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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.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service in the Midwest
The Midwest Region includes Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio and Wisconsin.
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A juvenile Lake Sturgeon captured during a fisheries assessment in the St. Clair-Detroit River System. Photo by James Boase/USFWS
Service Completes Initial Review on Petition to List Lake Sturgeon
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has completed initial review of a petition to list the lake sturgeon under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The Service has concluded there is substantial information to consider listing the species as threatened or endangered. The Service will begin an in-depth review of this species to determine if the fish should be listed.
Lake sturgeon is a fish that occurs across temperate zone freshwater systems of North America, from Hudson Bay and the Great Lakes, through the Mississippi River drainages. Although lake sturgeon were historically abundant throughout their range, the species has significantly declined during the past two centuries. The Service determined the petition to list the lake sturgeon presented substantial information on potential threats associated with dams and hydroelectric facilities, dredging and channelization, contaminants and habitat fragmentation, and impacts from invasive species.
Two endangered piping plover chicks successfully fledged from Montrose Beach in Chicago
Fledged piping plover chicks at Montrose Beach, Chicago Photo courtesy of Tamima Itani
In August 10, 2019, we passed a milestone with the first successful fledging of piping plover chicks in Chicago since at least 1961, when a pair of plovers were seen at Wolf Lake during the nesting season.
Returning piping plovers find habitat help and nest protection in Wisconsin
The first endangered piping plovers are returning to Wisconsin this month as partners work to protect the birds' habitat in hopes of boosting nesting success. Flooding in 2018 washed away nests, and along with suspected predation, contributed to a low total of chicks fledging from Wisconsin's longtime nesting site on Chequamegon Point in the Apostle Islands. Predation may have also taken a toll on a plover nesting site in lower Green Bay.
Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership Update
Photo courtesy of Karen Willes. The International Crane Foundation, based in Baraboo, Wisconsin, has a new tool for birders and other outdoor enthusiasts to keep track of the whereabouts of individual cranes in the eastern population. The interactive "Where are the whoopers" site highlights locations of cranes down to the county level – care is taken not to publicize precise locations.
Moving the needle toward recovery: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service honors midwest endangered species recovery champions
Photos by Minnesota DNR, University of Minnesota and USFWS. A breakthrough conservation discovery and a career devoted to finding solutions for at-risk species define the winners of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s 2018 Endangered Species Recovery champions for the Midwest Region. The Midwest champions join individuals and teams across the United States who are recognized by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for their work last year with endangered and threatened species.
In search of eastern massasauga rattlesnake near and far
Photo by Abbey Kucera; USFWS In the spring of 2018, staff from the Illinois-Iowa Field Office took to the field across the Midwest in search of the threatened eastern massasauga rattlesnake. At Carlyle Lake, staff assisted the Illinois Natural History Survey with their annual monitoring efforts.
Service seeks public comment on permit application and proposed conservation agreement for monarch butterfly
Photo courtesy of Joel Trick The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announces the opening of a 60-day public comment periodfor an “enhancement of survival” permit application associated with a Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances for the monarch butterfly on energy and transportation lands.
Nationwide CCAA for Monarch Butterfly »
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What We DoThe U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is responsible for administering the Endangered Species Act. To fulfill our responsibilities, we do the following:
Candidate Conservation: identify and assess declining species that may need Endangered Species Act protection and take steps to conserve those species.
Listing: take steps to list candidate species as endangered or threatened and designate critical habitat. We also remove species from the Threatened and Endangered Species List ("delist") when they no longer need Endangered Species Act protection.
Recovery: protect, conserve and restore listed species. Recovery Report to Congress: 2009 to 2010 (PDF 3.1MB)
Section 7 Consultation: all Federal agencies have a responsiblity to conserve threatened and endangered species and to ensure that their actions do not jeopardize the existence of any listed species. Under the authority of Section 7 of the Act, we consult with Federal agencies to help them fulfill their obligations.
Permits: issue permits to "take" listed species, under certain conditions.
Habitat Conservation Plans (HCPs): work with Incidental Take permit applicants to help them prepare HCPs that minimize and mitigate the effects of their incidental take.
Grants: provide grants to States under Section 6 of the Endangered Species Act. These funds may, in turn, be awarded to private landowners and groups for conservation projects.
State Field OfficesWe have Ecological Services Field Offices in each of the eight upper Midwest States. For project reviews, Section 7 consultation, or information about endangered species that you do not find on this site, please contact the Field Office in your state.
“Nothing is more priceless and more worthy of
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