Outdoor commentary and legislative issues.
Goldfinch
Grant program marks 10 years of progress
The state of Michigan announced that 31 projects will share $3.6 million in grants through the Michigan Invasive Species Grant Program.
This cycle marks the MISGP’s 10th anniversary. To date, over $36 million has been awarded to support 269 projects undertaken by units of government, nonprofits and institutions. Read more
The funding Congress is expected to approve this week for the State and Tribal Wildlife Grant program — at a moment when America’s wildlife crisis is accelerating — underscores exactly why Congress needs to pass mandatory funding for state, territorial, and Tribal wildlife conservation. The legislation reduces the funding available in FY24 for essential state and Tribal wildlife conservation funding by more than $1.4 million below what Congress approved for the current fiscal year. Read more
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) announced today that fall-run Chinook salmon fry released for the first time from its Fall Creek Fish Hatchery in Siskiyou County are presumed to have succumbed to gas bubble disease in the Klamath River.
On Monday, Feb. 26, CDFW released approximately 830,000 fall-run Chinook salmon fry into Fall Creek, a tributary of the Klamath River above Iron Gate Dam. The fish were hatched at CDFW’s new, $35 million, state-of-the-art Fall Creek Fish Hatchery, which represents California’s long-term commitment to supporting and restoring both Chinook and coho salmon runs on an undammed Klamath River.
The salmon fry experienced a large mortality based on monitoring data downstream. Indications are the cause of mortality is gas bubble disease that likely occurred as the fry migrated though the Iron Gate Dam tunnel, old infrastructure that is targeted for removal along with the Iron Gate Dam itself later this year. Gas bubble disease results from environmental or physical trauma often associated with severe pressure change. Read more
What does your perfect outdoor day look like?
Maybe it includes a hammock, blue skies and a soft summer breeze rustling through the leaves of a shade tree. Perhaps you’re reading under a flowering tree in spring, or picking autumn apples right off the branches in your backyard.
We may be biased, but at the DNR we think the best days often involve trees! If you agree, take steps now to set the stage for perfect planting days this spring. Read more
For a healthy herd and optimal antler growth, deer need comprehensive nutrition. That’s why Antler King developed a premium feed that features just about everything – Everything But The Kitchen Sink.
With an expertly crafted blend of high-quality oats, wheat, corn, barley, protein pellets, and more, Everything But The Kitchen Sink provides the essential nutrients for thriving deer populations.
It enhances antler growth, supports functions such as muscle development, immune system function, and healthy digestion, boosts energy throughout all seasons, and contributes to a lustrous coat. Read more
National Invasive Species Awareness Week is an international annual event held February 26 through March 3, 2024, looking to raise awareness about invasive species, the threat they pose, and what can do together to prevent their spread. In support of NISAW, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is encouraging all Michiganders to do their part to prevent the spread of invasive species.
Invasive species are plants, animals, insects, and pathogens not native to an area and can cause serious harm to the environment, economy, agriculture, or public health. These pests often are fast growing, reproduce rapidly, and have few predators or natural controls in their new environments.
“Our department works tirelessly to prevent the spread of these pests, but getting everyone involved in prevention and detection is key to the fight against invasive species,” said Steve Carlson, MDARD’s Pesticide and Plant Pest Management Division Director.
Here are some ways to help limit the spread of invasive species: Read more
Contact: Addison Motta AMotta@WildlifeForever.org
White Bear Lake, MN – Wildlife Forever, in partnership with the USDA Forest Service, is proud to announce the winners of the 3rd annual Art of Conservation Songbird Art Contest®. The contest brings awareness to the importance of songbirds and their critical conservation needs. A panel of judges from across the conservation industry selected state and national winners from over 2400 entries.
This year’s contest featured the Northern Cardinal, the Painted Bunting, the Chestnut-collared Longspur, the Red-winged Blackbird, and the Yellow-throated Warbler. After students select and research their species, they create both an artistic rendition and a piece of creative writing. Read more
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is asking the public for any information as to the cause of a suspicious fire at Geode State Park on Sunday, Feb. 18.
According to Park Ranger Andrew Kuckler, a visitor alerted staff that a tree in the park was burning. While the fire was extinguished, the tree was severely damaged and its survival is uncertain. The cause of the fire is unknown.
The tree has been certified as the largest sycamore in Iowa. While the exact age is unknown, the sycamore is estimated to be around 350 years old, based on circumference and other measurements. Read more
Wild turkey genetics, nesting success, and brood survival are among the research topics in a 4.5-year, $2 million study launched in 2022 by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, the Oklahoma Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, with cooperation from the National Wild Turkey Federation, Turkeys for Tomorrow, and private landowners to address wild turkey population dynamics. Following is a summary of recent study activities.
SOUTHWESTERN OKLAHOMA POPULATION STUDY AREA: Preparations for winter captures continued. Researchers began baiting and constructing traps at one site in Beckham County and one site in Harmon County. They also coordinated with cooperators in Custer County to begin baiting and monitoring future trap locations there. Data download from remaining hens from last year continued during January.
SOUTHEASTERN OKLAHOMA POPULATION STUDY AREA: Preparations for winter captures continued. Researchers scouted and baited many different sites across McCurtain County and attempted captures on one mixed flock that was inconsistent on camera and only included three hens. Researchers reported three groups of hens seen on cameras visiting bait sites.
GENETICS STUDY: Genomic data has been cleaned and quality-controlled for the initial 220 samples collected from the 2022 and 2023 seasons. For analyses, 163 samples from Oklahoma were selected and further separated into subspecies-specific datasets according to current ODWC designation of subspecies and hybrid zones by geographic location.
Initial data processing involved quality control steps to remove low-quality data, reduce errors, and facilitate reproducibility of results. Read more
If you or someone you know is interested in working with the DNR, now is a great time to explore options ranging from full-time firefighters and summer park workers to short-term wildlife technicians and historical interpreters.
The DNR is looking for:
New opportunity: Nature Awaits Read more