Frog that became extinct across England is reintroduced to Norfolk
Distinctively striped northern pool frogs were last seen over 30 years ago
In 2005, at a top secret site somewhere in Norfolk, conservationists released the first small group of northern pool frogs in the hope of re-establishing the species in Britain, after it became locally extinct in the 1990s.
Groups of the distinctive striped frogs were flown in from Sweden until 2008, when they numbered 30, and were closely monitored at “Site X”, which has been kept confidential to prevent any interference.
Open Space Institute acquires 3,800 acres for conservation in Jasper County, South Carolina
As development continues throughout the Lowcountry, an organization recently announced its $16 million purchase of land in Jasper County to be protected for public use.
The Open Space Institute said it closed May 20 on the 3,800-acre Slater tract in northern Jasper County. The purchase makes it "one of the largest conservation investments in state history," according to the institute.
The institute said it plans to transfer the property to the South Carolina Department of Resources as funding becomes available.
"The purchase and use of the property as a wildlife management area accomplishes goals identified in the county’s 2018 comprehensive plan as well as the county’s Natural Resources Conservation Plan of 2007, which specifically recognized the Slater tract as a primary longleaf pine protection area," Jasper County administrator Andy Fulghum said.
A Decisive Victory for the Most Important Coastal Law You’ve Never Heard of
Audubon won a lawsuit to prevent sand mining on protected beaches and plans to expand this powerful policy.
Last month, we received some exciting news for birds and communities on our coasts. One year since Audubon filed suit against the Trump Administration’s illegal rule to allow sand mining on beaches protected by the Coastal Barrier Resources Act, the Biden Administration reversed this rule.
This is a crucial victory to keep our pristine, undeveloped beaches intact, where they provide a home for coastal birds and a buffer for nearby communities from storm surges and rising seas. But if you’ve never heard of the decades-old Coastal Barrier Resources Act (CBRA) or why it’s so important, you’re not alone.
Bipartisan Infrastructure Legislation Includes Vital Funding for Wildlife
The U.S. Senate today passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The wide-ranging legislation includes vital funding for wildlife crossings, habitat improvements, native vegetation and invasive species management. However, it also includes problematic language relating to forestry and environmental reviews and does not include some proactive wildlife management provisions that passed in the House’s June infrastructure bill.
“In the midst of the ongoing biodiversity crisis, it is imperative that we heavily invest in wildlife protections in the nation’s waters, lands and skies. We thank the Senate for passing a bipartisan bill that would fund much-needed wildlife infrastructure projects that will protect biodiversity, increase public safety and create local jobs. We look forward to working with the Biden administration to prioritize funding to ensure the best outcomes for wildlife and habitat,” said Robert Dewey, vice president for government relations, Defenders of Wildlife.
Leaping metres between branches, above a vast descent to the forest floor, a pine marten navigates the tree canopy. As expert climbers, pine martens rely on forest cover for their foraging missions and to escape predation from foxes. Elusive in part due to their crepuscular nature, being active at dusk and dawn, they are rarely seen.
Pine martens (Martes martes) are a member of the mustelid family along with stoats, weasels, polecats, badgers and otters. As native omnivores, they play an important role in the balance of woodland ecosystems and feed on what is seasonally abundant, including voles, rabbits, fungi, berries and small birds. Despite their name, martens are equally at home in broadleaf woodland as well as coniferous forest. Agile creatures, they have a long body and a bushy tail with rich brown fur and a distinctive cream or yellow throat patch called a ‘bib’. These charismatic creatures were once one of our most common predators. But by the late 18th century their numbers began to decline dramatically.
Fisher Rewilding: How Washington State Is Restoring a Native Carnivore
Years of work in the Pacific northwest is paying off. It started with preserving the ecosystem so native species would have something to return to.
There aren’t too many animals that will eat a porcupine for lunch, but fishers are at the top of the list.
Fishers (Pekania pennanti) are members of the mustelid family and a relative of otters, minks and martens. Quick on the ground and agile tree climbers, these forest dwellers couldn’t out-maneuver trappers in the 1800s, who relentlessly pursued the housecat-sized carnivores for their high-value pelts.
Here's Why Listing the Sierra Nevada Red Fox as Endangered Is a Positive Thing
Over the last few decades, much of California's rare beauty has been decimated by wildfires, drought, and human activity. Lakes have completely dried up and forests have been scorched, leaving many habitats unlivable. And sadly, these conditions have wreaked havoc on the Sierra Nevada red fox population — in fact, the species was just recently listed as endangered, though some might say that's a good thing.
Over the last few decades, much of California's rare beauty has been decimated by wildfires, drought, and human activity. Lakes have completely dried up and forests have been scorched, leaving many habitats unlivable. And sadly, these conditions have wreaked havoc on the Sierra Nevada red fox population — in fact, the species was just recently listed as endangered, though some might say that's a good thing.
New Regional Conservation Area in Ucayali, Peru Contributes to a Binational Cultural and Wildlife Corridor
Andes Amazon Fund celebrates the creation of the Communal Alto Tamaya – Abujao (CATA) Regional Conservation Area in Ucayali, Peru. Established on July 22, the new area protects 370,685 acres (150,011 ha) of tropical rainforest and bamboo forests, including a range of isolated mountains to the south of Sierra del Divisor National Park.
The Communal Alto Tamaya – Abujao Regional Conservation Area, or CATA for short, is an important new link in a binational corridor of protected areas and Indigenous lands that extends along the border with Brazil.
Government of Canada announces $340 million to support Indigenous-led conservation
Indigenous peoples have been stewards of these lands and waters since time immemorial. The Indigenous Guardians and Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas initiatives recognize the many lessons that can be learned from Indigenous partners when it comes to protecting nature and rely on Indigenous experience and Traditional Knowledge to ensure lands and waters are safeguarded for generations to come.
Legislation introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives will strengthen the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
“As Congress looks to build toward America's future it should also help bring birds back,” said Sarah Greenberger, senior vice president of conservation policy, National Audubon Society. “The Migratory Bird Protection Act will strengthen baseline protections for birds at a critical time. We have lost 3 billion birds in North America since 1970 and climate change threatens extinction for two-thirds of bird species. Birds are telling us they are in trouble and we are running out of time to act.”
In an effort to strengthen the century-old Migratory Bird Treaty Act, a bipartisan group of co-sponsors in the U.S. House of Representatives, led by Rep. Alan Lowenthal (D-CA) and Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), introduced the Migratory Bird Protection Act today. The new bill will reinforce longstanding bird protections that have been under attack while creating more certainty for business and creating incentives for innovation to protect birds. It was also introduced in the last Congress where it passed out of committee and gained more than 90 Democratic and Republican cosponsors.
Last privately-owned, undeveloped barrier island on North Carolina coast is now protected forever.
The North Carolina Coastal Land Trust has purchased Hutaff Island, the last privately-owned undeveloped barrier island in North Carolina. This 2.5-mile long beach and the associated 1,000 acres of saltmarsh and island hammocks comprise one of the best examples of a natural, dynamic barrier island system in North Carolina. Located in southern Pender County, the island serves as the first line of defense against storms for local communities, and provides critical habitat for threatened species like sea turtles and beach-nesting birds, as well as rare plants.
Indonesia reports two new Javan rhino calves in the species’ last holdout
Indonesia has reported the sighting of two Javan rhino calves on different occasions in April and June.
The new calves have boosted hopes of stable population growth for the nearly extinct species in its last habitat on Earth.
While strict conservation measures have helped stabilize the population, the species still faces other threats from natural disasters, a resurgence in human encroachment, and the risk of contagious disease from livestock herds.
Indonesian conservation authorities have announced separate sightings of two new Javan rhino calves, extending a trend of stable population growth for the nearly extinct species.
Tigers population increases in the Manas Tiger Reserve
The increase in tiger population in the Manas National Park is a milestone in country-wide tiger conservation efforts. Since peace returned to Manas after a prolonged insurgency, dedicated conservation intervention to secure the population of tigers was in place. The annual monitoring of tigers, co-predators, and prey animals is a prime mandate set by the Government of India to all tiger reserves designated as tigers‟ source population sites. With each passing year, Manas is adorning new feathers to its cap. This time „Manas Tiger Reserve‟ has been successful in a three-fold increase in tiger number in the last ten years (2011-2021). It is worth mentioning that this is an outcome of the continuous efforts of the Manas Directorate, and the conservation organisations who have been working ardently.
The annual survey in Manas using camera-traps is led by the Field Director, MTR and supported by Aaranyak and WWF India and has been continuing since 2010 in Manas for monitoring the tigers, co-predators, and prey animals, with constant support from various donors and collaborators. This year Manas is celebrating the 12th year of collaboration with Aaranyak and WWF India for the annual camera trapping survey dedicated to assessing the population status of tigers in the area.
As a result of Audubon’s engagement, leveraged with our partners, Big Beaver Creek and White River will quickly receive needed water and all of Colorado’s rivers will retain their water quality protections. All thanks to you! In this drought-stricken year, these victories are true causes for celebration. Read on to learn what your actions accomplished for rivers and the birds and communities that depend upon them.
Tidal Tales: How Lytham sand dunes are saving Britain's rarest lizard
A little further along the Fylde coast away from the bright lights of Blackpool, a specialist conservation programme is attempting to bring one Britain's rarest reptiles back to the area for good.
Sand lizards disappeared from Lytham's sand dunes in the 1960's due to being preyed upon by birds and the loss of habitat, but for the last four years conservationists have been releasing hundreds of them back into the dunes to stop them dying out completely.
Conservation project to return Norfolk chalk stream to former glories
Water voles will be among the animals to benefit from the scheme on the Upper Bure.
former glory in a conservation project that is set to benefit wildlife including water voles, Britain’s fastest-declining mammal.
The National Trust leading the £1.6 million partnership project on the Upper Bure, said there are just 200 chalk streams in the world and described them as England’s rainforests.
Clusters of wetlands, ditches and ponds will be established beside the stream during the four-year scheme, creating corridors for wildlife.
Another successful year for Hen Harrier breeding in England
Numbers of chicks increase for fifth successive year.
Natural England and partners, including the RSPB, have recorded the best year for hen harrier breeding in England since the 1960s with 84 chicks fledged from nests across uplands in County Durham, Cumbria, Lancashire, Northumberland and Yorkshire.
China's effort to conserve Asian elephants pays off
The unusual march of a herd of wild Asian elephants, deviating from their traditional migration route in southwest China's Yunnan Province, has captured unprecedented global attention.
The herd has been marching northward for more than a year, sparking curiosity, concern and heated discussions among the public. They have become global stars during the past few months. Their activities including sleeping, taking mud bathing, or playing, have captivated millions.
In recent weeks, pachyderms appear to end their epic journey as they show signs of returning to their original habitat. However, authorities are taking precautionary measures to ensure the safety of both the animals and local residents.
Mind you: the underlying narrative for their migration from the protected area WAS human disturbance and habitat destruction. If ever, there IS a cause or a concern it invariably is tied in with human induced environmental impacts.
How Canada's cougars are on the rise — and what that means for us
As Siobhan Darlington approached the tangled branches of a forestry slash-pile between Rock Creek and Grand Forks, B.C., her tracking gear beeped ever faster. A six-year-old female cougar named C10 that Darlington had been monitoring through a satellite-linked collar was beneath the debris. Three months earlier, Darlington had set up a remote camera at one of C10’s deer-kill sites and caught her and a male cougar taking turns rolling around in the dirt. She suspected the bizarre dust bathing to be mating behaviour, but the camera hadn’t caught the two in the act. Now, Darlington had noticed C10 settle into one spot and wondered if she was denning — the timing was right. She set out with field technician Kieran Braid to investigate, and as they approached the slash pile, they paused and listened intently. In the stillness, they heard the unmistakable mewing of kittens only days old. Darlington pulled out her camera, and through the telephoto lens caught the penetrating gaze of C10’s yellow eyes, fixed on them through the branches.
Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, partners dole out $1.3 million for Colorado Elk Habitat, Research
The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and its partners allocated $1,311,336 of grant funding in Colorado to benefit wildlife habitat and scientific research. RMEF contributed $167,562 and leveraged an additional $1,143,774 in partner dollars.
Ten projects will benefit Clear Creek, Costilla, Delta, Eagle, Garfield, Grand, Gunnison, Jackson, Las Animas, Mesa, Moffat, Montrose, Ouray, Pitkin, Rio Grande, Routt, San Miguel and Saguache Counties.
“We appreciate our state, federal and other partners who join us in seeing the importance of aspen restoration, invasive weed treatment, the installation of new wildlife water resources and other habitat enhancement work,” said Blake Henning, RMEF chief conservation officer. “There are also various important studies that will assist wildlife managers to learn more and better manage elk herds.”
“It’s important to highlight that our volunteers spend a lot of time and are devoted to raising these funds by hosting banquets, membership drives and other activities. We are grateful for all they do,” said Kyle Weaver, RMEF president and CEO.
