Stories from the Home Page
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Wildlife Inspector Camille Sims. Credit: USFWS
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Women Help Create Wildlife Law Enforcement SuccessesMarch 31, 2021During National Women’s History Month, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service celebrates the women in our Office of Law Enforcement who do undercover and covert work, perform inspections and excel at public outreach, science and technology innovations, and intelligence gathering. Women represent the Service through our attachés, work as information technology and help desk specialists, ensure our seized items are properly logged and secured, and provide administrative support. |
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Wildlife Inspector Camille Sims. Credit: USFWS
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The Seaside daisy is one of a diverse collection of wildflowers that grow in the open dunes. These species have specialized adaptations to survive the harsh dune environment. Credit: Andrea Pickart/USFWS
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California Dunes Named National Natural LandmarkMarch 30, 2021The Lanphere and Ma-le’l Dunes have been recognized as a National Natural Landmark. Managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Bureau of Land Management, the dunes are within Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge and Ma-le’l Dunes Cooperative Management Area. The National Park Service, which administers the landmark process, said: Andrea Pickart, coastal ecologist at the refuge, “has been working to conserve, restore and protect this site for over 30 years and deserves a large amount of credit for this project.” |
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The Seaside daisy is one of a diverse collection of wildflowers that grow in the open dunes. These species have specialized adaptations to survive the harsh dune environment. Credit: Andrea Pickart/USFWS
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A aeʻo standing in water. Credit: USFWS
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Partnerships Lead to Status Improvement for Hawaiian Stilt, Prompt Downlisting ProposalMarch 26, 2021Decades of work by conservation partners has improved the status of the aeʻo, or Hawaiian stilt. In response, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed downlisting the aeʻo to threatened from endangered under the Endangered Species Act. |
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A aeʻo standing in water. Credit: USFWS
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A bald eagle in flight. Credit: George Gentry/USFWS
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America’s Bald Eagle Population Continues to SoarMarch 24, 2021Populations of the American bald eagle have quadrupled since 2009, according to a new report by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and its partners. Bald eagles once teetered on the brink of extinction, reaching an all-time low of 417 known nesting pairs in 1963 in the lower 48 states. However, after decades of protection, the banning of the pesticide DDT, and conservation efforts with numerous partners, the bald eagle population has flourished, growing to an estimate of 316,700 individual bald eagles, including 71,400 occupied nests. |
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A bald eagle in flight. Credit: George Gentry/USFWS
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With a wingspan of almost 10 feet, the California condor is the largest soaring land bird in North America. Credit: Jon Myatt/USFWS
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Missing for a Century, California Condors Returning to Pacific NorthwestMarch 23, 2021The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service and the Yurok Tribe announced a final rule that will help facilitate the creation of a new California condor release facility for the reintroduction of condors to Yurok Ancestral Territory and Redwood National Park. The rule will designate the condors affiliated with this program as a nonessential, experimental population under the Endangered Species Act. |
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With a wingspan of almost 10 feet, the California condor is the largest soaring land bird in North America. Credit: Jon Myatt/USFWS
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The trio takes shifts to incubate. Credit: Courtesy of Stewards of Upper Mississippi River Refuge
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My 2 Dads: Eagle Family Draws FansMarch 18, 2021Despite hurricane-force winds that toppled their nest last year, a breeding trio of bald eagles along the Mississippi River in Illinois rebuilt and are now incubating eggs. For several years, fans from all over the world have been watching this family through a webcam at Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge. |
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The trio takes shifts to incubate. Credit: Courtesy of Stewards of Upper Mississippi River Refuge
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Many seizures of illicit wildlife products have been made by Service law enforcement officers. Credit: USFWS
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American Rescue Plan Provides Critical Support for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ProgramsMarch 12, 2021The American Rescue Plan signed by President Biden March 12, 2021, invests $105 million to help the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and our partners address pandemic-related impacts to wildlife. The funds will support work to prevent future pandemics by combating wildlife trafficking and addressing wildlife diseases that could impact the health and welfare of communities across the nation and around the globe. |
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Many seizures of illicit wildlife products have been made by Service law enforcement officers. Credit: USFWS
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Zebra mussels found in a moss ball. Credit: USGS
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Destroy, Don't Dump, Moss Balls Containing Zebra MusselsMarch 9, 2021Invasive zebra mussels have been found in "moss balls,” an aquarium plant product sold at aquarium and pet supply stores across the United States. Zebra mussels are regarded as one of the most destructive invasive species in North America.
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Zebra mussels found in a moss ball. Credit: USGS
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Happy birthday, Refuge System. (Audio-described version of video.) Credit: USFWS
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Need a Reason to Dance? National Wildlife Refuge System Turning 118March 9, 2021Celebrate your wildlife heritage. President Theodore Roosevelt established the first national wildlife refuge on March 14, 1903, at Pelican Island, Florida, to protect brown pelicans there from slaughter by market hunters. Today’s Refuge System includes more than 560 national wildlife refuges, 38 wetland management districts and 5 marine national monuments. |
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Happy birthday, Refuge System. (Audio-described version of video.) Credit: USFWS
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This year, 40,000 winter-run are being raised at Mt. Lassen Trout Farm and 120,000 are being raised at Coleman National Fish Hatchery. Credit: Jake Sisco/USFWS
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Private Trout Farm Works with Service, Others for ConservationMarch 4, 2021The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Coleman National Fish Hatchery and conservation partner Mt. Lassen Trout Farm are working to raise endangered Sacramento River winter-run Chinoock salmon that could be released into Battle Creek in California as part of efforts aimed at reintroducing them to the watershed. |
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This year, 40,000 winter-run are being raised at Mt. Lassen Trout Farm and 120,000 are being raised at Coleman National Fish Hatchery. Credit: Jake Sisco/USFWS
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A male Kirtland’s warbler. The once-endangered species recovered with help from the State Wildlife Grant Program. Credit: Joel Trick/USFWS
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States Receive $55 Million to Protect Vulnerable WildlifeFebruary 26, 2021Imperiled wildlife and their habitats will benefit from $55 million thanks to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s State Wildlife Grant Program. The program establishes a conservation partnership among state fish and wildlife agencies, their partners, and the Service. Funded projects accelerate the recovery of endangered species, like the Kirtland’s Warbler, and can prevent others from being listed under the Endangered Species Act. |
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A male Kirtland’s warbler. The once-endangered species recovered with help from the State Wildlife Grant Program. Credit: Joel Trick/USFWS
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Two anglers on a rocky beach. Purchasing fishing equipment supports conservation projects. Credit: Sam Stukel/USFWS
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$1 Billion Sent to State Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Bolstering Conservation and Recreation ProjectsFebruary 25, 2021State fish and wildlife agencies across the country will receive $1 billion thanks to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program, a partnership among state wildlife agencies, the outdoor industry and the Service. Generated by the hunting, angling and boating industries, in cooperation with outdoor enthusiasts, these funds are distributed by the Service to ensure all wildlife agencies receive support. |
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Two anglers on a rocky beach. Purchasing fishing equipment supports conservation projects. Credit: Sam Stukel/USFWS
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The Washington State Department of Ecology, in partnership with the Stillaguamish Tribe, will protect and restore 537 acres of coastal wetlands that will benefit a wide range of fish and wildlife species. Credit: Washington State Department of Ecology
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Service Awards More Than $27 Million to Help Coastal Wetland Ecosystems Become More Resilient, Boost Economy and Support ConservationFebruary 24, 2021Coastal wetland habitat conservation is critical to ensure that important habitat, wildlife and coastal communities continue to thrive for future generations. Today, the Service will award more than $27 million to support 33 projects in 14 coastal states under the National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program. State, local and tribal governments, private landowners, conservation groups and other partners will contribute more than $22.2 million in additional funds to these projects. |
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The Washington State Department of Ecology, in partnership with the Stillaguamish Tribe, will protect and restore 537 acres of coastal wetlands that will benefit a wide range of fish and wildlife species. Credit: Washington State Department of Ecology
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The water at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge is crowded with waterfowl early in the morning. Credit: USFWS
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How Conservation Helps Fill in the Gaps of HistoryFebruary 22, 2021The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and The Conservation Fund recently acquired 2,691 acres of forested wetlands for Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge in Maryland. Wildlife aren’t the only ones that benefit from the riches of these lands. History buffs win, too. It is believed that the 2,691 acres contain the 10 acres Harriet Tubman’s father, Ben Ross, received when released from slavery. |
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The water at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge is crowded with waterfowl early in the morning. Credit: USFWS
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Elizabeth Ann, the first cloned black-footed ferret and first-ever cloned U.S. endangered species, at 68-days old. Credit: USFWS National Black-footed Ferret Conservation Center
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Innovative Genetic Research Boosts Black-footed Ferret Conservation EffortsFebruary 18, 2021Black-footed ferret recovery efforts aimed at increased genetic diversity and disease resistance took a bold step Dec. 10, 2020, with the birth of Elizabeth Ann, created from the frozen cells of Willa, a black-footed ferret that lived more than 30 years ago. The work results from a partnership among the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and species recovery partners and scientists. Until Elizabeth Ann, all black-footed ferrets were descended from seven individuals, which can create recovery challenges. |
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Elizabeth Ann, the first cloned black-footed ferret and first-ever cloned U.S. endangered species, at 68-days old. Credit: USFWS National Black-footed Ferret Conservation Center
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