Stories from the Home Page
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Service staff and partners work together to stay ahead of the potential for difficult wildfires in the Pacific Region. Credit: Brent Lawrence/USFWS
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Managing with Prescribed FireJuly 2, 2019Prescribed fires are never as simple as lighting a match and letting it burn. They’re scientific undertakings planned by the burn boss, who carefully considers safety, weather and more to achieve the fire’s objectives. Improved public safety and habitat management are two priorities of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Fire Management Program. |
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Service staff and partners work together to stay ahead of the potential for difficult wildfires in the Pacific Region. Credit: Brent Lawrence/USFWS
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During the winter months, sandhill cranes, snow geese and Ross’s geese often cover the landscape at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico. Credit: Celestyn Brozek
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How to Get the Most out of a Visit to a National Wildlife RefugeJuly 2, 2019Timing is everything. “If you go to Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico in the summer, you’re not going to see much,” says National Wildlife Refuge System Chief Cynthia Martinez. “If you go in November, you will see a spectacle of wildlife and birds covering every part of that place. There’s a real seasonality to our refuges.” |
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During the winter months, sandhill cranes, snow geese and Ross’s geese often cover the landscape at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico. Credit: Celestyn Brozek
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2019-2020 Federal Duck Stamp, featuring a wood duck and decoy painted by Minnesota artist Scot Storm. Credit: © USFWS
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New Federal Duck Stamp and Junior Duck Stamp Soar Into Their DebutJune 28, 2019Hunters, birders and stamp collectors celebrated as the 2019-2020 Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp – commonly known as the Duck Stamp – went on sale today. Since 1934, sales of this stamp have raised more than $1 billion to protect 6 million acres of wetlands habitat on national wildlife refuges around the nation. The 2019-2020 Junior Duck Stamp also went on sale today and supports youth conservation education. |
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2019-2020 Federal Duck Stamp, featuring a wood duck and decoy painted by Minnesota artist Scot Storm. Credit: © USFWS
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Kids bird watching at John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Credit: LaVonda/Walton USFWS
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Visitor Spending at National Wildlife Refuges Boosts Local EconomiesJune 27, 2019More than 53 million people visited national wildlife refuges in 2017, boosting local communities' economies by $3.2 billion and supporting more than 41,000 jobs, according to a new U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service report: "Banking on Nature 2017: The Economic Contributions of National Wildlife Refuge Recreational Visitation to Local Communities." The study, announced today by U.S. Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt, focuses on economic benefits associated with 162 national wildlife refuges and provides estimates of overall national contributions to the American economy. |
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Kids bird watching at John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Credit: LaVonda/Walton USFWS
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A scenic photo of Upper Klamath National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon. Credit: Doug Lester/USFWS
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Eight Hidden Gems of the Pacific SouthwestJune 25, 2019Going on vacation and need a place to beat the crowds, enjoy the outdoors and see something out of the ordinary? These hidden gems in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Wildlife Refuge System will get you off the beaten path. Beaches, deserts and forests: These marvelous finds are all surprisingly accessible. |
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A scenic photo of Upper Klamath National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon. Credit: Doug Lester/USFWS
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Migratory bird species like the cinnamon teal will benefit from wetland conservation projects funded by the North American Wetlands Conservation Act. Credit: om Koerner/USFWS
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$78 Million in Funding Will Benefit Wetland Conservation Projects and National Wildlife RefugesJune 19, 2019The Migratory Bird Conservation Commission, chaired by U.S. Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt, today approved $29.4 million in grants for the Service and its partners to conserve, enhance or restore more than 205,000 acres of lands for waterfowl, shorebirds and other birds in 22 states, as well as $33.6 million for 17 projects in Mexico and Canada, through the North American Wetlands Conservation Act. The commission also approved more than $15.1 million from the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund to conserve 4,886 acres on national wildlife refuges. |
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Migratory bird species like the cinnamon teal will benefit from wetland conservation projects funded by the North American Wetlands Conservation Act. Credit: om Koerner/USFWS
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Nevada bumble bee on Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge. Credit: Tom Koerner/USFWS Credit: Tom Koerner/USFWS
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A Week for Praising PollinatorsJune 17, 2019Nearly 75 percent of the nation's crops are made possible by a fascinating group of hard-working wildlife species. Without pollinators -- hummingbirds, bats, bees, beetles, butterflies and flies -- the world would have to do without chocolate, coffee and many fruits and vegetables. We celebrate these species during National Pollinator Week, officially proclaimed this week by Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt. |
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Nevada bumble bee on Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge. Credit: Tom Koerner/USFWS Credit: Tom Koerner/USFWS
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Chipping away at what remains of Tyndall’s pine forests. Credit: Dan Chapman/USFWS
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Rebuilding and Replanting After HurricaneJune 13, 2019October’s Hurricane Michael destroyed much of the 29,000-acre Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida. It also offered an opportunity. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Air Force had long planned to replace much of Tyndall’s pine forests with longleaf pine, the preferred habitat for a slew of at-risk species. With 75 percent of the pines on the base sheared in half by the hurricane, the plan can now be implemented. |
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Chipping away at what remains of Tyndall’s pine forests. Credit: Dan Chapman/USFWS
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A boater uses a free public pumpout facility in Washington that was constructed with Clean Vessel funds. Credit: Washington State Parks
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Service Grants Help Boaters, Anglers Keep Waterways CleanJune 6, 2019Thanks to more than $17 million in Clean Vessel Act program grants from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 27 states will have additional resources to help boaters keep America’s waters clean. The program helps fund pump-out systems that ensure recreational boaters have a safe, convenient and effective method to dispose of on-board sewage. The funds also support related boater education programs. |
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A boater uses a free public pumpout facility in Washington that was constructed with Clean Vessel funds. Credit: Washington State Parks
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Gray wolf. Credit: Gary Kramer/USFWS
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Service to Host Public Hearing in Minnesota on Proposed Gray Wolf DelistingJune 5, 2019The Service is hosting a public hearing to take comments on the agency’s proposal to remove the gray wolf from the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife. The hearing is scheduled for June 25, 2019, in Brainerd, Minnesota. In addition, the final peer review report on the proposal is now available online. |
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Gray wolf. Credit: Gary Kramer/USFWS
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Geese flying across Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge in Ohio. Credit: USFWS
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Fish and Wildlife Service Proposes Increasing Public Access to Hunting and Fishing on 1.4 Million Acres NationwideJune 5, 2019U.S. Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt today announced from Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge a proposal for new or expanded hunting and fishing opportunities at 74 national wildlife refuges and 15 national fish hatcheries managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service across more than 1.4 million acres. |
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Geese flying across Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge in Ohio. Credit: USFWS
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Fishing is one of the cornerstones of America’s sporting heritage that unites men, women and children of all walks of life. Credit: Lisa Hupp
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Get Your Fish On During National Fishing and Boating WeekMay 30, 2019With school doors closing, kids (and parents) are anxious to find a fun, easy outdoor summer activity. National Fishing and Boating Week (June 1 - 9) is the perfect time to get the entire family out to a fishing event hosted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at a national fish hatchery or national wildlife refuge. |
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Fishing is one of the cornerstones of America’s sporting heritage that unites men, women and children of all walks of life. Credit: Lisa Hupp
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Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska Credit: Lisa Hupp/USFWS
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Tips for AnglersMay 29, 2019Recreational fishing is one of the most popular and relaxing of all outdoor activities. With a little know-how and respect for fellow anglers, everyone can enjoy the many fishing opportunities national wildlife refuges and national fish hatchery lands have to offer. In conjunction with National Fishing and Boating Week (June 1-9), we present a few tips that will that will help sportsmen and - women of all ages and skill levels be more successful, stay safe and have fun. |
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Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska Credit: Lisa Hupp/USFWS
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A manatee paddles in the waters of the Faka Union Canal at Port of the Islands. Credit: USGS
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Everyone Into the Pool: Manatees Enjoy Mitigation FeatureMay 22, 2019Part of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan was going to cost manatees in South Florida a key warm water shelter. So wildlife managers developed a series of warm water pools as a substitute, which the animals are now enjoying. Manatees cannot tolerate temperatures below 68 degrees Fahrenheit for extended periods of time. |
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A manatee paddles in the waters of the Faka Union Canal at Port of the Islands. Credit: USGS
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Partners are hoping a coordinated effort to survey for this small, camouflaged butterfly throughout its historic range will find more populations. Credit: Geena Hill/Florida Museum
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Butterflies, Craft Beer Help Each OtherMay 17, 2019Frosted-elfin butterflies contribute wild yeast used in the brewing of a craft beer. Beer brings attention and money to the recovery of the at-risk species. |
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Partners are hoping a coordinated effort to survey for this small, camouflaged butterfly throughout its historic range will find more populations. Credit: Geena Hill/Florida Museum
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