FWC, SFWMD announce milestone in effort to restore the Everglades: 5,000 Burmese pythons removed

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the South Florida Water Management District, working together under the direction of Gov. Ron DeSantis, removed 5,000 invasive Burmese pythons from South Florida’s Everglades ecosystem.

“We’ve learned through the Python Challenge that experience counts when finding and removing Burmese pythons,” said FWC Commissioner Rodney Barreto. “We can’t win the battle alone. It’s one team, one mission. We need the support of these experienced python hunters as well as the partnership with the South Florida Water Management District and the ongoing support of Gov. Ron DeSantis.”

“Another win for the Everglades. This is what agencies like the South Florida Water Management District and the FWC, focused and working together, can accomplish,” said SFWMD Governing Board Member “Alligator Ron” Bergeron. “Every snake counts. Each invasive python eliminated represents hundreds of native Florida wildlife saved. With Gov. DeSantis’ continued leadership, Florida is doing more than it ever has to remove pythons from the Everglades and protect this ecosystem for generations to come.” Read more

SALT LAKE CITY — Though most Utahns probably don’t correlate bats with summer, here’s why you shouldn’t be surprised if you find one in your home this time of year. Utahns may see more bats this time of year because the baby bats (also called pups) are learning to fly and leaving their roost for the first time. Here’s what you should know about bats in Utah and what to do if you encounter them.

There are currently 18 confirmed bat species in Utah, but there may be more. They are the only mammals capable of true flight. Bats are found throughout the state and can be abundant wherever they can find food, shelter and water. The greatest species diversity is in the southern part of Utah.

Utah’s bats feed almost exclusively on insects. When insects aren’t available, like during the winter months, the bats typically either migrate or hibernate (although some species do a combination of both and others stay active year-round). Sometimes they hibernate in caves and mines, and recent research in western states has shown that many small bat species also hibernate in crevices in cliffs. Bats in Utah do not usually hibernate in large groups like they do in many eastern states in the U.S. They typically hibernate either in small groups or by themselves.

Five Utah species primarily migrate, flying south from late August through October and then returning in April and May.

“Encounters with bats seem to spike in September as the migratory species, especially the Mexican-free tailed bat, move around the state,” DWR Mammal Conservation Coordinator Kimberly Hersey said. “

If you discover bats roosting in your home, what should you do? Read more

Springfield, Mo. – Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium has been voted America’s Best Aquarium through a national public poll conducted by USA TODAY ranking the top 20 prominent institutions across North America. The latest nationwide recognition marks the second time that the conservation-based museum and aquarium has been nominated for and voted as the winner of the significant award.

Wonders of Wildlife is a gift to the sportsmen and women of America from noted conservationist, angler and Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris. Johnny endeavored to create a world-class not-for-profit conservation attraction located in his hometown of Springfield, Missouri, next to Bass Pro Shops’ flagship headquarters store – where half the nation’s population lives within a day’s drive. Unprecedented in scale and scope, Wonders of Wildlife has been acclaimed as the most important natural history museum to open in America in more than a century.

Featuring an immersive design with surprises around every corner and more than 35,000 live fish, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and birds, the not-for-profit Wonders of Wildlife is unlike any other aquarium on earth. Fans cite the aquarium’s over-the-top multisensory habitats, engaging interactive exhibits and strong conservation ethic as defining features that set Wonders of Wildlife apart. Larger than the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, the not-for-profit attraction is the world’s grandest tribute to the conservation movement. Read more

By Glen Wunderlich

Charter Member Professional Outdoor

As baiting and feeding deer have become unlawful in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, more hunters have moved toward the use of food plots, as a viable means to attract and hold deer on hunting land.  Although hunters with disabilities who meet specific requirements can still use bait, the practice is being curtailed more and more, as a means to minimize the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease.  Hunters looking for an edge and have access to private land hunting may want to consider reviving old apple trees as a viable option to baiting.

Many existing farms and abandoned properties have overgrown orchards or even lone apple trees sprinkled about and with a bit of timely maintenance can become a focal point of early season wildlife activity.

It may take a few years to get trees to bear fruit prolifically, but a good time to begin is now, while the trees are still in full leaf.  Although pruning is best done while trees are dormant, leaves or a lack thereof, will show a good place to start by identifying dead or decayed branches and removing them.

To do so, it is wise to invest in a good pole saw that allows pruning without the use of a ladder.  Such saws typically incorporate a pruning device actuated by means of an attached rope for smaller branches, which by the way are problematic to cut with a saw.  The sharp blade of the pruner makes for a clean cut, thus minimizing the chance for insects and disease to enter at the wound.  Just insure that all dead-wood pruning is performed as close to the living tissue as possible.

Look for dead limbs or branches and remove them first.  Also, eliminate branches that either rub on other branches or will do so in the near future.  Fruit trees are different than other trees in that they do best if the center of the tree is open, as opposed to maintaining a central leading trunk.  Apples are typically produced on the youngest growth, so identify these branches now and leave the new growth alone.

Apple trees do well with lots of direct sunlight.  If there is competition with shrubs, vegetation or other nearby trees, remove undesirables.

For the most part, however, substantial pruning is best done in springtime after the last frost and before blooming begins.  Remove no more than one third of the upper branches of the canopy to reduce the height and to let more valuable sunlight into the tree.  It may take a few years to complete the job, but taking too many of the branches off at one time can weaken a tree’s ability to survive.

Finally in the spring only – never in the fall – fertilize the perimeter of the drip line, which is a circular line directly beneath the outermost tips of the branches with three pounds of 6-24-24 fertilizer.  (The same fertilizer is great for clover and alfalfa food plots, as well.)

If you’d like to create some rabbit habitat, make a pile with the branches.  Not only will rabbits be safe from predators within the makeshift hut, but they’ll feed on the succulent bark.

Cave-dwelling bat populations are rapidly declining due to a fungal disease known as white-nose syndrome. Some species, like the northern long-eared bat, soon may be listed as endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act. In preparation for this listing, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources is teaming up with the Minnesota and Wisconsin departments of Natural Resources to develop a large-scale habitat conservation plan.

If one or more bat species is listed as endangered, an incidental take permit would be required from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to continue forest management activities. A habitat conservation plan is required as part of an application for this permit.

The plan describes the potential positive and negative impacts of forest management on bats and biological objectives that will be implemented to offset negative forest management impacts on bats. A permit would ensure forest management activities in endangered bat habitat can continue, within the constraints of the habitat conservation plan. The overall goal of this project is the protection of endangered bat species and the continuation of forest management activities in Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Draft chapters now available

You are invited to read the available draft chapters and share your feedback via email to rabem@michigan.gov on or before Friday, Aug. 21. We will review all comments and will incorporate feedback and suggestions into the plan as appropriate.

Bat habitat conservation plan ?

More information on Michigan bats and threats to bats is available at Michigan.gov/Bats.

Questions? Contact: Mary Rabe at 517-243-3122

The American Alligator: A Conservation Milestone

Once on the verge of extinction, the American alligator, Alligator mississippiensis, has made a very impressive comeback. With a powerful bite, armored skin, and incredible stealth, alligators are known to have only one major predator. Humans. As with the colorful plumage of migratory birds prior to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, products made from the hide of alligators trended in the fashion world. Due to unregulated harvest combined with habitat loss, these prehistoric reptiles experienced a range wide population decline. In 1938 Alabama took action and became the first state to outlaw alligator hunting. As more states followed suit, Congress passed the Endangered Species Protection Act of 1966. The goal of this Act was to, “conserve, protect, restore, and propagate certain species of native fish and wildlife.” The American alligator was one of the first to appear on the endangered species list, along with grizzly bears, bald eagles, timber wolves, red wolves, Florida panthers, Key deer, and a variety of other fish and wildlife species. In 1987, the American alligator was removed from this list due to its population increase, however, it remains federally protected due to their close resemblance to other endangered or threatened crocodiles and caimans.

Today, American alligator populations in Alabama have rebounded to sustainable levels due to the resounding success of combined conservation efforts taken by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Now, Alabamians have an opportunity to see an alligator on any given day in the southern half of the state and although less frequent the northern half of the state too!

Click learn more to find more information about American alligators in Alabama.

By Glen Wunderlich

Charter Member Professional Outdoor Media Association

Just starting to come in are the wild black raspberries.

If a person wants enough for a pie, he’s gotta get ready to do battle with the elements:  skeeters, brambles, poison ivy,  and sweat to name some of the obstacles.  Small buckets fastened to belts keep the hands free to pick away till hands turn purple.

Great in milk shakes with some fancy ice cream.  Don’t need any color additives.

They boost the body’s antioxidant defense system, as well – some three times more than red raspberries.