The New Year Baby has been featured in many cartoons over the course of our history, symbolizing the birth of a new year.  It's a time for new beginnings, resolutions, and an attitude of 'out with the old and in with the new.'  

At Open Spaces, we want to take part in the tradition with a nature twist.  We couldn't think of a better way to ring in 2012 than with these adorable baby animals.

And when it comes to resolutions, let us all resolve in 2012 to do all we can to protect baby animals everywhere and the wild places they call home.

Do you know the names for baby animals?  Many of them are easy to guess, like these polar bears, which are called cubs.  See how well you do with the rest!

[More]

We love our football here at Open Spaces.

With football season in full swing, we probably don’t have to remind you that team mascots play a big part in establishing a team’s identity. Did you ever stop to think that nearly all professional teams have wildlife inspired mascots? Did you also know that some of those wildlife are currently facing—or have faced in the past—serious threats to healthy population levels?  

It’s true! While we love them all, we're spotlighting two wildlife inspired mascots that we think are ideal representatives for their respective cities and teams. Both display amazing physical attributes while showing tremendous resilence in the face of adversitiy--great qualities for any football team.  

So, which mascots are they.......

Touchdown!  Credit: Aaron Webb

[More]

We are now seeking proposals from states and U.S. territories interested in obtaining Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund (Section 6) grants for fiscal year 2012.

Here’s what you need to know:

[More]

If you follow us on Facebook you might remember seeing a post about the Ozark hellbender being declared an endangered species. But how much do you know about the species, other than its odd name?

Here are five cool facts about the Ozark hellbender:

[More]

The Save Vanishing Species Stamp is the first U.S. postage stamp issued in the 164-year history of the Postal Service to raise funds for international wildlife conservation. Proceeds from the sale of the stamp will directly benefit the Wildlife Without Borders Multinational Species Conservation Funds (MSCF), administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 

The stamp features an Amur tiger cub and sells for 55 cents per stamp - just slightly above the cost of first-class postage. By purchasing the stamp,the public can directly contribute to the on-the-ground conservation programs of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Since 1989, the Wildlife Without Borders Program has saved tigers, rhinos,elephants, gorillas, chimpanzees, marine turtles and other endangered species. We have supported more than 1,800 projects working with more than 200 partners around the globe. 

Save Vanishing Species © 2011 United States Postal Service. All Rights Reserved.

[More]

The past two years have seen a herculean response by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Park Service and other agencies working with the scientific community to save the last wild and growing Franciscan manzanita; a plant thought to be extinct in the wild.

[More]

Many of us already are aware of how strongly the health of threatened and endangered species is linked to our own well-being.   Clean air and water, recreational activities, and livelihoods are dependent on habitats that sustain these species.  So how can we ensure a healthy future for our community and protect treasured landscapes for future generations?

The task may be large, but it is a shared responsibility, as the fish, wildlife and plants across America belong to everyone.

We have a number of creative tools for actively engage states and landowners to find improved and innovative ways to conserve and recover threatened and endangered species in cost-effective ways.

What is an example of one of those tools?

[More]

If you didn't know, every region has a Flickr page with some great imagery - so does our National Digital Library (along with lots of other cool things).  Here's a quick photo tour of our regions. Enjoy!

These Mexican spotted owls, listed as threatened, rest in a canyon in Utah, in the Mountain Prairie Region. Rock walls with caves, ledges, and other areas provide protected nest and roost sites. 

Photo Credit: Amie Smith

[More]

Today I get the opportunity to tell you all about a recovery success story.  The harmless and helpful Lake Erie waternake is being removed from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife – the 23^rd species to be delisted due to recovery.  The watersnake population has exceeded the minimum recovery level initially established (5,555 snakes).  As of 2009 there were 11,980, with about 300 acres of inland habitat and 11 miles of shoreline protected for the snake since it was listed. 

[More]

Even if you’ve never heard the term ‘invasive species’, chances are they’ve affected you in one way or another.  Invasives are any non-native species or organism that cause harm to a non-native environment.  For example, you may have heard about the brown marmorated stink bug, introduced accidentally into Pennsylvania from Asia, which has descended on towns along the east coast.  With no natural predators, the insects are able to multiply, feeding on a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, hurting farmers and their crops. 

Credit: David R. Lance, USDA APHIS PPQ

A widely referenced paper cites the cost of invasive species to be more than $120 billion in damages every year to the United States. 

I’ll say it again - $120 BILLION dollars in damages from invasive species.

[More]