At its 16th annual Capital Conservation Awards Dinner, the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership proudly celebrated the conservation achievements of Representative Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.), Representative Bruce Westerman (R-AR), and Fresh Tracks host Randy Newberg.

The gala event was co-hosted by Rue Mapp, CEO and founder of Outdoor Afro, and Ryan “Cal” Callaghan, director of conservation at MeatEater —at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C.

“We are thrilled this year to be presenting our 2024 awards to Congresswoman Debbie Dingell, Congressman Bruce Westerman, and hunter, public land advocate, and host of Fresh Tracks, Randy Newberg,” said Becky Humphries, TRCP interim president and CEO. “Representatives Dingell and Westerman have been instrumental in clinching legislative victories for habitat, access, and conservation funding that will impact hunting and fishing opportunities for years to come. Our event is also a fitting way to celebrate a deeply appreciated champion in conservation, Randy Newberg, who has been part of this community for many years.” Read more

The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and its partners allocated $294,714 for a dozen conservation and hunting heritage projects in Missouri and Arkansas. RMEF supplied $80,556 which leveraged $217,158* in partner dollars.

Projects range from planting forage, restoring wildlife habitat and funding for research monitoring elk population dynamics to supporting youth outdoor programs.

“These dollars benefit growing elk populations and the enhanced habitat they need in both states,” said Blake Henning, RMEF chief conservation officer. “We’re also pleased to bolster youth archery and recreational shooting teams and other outdoor activities and events.” Read more

Mossy Oak has released their third annual wild turkey conservation stamp, a collectible stamp in which all proceeds go directly to wild turkey conservation projects around the country.

After an enthusiastic and successful response to the first two stamps, the 2022 and 2023 stamps, Mossy Oak has been able to use the funds raised from those stamps to support research and projects such as groundbreaking and crucial LPDV research, hen survival, nesting selection and success, poult rearing, and general habitat improvement and putting more prescriptive fire on the landscape.

The 2024 Mossy Oak Wild Turkey Conservation Stamp features a painting by infamous wildlife painter Ryan Kirby entitled “Bottomland Bachelors, ” in which three longbeards walk through a sundrenched patch of woods. Read more

Join MI Birds Friday, April 26, at noon for “Demystifying Michigan’s Wetland Wonders Webinar: St. Clair Flats State Wildlife Area.”

This free lunch-hour webinar is an excellent opportunity to learn about one of the best places in Michigan to experience the wonders of spring bird migration. In all, more than 400 bird species are expected to return or travel through our state this season!

St. Clair Flats is one of Michigan’s Wetland Wonders, an Audubon Important Bird Area and a coastal priority area where Audubon Great Lakes is working to restore the region’s wetlands for birds and people. Learn about the conservation work being done to help protect the St. Clair Flats and vulnerable bird species like the black tern that rely on it to thrive. Discover which birds visit the area during migration and how to take advantage of the area’s outdoor recreation activities. Read more

Leaving venomous reptiles alone reduces risk of being bitten

With more people getting outdoors to take advantage of the state’s warm, spring weather, it’s important to keep in mind that 13 species of rattlesnakes also call Arizona home.

Depending on location, the species that are encountered most often are the Western diamondback, sidewinder, Mojave, and black-tailed rattlesnakes.

“Arizona has more rattlesnake species than any other state, and we can all celebrate that amazing biodiversity,” said Thomas Jones, amphibians and reptiles program manager for the Arizona Game and Fish Department.

In warm desert areas, rattlesnakes are most active from March through October. During the spring, it’s not uncommon for rattlesnakes to be out during daylight hours. As the days become increasingly hot, though, usually around early May, rattlesnakes tend to move around more at night.

April is typically an active month for rattlesnakes, as they are coming out of hibernation. Read more

A grizzly bear was euthanized Monday after confirmed cattle depredation on private land south of Ten Sleep. On April 14, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department investigated a report of an injured cow with wounds consistent with a grizzly bear depredation. Wildlife managers verified nearby tracks and signs that suggested the bear frequented the ranch for approximately one week. The subadult, male grizzly bear was euthanized after consultation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service due to its involvement in depredation and its behavior frequenting the ranch.

The location of the conflict was in the basin of the Bighorn Mountains and more than 80 miles from the eastern boundary of what is known as the Demographic Monitoring Area — the area considered biologically and socially suitable for grizzly bears. Grizzly bears have not been documented in this area south of the Bighorn Mountains since long before the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem population was listed under the Endangered Species Act in the 1970s.

“Wyoming’s grizzly bear population is managed and monitored where suitable habitat exists as designated by the USFWS and informed by the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team,” said Game and Fish Director Brian Nesvik. “The Bighorn Mountain Range is not suitable habitat and the department is not interested in allowing grizzly bears to occupy this area. Their expansion into unsuitable habitat leads to increased conflict potential between bears and humans, which impedes the success of grizzly bear conservation.”

Grizzly bears in the lower 48 states are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Management authority for grizzly bears rests with the USFWS. Game and Fish handles nearly all grizzly bear conflicts and conducts significant levels of monitoring, research and public education in accordance with the department’s Grizzly Bear Management Plan.