Midwest Region Conserving the nature of America

Find Locations Near You

The Midwest Region includes Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio and Wisconsin. Find a location near you.

The Midwest Region includes Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio and Wisconsin. Find a location near you and plan your visit today »

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.

Weekly Wrap-up: August 9 - 15, 2019

Collage featuring a common snapping turtle and monarch butterfly.
Wildlife collage. Individual photo captions and credits within story.

Check out our best stories from around the web and social media. This week features hunting herons, snapper stories, migrating monarchs and more!

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Missouri migration hotspot turns 55

Waterfowl taking flight from the river.
Waterfowl taking flight from the river. Photo by USFWS.

We're celebrating Clarence Cannon National Wildlife Refuge in Missouri, which was established 55 years ago this week. Take a moment to learn more about this extensive refuge and plan a trip to experience it yourself.

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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 in the sun on sumac. Photo by Brett Billings/USFWS.

Summer is coming to a close, but we have something special to enjoy, observe 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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Weekly Wrap-up: August 2 - 8, 2019

Collage featuring a dragonfly, egret and butterfly.
Wildlife collage. Individual photo captions and credits within story.

Check out our best stories from around the web and social media. This week features butterfly eyes, egret diets, species identification and more!

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Weekly Wrap-up: July 26 - August 1, 2019

Collage featuring a monarch caterpillar, piping plover and tussock caterpillar.
Wildlife collage. Individual photo captions and credits within story.

Check out our best stories from around the web and social media. This week features Chicago chicks, monitoring monarchs, milkweed munching and more!

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Last updated: August 19, 2019