GW:  If this spending bill isn’t for the birds, you could be a genuine conservative.

>Washington –The $1.3 trillion spending agreement reached by Congress this week contains good news for birds and bird conservation. Legislators increased funding for State of the Birds activities to $3 million, giving a boost to the conservation of endangered forest birds in Hawaii, including the creation of safe nesting areas. Congress also indicated that funding levels for work to support migratory bird conservation will remain at or be set above 2017 levels. Read more

Nearly 30 projects spread across 18 different counties will share $515,000 in local funding to push forward trail enhancement projects and connections along Michigan’s Iron Belle Trail.

In an effort to leverage funding to advance progress toward completion of this statewide trail, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources has awarded $515,000 in local funding to 28 communities to help develop and enhance it.

Funded projects were eligible to receive up to $30,000 for trail enhancement projects including feasibility studies, preliminary construction, engineering of new trail segments, signage for trail segments and trailheads, environmental impact studies and other uses. For this round of funding, the DNR received 56 applications. Read more

As winter hangs on for its final few weeks before spring, wildlife viewing opportunities abound for those who know where to look. Here are some tips for escaping cabin fever the next several weeks.

Waterfowl

During harsh winters, waterfowl get forced into smaller and smaller pockets of open water, so the trick to finding them is often locating that open water. During milder winters, like this one, birds can be more spread out. Check moving water bodies such as larger deep-water rivers and river outlets, as well as all open water pockets on the Great Lakes shore. These pockets may change location due to winds and underlying currents, so it often pays to search. We are already into March, which means many species that wintered in the south are already arriving, adding to the number of waterfowl present statewide. Ducks, swans and geese often forage in agricultural fields and feed on leftover grains by day, so when you’re within a few miles of large bodies of water be sure to watch local agricultural fields for waterfowl gatherings too.

Eagles

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PHOENIX – Approximately 50 desert tortoises will soon awaken from their winter slumber and the Arizona Game and Fish Tortoise Adoption program will be once again be looking for good adoptive homes. There is no charge to adopt a tortoise.

The desert tortoises up for adoption are a wide range of ages and sizes. AZGFD is accepting applications for those willing to provide a special home. Adoption application packets and general information can be found atwww.azgfd.gov/tortoise.

Adopters need to have a securely enclosed yard or separate enclosure in their yard, free from potential hazards such as a dog, fire pit or unfenced pool. The enclosed area must include an appropriate shelter for the tortoise to escape Arizona’s extreme summer and winter temperatures.

All of the desert tortoises eligible for adoption will be given health checkups before going to their new homes. Tortoises are only available for adoption to residents living within the species’ native range, which includes the Phoenix, Bullhead City, Kingman, Prescott, Lake Havasu, Tucson and Yuma areas. Read more

The Iowa Monarch Conservation Consortium has set a goal of acres devoted to monarch butterfly habitat in the state by 2038.

“The consortium has worked collaboratively with diverse stakeholders to develop a comprehensive plan to expand habitat on our agricultural land, urban areas, roadsides, and other public land. We appreciate the many partners that have been involved and are encouraged by the work already underway,” said Mike Naig, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture.

The updated Iowa Monarch Conservation Strategy  seeks to establish approximately 480,000 to 830,000 acres of monarch habitat by 2038. Read more