far corner of North Carolina’s Transylvania County – amazing that anyone had ever seen it at all, must less recognized its significance. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service U.S. Fish & Wildlfie Service, Peregrine 01:01:30 no no Bats are an incredibly important part of our world – helping control insect populations and pollinating plants. Despite all of this, bats still suffer from an image problem based on ill-conceived notions that they’re aggressive toward people and are rampant transmitters of rabies. 1 Mar 2012 19:21:44 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 37644355-1931-4253-9297-72332FB6EBB7 BatFest Bats are an incredibly important part of our world – helping control insect populations and pollinating plants. Despite all of this, bats still suffer from an image problem based on ill-conceived notions that they’re aggressive toward people and are rampant transmitters of rabies. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service U.S. Fish & Wildlfie Service, bat 01:30 no no Kid’s fishing days have been held for years across the nation. Usually falling in early June, they serve as an opportunity to expose kids, not simply to fishing, but to the outdoors. In Western North Carolina, the U.S.D.A Forest Service often hosts events, with the support of the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Trout Unlimited, the Western North Carolina Muskie Club, and others. 1 Mar 2012 19:20:16 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 129B4DFA-CC33-43CB-B813-2F6A430075C7 Fishing Day 2011 Kid’s fishing days have been held for years across the nation. Usually falling in early June, they serve as an opportunity to expose kids, not simply to fishing, but to the outdoors. In Western North Carolina, the U.S.D.A Forest Service often hosts events, with the support of the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Trout Unlimited, the Western North Carolina Muskie Club, and others. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service U.S. Fish & Wildlfie Service, fishing 01:30 no no Following a four-day trial in U.S. District Court, a jury convicted Johnny Carl Grooms of Cosby, Tennessee, of conspiring to distribute oxycodone and cocaine, interstate travel to further drug trafficking, possession of oxycodone with the intent to distribute, distribution of cocaine, possession of firearms by a convicted felon, and illegally trafficking in ginseng. Grooms’s sentencing is set for October 3, and he faces up to life in prison as well as fines of over $8 million. 1 Mar 2012 19:18:18 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 472BEF96-A83E-4C5F-855F-337ACFA0C4AD Cosby Conviction Following a four-day trial in U.S. District Court, a jury convicted Johnny Carl Grooms of Cosby, Tennessee, of conspiring to distribute oxycodone and cocaine, interstate travel to further drug trafficking, possession of oxycodone with the intent to distribute, distribution of cocaine, possession of firearms by a convicted felon, and illegally trafficking in ginseng. Grooms’s sentencing is set for October 3, and he faces up to life in prison as well as fines of over $8 million. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Ginseng 01:30 no no A dead bald eagle was discovered on Wednesday, May 4th at the Maggie Valley Festival Grounds located on Soco Road, US Highway 19 in Maggie Valley, North Carolina. An examination revealed the eagle had been recently shot and bullet fragments were removed from the carcass. The eagle was immature and lacked the characteristic adult white head and tail feathers which usually come in by the 6th year. 1 Mar 2012 19:14:23 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html D72A4A98-5598-4F0E-898F-F22332F62684 Dead Bald Eagle Found A dead bald eagle was discovered on Wednesday, May 4th at the Maggie Valley Festival Grounds located on Soco Road, US Highway 19 in Maggie Valley, North Carolina. An examination revealed the eagle had been recently shot and bullet fragments were removed from the carcass. The eagle was immature and lacked the characteristic adult white head and tail feathers which usually come in by the 6th year. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, eagle, bald 01:30 no no The Berry Cave salamander is found in only nine caves in eastern Tennessee. It faces threats from urban development near those caves, water contamination, and hybridization with spring salamanders. 1 Mar 2012 19:07:35 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html A7F8D423-DB9A-41E7-8AE1-E015D2C260F7 Berry Cave Salamander The Berry Cave salamander is found in only nine caves in eastern Tennessee. It faces threats from urban development near those caves, water contamination, and hybridization with spring salamanders. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Berry, salamander 01:30 no no While improvements in water quality can literally mean life or death for fish populations, there is another facet to the story of creating vibrant, bountiful, healthy rivers. What if a fish had miles and miles of cool, clear, clean river to enjoy, but couldn’t get to it? It’s an issue faced across the Southern Appalachians as poorly designed, installed, or maintained bridges and culverts can block passage by fish, crayfish, and other aquatic life. 1 Mar 2012 19:05:51 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html D35A5EB9-D2A6-48B4-9EEE-9561E8CC9142 Upper Toe River Barrier Assessment While improvements in water quality can literally mean life or death for fish populations, there is another facet to the story of creating vibrant, bountiful, healthy rivers. What if a fish had miles and miles of cool, clear, clean river to enjoy, but couldn’t get to it? It’s an issue faced across the Southern Appalachians as poorly designed, installed, or maintained bridges and culverts can block passage by fish, crayfish, and other aquatic life. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, river, Toe 01:30 no no It’s a little-known day among the litany of spring time holidays and celebrations, but here at the Fish & Wildlife Service, we like to think it important. Overshadowed by Earth Day, its April counterpart, May brings us Endangered Species Day. 1 Mar 2012 19:01:27 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 8D51CAE1-E74B-4F83-8F37-5E15694A65CB Endangered Species Day 2011 It’s a little-known day among the litany of spring time holidays and celebrations, but here at the Fish & Wildlife Service, we like to think it important. Overshadowed by Earth Day, its April counterpart, May brings us Endangered Species Day. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, endangered 01:30 no no As the bat disease white-nose syndrome continues decimating bat populations as it spreads across North America, a question many people have, is…so what? They’re just bats, what good are they? 1 Mar 2012 18:59:21 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html FA666618-63B8-40AB-8BD2-38F278BBE7A8 The Value of Bats As the bat disease white-nose syndrome continues decimating bat populations as it spreads across North America, a question many people have, is…so what? They’re just bats, what good are they? U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, bat 01:30 no no Few animals get people as excited as cougars, and perhaps with good reason –they’re big, charismatic, carnivores, and in the Eastern United States, exceptionally rare. 1 Mar 2012 18:56:20 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 2C28D28D-866A-40A2-ACA9-F6F30324F0CA Extinction of the Eastern cougar Few animals get people as excited as cougars, and perhaps with good reason –they’re big, charismatic, carnivores, and in the Eastern United States, exceptionally rare. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Cougar, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 01:30 no no In addition to horses and bourbon, Kentucky is known for its caves, and indeed, is home to Mammoth Cave National Park, with the world’s longest known cave system. Hand in hand with the incredible number of caves is the fact that Kentucky is an incredibly important state for our nation’s bat populations. 1 Mar 2012 18:53:56 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 4B67C157-D895-4029-86D7-91939EA1347A White-nose syndrome in Kentucky In addition to horses and bourbon, Kentucky is known for its caves, and indeed, is home to Mammoth Cave National Park, with the world’s longest known cave system. Hand in hand with the incredible number of caves is the fact that Kentucky is an incredibly important state for our nation’s bat populations. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service White nose syndrome, bats, Kentucky, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 01:30 no no The spread of white-nose syndrome, the deadly bat disease, brings with it many questions, one of the most important, what will become of our bat populations? 1 Mar 2012 18:48:50 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 12963C5B-9347-4CB0-9432-45AE3FD91FCD New bats for endangered species list? The spread of white-nose syndrome, the deadly bat disease, brings with it many questions, one of the most important, what will become of our bat populations? U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, white nose syndrome 01:30 no no Last year saw the completion of the census. Done very ten years as directed by the Constitution, it begins to provide a wonderful picture of who we are as a nation and how we’ve changed. However, every five years is another nation-wide survey that begins to provide us with a picture of who we are as outdoorsmen and women. 1 Mar 2012 18:47:01 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html BE4B211A-0E0A-497E-BF6F-4B2D813817BE Hunting, Fishing, and Outdoor Recreation Survey Last year saw the completion of the census. Done very ten years as directed by the Constitution, it begins to provide a wonderful picture of who we are as a nation and how we’ve changed. However, every five years is another nation-wide survey that begins to provide us with a picture of who we are as outdoorsmen and women. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service survey, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 01:30 no no For biologists, the winter bat season has come to a close. Caves and mines have been explored. Bats have been counted and unfortunately for the Southern Appalachians, white-nose syndrome, the disease that is deadly to so many bats, was found in North Carolina. 1 Mar 2012 18:43:25 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 140FA5B3-3BF0-420C-B135-75E81BE46C62 WNS in Yancey County and other developments For biologists, the winter bat season has come to a close. Caves and mines have been explored. Bats have been counted and unfortunately for the Southern Appalachians, white-nose syndrome, the disease that is deadly to so many bats, was found in North Carolina. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service bat, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, syndrome 01:30 no no Spring is upon us, and with it comes the annual northward migration of neo-tropical migratory birds returning from their Central and South American wintering grounds. One of those returning bird species is the golden-winged warbler, a tiny bird weighing in a little heavier than 3 pennies. 1 Mar 2012 18:41:54 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html BA451003-8BE0-4A12-A44D-1C2E93E39B9E Golden-winged warbler Spring is upon us, and with it comes the annual northward migration of neo-tropical migratory birds returning from their Central and South American wintering grounds. One of those returning bird species is the golden-winged warbler, a tiny bird weighing in a little heavier than 3 pennies. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, warbler 01:30 no no What simply looks like a swampy patch of land beside a farm field in Henderson County was actually once home to the most endangered plant in western North Carolina. 1 Mar 2012 18:13:53 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 139AA768-347C-46DE-9919-9EC86B89E901 Bunched arrowhead What simply looks like a swampy patch of land beside a farm field in Henderson County was actually once home to the most endangered plant in western North Carolina. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service bunched arrowhead, bog, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 01:30 no no The team of biologists preparing to enter a Haywood, North Carolina mine suited up in two white Tyveck suits each and taped on rubber boots, and rubber gloves - this all part of an effort to help ensure the biologists aren’t a vector for the dreaded bat disease, white-nose syndrome. 1 Mar 2012 18:12:18 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html B9BABC44-C771-405A-8C47-A01F8E928CCC White nose syndrome in North Carolina The team of biologists preparing to enter a Haywood, North Carolina mine suited up in two white Tyveck suits each and taped on rubber boots, and rubber gloves - this all part of an effort to help ensure the biologists aren’t a vector for the dreaded bat disease, white-nose syndrome. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, white nose syndrome 01:30 no no At first glance it appears to be merely a patch of woods and farm field beside an established Flat Rock neighborhood. However, to biologists it’s Ochlawaha bog, a degraded remnant of one of the rarest natural communities in North America, and it’s in the beginning stages of a resurgence. 1 Mar 2012 20:55:08 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 30833916-C1D7-4065-95C2-9C2187883FC7 Former farmland being restored to one of Appalachia’s rarest habitats At first glance it appears to be merely a patch of woods and farm field beside an established Flat Rock neighborhood. However, to biologists it’s Ochlawaha bog, a degraded remnant of one of the rarest natural communities in North America, and it’s in the beginning stages of a resurgence. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service bog, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Ochlawaha 01:30 no no A lot of people in the Southern Appalachians take their fly fishing seriously. Come March, anglers will get an opportunity to test their skills head to head against anglers from across the region as the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission and Davidson River Outfitters host the fourth annual Pisgah Fly Masters fly-fishing tournament. 1 Mar 2012 20:53:06 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html B00D1D43-EB2F-404C-8467-EE01CA706AD0 Fly-fishing tournament A lot of people in the Southern Appalachians take their fly fishing seriously. Come March, anglers will get an opportunity to test their skills head to head against anglers from across the region as the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission and Davidson River Outfitters host the fourth annual Pisgah Fly Masters fly-fishing tournament. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, fishing 01:30 no no There’s a long list of reasons why we should protect our biodiversity – the variety of genes, species, and natural communities found in our world. One reason that’s becoming increasingly understood and appreciated is that biodiversity protects ecosystem services. Ecosystem services is a somewhat obtuse way to describe all those things the natural world does for us – from plants producing oxygen to wetlands cleaning water. 1 Mar 2012 20:48:53 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 414A031A-F89D-4049-AD60-6E36651E66CC Take Action for Pollinators There’s a long list of reasons why we should protect our biodiversity – the variety of genes, species, and natural communities found in our world. One reason that’s becoming increasingly understood and appreciated is that biodiversity protects ecosystem services. Ecosystem services is a somewhat obtuse way to describe all those things the natural world does for us – from plants producing oxygen to wetlands cleaning water. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, pollinator 01:30 no no It seems this winter has seen a flurry of activity in the capture and prosecution of wildlife smugglers. 1 Mar 2012 20:38:36 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html B7DC2A61-B2D7-4DD5-AACA-7053A925B738 Southern Appalachian Poaching It seems this winter has seen a flurry of activity in the capture and prosecution of wildlife smugglers. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 01:30 no no Once you see a hellbender, you never forget it. Hellbenders are salamanders, but not just any salamanders. They’re big salamanders. Growing up to three feet in rare instances, it’s fairly easy to comes across individuals at least a foot long here in the Southern Appalachians. Despite their size, they’re essentially harmless to humans and are part of a healthy stream ecosystem. 1 Mar 2012 20:37:02 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 4AAE39EF-B1D8-4B22-82FA-9B72DE4B169C Ozark Hellbender Once you see a hellbender, you never forget it. Hellbenders are salamanders, but not just any salamanders. They’re big salamanders. Growing up to three feet in rare instances, it’s fairly easy to comes across individuals at least a foot long here in the Southern Appalachians. Despite their size, they’re essentially harmless to humans and are part of a healthy stream ecosystem. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service hellbender, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 01:30 no no I recently spoke about a flock of critically endangered whooping cranes flying across a corner of the Southern Appalachians on their way from Wisconsin to Florida. Things were going well for the small group of birds, except for one who was hampered by a leg injury, but still had a long and healthy life ahead of him as a breeding, education, or research bird. 1 Mar 2012 20:35:32 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 685D1A92-6E75-416B-B009-D70FFB61752E Whooping crane deaths I recently spoke about a flock of critically endangered whooping cranes flying across a corner of the Southern Appalachians on their way from Wisconsin to Florida. Things were going well for the small group of birds, except for one who was hampered by a leg injury, but still had a long and healthy life ahead of him as a breeding, education, or research bird. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Whooping crane, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 01:30 no no For years the water in western North Carolina’s Cheoah River was collected and piped overland to a power station on the neighboring Little Tennessee River, leaving behind a river bed fed by a trickle of water coming through the dam and water flowing in from downstream tributaries. One of the great conservation success stories of recent years has been the return of flow to that dewatered stretch of river, a commitment made by Alcoa as part of the deal struck to allow them to continue using the river to generate electricity. 1 Mar 2012 20:32:42 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html FEA57584-8905-49E0-BFFF-B261FD3AFE70 In-stream flows For years the water in western North Carolina’s Cheoah River was collected and piped overland to a power station on the neighboring Little Tennessee River, leaving behind a river bed fed by a trickle of water coming through the dam and water flowing in from downstream tributaries. One of the great conservation success stories of recent years has been the return of flow to that dewatered stretch of river, a commitment made by Alcoa as part of the deal struck to allow them to continue using the river to generate electricity. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Little Tennessee, ALCOA, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 01:30 no no When it comes to endangered species conservation and the broader argument for protecting biodiversity – which includes not only the diversity of species, but also genes on a smaller level, and natural communities on a larger level, perhaps the most fundamental question is why? 1 Mar 2012 20:30:32 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html D9863E62-0541-44D7-8518-5A2658B34B6C Disease and biodiversity When it comes to endangered species conservation and the broader argument for protecting biodiversity – which includes not only the diversity of species, but also genes on a smaller level, and natural communities on a larger level, perhaps the most fundamental question is why? U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service biodiversity, disease, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 01:30 no no Ten of the world’s most endangered birds recently flew across the Southern Appalachians, led by a trio of ultra-light aircraft. 2 May 2012 19:35:40 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html A4D78BA8-27A8-4DC1-AAB6-44AB9A120236 Whopping cranes heading south Ten of the world’s most endangered birds recently flew across the Southern Appalachians, led by a trio of ultra-light aircraft. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service whooping crane, Appalachians 01:30 no no What simply looks like a swampy patch of land beside a farm field in Henderson County was actually once home to the most endangered plant in western North Carolina. 31 Mar 2011 20:02:08 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html D71DDDEB-CC8E-4F20-A71A-0EF42B24AF0F Bunched arrowhead What simply looks like a swampy patch of land beside a farm field in Henderson County was actually once home to the most endangered plant in western North Carolina. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service bunched arrowhead, bog, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 01:30 no no The team of biologists preparing to enter a Haywood, North Carolina mine suited up in two white Tyveck suits each and taped on rubber boots, and rubber gloves - this all part of an effort to help ensure the biologists aren’t a vector for the dreaded bat disease, white-nose syndrome. 31 Mar 2011 20:00:38 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html A474A307-D786-41DD-B85A-5E3AFCAF7E7A White nose syndrome in North Carolina The team of biologists preparing to enter a Haywood, North Carolina mine suited up in two white Tyveck suits each and taped on rubber boots, and rubber gloves - this all part of an effort to help ensure the biologists aren’t a vector for the dreaded bat disease, white-nose syndrome. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service white nose syndrome, North Carolina, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 01:30 no no At first glance it appears to be merely a patch of woods and farm field beside an established Flat Rock neighborhood. However, to biologists it’s Ochlawaha bog, a degraded remnant of one of the rarest natural communities in North America, and it’s in the beginning stages of a resurgence. 31 Mar 2011 19:59:34 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html D62A9C18-CCE6-4161-95D0-C70F15F6F63C Former farmland being restored to rare habitat At first glance it appears to be merely a patch of woods and farm field beside an established Flat Rock neighborhood. However, to biologists it’s Ochlawaha bog, a degraded remnant of one of the rarest natural communities in North America, and it’s in the beginning stages of a resurgence. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service bog, wetland, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 01:30 no no A lot of people in the Southern Appalachians take their fly fishing seriously. Come March, anglers will get an opportunity to test their skills head to head against anglers from across the region as the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission and Davidson River Outfitters host the fourth annual Pisgah Fly Masters fly-fishing tournament. 31 Mar 2011 19:58:06 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 76646D7A-B617-4430-A80F-3903F3EA5D9E Fly-fishing tournament A lot of people in the Southern Appalachians take their fly fishing seriously. Come March, anglers will get an opportunity to test their skills head to head against anglers from across the region as the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission and Davidson River Outfitters host the fourth annual Pisgah Fly Masters fly-fishing tournament. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service trout, U.S. Fish & Wildlife, North Carolina, fishing 01:30 no no Most of the kids entered the water with eager anticipation, net in hand, happily getting their shoes and shorts wet while adult not only looked on, but encouraged them to explore the river. It was the second annual Toe River Valley Festival, an event that brought nearly every 5th grader in North Carolina’s Yancey and Mitchell County’s out into a river in their community. 31 Mar 2011 19:56:36 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 1D0525C3-4718-43D6-8F52-AC2554BE210C Getting kids into the water Most of the kids entered the water with eager anticipation, net in hand, happily getting their shoes and shorts wet while adult not only looked on, but encouraged them to explore the river. It was the second annual Toe River Valley Festival, an event that brought nearly every 5th grader in North Carolina’s Yancey and Mitchell County’s out into a river in their community. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service river, connecting people with nature, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 01:30 no no In a tiny meeting room in Nebo, North Carolina, at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, planning began in earnest for the 2011 Bat Blitz – an effort that will bring dozens of biologists from across the Southeast to North Carolina’s Avery County for an intensive three days of collecting information on the area’s bat populations. 31 Mar 2011 19:55:07 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html EC2A9C60-13C8-491B-89B9-21F3373BEA35 Bat Blitz 2011 In a tiny meeting room in Nebo, North Carolina, at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, planning began in earnest for the 2011 Bat Blitz – an effort that will bring dozens of biologists from across the Southeast to North Carolina’s Avery County for an intensive three days of collecting information on the area’s bat populations. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service bat blitz, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 01:30 no no Our two-year old daughter has picked up a fascination with spiders, stemming from, as near as we can interpret, a bad dream involving the 8-legged creatures. Perhaps a little odd, since to our knowledge she’s never had a negative interaction with the animals, but now she takes the time to call attention to any spider webs she comes across and pauses and stares curiously at any spiders she finds. 31 Mar 2011 19:53:36 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html C52D20D7-6F40-49E4-AAD1-0F536CFD90A8 Spruce-fir moss spider Our two-year old daughter has picked up a fascination with spiders, stemming from, as near as we can interpret, a bad dream involving the 8-legged creatures. Perhaps a little odd, since to our knowledge she’s never had a negative interaction with the animals, but now she takes the time to call attention to any spider webs she comes across and pauses and stares curiously at any spiders she finds. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service spider, spruce, fir, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 01:30 no no One of the challenges of looking at the Southern Appalachians as a region is that the area is divided into several states, and despite the fact that birds, bears, winds and rivers pay no heed to our political boundaries, coordinating people across those state lines to work together for those natural resources can be a challenge. 31 Mar 2011 19:50:05 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 049709C4-0AFD-4D7D-BB21-4495571B8B44 SAMAB Fall Conference One of the challenges of looking at the Southern Appalachians as a region is that the area is divided into several states, and despite the fact that birds, bears, winds and rivers pay no heed to our political boundaries, coordinating people across those state lines to work together for those natural resources can be a challenge. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service SAMAB, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 01:30 no no Exactly what impact will climate change have on wildlife and what can land managers do about it is one of the biggest questions facing biologists today and one that spans the breadth of fish and wildlife management from the fate of mountain trout to nesting sea turtles. Here in the Southern Appalachians it’s an especially important question because of our incredible diversity of life, including many rare species isolated on our cold, high mountain tops. 31 Mar 2011 19:48:14 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html A80C108C-B0A6-4270-BDD1-560D0F3A24F0 North Carolina State Climate Hub Exactly what impact will climate change have on wildlife and what can land managers do about it is one of the biggest questions facing biologists today and one that spans the breadth of fish and wildlife management from the fate of mountain trout to nesting sea turtles. Here in the Southern Appalachians it’s an especially important question because of our incredible diversity of life, including many rare species isolated on our cold, high mountain tops. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service climate change, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, N.C. State University 01:30 no no In late July, scientists from Appalachian State University published some unfortunate news. The plant Persicaria perfoliata was in North Carolina. Known by the common name mile-a-minute weed, this invasive plant from Asia can grow nearly six inches a day. 31 Mar 2011 19:45:56 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 6007DFC1-D1A9-445A-AD78-7D3EFA59A356 Mile a minute weed In late July, scientists from Appalachian State University published some unfortunate news. The plant Persicaria perfoliata was in North Carolina. Known by the common name mile-a-minute weed, this invasive plant from Asia can grow nearly six inches a day. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, mile a minute 01:30 no no Deep Creek flows out of the southern side of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, just outside of Bryson City. A popular weekend spot, entering the park by Deep Creek takes you through a gauntlet of tube rental companies, doing their part to help people enjoy the stream. 31 Mar 2011 19:44:06 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html FAE26F4D-90F5-4011-B09A-8CE69AC92544 Teacher water quality workshops Deep Creek flows out of the southern side of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, just outside of Bryson City. A popular weekend spot, entering the park by Deep Creek takes you through a gauntlet of tube rental companies, doing their part to help people enjoy the stream. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, river, educator, workshop 01:30 no no The streams of the Toe River Valley, in North Carolina’s Yancey and Mitchell Counties, are home to the endangered Appalachian elktoe mussel. The headwaters of these rivers can be found on the shoulders of Roan Mountain to the north, and Mount Mitchell to the south, each home to an array of rare plants and animals. 31 Mar 2011 19:42:40 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html A31E8D59-3D27-48BE-977E-44E3090CA8A3 Toe River Valley Festival The streams of the Toe River Valley, in North Carolina’s Yancey and Mitchell Counties, are home to the endangered Appalachian elktoe mussel. The headwaters of these rivers can be found on the shoulders of Roan Mountain to the north, and Mount Mitchell to the south, each home to an array of rare plants and animals. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Toe River, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Servcie 01:30 no no There’s a game I do with students, it’s called Common Water. People stand in a circle around a bucket of clean water. The people are a community, the bucket their common source of water. Each person assumes the role of part of the community – a farm, a town center, a housing development. Each person has a sponge and is given 30 seconds to use that sponge to get water from the bucket and put it in a cup at their feet, representing their use of the water. However, each sponge is laced with food coloring, and with each dip, the water gets dirtier, reflecting the fertilizer runoff, erosion, and other pollutants that enter our streams and lakes. 31 Mar 2011 19:41:17 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/gen 4B854795-9068-49EC-8E76-34E1D7B83A3A Taking responsibility for river stewardship There’s a game I do with students, it’s called Common Water. People stand in a circle around a bucket of clean water. The people are a community, the bucket their common source of water. Each person assumes the role of part of the community – a farm, a town center, a housing development. Each person has a sponge and is given 30 seconds to use that sponge to get water from the bucket and put it in a cup at their feet, representing their use of the water. However, each sponge is laced with food coloring, and with each dip, the water gets dirtier, reflecting the fertilizer runoff, erosion, and other pollutants that enter our streams and lakes. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service River, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 01:30 no no One of my oldest daughter’s first camping trips was to the Cosby section of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It was a delightful weekend, early in the season before the campground had become crowded. As a gateway to the Smokies, Cosby is a little off the beaten path and the area definitely locks the commercial development of Gatlinburg or Cherokee, offering up a far more subdued experience with low-key groceries and tourist offerings perhaps a little reminiscent of an earlier age in mountain tourism. However life in Cosby may not have been as tranquil at it appeared. 31 Mar 2011 19:39:51 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 0F062527-E9FC-4D7C-9DE5-91044734A742 Charges of trafficing in ginseng One of my oldest daughter’s first camping trips was to the Cosby section of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It was a delightful weekend, early in the season before the campground had become crowded. As a gateway to the Smokies, Cosby is a little off the beaten path and the area definitely locks the commercial development of Gatlinburg or Cherokee, offering up a far more subdued experience with low-key groceries and tourist offerings perhaps a little reminiscent of an earlier age in mountain tourism. However life in Cosby may not have been as tranquil at it appeared. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Cosby, Ginseng, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 01:30 no no Clawhammer Mountain, in Pisgah National Forest, forms part of the dividing line between the Davidson River Valley to the south and the Mills River Valley to the North. Both of these watersheds host some of the most popular trout fishing spots in western North Carolina, while the Mills River system is a source of drinking water for Hendersonville and Asheville, and home to the endangered Appalachian elktoe, a freshwater mussel. 31 Mar 2011 19:22:50 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html A091B710-0D77-42CF-977C-9E832D329108 Hiking Clawhammer Mountain Clawhammer Mountain, in Pisgah National Forest, forms part of the dividing line between the Davidson River Valley to the south and the Mills River Valley to the North. Both of these watersheds host some of the most popular trout fishing spots in western North Carolina, while the Mills River system is a source of drinking water for Hendersonville and Asheville, and home to the endangered Appalachian elktoe, a freshwater mussel. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Clawhammer, Pisgah, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 01:30 no no Wildlife conservation has faced a string of challenges over the past 150 years. Overhunting led to the extinction of the passenger pigeon and nearly the bison. Hunting seasons and bag limits did an excellent job of addressing over-consumption problems. Habitat destruction became an issue as wetlands were drained and forests cleared – an issue which helped encourage the development of our national wildlife refuge and national forest systems, yet remains an important issue today. Then contaminants fouled our water and air, leading to the Clean Water and Clean Air Acts and the control of pesticides. Today, in addition to those challenges we are faced with new issues like invasive species and climate change. 15 Mar 2010 19:15:54 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 6D34CF26-3FBF-48A3-A700-7771ED22828B Addressing conservation on a landscape level Wildlife conservation has faced a string of challenges over the past 150 years. Overhunting led to the extinction of the passenger pigeon and nearly the bison. Hunting seasons and bag limits did an excellent job of addressing over-consumption problems. Habitat destruction became an issue as wetlands were drained and forests cleared – an issue which helped encourage the development of our national wildlife refuge and national forest systems, yet remains an important issue today. Then contaminants fouled our water and air, leading to the Clean Water and Clean Air Acts and the control of pesticides. Today, in addition to those challenges we are faced with new issues like invasive species and climate change. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Appalachian LCC, landscape, conservation 01:35 no no In much heralded celebrations, Great Smoky Mountains National Park celebrated their 75th anniversary last year and the Blue Ridge Parkway is currently celebrating their 75thanniversary. As important as those are, next year brings an even bigger anniversary – the event that led to the creation of the National Forests in the Eastern U.S. 15 Sep 2010 19:13:47 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 4DC25E3B-419D-4945-8C6C-AAB7DFF4A365 100th anniversary of the Weeks Act In much heralded celebrations, Great Smoky Mountains National Park celebrated their 75th anniversary last year and the Blue Ridge Parkway is currently celebrating their 75thanniversary. As important as those are, next year brings an even bigger anniversary – the event that led to the creation of the National Forests in the Eastern U.S. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Weeks Act, Forest Service, anniversary 01:34 no no We sat in the darkness on the edge of the Davidson River in North Carolina’s Transylvania County. Every few minutes someone would turn on a bright headlamp and scan the net that was suspended across the river, searching for a bat that had gotten tangled in the net’s thin threads. 15 Sep 2010 19:12:35 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html F02E78F0-C112-4C64-9F0C-67395E4D973A Bat monitoring on the Davidson River We sat in the darkness on the edge of the Davidson River in North Carolina’s Transylvania County. Every few minutes someone would turn on a bright headlamp and scan the net that was suspended across the river, searching for a bat that had gotten tangled in the net’s thin threads. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service bat, Davidson River, white nose syndrome 01:28 no no The Carolina heelsplitter mussel is one of the rarest animals in the country – with shrinking numbers found in only a handful of stream reaches across the Carolina piedmont. A conservation challenge, the mussel has declined as the piedmont, especially the area around Charlotte, has rapidly developed and streams have correspondingly degraded. 15 Mar 2010 19:10:53 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html D173FFBD-28E0-4AC4-8522-CEC28550D0F9 North Carolina's conservation aquaculture center The Carolina heelsplitter mussel is one of the rarest animals in the country – with shrinking numbers found in only a handful of stream reaches across the Carolina piedmont. A conservation challenge, the mussel has declined as the piedmont, especially the area around Charlotte, has rapidly developed and streams have correspondingly degraded. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service heelsplitter, conservation aquaculture 01:31 no no The spotfin chub is an unassuming little fish – growing up to about four inches long, with an unimpressive appearance, save during the breeding season when males turn an iridescent blue on the upper side of their bodies. However, this tiny fish is on the federal endangered species list and one biologists are trying to reestablish in Western North Carolina’s Cheoah River 15 Sep 2010 19:08:30 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 9D241A3C-E2AB-46BB-A1F6-AE5AD582A6C6 Reintroduction of spotfin chub The spotfin chub is an unassuming little fish – growing up to about four inches long, with an unimpressive appearance, save during the breeding season when males turn an iridescent blue on the upper side of their bodies. However, this tiny fish is on the federal endangered species list and one biologists are trying to reestablish in Western North Carolina’s Cheoah River U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service spotfin chub, cheoah river 01:42 no no The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service recently published a demographic and economic analysis of trout fishing in the United States based on 2006 surveys. The result was pretty impressive for North Carolina, especially considering serious trout fishing brings to mind big rivers flowing down from Western mountains. 15 Sep 2010 19:07:04 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 1088115C-AE40-4DF5-B3AC-9E3F85681C0C Trout fishing demographics The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service recently published a demographic and economic analysis of trout fishing in the United States based on 2006 surveys. The result was pretty impressive for North Carolina, especially considering serious trout fishing brings to mind big rivers flowing down from Western mountains. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service trout, U.S. Fish & Wildlife, North Carolina, fishing 01:39 no no Mountain sweet pitcher plant is an endangered plant found in Southern Appalachian bogs, one of our rarest natural communities. Bog turtles are North America’s smallest turtle, and are also an imperiled species found in Southern Appalachian bogs. Aside from both being imperiled; aside from both living in bogs; one thing these two species have in common is they prefer areas with plenty of sunshine. 15 Sep 2010 19:05:16 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 74560155-D958-4C48-BD05-22C15CEB1C45 Grazing goats help with bog conservation Mountain sweet pitcher plant is an endangered plant found in Southern Appalachian bogs, one of our rarest natural communities. Bog turtles are North America’s smallest turtle, and are also an imperiled species found in Southern Appalachian bogs. Aside from both being imperiled; aside from both living in bogs; one thing these two species have in common is they prefer areas with plenty of sunshine. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service bog, pitcher plant, goats 01:31 no no The Pigeon River, flowing from North Carolina into Tennessee, has long been infamous for its poor water quality. The source of those issues has been a paper mill in the town of Canton, and in recent years the mill has done much to clean up the water they put back in the river. 15 Sep 2010 19:02:31 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 8B42B40D-F02C-48FA-8869-B61AF13330CB Experiment looks at mussels in the Pigeon River The Pigeon River, flowing from North Carolina into Tennessee, has long been infamous for its poor water quality. The source of those issues has been a paper mill in the town of Canton, and in recent years the mill has done much to clean up the water they put back in the river. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Pigeon River, Appalachian elktoe 01:36 no no Each year, late in the spring, I get an invitation from the 6th grade teachers at East Yancey Middle School to join their students at Black Mountain Campground, just downhill from Mount Mitchell. 15 Sep 2010 19:01:00 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service D110210D-5FEE-42A6-A574-2B623EF4C413 Six graders get chance to explore their rive Each year, late in the spring, I get an invitation from the 6th grade teachers at East Yancey Middle School to join their students at Black Mountain Campground, just downhill from Mount Mitchell. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Yancey, Appalachian elktoe, stream, South Toe 01:26 no no A decrepit dam on the North Toe River has been removed thanks to their efforts. A railroad trestle that collapsed into the Toe River has been removed thanks to their efforts. Hundreds of school children get to experience rivers first hand thanks to their efforts. Numerous private landowners have improved wildlife habitat on their land thanks to their efforts. 15 Sep 2010 18:59:15 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 620367E5-7596-4684-A740-4586949C5C37 Regional Director honors Appalachian conservationists A decrepit dam on the North Toe River has been removed thanks to their efforts. A railroad trestle that collapsed into the Toe River has been removed thanks to their efforts. Hundreds of school children get to experience rivers first hand thanks to their efforts. Numerous private landowners have improved wildlife habitat on their land thanks to their efforts. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Yancey, Mitchell, Toe River Valley Watch, Blue Ridge 01:25 no no Like most two-year olds, ours is busy discovering the world around her, however one thing quickly grabs her attention – butterflies. Of all the insects, perhaps none is more beloved that butterflies. 15 Sep 2010 18:54:49 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 8EA010C8-113F-493C-8B6E-F6948AE80673 Butterfly exhibit at the Western North Carolina Nature Center Like most two-year olds, ours is busy discovering the world around her, however one thing quickly grabs her attention – butterflies. Of all the insects, perhaps none is more beloved that butterflies. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service butterfly, Western North Carolina Nature Center 01:29 no no Cattail Peak sits in the Black Mountains, just north of the highest mountain in the Eastern United States – Mount Mitchell. The mountains of the Southern Appalachians are the highest in the east and are home to rare natural communities, like grassy balds and spruce-fir forests, that are in turn home to rare species like the rock-gnome lichen, one of two lichens on the federal endangered species list, and the endangered Carolina northern flying squirrel. Highland Brewing has developed a reputation for naming seasonal beers after prominent area mountain peaks, and now this local company is going to deepen its commitment to those mountains. 9 Jul 2010 18:53:00 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 23A97FF0-CA16-48D4-A401-D9536044609F Highland Brewing Company steps up to help high elevation habitat Cattail Peak sits in the Black Mountains, just north of the highest mountain in the Eastern United States – Mount Mitchell. The mountains of the Southern Appalachians are the highest in the east and are home to rare natural communities, like grassy balds and spruce-fir forests, that are in turn home to rare species like the rock-gnome lichen, one of two lichens on the federal endangered species list, and the endangered Carolina northern flying squirrel. Highland Brewing has developed a reputation for naming seasonal beers after prominent area mountain peaks, and now this local company is going to deepen its commitment to those mountains. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Highland, cattail, beer 01:26 no no A history of water pollution decimated fish populations in the stream, a story similar to the Pigeon River. In recent years, both streams have become dramatically cleaner, and the Pigeon has been the focus of an aggressive and successful effort to restore native fish species. Under normal circumstances, the success of the Pigeon River effort would rub-off on Richland Creek, with fish swimming up the creek to colonize good habitat. However, the dam at Lake Junaluska literally stands in the way. 9 Jul 2010 18:49:33 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 12A802C1-0F88-4EA4-9277-76808B4CF571 Fish return to Richland Creek A history of water pollution decimated fish populations in the stream, a story similar to the Pigeon River. In recent years, both streams have become dramatically cleaner, and the Pigeon has been the focus of an aggressive and successful effort to restore native fish species. Under normal circumstances, the success of the Pigeon River effort would rub-off on Richland Creek, with fish swimming up the creek to colonize good habitat. However, the dam at Lake Junaluska literally stands in the way. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Richland, fish, Junaluska 01:34 no no The Deep Horizon oil spill continues to make headlines as oil keeps pouring into the Gulf of Mexico and the slick spreads. In a glimmer of good news, the Fish &Wildlife Service recently reported that the first two oiled birds found in the oil spill, a northern gannet and a brown pelican, were cleaned and released at Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge, safely on the east coast of Florida. 8 Jul 2010 19:24:36 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service F2054E09-10CA-4D0D-B381-180F401D38CE Oil spill impacts mountain species The Deep Horizon oil spill continues to make headlines as oil keeps pouring into the Gulf of Mexico and the slick spreads. In a glimmer of good news, the Fish &Wildlife Service recently reported that the first two oiled birds found in the oil spill, a northern gannet and a brown pelican, were cleaned and released at Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge, safely on the east coast of Florida. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service oil, spill, migratory, birds 01:32 no no May 22 is Endangered Species Day. The phrase endangered species often brings to mind animals like panda bears and elephants, but the Southern Appalachians is home to a plethora of fascinating imperiled species. 8 Jul 2010 19:21:47 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 300093DA-A8DE-4385-8C48-449504CF5EA0 Endangered Species Day 2010 May 22 is Endangered Species Day. The phrase endangered species often brings to mind animals like panda bears and elephants, but the Southern Appalachians is home to a plethora of fascinating imperiled species. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service endangered, species 01:36 no no Yancey County’s Cane River was once home to part of a thriving population of endangered Appalachian elktoe mussels. Recently beset with problems, hopefully through careful stewardship it will once again become a vibrant and beautiful river. 7 Jun 2010 21:30:32 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service E2849EF2-F117-4724-B28E-C60110BA704A Mountain Heritage High School's Eco-club Yancey County’s Cane River was once home to part of a thriving population of endangered Appalachian elktoe mussels. Recently beset with problems, hopefully through careful stewardship it will once again become a vibrant and beautiful river. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Yancey, elktoe, high, school 01:34 no no 45, 000 acres, 70 square miles, an area nearly 1/10th the size of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. That’s how much land has been protected by Blue Ridge Forever, a coalition of area land trusts now in their final year of a five-year effort to protect 50,000 mountain acres. 7 Jun 2010 21:24:59 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 8CD1B22F-8EEB-405F-975F-7695A2D88F1D Blue Ridge Forever Success 45, 000 acres, 70 square miles, an area nearly 1/10th the size of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. That’s how much land has been protected by Blue Ridge Forever, a coalition of area land trusts now in their final year of a five-year effort to protect 50,000 mountain acres. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service land, trust, conservation, blue, ridge 01:42 no no I spoke last week about CITES – the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, and how it protects plants and animals at risk from international trade. As part of the CITES process, the 175 signatory countries periodically gather to revisit those protections and see if additional species need protecting. 7 Jun 2010 21:19:45 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 3456BFAC-4821-4F49-BC3D-3DF8174C3713 CITES II I spoke last week about CITES – the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, and how it protects plants and animals at risk from international trade. As part of the CITES process, the 175 signatory countries periodically gather to revisit those protections and see if additional species need protecting. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service trade, endangered, species, CITES 01:39 no no People are fascinated by the zebra skin. It’s a prop I use when I talk to school groups about endangered species, though when I bring it out sometimes complete strangers come over for a closer look. The skin was confiscated by Fish & Wildlife Service inspectors at the Atlanta airport as it was being unlawfully imported. 7 Jun 2010 21:13:29 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 6A5ABC16-618A-4E22-8F6B-24D82636E464 CITES People are fascinated by the zebra skin. It’s a prop I use when I talk to school groups about endangered species, though when I bring it out sometimes complete strangers come over for a closer look. The skin was confiscated by Fish & Wildlife Service inspectors at the Atlanta airport as it was being unlawfully imported. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service CITES, trade, zebra 01:33 no no We all know endangered species are rare. But there’s rare and then there’s rare. Bunched arrowhead is an endangered plant found only in two counties. In the entire world. Henderson County, North Carolina, and Greenville County, South Carolina. 7 Jun 2010 21:07:09 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 54AD109B-635D-4C53-AE79-79D123817015 Ochlawaha bog We all know endangered species are rare. But there’s rare and then there’s rare. Bunched arrowhead is an endangered plant found only in two counties. In the entire world. Henderson County, North Carolina, and Greenville County, South Carolina. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service bog, Appalachian 01:29 no no Recently the president of a local caving club sat in my office, dressed in rugged Carharts, seeming like he was on his way to a cave. He was lamenting a picture he had brought to share. Taken in an East Tennessee cave, it showed a bat with a white tuft on its nose, an indicator of white nose syndrome. 3 Jun 2010 21:50:24 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html EB287FC3-760D-4E31-B868-13426735E222 White nose syndrome in Tennessee Recently the president of a local caving club sat in my office, dressed in rugged Carharts, seeming like he was on his way to a cave. He was lamenting a picture he had brought to share. Taken in an East Tennessee cave, it showed a bat with a white tuft on its nose, an indicator of white nose syndrome. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service bats, syndrome, white, nose 01:24 no no The arctic tern migrates from the North to the South Pole and back again every year, the longest migration of any bird. Conserving migratory birds is fraught with challenges stemming from the fact they often depend upon a variety of habitats spread across multiple countries – it isn’t enough to protect habitat here in the U.S., but it also has to be done in Mexico, Guatemala, Peru, or any other country a bird uses on its migration. 3 Jun 2010 21:39:37 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html Migratory birds The arctic tern migrates from the North to the South Pole and back again every year, the longest migration of any bird. Conserving migratory birds is fraught with challenges stemming from the fact they often depend upon a variety of habitats spread across multiple countries – it isn’t enough to protect habitat here in the U.S., but it also has to be done in Mexico, Guatemala, Peru, or any other country a bird uses on its migration. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service tern, migratory, treaty 01:38 no no In a mountain-top snow-covered parking area, a team of federal, state, and tribal wildlife biologists grab a ladder and begin marching through the snow and over frozen streams into the forest. 3 Jun 2010 21:39:07 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html D23B854A-B282-47D1-8627-BADB74AB4A91 Carolina northern flying squirrel In a mountain-top snow-covered parking area, a team of federal, state, and tribal wildlife biologists grab a ladder and begin marching through the snow and over frozen streams into the forest. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service endangered, squirrel 01:25 no no The common name ginseng refers to several species in the Panax genus, including Panax ginseng, found in east Asia, and Panax quinquefolius, often called American ginseng, found here in the United States. Both are used in traditional Chinese medicine. 3 Jun 2010 21:28:43 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 30EB4DCB-7808-4085-8F59-64D41DA42790 Poaching our natural heritage The common name ginseng refers to several species in the Panax genus, including Panax ginseng, found in east Asia, and Panax quinquefolius, often called American ginseng, found here in the United States. Both are used in traditional Chinese medicine. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service poaching, ginseng, bear 01:40 no no As a small crowd watched, a hydraulic hammer recently knocked away the first chunk of stone and concrete from Dillsboro Dam. Within weeks, the entire 12-foot high dam will be gone. 3 Jun 2010 21:19:41 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 9E0EE6AD-B375-40EE-B41F-F20BA14B2F22 Dillsboro Dam removal As a small crowd watched, a hydraulic hammer recently knocked away the first chunk of stone and concrete from Dillsboro Dam. Within weeks, the entire 12-foot high dam will be gone. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Dam, removal, elktoe, endangered 01:35 no no In a massive basement in downtown Asheville, millions of sheets of paper are shelved, row upon row, upon row – a place not unlike the warehouse where the Ark of the Covenant is stored in Raiders of the Lost Ark. However, instead of religious artifacts, these shelves contain centuries of weather data ranging from weather reports recorded at frontier forts, to Pacific weather data collected during World War Two to sheets filled out and submitted by farmers across America. 11 Feb 2010 17:46:21 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 3089C9FB-625F-4B25-A2C6-4794BB2C1258 National Climatic Data Center provides vital informatin In a massive basement in downtown Asheville, millions of sheets of paper are shelved, row upon row, upon row – a place not unlike the warehouse where the Ark of the Covenant is stored in Raiders of the Lost Ark. However, instead of religious artifacts, these shelves contain centuries of weather data ranging from weather reports recorded at frontier forts, to Pacific weather data collected during World War Two to sheets filled out and submitted by farmers across America. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service NCDC, climate, data, model 01:34 no no As winter sets in, biologists in North Carolina are busy preparing for the possible arrival of White-Nose Syndrome, or WNS. WNS is a mysterious affliction that is nearly always fatal to bats. It was first documented in a New York cave in 2006 and has since spread north and south, killing hundreds of thousands of bats. The affliction is associated with a newly described fungus which often forms white tufts on the muzzles of infected bats. 11 Feb 2010 17:43:36 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html A2367D3B-6D1B-410D-8415-256182DDE57D North Carolina prepares for White Nose Syndrome As winter sets in, biologists in North Carolina are busy preparing for the possible arrival of White-Nose Syndrome, or WNS. WNS is a mysterious affliction that is nearly always fatal to bats. It was first documented in a New York cave in 2006 and has since spread north and south, killing hundreds of thousands of bats. The affliction is associated with a newly described fungus which often forms white tufts on the muzzles of infected bats. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service White nose dyndrome, bats, caves, North Caroliina 01:34 no no We take for granted that each spring trees leaf out, flowers begin to bloom, birds return from their wintering grounds and animals come out of hibernation. What we often don’t think about is the complex interplay between warming temperature, lengthening days, and plant and animal life cycles. 11 Feb 2010 17:41:06 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 2855BA79-5B4D-4FAB-9682-F5BC99F31DFA What is phenology and what is it more important now than ever? We take for granted that each spring trees leaf out, flowers begin to bloom, birds return from their wintering grounds and animals come out of hibernation. What we often don’t think about is the complex interplay between warming temperature, lengthening days, and plant and animal life cycles. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service phenology, climate change 01:30 no no A pair of Harris’ hawks, unlawfully captured in Texas and brought to North Carolina, were recently treated to a plane ride back to their south Texas home, the culmination of nearly two months of effort by law enforcement officers, raptor biologists, and Delta Air Lines. 11 Feb 2010 17:38:05 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html DCA84FA2-20B3-420D-9963-DCF0F95BE2C8 Harris' hawks return to Texas A pair of Harris’ hawks, unlawfully captured in Texas and brought to North Carolina, were recently treated to a plane ride back to their south Texas home, the culmination of nearly two months of effort by law enforcement officers, raptor biologists, and Delta Air Lines. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Harris, hawks, wildlife, trade 01:28 no no Money from the federal government’s stimulus package is coming to help wildlife in the Southern Appalachians. $425,000 in grants from the Fish & Wildlife Service will go to local non-profits to improve fish and wildlife habitat on private lands in western North Carolina. 11 Feb 2010 17:35:49 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 87007F4E-73F0-43ED-8C27-7D7D1BDB4F4C Stimulus money goes to help Appalachian wildlife Money from the federal government’s stimulus package is coming to help wildlife in the Southern Appalachians. $425,000 in grants from the Fish & Wildlife Service will go to local non-profits to improve fish and wildlife habitat on private lands in western North Carolina. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service ARRA, stimulus, Partners, bog, stream, river 01:38 no no Sadly, we often hear about the abuse of our public streams – from the coal-ash pond failure in East Tennessee, to recent wastewater treatment plant failings across western North Carolina, to high mercury levels in fish in Lake Fontana. These problems degrade water quality, which impairs our ability to enjoy and use the river – from tubing and fishing to revival baptisms. They also hurt the wildlife in a river. 11 Feb 2010 17:33:31 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 4ED1FA30-3596-4EC6-8E5A-ABB584BC2415 Contamination hurts Appalachian streams Sadly, we often hear about the abuse of our public streams – from the coal-ash pond failure in East Tennessee, to recent wastewater treatment plant failings across western North Carolina, to high mercury levels in fish in Lake Fontana. These problems degrade water quality, which impairs our ability to enjoy and use the river – from tubing and fishing to revival baptisms. They also hurt the wildlife in a river. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Contaminationi, streams, rivers 01:31 no no A South Dakota man was recently convicted in federal court for smuggling leopard parts into the United States in a case that exposed illegal hunting in South Africa and the laundering of rare animal parts through Zimbabwe. 11 Feb 2010 17:31:55 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html C4C96EC7-9CB6-4C21-92CD-96BAA08F4091 Poaching a threat to our natural heritage A South Dakota man was recently convicted in federal court for smuggling leopard parts into the United States in a case that exposed illegal hunting in South Africa and the laundering of rare animal parts through Zimbabwe. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service poaching, illegal trade 01:31 no no Winter is approaching - a season that has become a time of apprehension among wildlife biologists. White nose syndrome, a mysterious affliction responsible for the deaths of more than a million bats, is most lethal during this time, and the collective hibernation of bats means winter presents the greatest opportunity for spreading the malady. 11 Feb 2010 17:28:38 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 134D3323-7672-4C73-9326-4C011F7C974C Grants go to help the struggle against White Nose Sundrome Winter is approaching - a season that has become a time of apprehension among wildlife biologists. White nose syndrome, a mysterious affliction responsible for the deaths of more than a million bats, is most lethal during this time, and the collective hibernation of bats means winter presents the greatest opportunity for spreading the malady. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service White nose syndrome, bats, grants 01:34 no no The headwaters of the Pigeon River are just off the Blue Ridge Parkway. The river flows northwest across North Carolina’s Haywood County, crossing into Tennessee before joining the French Broad River. The town of Canton, North Carolina straddles the river and is home to a paper mill that was the historical source of water quality problems that eliminated much of the life in the river for miles downstream - one of the most egregious examples of water pollution in the Southern Appalachians. 11 Feb 2010 17:23:31 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html CE78CC80-9389-4C68-8CBE-CDDEB79B6F03 Haywood County kids hit the water The headwaters of the Pigeon River are just off the Blue Ridge Parkway. The river flows northwest across North Carolina’s Haywood County, crossing into Tennessee before joining the French Broad River. The town of Canton, North Carolina straddles the river and is home to a paper mill that was the historical source of water quality problems that eliminated much of the life in the river for miles downstream - one of the most egregious examples of water pollution in the Southern Appalachians. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Haywood, Canton, elktoe, kids, children, outdoors 01:29 no no The Little Tennessee River between Franklin, North Carolina, and Fontana Reservoir is one of the best examples of a warm, Southern Appalachian river, with a surprising amount of its native fauna intact. Indeed, this stretch is home to three federally-protected animals- the Appalachian elktoe mussel, littlewing pearly mussel, and the spotfin chub, a tiny fish. 23 Nov 2009 15:09:44 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 43166E3D-73AA-4DBC-8979-C846C378AFFE Asian mussels in the Little Tennessee River The Little Tennessee River between Franklin, North Carolina, and Fontana Reservoir is one of the best examples of a warm, Southern Appalachian river, with a surprising amount of its native fauna intact. Indeed, this stretch is home to three federally-protected animals- the Appalachian elktoe mussel, littlewing pearly mussel, and the spotfin chub, a tiny fish. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service corbicula, spotfin, chub, elktoe 01:32 no no As efforts to address climate change build steam, several questions loom about how this phenomenon will affect the Southern Appalachians and how local land managers can respond. That conversation is about to reach a whole new level. 23 Nov 2009 15:07:34 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html DA9F859A-706F-4372-909D-30B58082E0B9 SAMAB Fall Conference As efforts to address climate change build steam, several questions loom about how this phenomenon will affect the Southern Appalachians and how local land managers can respond. That conversation is about to reach a whole new level. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service climate, change 01:35 no no No animal seems to catch the imagination, and flare the passions, of people in the Southern Appalachians like mountain lions. 23 Nov 2009 15:05:42 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html A84FD0B1-1AB4-42FF-9801-10D9FBCAE8DB Mountain lion hoaxes No animal seems to catch the imagination, and flare the passions, of people in the Southern Appalachians like mountain lions. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service mountain, lion 01:32 no no National Wildlife Refuge week is October 11-17. In the Southern Appalachians, where public lands are likely National Forests or National Park Service lands, it’s important to remember wildlife refuges, administered by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, for they are the only system of federal lands devoted to wildlife. 23 Nov 2009 15:00:43 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 87BEF4E4-3986-441C-9A71-B01D60B0DE71 National Wildlife Refuge Week National Wildlife Refuge week is October 11-17. In the Southern Appalachians, where public lands are likely National Forests or National Park Service lands, it’s important to remember wildlife refuges, administered by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, for they are the only system of federal lands devoted to wildlife. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service wildlife, refuge, endangered 01:37 no no “This is not the same animal I saw flying around this morning, is it?” asked one teacher, standing knee-deep in the South Toe River, looking at an insect crawling around an ice cube tray. The animal in question was a dragonfly. Nearly all of us have seen a dragonfly, but what most of us probably don’t know is that large flying insect lived the early part of its life looking entirely different and crawling along the bottom of a stream or pond. 16 Oct 2009 21:28:29 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 56857CD9-25AE-4A10-9035-EDD30B1B4F99 Aquatic macroinvertebrates “This is not the same animal I saw flying around this morning, is it?” asked one teacher, standing knee-deep in the South Toe River, looking at an insect crawling around an ice cube tray. The animal in question was a dragonfly. Nearly all of us have seen a dragonfly, but what most of us probably don’t know is that large flying insect lived the early part of its life looking entirely different and crawling along the bottom of a stream or pond. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service dragonfly, macroinvertebrate, aquatic, Mills River 01:33 no no The North Mills River, in North Carolina’s Henderson County, is one of Western North Carolina’s most popular trout rivers. I took some time one Friday to enjoy the river and as I was getting ready to head home, I struck up a conversation with another man in the parking area who was arriving. The man was from Texas. His wife had come to the area on business, and when he saw you could trout fish here, he decided to tag along with her. 16 Oct 2009 21:27:03 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 6F251D5F-2526-48F3-9210-AAA96D61F311 The trout economy of western North Carolina The North Mills River, in North Carolina’s Henderson County, is one of Western North Carolina’s most popular trout rivers. I took some time one Friday to enjoy the river and as I was getting ready to head home, I struck up a conversation with another man in the parking area who was arriving. The man was from Texas. His wife had come to the area on business, and when he saw you could trout fish here, he decided to tag along with her. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service North Mills River, trout, economy, western North Carolina 01:41 no no Having studied a little photojournalism in college, photography has become a resurgent interest of mine and I was caught by a recent cover of the Mountain Xpress, Asheville’s alternative weekly newspaper. It has a striking image of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, taken by George Masa. 16 Oct 2009 21:25:20 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 60727FFC-0B00-4135-ACBE-8B34DD570160 George Masa demonstrates the difference one person can make Having studied a little photojournalism in college, photography has become a resurgent interest of mine and I was caught by a recent cover of the Mountain Xpress, Asheville’s alternative weekly newspaper. It has a striking image of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, taken by George Masa. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service George, Masa, Great Smoky Mountains, Asheville 01:32 no no The view from Jane Bald is impressive. On a good day. The day I was there, the fog was socked in, accompanied by a constant strong wind. Although the beautiful views were missing, we were able to watch the wind rush the fog through the neighboring gap as if we were watching a stream squeeze between a pair of rocks. Jane Bald is one of the peaks of Roan Mountain on the North Carolina-Tennessee state line - one of the most biologically important areas in the Southern Appalachians. 16 Oct 2009 21:23:36 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 533905D6-301D-45CE-9680-B525EF792723 Roan Mountain - a biological gem The view from Jane Bald is impressive. On a good day. The day I was there, the fog was socked in, accompanied by a constant strong wind. Although the beautiful views were missing, we were able to watch the wind rush the fog through the neighboring gap as if we were watching a stream squeeze between a pair of rocks. Jane Bald is one of the peaks of Roan Mountain on the North Carolina-Tennessee state line - one of the most biologically important areas in the Southern Appalachians. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Roan, mountain, biodiversity 01:41 no no For several years biologists were noticing fairly widespread malformations among amphibians - frogs missing legs or having extra legs. There was much speculation about the cause of this disfigurement, including heightened suspicion of pesticides and other chemicals. Researchers have recently uncovered what may be at least part of the explanation for legless frogs – dragonflies. 16 Oct 2009 21:21:55 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 2E93FB8D-9651-46BB-91ED-C8EC924BAA78 A reason for at least some of the amphibian deformities For several years biologists were noticing fairly widespread malformations among amphibians - frogs missing legs or having extra legs. There was much speculation about the cause of this disfigurement, including heightened suspicion of pesticides and other chemicals. Researchers have recently uncovered what may be at least part of the explanation for legless frogs – dragonflies. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service amphibian, frogn, dragonfly, deformity 01:27 no no The Southern Appalachians is a region known for its salamander diversity, the most famous of which is probably the hellbender, North America’s largest salamander, occasionally reaching lengths greater than 30 inches. However, it’s a very small salamander that has been getting some recent attention. 16 Oct 2009 21:20:19 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 452E29C8-A271-443E-91C5-4DE2B8DF363C New salamander discovered in north Georgia The Southern Appalachians is a region known for its salamander diversity, the most famous of which is probably the hellbender, North America’s largest salamander, occasionally reaching lengths greater than 30 inches. However, it’s a very small salamander that has been getting some recent attention. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Southern Appalachians, salamander, University of Georgia 01:32 no no A little bit of river history was recently made in western North Carolina as a decrepit dam was removed from the North Toe River in Mitchell County. 16 Oct 2009 21:17:48 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 004FAFB9-FA2A-4832-B08A-44A33C85C0B7 Spruce Pine dam finally comes down A little bit of river history was recently made in western North Carolina as a decrepit dam was removed from the North Toe River in Mitchell County. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Spruce Pine, dam, Appalachian elktoe 01:32 no no The final leg of a birding trail across the state of North Carolina is now complete. 16 Oct 2009 21:13:41 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 25F7ED08-227A-4F69-BE73-A5FEB69B6FCB North Carolina birding trail enters the mountains The final leg of a birding trail across the state of North Carolina is now complete. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service birding, North Carolina, trail 01:31 no no I’ve often spoken of white nose syndrome, the mysterious ailment killing thousands of bats in the northeast which is working its way southward. One of the myriad questions surrounding this affliction is what the death of thousands of bats means for the greater natural community, including human health, considering the volume of insects bats consume and that an impact on one part of a community can reverberate throughout, possibly with serious unforeseen consequences. 14 Aug 2009 19:08:25 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts 1549956A-6F42-4A84-935B-5D6D4ED8C7A9 The passenger pigeon and unforeseen consequences I’ve often spoken of white nose syndrome, the mysterious ailment killing thousands of bats in the northeast which is working its way southward. One of the myriad questions surrounding this affliction is what the death of thousands of bats means for the greater natural community, including human health, considering the volume of insects bats consume and that an impact on one part of a community can reverberate throughout, possibly with serious unforeseen consequences. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service passenger, pigeon, deer, tick 01:43 no no The Cradle of Forestry in America, in North Carolina’s Transylvania County, was the site of the nation’s first forestry school and you can still visit the one-room school house the students used. It’s appropriate then, that beside this schoolhouse is planted a young chestnut tree. The American chestnut was once the most abundant tree in Eastern hardwood forests, and was functionally eliminated by an Asian fungus, the chestnut blight. The tree beside the schoolhouse isn’t a pure American chestnut, but a hybrid – 15/16ths American chestnut, and 1/16th Chinese chestnut, which affords it resistance to the blight. There’s hope this hybrid is the key to returning the chestnut to Eastern forests. 14 Aug 2009 19:05:33 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts 28F392C1-A791-4423-B608-9809A092CAE5 Return of the chestnut The Cradle of Forestry in America, in North Carolina’s Transylvania County, was the site of the nation’s first forestry school and you can still visit the one-room school house the students used. It’s appropriate then, that beside this schoolhouse is planted a young chestnut tree. The American chestnut was once the most abundant tree in Eastern hardwood forests, and was functionally eliminated by an Asian fungus, the chestnut blight. The tree beside the schoolhouse isn’t a pure American chestnut, but a hybrid – 15/16ths American chestnut, and 1/16th Chinese chestnut, which affords it resistance to the blight. There’s hope this hybrid is the key to returning the chestnut to Eastern forests. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service chestnut 01:32 no no Summertime is upon us. Grab the sunscreen, grab the fishing pole, grab the digital camera. As part of an ongoing and widespread effort to encourage people to spend more time outside, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service invites you to submit your summer photos of friends and family enjoying the outdoors to become part of a photomosaic of nearly 10,000 images. 14 Aug 2009 19:02:48 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts 3CA72CBE-504D-4BD6-AC13-6D22DD650EE3 Help create a photomosaic Summertime is upon us. Grab the sunscreen, grab the fishing pole, grab the digital camera. As part of an ongoing and widespread effort to encourage people to spend more time outside, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service invites you to submit your summer photos of friends and family enjoying the outdoors to become part of a photomosaic of nearly 10,000 images. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service children, outdoors, outside, summer 01:29 no no It’s the telephone call a biologist never wants to get – the chemical spill, the fish kill, the accident that makes you stop everything else. The most recent was a train wreck along the North Toe River in Mitchell County. Fortunately no one was hurt. 14 Aug 2009 19:00:22 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts BA643717-03C3-4A27-8F4E-67E92F1F1BC9 Train wreck on the North Toe River It’s the telephone call a biologist never wants to get – the chemical spill, the fish kill, the accident that makes you stop everything else. The most recent was a train wreck along the North Toe River in Mitchell County. Fortunately no one was hurt. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service train, wreck, north, toe, river, elktoe 01:30 no no The chucky madtom is one of Southern Appalachia’s rarest fish, found only from a single stream in a single county in Eastern Tennessee. Only 14 specimens of the fish have ever been documented, the last sighting in 2004. This comes despite regular, and sometimes exhaustive, searches by biologists. 14 Aug 2009 18:57:48 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts 087A7DF8-1B7B-4F33-A4AE-317DCCC2138D Efforts to help the chucky madtom fish The chucky madtom is one of Southern Appalachia’s rarest fish, found only from a single stream in a single county in Eastern Tennessee. Only 14 specimens of the fish have ever been documented, the last sighting in 2004. This comes despite regular, and sometimes exhaustive, searches by biologists. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service chucky, madtom 01:27 no no If anyone has first hand experience with a reptile, it’s probably a box turtle, the state reptile of North Carolina. While box turtles may grace numerous classrooms or home terrariums, the truth is scientists don’t know a lot about the status of box turtle populations and fear they may be declining. 14 Aug 2009 18:56:11 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html D50D913E-57DB-4D44-A2F0-3C0B4C970908 Box turtles If anyone has first hand experience with a reptile, it’s probably a box turtle, the state reptile of North Carolina. While box turtles may grace numerous classrooms or home terrariums, the truth is scientists don’t know a lot about the status of box turtle populations and fear they may be declining. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service box, turtles 01:33 no no The death of hemlock trees from the hemlock woolly adelgid is an increasingly widespread and well-known phenomena, but what remains a mystery is exactly how this will impact the future of Southern Appalachian forests. 14 Aug 2009 18:53:43 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 3DF4DCD3-0C8B-45FC-82BE-5E2C685602E1 Recent research into hemlock mortality The death of hemlock trees from the hemlock woolly adelgid is an increasingly widespread and well-known phenomena, but what remains a mystery is exactly how this will impact the future of Southern Appalachian forests. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service hemlock, woolly, adelgid 01:31 no no The children on our street often congregate in the yard with the best play set, but recently the bright yellow slide in the yard was ruled off limits. Not because it isn’t safe, rather a chickadee made a nest in a birch stump next to the base of the slide. 14 Aug 2009 18:51:57 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html D1322600-63D2-4D52-95FC-D61E693802C7 State of the birds The children on our street often congregate in the yard with the best play set, but recently the bright yellow slide in the yard was ruled off limits. Not because it isn’t safe, rather a chickadee made a nest in a birch stump next to the base of the slide. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service birds, conservation 01:28 no no White nose syndrome, an affliction of unknown origin that is fatal to bats, has been confirmed in two Virginia counties, the first cases in the Southern Appalachians. First documented in New York in 2006, WNS has killed tens of thousands of bats as it spread north and south. 14 Aug 2009 18:48:56 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html F7982604-410F-403A-84F8-0BD07D51E2C5 Southern Appalachians face white nose syndrome White nose syndrome, an affliction of unknown origin that is fatal to bats, has been confirmed in two Virginia counties, the first cases in the Southern Appalachians. First documented in New York in 2006, WNS has killed tens of thousands of bats as it spread north and south. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service white nose syndrome 01:42 no no The Rafinesque's big-eared bat is the subject of concern for biologists. State biologists in North Carolina are looking at innovative ways to provide shelter for them. 5 Jun 2009 18:55:03 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 6F32C58A-44DE-458A-A382-2075282F36FB Biologists try artificial roosts for a rare bat The Rafinesque's big-eared bat is the subject of concern for biologists. State biologists in North Carolina are looking at innovative ways to provide shelter for them. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service bat, Rafinesque's 01:45 no no Warblers are a popular group of birds among bird watchers, what makes them so special? 5 Jun 2009 18:53:11 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 12DF2A6B-25C2-4B0D-982C-600A96F6B0C0 Warblers - birdwatches' delight Warblers are a popular group of birds among bird watchers, what makes them so special? U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service warblers 01:41 no no The Eastern small-footed bat is one of the smallest in the U.S., how is this uncommon bat doing in Western North Carolina? 5 Jun 2009 18:46:44 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html F35C975A-DA41-492F-B3D6-EA1239722D83 Eastern small-footed bats The Eastern small-footed bat is one of the smallest in the U.S., how is this uncommon bat doing in Western North Carolina? U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service bat, Eastern small-footed bats 01:27 no no Frogs are suffering around the globe and this special days seeks to bring attention to their plight. 5 Jun 2009 18:43:07 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 34B107F8-2E08-46A6-BAC2-B1D7A9BE3247 Day of the Frog Frogs are suffering around the globe and this special days seeks to bring attention to their plight. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service frog, chytrid 01:36 no no This lichen is one of two on the federal endangered species list. Learn more about it and the threats it faces. 5 Jun 2009 18:41:12 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html BA4B5133-6EEE-46C9-BAFE-B3769F51F5E3 Rock gnome lichen This lichen is one of two on the federal endangered species list. Learn more about it and the threats it faces. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service rock gnome lichen, endangered 01:36 no no This plant with the horrible reputation is actually quite valuable to wildlife. 5 Jun 2009 18:38:15 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 2ADC5A91-B5E5-4B15-B068-30D314295601 Ragweed - bane of noses, boon to wildlife This plant with the horrible reputation is actually quite valuable to wildlife. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service ragweed 01:32 no no Crows show themselves to be extremely clever animals 5 Jun 2009 18:36:54 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html D333E652-E0C5-439D-9517-9D0532061159 Crows Crows show themselves to be extremely clever animals U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service crows 01:33 no no A look at gulls in the Southern Appalachians and across America. 5 Jun 2009 18:33:38 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 0A522988-B996-4F83-8A11-7635753314FA Gulls A look at gulls in the Southern Appalachians and across America. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service gulls, Southern Appalachians, sea gulls 01:16 no no White nose syndrome, a mysterious afflication fatal to bats, is spreading north and south killing bats along the way. 10 Mar 2009 21:15:11 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html ECDA4D23-B1DA-4713-8561-23F99B01A823 White nose syndrome, a fatal bat condition, spreads White nose syndrome, a mysterious afflication fatal to bats, is spreading north and south killing bats along the way. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service bat, white nose syndrome 01:22 no no This year, the peregrine falcon celebrates ten years off the endangered species list, but it still needs help to continue its recovery 10 Mar 2009 21:12:32 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html EBBFC366-5822-41AF-8265-D27257FDEC67 The peregrine falcon celebrates ten years off the endangered species list This year, the peregrine falcon celebrates ten years off the endangered species list, but it still needs help to continue its recovery U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service peregrine, rock climbers 01:12 no no Wind turbines are known for their impacts to birds, less so for impacts to bats. However, some of the bats killed by wind turbines never even touch the blades. 10 Mar 2009 21:09:43 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 37AD754F-74E0-4828-B22A-57DF6FA351B7 Research shows it isn't just impacts that kill bats at wind turbines Wind turbines are known for their impacts to birds, less so for impacts to bats. However, some of the bats killed by wind turbines never even touch the blades. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service bat, wind turbine, baurotrauma 01:36 no no This common insect, builder of the round, paper nests we see in trees, has a fascinating annual life cycle. 10 Mar 2009 21:06:47 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 092D894C-2A3F-4808-B277-263AE8D351DD The bald-faced hornet is one of the South's most famous and feared insects. This common insect, builder of the round, paper nests we see in trees, has a fascinating annual life cycle. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service wasp, hornet 01:23 no no The McElrath family's property sits at the headwaters of the Mills River, surrounded by national forest. Now that land has been protected under a conservation easement, protecting the river and the forest. 10 Mar 2009 21:02:50 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html E39A3581-AECF-4272-A817-66A1D1B6E74B Protection of the McElrath property helps protect an important stream and national forest The McElrath family's property sits at the headwaters of the Mills River, surrounded by national forest. Now that land has been protected under a conservation easement, protecting the river and the forest. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service McElrath, conservation easement, Mills River 01:34 no no The drought that continues to strike much of the Southern Appalachians complicates work to restore the biodiversity of the Pigeon River. 10 Mar 2009 20:57:23 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html A0316973-F548-4C3B-9D4D-39D51B7E3572 Drought impedes recovery of the Pigeon River The drought that continues to strike much of the Southern Appalachians complicates work to restore the biodiversity of the Pigeon River. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service drought, Pigeon River, biodiversity 01:27 no no East Tennessee's Rocky fork Track, one of the region's most significant pieces of unprotected land, has indeed been protected. 10 Mar 2009 20:54:44 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html AE708DD5-3FC6-4508-AB6F-221DBDEBD013 Rocky Fork Protected East Tennessee's Rocky fork Track, one of the region's most significant pieces of unprotected land, has indeed been protected. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Rocky Fork 01:28 no no Tearthumb is a relatively common plant in wetland areas, but one you want to avoid if possible. 10 Mar 2009 20:50:21 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 1BEE60D5-E189-4E4A-A0BC-35DB7D4518B3 Tearthumb - a fascinating if painful wetland plant Tearthumb is a relatively common plant in wetland areas, but one you want to avoid if possible. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service wetland, bog, tearthumb 01:20 no no In the face of drought across much of the Southeastern United States, this report by the non-profit American Rivers points out ways communities can save water on a large scale without having to turn to building new large-scale reservoirs to meet water demand. 28 Jan 2009 20:37:28 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 73BB3E93-2E6B-4CA3-A35F-386E60148F19 The Hidden Reservoir - a new report looks at ways to save water on a large scale In the face of drought across much of the Southeastern United States, this report by the non-profit American Rivers points out ways communities can save water on a large scale without having to turn to building new large-scale reservoirs to meet water demand. drought, dam, water 01:33 no no Research from the University of Pittsburgh demonstrates that just because a pesticide may not kill a frog directly, doesn't mean it doesn't have a major impact. 28 Jan 2009 20:34:53 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 6F615D1F-476F-4428-BFEA-EF140DB2CA68 A new study looks at pesticide and frog deaths Research from the University of Pittsburgh demonstrates that just because a pesticide may not kill a frog directly, doesn't mean it doesn't have a major impact. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service malathion, frog, mortality 01:35 no no Biologists discovered that the rare Carolina northern flying squirrel wasn't crossing the Cherola Skyway, a 36-mile road in Western North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee, leading to an innovative solution. 28 Jan 2009 20:30:04 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 5F2FA5D7-0C26-4423-992B-3E48A9714D41 Getting rare flying squirrels across the Cherohala Skyway road Biologists discovered that the rare Carolina northern flying squirrel wasn't crossing the Cherola Skyway, a 36-mile road in Western North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee, leading to an innovative solution. Cherohala, Carolina northern flying squirrel 01:37 no no Daddy longlegs are one of our most common animals, and one that children key in on at an early age. Learn more about this fascinating arachnid. 28 Jan 2009 20:25:53 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 6D466698-68AC-461C-A6D4-7C7D82DA3EFF Daddy longlegs Daddy longlegs are one of our most common animals, and one that children key in on at an early age. Learn more about this fascinating arachnid. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service daddy longlegs 01:31 no no Southern Appalachian bogs are one of the rarest habitats in the United States, and key to their protection is protecting the flow of water upon which they depend. 28 Jan 2009 20:22:40 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html ADFB9A8E-7F25-4DEA-B5F9-773ED6C56B0A Protecting rare bogs means protecting their water flow Southern Appalachian bogs are one of the rarest habitats in the United States, and key to their protection is protecting the flow of water upon which they depend. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service bog, Bog turtle, snapping turtle, hydrology 01:28 no no Bog turtles are but one species of turtles able to spend long amounts of time underwater. The key to that ability is their ability to breathe using their cloaca. 28 Jan 2009 20:20:05 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html F9AD76FE-A4EE-42F4-ABD1-8BF6993B35FD Cloacoal breathing - how do bog turtles stay under water for so long? Bog turtles are but one species of turtles able to spend long amounts of time underwater. The key to that ability is their ability to breathe using their cloaca. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service bog turtle, cloaca 01:28 no no Students from Dr. Scott Pearson's GIS class at Mars Hill College have teamed up with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to help conserve a rare plant by creating GIS databases showing biologists where the plants are and providing them with a wealth of information about each population. 27 Jan 2009 20:22:20 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html C965A21F-3D16-4E2B-9E11-4FB83980A0B7 Mars Hill College students help conserve a rare plant Students from Dr. Scott Pearson's GIS class at Mars Hill College have teamed up with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to help conserve a rare plant by creating GIS databases showing biologists where the plants are and providing them with a wealth of information about each population. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Mars Hill College, Roan Mountain bluet 01:29 no no What is the story behind these top-level carnivores, the largest turtle in the Southern Appalachians 27 Jan 2009 20:03:53 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 1300137C-1BDD-4096-9E2D-F38F4DED46B2 Snapping turtles What is the story behind these top-level carnivores, the largest turtle in the Southern Appalachians U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service snapping turtle 01:36 no no One of the first animals a child has intimate contact with is the ladybug. Learn more about these little insects. 27 Jan 2009 20:01:05 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html A1F9D390-B0F7-4F4B-9FE2-BDB077F66009 The lowdown on ladybugs One of the first animals a child has intimate contact with is the ladybug. Learn more about these little insects. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service ladybug, lady bug 01:24 no no An agreement between a host of partners will help move migratory fish llike American shad and AMerican eels up and down the Santee River basin and across the Carolinas. 27 Jan 2009 19:56:32 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 80339D42-91B4-46BD-9DD3-BB1E7EE2A6BD Santee-Cooper Accord helps move migratory fish across the Carolinas An agreement between a host of partners will help move migratory fish llike American shad and AMerican eels up and down the Santee River basin and across the Carolinas. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service migratory fish, eel, shad, herring, Santee 01:34 no no Recognizing that a developing landscape could permanently degrade or even destroy some of the most important natural areas and working lands in the region, ten land conservancies working across Western North Carolina banded together to form the Blue Ridge Forever coalition, identifying 28 of the most important unprotected areas where they’ll concentrate their land protection efforts. 2 Jan 2009 12:55:29 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 51447B89-7EB6-464A-BE2B-E151C9B7FE81 Blue Ridge Forever Recognizing that a developing landscape could permanently degrade or even destroy some of the most important natural areas and working lands in the region, ten land conservancies working across Western North Carolina banded together to form the Blue Ridge Forever coalition, identifying 28 of the most important unprotected areas where they’ll concentrate their land protection efforts. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service blue ridge, conserve, development 01:38 no no The plight of American fish is growing more and more grave, according to a recently released report from the American Fisheries Socieity, the nation's premier organization of fisheries biologists 15 Dec 2008 19:49:02 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html ACEA4880-614A-4BB8-AE5F-D711381205D5 New report looks at the state of American fish The plight of American fish is growing more and more grave, according to a recently released report from the American Fisheries Socieity, the nation's premier organization of fisheries biologists U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service fish, north america, sturgeon, slender chub 01:34 no no Kids In the Creek program takes 8th graders on a search for aquatic insects, fish, and an understanding of Southern Appalachian streams, and compels one 8th grade teacher to start kissing fish. 2 Dec 2008 16:36:04 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 1174737A-2F71-468C-A801-A0FBF0A9CEC3 Kids in the Creek gets 8th graders' feet wet Kids In the Creek program takes 8th graders on a search for aquatic insects, fish, and an understanding of Southern Appalachian streams, and compels one 8th grade teacher to start kissing fish. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service fish, insects, invertebrates,streams, Appalachians 01:29 no no A new program in Western North Carolina, Muddy Sneakers, is an effort to get kids outside throughout the school year to learn science, language arts, math and other subject by studying the natural world 8 Oct 2008 19:42:49 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html A8D97F61-4B5A-4AAC-AB1A-6705962A6072 Muddy Sneakers program aims to get kids outside A new program in Western North Carolina, Muddy Sneakers, is an effort to get kids outside throughout the school year to learn science, language arts, math and other subject by studying the natural world kids, outside, Appalachians, nature, deficit 01:30 no no A team of botanists from across the Southern Appalachians join in an effort to document spreading avens, a rare plant found on some of the roughest terrain in the region. 8 Oct 2008 19:38:30 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 72BA9105-C9FE-4CC3-A6E3-871DF95FBC14 Botanists hit area cliffs for rare plant A team of botanists from across the Southern Appalachians join in an effort to document spreading avens, a rare plant found on some of the roughest terrain in the region. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service spreading, avens, conservation, botanists, endangered 01:25 no no To mark Endangered Species Day this year, biologists with the Asheville Field Office joined students from Mountain Heritage High School on the Toe River in a search for the endangered Appalachian elktoe. 24 Sep 2008 21:11:59 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 8EBAE55A-6859-4A76-9B0B-3A155D689DB8 Endangered Species Day To mark Endangered Species Day this year, biologists with the Asheville Field Office joined students from Mountain Heritage High School on the Toe River in a search for the endangered Appalachian elktoe. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service endangered, species, elktoe, toe, Appalachians 01:30 no no A local watershed group in the Toe River Valley is working to create a river trail that will give boaters easy access to rivers of the Toe River Valley in North Carolina's Yancy and Mitchell Counties. 24 Sep 2008 21:10:40 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 08188019-3827-49D4-BF61-2A20B66B5BB2 Toe River Valley River Trail A local watershed group in the Toe River Valley is working to create a river trail that will give boaters easy access to rivers of the Toe River Valley in North Carolina's Yancy and Mitchell Counties. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service toe, river, paddle, Appalachians, trail 01:30 no no State, federal, tribal, and private biologists have all come together in an effort to improve the plight of the rare sicklefin redhorse fish, hopefully keeping it from being listed under the Endangered Species Act. 24 Sep 2008 21:08:43 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 3B7EC391-0EB1-47D9-9465-A1DA1AD84ACA Sicklefin redhorse conservation State, federal, tribal, and private biologists have all come together in an effort to improve the plight of the rare sicklefin redhorse fish, hopefully keeping it from being listed under the Endangered Species Act. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service sicklefin, redhorse, endangered, Appalachians, Tuckasegee, Hiwasee 03:00 no no A recent search along the Little Tennessee river for the threatened Virginia spiraea plant turned up a happy discovery. 24 Sep 2008 21:06:43 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 38ADE732-0465-45B3-958C-7BD75FC45E70 Virginia spiraea search A recent search along the Little Tennessee river for the threatened Virginia spiraea plant turned up a happy discovery. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Virginia, spiraea, endangered, Appalachians 03:00 no no Recent incidents - one on the Cane River in Yancey County, the other on the Davidson River in Transylvania County, highlight the fragility of our water quality. 24 Sep 2008 21:04:44 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 1DE720B1-69BE-45A0-A200-1C6F8F83FECA Water Quality Woes Recent incidents - one on the Cane River in Yancey County, the other on the Davidson River in Transylvania County, highlight the fragility of our water quality. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Cane, river, Yancey, elktoe, Appalachians, Davidson 03:00 no no There's a growing conern in America that children are spending less and less time outdoors, and that this will have a negative impact, both on their health and well-being, and on how they view and value the natural world on which we all depend. 24 Sep 2008 21:03:03 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 5774E872-675B-4E65-BE44-9C4D99A100E0 Kids outside There's a growing conern in America that children are spending less and less time outdoors, and that this will have a negative impact, both on their health and well-being, and on how they view and value the natural world on which we all depend. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service kids, outside, Appalachians, nature, deficit 03:00 no no Roan Mountian, on the North Carolina-Tennessee border, is home to a concentration of imperiled plants and animals and a conglomeration of every high elevation natural community found in the Southern Appalachians. However, some of those communities are threatened by the growth of woody vegetation, something a herd of goats might help change. 24 Sep 2008 21:01:33 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html DFB4C6F6-2709-4DCD-812C-94A69A2C894B Goats aid in the conservation of one of the Southern Appalachians most important areas Roan Mountian, on the North Carolina-Tennessee border, is home to a concentration of imperiled plants and animals and a conglomeration of every high elevation natural community found in the Southern Appalachians. However, some of those communities are threatened by the growth of woody vegetation, something a herd of goats might help change. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Roan, mountain, goats, Appalachians 03:00 no no The Cane and North Toe Rivers, each in the Toe River Valley of Western North Carolina, are both saddled with decrepit dams which are slated for removal. 24 Sep 2008 20:59:27 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 20EAA87B-ED89-4006-8605-E131978B066A Dam removal in the Toe River Valley The Cane and North Toe Rivers, each in the Toe River Valley of Western North Carolina, are both saddled with decrepit dams which are slated for removal. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Toe, river, dam, removal, Appalachian, elktoe 03:00 no no As the emerald ash borer, an exotic invasive insect that kills native ash trees, spreads around the Great Lakes, land managers in the Southern Appalachians take steps to safeguard their forests. 24 Sep 2008 20:55:45 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html BC7F6C14-7E42-4A7E-A81F-1CAA3B97A56A Emerald ash borer As the emerald ash borer, an exotic invasive insect that kills native ash trees, spreads around the Great Lakes, land managers in the Southern Appalachians take steps to safeguard their forests. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service emerald, ash, borer, invasive, exotic 03:00 no no Bats are dying in the Northeast, struck by a mysterious affliction biologists are calling white nose syndrome for the tuft of white that often appears around the muzzle of the infected bats. 24 Sep 2008 20:52:14 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html White nose syndrome Bats are dying in the Northeast, struck by a mysterious affliction biologists are calling white nose syndrome for the tuft of white that often appears around the muzzle of the infected bats. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service bats, Indiana, white, nose, syndrome 03:00 no no Commonly seen off Southern beaches, few realize that there are freshwater jellyfish in the Southern Appalachians, perhaps in your favorite swimming hole. 24 Sep 2008 20:48:54 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html Freshwater jellyfish Commonly seen off Southern beaches, few realize that there are freshwater jellyfish in the Southern Appalachians, perhaps in your favorite swimming hole. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service jellyfish, Appalachians 03:00 no no Plans to build a retirement community in this Western North Carolina town touched off the ire of local wildlife enthusiasts, until the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service helped broker a deal that would improve and permanently protect part of the adjoining wetland. 24 Sep 2008 20:43:58 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html Saving, and Improving, a Hendersonville wetland Plans to build a retirement community in this Western North Carolina town touched off the ire of local wildlife enthusiasts, until the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service helped broker a deal that would improve and permanently protect part of the adjoining wetland. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service wetland, conservation 03:00 no no An algae long known from the northern latitudes is being found in places never-before seen, like New Zealand and the Southern Appalachians. Why is this algae spreading so aggressively and what does it mean for our streams? 22 Sep 2008 21:18:14 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html Didymo An algae long known from the northern latitudes is being found in places never-before seen, like New Zealand and the Southern Appalachians. Why is this algae spreading so aggressively and what does it mean for our streams? U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service fish, wildlife, conservation, Appalachians 03:00 no no As many communities wrestle with development and its impacts to precious natural resources, Haywood County, North Carolina, is becoming proactive, looking into the future to help determine what their community will look like in the coming years. 22 Sep 2008 21:18:14 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html Planning for Growth in Haywood County As many communities wrestle with development and its impacts to precious natural resources, Haywood County, North Carolina, is becoming proactive, looking into the future to help determine what their community will look like in the coming years. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Haywood, development, wildlife, growth, planniing 03:00 no no While many water conservation techniques focus on outdoor uses of water, such as watering lawns and gardens, many steps can be taken indoors to help ease the demand on strained water supplies. 22 Sep 2008 21:18:14 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html Bringing Water Conservation Into the Home for Winter While many water conservation techniques focus on outdoor uses of water, such as watering lawns and gardens, many steps can be taken indoors to help ease the demand on strained water supplies. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service water, conservation, home 03:00 no no The new maps of Western North Carolina floodplains have been unveiled. 22 Sep 2008 21:18:14 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html New Floodplain Maps for Western North Carolina The new maps of Western North Carolina floodplains have been unveiled. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service floodplain, maps, development 03:00 no