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Secretary Kempthorne Announces Endangered Species Act Protection for Polar Bear

Polar bear and cubs
Polar bear and cubs. Credit: Susanne Miller/USFWS

May 14 , 2008
Secretary Kempthorne announced today that the polar bear will be protected under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) as a threatened species due to the threat of decreasing sea ice habitat caused by climate change.

James Taylor Voices His Support for Migratory Birds

James Taylor. Credit: Dan Borris
James Taylor. Credit: © Dan Borris

May 13, 2008
When James Taylor performs at Virginia Beach on May 22, he will be singing for the birds. A portion of the proceeds from the concert will go to the Southern Tip Partnership to protect migratory bird stopover habitat on the southern tip of Virginia’s Eastern Shore. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is a member of the partnership which includes the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program, the Virginia Departments of Conservation & Recreation and Game & Inland Fisheries and The Nature Conservancy. Together they have protected and continue to manage more than 28,000 acres of land in the area.

2008-2009 Federal Duck Stamp First Day of Sale to be Hosted by Bass Pro Shops

75th Anniversary Federal Duck Stamp
75th Anniversary Federal Duck Stamp

May 9, 2008
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced this year’s First Day of Sale ceremony for the 2008-2009 Federal Duck Stamp will be hosted by Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World, located in Arundel Mills, near Baltimore, Maryland. Bass Pro Shops will also sponsor First Day of Sale events in all of the company’s other forty-four retail stores throughout the country on June 27, 2008.

Presquile National Wildlife Refuge’s Tree Planting Project Takes Roots in Improving Riparian Habitat for Wildlife in Virginia

Cyrus Brame, Project Coordinator and Refuge Outdoor Recreation Planner. Credit: Nan Rollison/USFWS
"We couldn't have accomplished this work if it weren't for dedicated partners and strong community support." Cyrus Brame, Project Coordinator and Refuge Outdoor Recreation Planner. Credit: Nan Rollison/USFWS

May 9, 2008
Two years ago, the  Service, the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, James River Association, and the Audubon Society joined with hundreds of volunteers from local businesses, area universities, and families from Chesterfield County and the City of Richmond for an ambitious tree planting project on Presquile National Wildlife Refuge, a 1,300 acre island on the James River.

Over 3,200 native trees and shrubs were planted, solely through volunteer labor, to improve habitat for birds and other species, as well as to create wildlife corridors.  The trees also helped stabilize the banks along the James River and shade out invasive grasses.   To date, over 80% of those trees have survived and are thriving.

To celebrate those successful efforts at the Wildlife Refuge, several International Migratory Bird Day events are scheduled during the week of May 12th.

Interior Department Awards Grants to States to Conserve Imperiled Wildlife

Aerial photo of the Navarre Marsh. Credit: USFWS
Aerial photo of the Navarre Marsh. Credit: USFWS

May 7, 2008
Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne announced today the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will award state and territorial wildlife agencies more than $60 million to help conserve and recover imperiled wildlife through the State Wildlife Grant Program. The grant program is designed to provide annual funding to all state and territorial fish and wildlife agencies with established comprehensive conservation plans, also known as wildlife action plans.

Refuge System Battles Invasive Species

Orange Hawkweed. Credit: USFWS
Orange Hawkweed. Credit: USFWS

May 1, 2008
Invasive plants and animals—introduced to the lands and waters of the United States from foreign shores—continue to plague national wildlife refuges.  Some efforts to stem this threat are already in place and beginning to take hold.  But there are other steps people can take to help by slightly altering their routines.

Desert Bald Eagle Returns to Endangered Species List

Bald eagle in flight. Credit: USFWS
Bald eagle in flight. Credit: USFWS

May 1, 2008
As a result of a recent court order, bald eagles in the Sonoran Desert of central Arizona are again protected as “threatened” under the Endangered Species Act.  The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service published the special rule announcing the protected status in the May 1, 2008 Federal Register.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Seeks Applications for Tribal Wildlife Grants

The mountain goat is an important species to the Sauk-Suiattle Tribe. Credit: Dave Grickson / USFWS
The mountain goat is an important species to the Sauk-Suiattle Tribe. Credit: Dave Grickson / USFWS

May 1, 2008
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issued a request for grant proposals from federally recognized Tribes for projects that will conserve fish and wildlife resources on tribal lands. The 2009 Tribal Wildlife Grants program funds projects on a competitive basis that benefit habitat, fish and wildlife, including species that are not hunted or fished. Proposals and grant applications must be postmarked by September 2, 2008. The maximum award for any one project under this program is $200,000.

Service Transfers Lead For Truckee River Water Management to Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe

Truckee River at Painted Rock. Credit: Mike Sevon
Truckee River at Painted Rock. Credit: Mike Sevon

April 30, 2008
The team lead for a federal partnership that manages waters in Stampede Reservoir for two federally listed fish species was transferred today from the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) to the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe (Tribe) in Nevada. The Tribe will lead a partnership of Department of Interior agencies that manage waters designated to protect and conserve the endangered cui-ui and threatened Lahontan cutthroat trout by selecting the annual flow regime, any subsequent flow modifications, and scheduling of the Stampede Reservoir releases, a responsibility formerly held by the Service

Refuges Celebrate International Migratory Bird Day on May 10

A flock of ducks lifting off the ground. Credit: Steve Hillebrand / USFWS
A flock of ducks lifting off the ground. Credit: Steve Hillebrand / USFWS

April 28, 2008
The annual International Migratory Bird Day (IMBD), held this year on May 10, celebrates the animal kingdom’s frequent fliers and the marvelous journey birds undertake between their summer and winter homes.  What better place to see some of the nearly 700 species of migratory birds than the hundreds of national wildlife refuges established solely to safeguard habitat for them.

The Service Grants Funding to States for Boating Sewage Facilities

Boats docked. Credit: USFWS
Boats docked. Credit: USFWS

April 23, 2008
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service granted more than $13.6 million to 27 states under the Clean Vessel Act grant program. The grants will be used to fund the construction and installation of sewage pumpout facilities and floating restrooms, to purchase pumpout boats and for educational programs for recreational boaters.

3.6 Million Acres of Wetlands Conserved Since 2004

Aerial of the earth. Credit: NASA
Aerial of the earth. Credit: NASA

April 22, 2008
Wetland acres restored, created, improved and protected in the past four years has exceeded the President's goal, set on Earth Day 2004, to conserve three million acres by 2009. Today the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) released a new report highlighting how the President’s goal was achieved one year early. Conserving America’s Wetlands 2008: Four Years of Partnering resulted in Accomplishing the President’s Goal documents this natural resource conservation success story.

National Wetlands Maps Debut on Google Earth

Snapshot of National Wetlands Interactive Map.
Snapshot of National Wetlands Interactive Map.

April 22, 2008
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service maps of the National Wetlands Inventory are now available for viewing using Google Earth. The wetlands inventory includes wetlands data for approximately 60 percent of the conterminous U.S., as well as portions of Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico.

Our home page archived features page is temporarily offline due to maintenance upgrading. If you wish to inquire on previous stories, contact malcomb_barsella@fws.gov.
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USFWS Director Dall Hall Director's Corner USFWS Director Dale Hall

Principles and Priorities

breakMay is American Wetlands Month!Snowy egret and young in nest.
Snowy egret and young in nest.
Learn MorebreakBats with white-nose syndrome. Credit: USFWS
White-nose syndrome
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Cover of Fish and Wildlife News (With Active Web Links.) Credit: Robert Buchanan, Polar Bears International
Cover of Fish and Wildlife News
Winter 2008 Edition.
(With Active Web Links). Credit: USFWS

break Cover of Endangered Species 2007 Highlights Edition.

Cover of Endangered Species 2007 Highlights Edition.

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Health Professionals’ Roundup Meeting breakVideo of the Week Radcliffe School Students Conserve the Nature of the Chesapeake
Radcliffe School Students Conserve the Nature of the Chesapeake
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marsh threatened by sea level rise
Conserving the nature of America in a changing climate — Visit our new climate change page
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Sunset at Maple Ridge Wind Farm credit:  National Renewable Energy Laboratory Visit our Wind Turbine Guidelines Advisory Committee website for resources and information on Committee meetings break

Take A Tour of America's National Wildlife Refuges This Holiday SeasonAmerica's Wildest Places DVD collage - Volumes 1-3 Volumes 1, 2 and 3 of the “America’s Wildest Places” DVD collection can be ordered for $6 apiece, or in sets of three for $18 (Cost covers replication and handling).
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An overview of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
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Last updated: May 14, 2008
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