Positive Wildlife News 2021

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Armonía’s Nestbox Program Helps 100 Blue-throated Macaw Chicks Fledge into the Wild
  • 16 years of efforts led to the 100th chick fledging on April 9, 2021

  • 12 Blue-throated Macaws fledged from six nestboxes this season

  • Record of 9 breeding adults with leg bands indicating that previously-fledged chicks are returning to nestboxes to reproduce
Asociación Armonía is proud to announce that, after successfully managing the Blue-throated Macaw Nido Adoptivo program for 16 years, the 100th chick fledged from one of our nest boxes into the wild on April 9th, 2021. These 100 fledged macaws constitute roughly one-fourth of the entire population of this Critically Endangered species, found only in the Beni department of Bolivia. Each new macaw that fledges is a win for conservation, but the sum of these small victories quickly becomes a significant addition to the overall population of less than 450 individuals.

Armonía’s Nestbox Program Helps 100 Blue-throated Macaw Chicks Fledge into the Wild
 
District Court Voids Permits for ConocoPhillips' Willow Project

Ruling protects communities, prevents harm to wetlands, air and water quality, and animals such as polar bears

Sovereign Iñupiat for a Living Arctic, Defenders of Wildlife and four other allied groups celebrate today’s U.S. District Court decision protecting the health of Arctic communities by upholding the law and voiding the flawed Trump-era approvals and permits for the ConocoPhillips’s Willow Master Development Plan. The court determined that the Interior Department violated the National Environmental Policy Act and the Endangered Species Act.

“This is a win for our climate, for imperiled species like polar bears, and for the local residents whose concerns have been ignored,” said Nicole Whittington-Evans, Alaska program director, Defenders of Wildlife. “We welcome the court’s decision upholding the rule of law and we urge the administration to examine alternatives to this massive destructive project.”

District Court Voids Permits for ConocoPhillips' Willow Project
 
Heinrich bill would unlock federal funds for New Mexico wildlife nearing extinction

New Mexico Democrat U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich sought to strengthen federal actions to protect endangered species in a bill introduced alongside a Republican from Missouri.

On Wednesday, Heinrich and U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) introduced the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (RAWA), aiming to invest federal funds in wildlife conservation efforts across the nation.

Both Heinrich and Blunt are members of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus, Heinrich as Co-Chair and Blunt as a member, a group that supported the legislation.

Heinrich bill would fund wildlife conservation in New Mexico
 
Cities Use Public Transit to Make Nature More Accessible

Seattle is one of several major cities implementing a “transit to trails” program to help more people access local wilderness.

On a recent spring morning, Kamal Adhikari hopped in his Chrysler 200S and made the 30-minute drive from his home in a Seattle suburb to the Poo Poo Point Trailhead in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains. When he arrived at 10 a.m. the trailhead parking lot was full. He ended up paying for parking at a private lot down the road. Then he hit the trail for the nearly 4-mile round-trip hike that winds 1,800 vertical feet up Tiger Mountain to its namesake vista, Poo Poo Point, where paragliders soar into the air and views on a clear day stretch all the way to the Coast Mountains of British Columbia.

Cities Use Public Transit to Make Nature More Accessible
 
UngulateNerd92 said:
Endangered species found thriving in wetlands at San Francisco airport

An undeveloped parcel of land owned by San Francisco International Airport is home to a thriving population of an endangered snake species, a recent study revealed, CBS San Francisco reports.

The study, commissioned by the U.S. Geological Survey and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, revealed that the 180-acre parcel of wetlands and uplands sustains some 1,300 San Francisco garter snakes — the largest concentration discovered to date, airport officials said Wednesday.

https://www-cbsnews-com.cdn.ampproj...-species-garter-snakes-san-francisco-airport/
Click to expand...

Another article about the snakes at the airport :

One airport, 1,300 snakes: San Francisco helps to save endangered species
 
More Than 1,300 Acres of Critical Habitat Designated for Two Central Texas Salamanders

Urban Sprawl Threatens Georgetown, Salado Salamanders’ Freshwater Habitat

Following a legal victory by the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today designated 1,315 acres in the Austin area as protected critical habitat for the Georgetown and Salado salamanders.

The critical habitat protects 732 acres for the Georgetown salamander and 583 acres for the Salado salamander. The protected areas include an underground aquifer, spring outlets and spring runs.

More Than 1,300 Acres of Critical Habitat Designated for Two Central Texas Salamanders
 
Gila National Forest in New Mexico to restrict grazing to protect habitat

The U.S. Forest Service will impose more stringent measures under a legal settlement to keep grazing cattle away from waterways in two national forests to better protect endangered wildlife.

The Center for Biological Diversity reached the settlement with the Forest Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service calling for the agencies to better protect riparian areas against stray cattle within New Mexico's Gila National Forest and Arizona's Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest.

In all, about 150 miles of waterways will have increased oversight in the agreement that's set to last three years — including the Gila, San Francisco, Tularosa and Blue rivers.

Gila National Forest in New Mexico to restrict grazing to protect habitat
 
Bilby population doubles at Mallee Cliffs National Park

The future of Australia’s iconic Bilby is looking up on the east coast with AWC revealing that a population of bilbies has more than doubled at Mallee Cliffs National Park since they were reintroduced to western NSW in December 2019.

In 18 months, the founding population of 50 bilbies has increased to over 120 individuals, a sign that the reintroduction of one of Australia’s most iconic threatened species has been a success.

Bilby population doubles at Mallee Cliffs National Park
 
A thrilling sign': Researchers discover secret colony of highly endangered marmots on Vancouver Island

New colony in Strathcona Park of around 10 to 12 individuals has adults, yearlings and pups

Researchers and conservationists are celebrating after the discovery of a group of Vancouver Island marmots that signals a great step forward in the recovery of the highly endangered species.

Adam Taylor, executive director of the Vancouver Island Marmot Recovery Foundation, said the discovery of the colony complete with adults, yearlings and pups in Strathcona Park was "a thrilling sign."

"We've been waiting years to see this," Taylor said.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.cbc.ca/amp/1.6143331
 
An Extraordinary Partnership Saves Two Million Acres of the Bolivian Amazon from Fires and Deforestation

Fundación Natura Bolivia, the indigenous people of the Bajo Paragua forest, and Selfless by Hyram have joined forces to hold the line on deforestation in the Amazon, announcing the creation of the 2.05-million-acre Bajo Paragua San Ignacio and Concepcion Municipal Protected Areas. With support from the partnership, the communities will manage the new protected areas which are also home to spider monkeys, jaguars and at least 1,273 vertebrate species. Conservation of the forest permanently locks up 337,162,504 metric tons of carbon dioxide which would otherwise contribute to climate change.

An Extraordinary Partnership Saves Two Million Acres of the Bolivian Amazon from Fires and Deforestation - Rainforest Trust Saves Rainforest
 
Beavers to gain legal protection as native species

Beavers will return to rivers across England under government plans to be announced this week to grant licences allowing them to be released into the wild.

They will also gain legal protection as a native species in England, meaning that it will be an offence to capture, kill, disturb or injure them or damage breeding sites or resting places without a licence from Natural England.

Beavers to gain legal protection as native species | News | The Times
 
Luján Introduces Legislation to Protect Tribal Wildlife Corridors and Support Wildlife Management Efforts

U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, announced the introduction of the Tribal Wildlife Corridors Act to fund wildlife migration corridors and provide Tribal Nations with resources to carry out on-the-ground work to develop and maintain wildlife corridors. Tribal lands and waters provide a vital habitat for hundreds of wildlife species, many of which need to travel considerable distances to meet their needs. U.S. Representative Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) introduced companion legislation.

The Tribal Wildlife Corridors Act would establish a process for identifying Tribal wildlife corridors and authorize $50 million per year for a Tribal Corridors Grant Program to ensure that Tribal Nations have the resources for implementation and maintenance of wildlife corridors. It would also increase coordination with federal agencies, states, Tribal governments, and private landowners and work to ensure the property rights of Tribal nations and private landowners.

Luján Introduces Legislation to Protect Tribal Wildlife Corridors and Support Wildlife Management Efforts » Senator Ben Ray Lujan
 
Born to be wild: India’s first captive-bred endangered vultures set free

Numbers of the country’s carrion-loving birds dropped by over 97% in the 1990s. Now, a successful breeding scheme is giving them a boost.

In February, the doors of an aviary in West Bengal’s Buxa tiger reserve were flung open. Eight critically endangered captive-bred white-rumped vultures cautiously emerged and within minutes were mingling with wild vultures, devouring the meat of carcasses left out by a team of researchers from the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS).

The birds were raised in a nearby breeding centre by BNHS, led by assistant director Sachin Ranade, as part of efforts to save India’s Gyps vultures. Gradually, some of the released vultures perched on trees with their wild cousins, while others returned to the wire-mesh aviary where they had spent the previous few months getting acclimatised to their surroundings.

Similar releases took place in January of two white-rumped vultures in West Bengal and in October last year in Haryana, northern India, when eight birds were set free from the world’s largest vulture breeding facility.

https://amp-theguardian-com.cdn.amp...itically-endangered-vultures-wild-release-aoe
 
Mallorca marine reserve boosts wildlife as well as business, report finds

Protected area delivered a tenfold return on investment, with benefits for fishing, biodiversity and tourism.

A marine protection area established off the coast of Mallorca is proving beneficial not just for the environment but for business, too, according to a study that appears to confirm the long-term benefits of MPAs for both habitats and economies.

According to the study, carried out by the non-profit Marilles Foundation, the protected area has generated €10 in benefits for each euro of the €473,137 (£402,000) invested in the scheme.

Since the 11,000-hectare (27,000-acre) MPA was set up at the request of the Cala Ratjada fishermen’s association in 2007, it has improved fishing in the area, made it easier to regulate leisure activities, slowed coastal erosion, and improved water quality and biodiversity, according to the study.

https://amp-theguardian-com.cdn.amp...sts-wildlife-as-well-as-business-report-finds
 
Indiana Congressman goes bird watching, tours wetland restoration projects

Indiana Congressman Frank Mrvan (D) toured wetland restoration projects in Gary on Thursday, and did some bird-watching with members of Audubon Great Lakes.

Audubon Great Lakes is working on-the-ground in the Calumet region of Northwest Indiana to bring back declining bird populations and connect local communities with their natural spaces.

On Thursday, Congressman Frank Mrvan (D) joined Audubon Great Lake Senior Policy Director Marnie Urso to birdwatch at Lake Etta County Park in Gary, Indiana, and learn about the important conservation and community engagement work, as well as discuss bipartisan conservation and climate solutions to protect Indiana’s birds and people.

Indiana Congressman goes bird watching, tours wetland restoration projects
 
Northern California kelp forest shows signs of recovery after sea urchin removal

Mendocino County — On the fishing dock in Noyo Harbor, two days’ haul of purple sea urchin barely filled a large plastic crate.

Hand-collected by commercial divers, the spiky invertebrates were destined for science, not sushi. On a table nearby, a crew from the conservation organization Reef Check cut through their shells to their gooey insides, collecting data for a state-funded project aiming to rescue California’s North Coast kelp forest by systematically removing the voracious purple urchin from the sea floor.

https://www-sfchronicle-com.cdn.amp...ornia-kelp-forest-shows-signs-of-16375965.php
 
New Mexico Formally Commits to Biden’s America the Beautiful Plan

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed an executive order (EO) today focused on protecting New Mexico’s biodiversity, carbon stores and natural working lands. Despite being rich in species of plants and wildlife, only 5% of New Mexico’s lands and waters are protected with biodiversity as the priority. The EO establishes the goal of conserving at least 30% of the state’s water and land by 2030, which is also known as the 30x30 campaign. Furthermore, it establishes a committee of state agencies and an annual reporting requirement.

New Mexico becomes the latest state, among others including California, Nevada, Hawaii and Maine, to officially commit to the White House's America the Beautiful, the federal 30x30 initiative recently launched to address climate change and biodiversity loss, and incorporates Tribal input, equity and access to nature.

New Mexico Formally Commits to Biden’s America the Beautiful Plan
 
Growing Grizzly Populations Breed Excitement and Uncertainty in Montana

Although they’ve been on the endangered species list for decades, grizzly bears have always found refuge on Montana’s Rocky Mountain Front—a pristine landscape made up of mostly private ranchlands. Today, these ranchers and their woolly tenants aim to successfully co-exist.

Cattle ranchers and grizzly bears may not sound like a match made in heaven, but along Montana’s Rocky Mountain Front, local ranchers have been some of the most valuable stewards of grizzly bear habitat in the West. Despite challenges that grizzly bear populations can bring, such as harm to livestock, most ranchers along the Front have great respect for these apex predators and want to see their habitat remain intact forever. To date, local ranchers have worked with conservation groups and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to permanently protect over 220,000 acres of land for wildlife habitat, benefitting species like grizzlies, elk and nesting birds.

Grizzly Population Growth in Montana | The Conservation Fund
 
NFWF Announces $5.3 Million in Grants to Restore and Improve Longleaf Pine Habitat and Wildlife, Marking Decade of Partnership Investment in Ecosystem Recovery

Grants awarded will bolster efforts to conserve more than 415,000 acres of longleaf pine habitat and help recover populations of at-risk wildlife across nine southern states

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) today announced $5.3 million in grants to restore, enhance and protect longleaf pine forests in nine southern states. The grants will leverage $6.9 million in matching contributions for a total conservation impact of $12.2 million.

NFWF Announces $5.3 Million in Grants to Restore and Improve Longleaf Pine Habitat and Wildlife, Marking Decade of Partnership Investment in Ecosystem Recovery
 
Conserving Habitat for Caribou

FSC standard at heart of new collaborative push to conserve habitat for Alberta’s woodland caribou
Northeastern Alberta is an integral part of one of the largest boreal forest ecosystems on the planet – a wilderness that covers nearly half the province. Here, several rivers flow from the Rocky Mountains into the watershed of the Arctic Ocean, including the mighty Athabasca River, upon whose frozen waters Indigenous Elders remember herds of woodland caribou once travelling.

Conserving Habitat for Caribou
 
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