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

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

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:

• More than 1,300 summer park workers and 60 seasonal park rangers.
• Temporary wildlife workers in positions across the state, in roles that help maintain healthy wildlife populations.
• Full-time, peak-season and on-call wildland firefighters.
• Foresters and forest technicians to help manage public land for varied uses, including outdoor recreation, wildlife habitat, timber production and more.
• Seasonal park interpreters to lead hikes/activities and present fun programs tied to each park’s unique natural and cultural resources.
• Historical interpreters who will hone their skills in education program creation and presentation, exhibit development, collections care and site operations.

New opportunity: Nature Awaits Read more