Midwest Region Conserving the nature of America

Conserving the Nature of America

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.

Living the hygge lifestyle - Taking a lesson from wildlife

Red fox resting in snow
Red fox. Photo by Jim Peaco/NPS.

The Danish lifestyle trend known as hygge has taken off around the world. While this concept of finding cozy contentment and well-being through simple routines isn’t hard to grasp, it may seem out of reach with busy schedules and stressful times. Here are some hygge lessons from wildlife to show you how they manage the cold, dark days of winter.

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Bats are one of the most important misunderstood animals

Endangered Ozark big-eared bats in a cave
Endangered Ozark big-eared bats. Photo by Richard Stark/USFWS.

Few of nature’s animals are as misunderstood as bats. We want to set the record straight and help others understand the importance of bats. Though often feared and loathed as sinister creatures of the night, bats are vital to the health of our environment and our economy. Here you’ll learn more about why bats are so essential, the threats they’re facing, how we’re conserving bats and how you can help create a bat-friendly environment.

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U.S. population of northwestern moose does not warrant listing under the Endangered Species Act

Moose cow and bull
Moose cow and bull. Photo by USFWS.

After a thorough review of the best available scientific and commercial information, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has determined that the U.S. population of the northwestern subspecies of moose is not a distinct population segment and does not warrant listing under the Endangered Species Act. The subspecies is currently found in Minnesota, North Dakota and Isle Royale National Park in Michigan.

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Making room for monarchs: Agencies, businesses apply to join historic conservation agreement

Monarch butterfly on swamp milkweed
A monarch butterfly on swamp milkweed. Photo by Anna Weyers/USFWS.

It’s always easier to resolve a problem before it becomes an emergency, and the same can be said for helping plants and animals before they approach the threat of extinction. Continental populations of monarchs have declined over the past 20 years, raising concerns about their future and prompting us at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to explore ways to help. The Nationwide Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances for Monarch Butterfly on Energy and Transportation Lands, launched in April, encourages transportation and energy partners to provide and maintain monarch habitat on potentially millions of acres of rights-of-way and associated lands.

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The monarch super generation and their phenomenal migration

A monarch butterfly resting in the sun on sumac
A monarch butterfly resting on sumac. Photo by Brett Billings/USFWS.

As summer is coming to a close, we have something special for you to watch and celebrate. Mid-August marks the start of fall migration for millions of monarch butterflies. Adult monarchs are partway through their lifecycle, but their reproduction is on hold. These monarchs are different from their parents, grandparents and even great grandparents. Previous generations completed their life cycle in four weeks. Each of these previous generations migrated north, resulting in four generations over the course of the summer. Butterflies in this last generation are members of the generation that migrates south, often called the monarch super generation.

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Last updated: November 16, 2020