Positive Wildlife News 2021

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Biden Administration Restores Protections for Three National Monuments

The Northeast Canyons and Seamounts, Bears Ears, and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments are critical for birds and people.

Today, President Biden signed proclamations to restore protections for three national monuments—Northeast Canyons and Seamounts off the coast of New England, as well as Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante in Utah.

“This is a victory, not just for seabirds like Atlantic Puffins, but also for many coastal communities in New England that depend on a healthy ocean,” said Dr. Donald Lyons, director of conservation science for Audubon’s Seabird Institute. “Northeast Canyons and Seamounts is a critical place that allows seabirds to rest and stock up on fish during the harsh winter. The unique habitats there also support abundant populations of fish, whales, and other marine life that are vital to our coastal economy.”

President Trump signed a proclamation last year to open the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument to commercial fishing. This rollback increased the risk of seabirds getting hooked on a fishing line or caught in a net and reduced the amount of fish available for them to eat. Audubon’s Seabird Institute was instrumental in uncovering that Maine’s recently restored populations of Atlantic Puffins rely on this monument to stock up on fish in winter months.

Today’s decision follows a report from Interior Secretary Deb Haaland with recommendations on whether to restore the boundaries and protections of each monument. The Trump Administration downsized Bears Ears by 85 percent and Grand Staircase-Escalante by nearly 50 percent.

https://www.audubon.org/news/biden-...m_medium=social&utm_campaign=20211000_nas_eng
 
Plymouth Sound to Receive £9.5M from the National Lottery Heritage Fund

Seventy years after Britain declared its first national park, coastal and marine experts are celebrating as National Marine Parks are set to become a reality. The UK’s first National Marine Park  in Plymouth Sound has been awarded £9,582,100 as the National Lottery Heritage Fund announces its Heritage Horizon Awards today.

Plymouth Sound to receive £9.5m from the National Lottery Heritage Fund - Blue Marine Foundation
 
Governor Gavin Newsom signs CNPS-sponsored AB 223 into law, providing important new protections for California’s imperiled dudleya

AB 223 is the first piece of California legislation that deals specifically with plant poaching.

Today, California Governor, Gavin Newsom, signed the CNPS-sponsored AB 223 into law, providing important new protections for California’s imperiled dudleya, charismatic native succulents that grow along California’s coasts and rocky habitats throughout the state. Authored by San Diego Assemblymember Chris Ward, AB 223 is part of an effort to stop rampant poaching of dudleya plants by making it illegal to remove them from state and private lands without a permit or landowner permission and by establishing penalties for those convicted of doing so. AB 223 is the first piece of California legislation that deals specifically with plant poaching.

More than 60% of the diversity in the genus is native to California. While ten species are listed as threatened or endangered by the state or federal governments, many more are globally rare and at risk from a variety of threats.

Governor Newsom signs CNPS-sponsored AB 223 into law, providing important new protections for California’s imperiled dudleya - California Native Plant Society
 
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Bangladesh Takes Major Step to Protect Threatened Sharks and Rays

Bangladesh Is First Country to Place All Guitarfish and Wedgefishes Under Strict Legal Protection

This week the Government of Bangladesh took a major step to improve the protection of threatened sharks and rays by updating the list of species and species groups under the Wildlife (Conservation and Security) Act, 2012.

The updated list empowers the strict protection of eight genera and 23 shark and ray species, while allowing the sustainable exploitation, consumption, and trade of one genus and 29 species if their catch is found to be non-detrimental to wild populations.

Bangladesh Takes Major Step to Protect Threatened Sharks and Rays
 
Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante Restored!

Today, October 8, 2021, President Biden signed proclamations renewing and restoring Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments to their original glory! The proclamations restore the boundaries of both monuments and include protections for an additional 11,200 acres around Indian Creek in Bears Ears.

With these landmark proclamations, Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante are made whole and complete again — returned to their rightful place as venerated national monuments, fully protected under the Antiquities Act of 1906.

Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante Restored!
 
Volkswagen of America and The Conservation Fund complete efforts to protect 1,500 acres within Cherokee National Forest
  • Final land conveyance completed in major multi-year effort as part of Volkswagen’s $1.25 million donation to The Conservation Fund
  • The efforts will positively benefit the areas around Volkswagen’s Chattanooga Plant
Today, Volkswagen of America and The Conservation Fund announced the completion of a multi-year effort to buy, conserve and transfer approximately 1,500 acres of land to the U.S. Forest Service for inclusion in the Cherokee National Forest. The protection of this land, consisting of three separate tracts near the Volkswagen Chattanooga Assembly Plant in Tennessee, enhances statewide efforts to help preserve wildlife habitats and cultural resources, improve water quality, and provide additional recreation access and environmental education to the community.

Added Protection for Cherokee National Forest Thanks to VW | The Conservation Fund
 
Gabon plans to become a green superpower by harnessing its rainforest

With a sprawling jungle covering nearly 90% of the country, Gabon, whose economy has historically been reliant on oil, is looking to harness its rainforest to become a green superpower. As chair of the African Group of Negotiators on Climate Change, the country will be at the heart of climate negotiations during the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference.

With the Amazon now emitting more carbon dioxide than it is capturing, the central African nation is looking to establish its seat at the table through its rainforest, which forms part of the Congo Basin, known as “the lungs of Africa.”

Gabon plans to become a green superpower by harnessing its rainforest | Devex
 
Kākā females making a comeback in the King Country

Female kākā are making a comeback in the King Country as the native birds’ population continues to grow.

A long-term kākā monitoring programme in Pureora Forest Park is proving its worth as results show a fourfold increase in kākā numbers following pest control in Waiapa Ecological Area, tipping the balance back towards a more even sex ratio.

The Waipapa kākā population has increased from 600 birds between 2000 and 2007 to around 2,600 birds during 2020 - an average annual population increase of 6.4%.

Kākā females making a comeback in the King Country
 
The Return of the Wolf in Europe

Wolves, along with other predators like bears, lynx, and wolverines, are making a comeback in Europe. Many of these predator species were systematically eradicated and almost driven to extinction in the 19th and 20th centuries in an effort to prevent livestock predation.

Thanks to increased conservation efforts, wolf numbers are recovering—there are now around 12,000 individuals across the European continent—which is important to help restore natural processes that keep prey species like deer and wild boars at healthy numbers.

The return of the wolf in Europe
 
As the Elwha rushes back to life, hope for river restoration nationwide

Ten years ago, demolition began at Elwha Dam on Washington’s Elwha River, in what remains the biggest dam removal and river restoration in history. Since the backhoes and dynamite tore down Elwha Dam and Glines Canyon Dam, this beautiful aquamarine river has rebounded in remarkable ways. Now flowing freely from the Olympic Mountains to the Salish Sea, the Elwha River once again supports salmon runs along its entire length and a rejuvenated web of life, from bears to eagles to orcas.

https://www-seattletimes-com.cdn.am...ision-for-river-restoration-nationwide/?amp=1
 
Secluded seabird haven discovered in the North Atlantic soon to become a Marine Protected Area

Right now, 15 governments and the EU are working towards designating a Marine Protected Area approximately the same size of France in the North Atlantic. As it is in the high seas, this site is an area beyond national jurisdiction. A detailed management plan must be implemented and enforced to protect this area rich in marine biodiversity.

Secluded seabird haven discovered in the North Atlantic soon to become a Marine Protected Area
 
Colombia’s New Strategy Elevates Conservation Beyond Its Borders

The new National Strategy for the Conservation of Birds, ENCA 2021/2030, addresses the critical needs of birds over the next decade and puts Colombia one step ahead in the conservation of its unique natural heritage.

Colombia has more bird species than any other country on the planet, with a record of approximately 1,940 species, or 20% of all birds worldwide. This unique avian wealth, includes 275 migratory birds that connects Colombia to the rest of the Americas, highlights the great responsibility that Colombia has to conserve its valuable birds diversity and the habitats they depend upon for their survival.

Colombia’s New Strategy Elevates Conservation Beyond Its Borders
 
Preserving Open Space Is Par for the Course in Oro Valley

Just a few miles north of Tucson, Arizona sits the town of Oro Valley, nestled between the Catalina and Tortolita mountain ranges within the Sonoran Desert. The sunny climate makes Oro Valley a great place to enjoy many outdoor activities, including biking, hiking, tennis and golf. With the help of many dedicated Oro Valley residents, The Conservation Fund is about to acquire and preserve 202 acres of open space to enhance the area’s natural, cultural and recreational resources.

When I show people photos of this desert landscape—which I admit is looking especially lush after 12” of rainfall—it is often difficult for them to imagine that until quite recently this natural expanse was actually the fairways of a former golf course. With its mountain views and varied desert vegetation, the site provides habitat for wildlife such as mule deer, bobcats, and birds, as well as rock formations bearing Native American petroglyphs.

Preserving Open Space Is Par for the Course in Oro Valley | The Conservation Fund
 
UngulateNerd92 said:
Preserving Open Space Is Par for the Course in Oro Valley

Just a few miles north of Tucson, Arizona sits the town of Oro Valley, nestled between the Catalina and Tortolita mountain ranges within the Sonoran Desert. The sunny climate makes Oro Valley a great place to enjoy many outdoor activities, including biking, hiking, tennis and golf. With the help of many dedicated Oro Valley residents, The Conservation Fund is about to acquire and preserve 202 acres of open space to enhance the area’s natural, cultural and recreational resources.

When I show people photos of this desert landscape—which I admit is looking especially lush after 12” of rainfall—it is often difficult for them to imagine that until quite recently this natural expanse was actually the fairways of a former golf course. With its mountain views and varied desert vegetation, the site provides habitat for wildlife such as mule deer, bobcats, and birds, as well as rock formations bearing Native American petroglyphs.

Preserving Open Space Is Par for the Course in Oro Valley | The Conservation Fund
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@Arizona Docent being a fellow resident of Pima County, you might appreciate this article.
 
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