Wildlife biologists counted 5,252 ducks and 6,262 Canada geese during the annual mid-winter waterfowl survey in early January according to Steve Wilson, Waterfowl Biologist for the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Section. “The number of ducks and geese counted this year increased 73 percent and 44 percent respectively compared to last year, and both are well above the 10-year average,” Wilson said. The increase was not unexpected due to weather fronts moving through from the northwest in December. Canada geese, mallards and black ducks, as usual, were the most commonly observed species in the 2013 survey. Other
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The red-cockaded woodpecker is a relatively small member of the woodpecker family but its habitat requirements are anything but small. The federally endangered bird prefers vast acres of longleaf pine forests — habitat that has declined by about 97 percent since European settlement. Thanks to a Safe Harbor Agreement entered into by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission and Orton Plantation Holdings, LLC, in November, more than 8,400 acres of open pine forest in Brunswick County will be managed and enhanced to benefit many native wildlife species, with an emphasis on the red-cockaded woodpecker. Orton Plantation is owned by conservationist Louis
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The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) has released the results of an independent review team’s annual study of state forestlands, affirming the state’s efforts to conserve resources through sound management. “The auditors were very pleased with our forest management and our staff’s dedication, and I extend thanks to each of the districts involved in this year’s audit for another job well done,” DCNR Secretary Richard Allan said. “This continued certification is an affirmation of the pride we take in managing our state forest system for many values and uses, while maintaining its long-term health and viability.” “Forest management
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The Cerulean Warbler, a bird whose population has declined by about 70 percent in the last 40 years, and 25 other neotropical migrating birds are the key beneficiaries of a successful two-year-effort by American Bird Conservancy (ABC) and Fundación ProAves to purchase and protect key wintering habitat for the birds in Colombia, South America. ABC is a leading U.S. bird conservation organization while Fundación ProAves is a leading bird conservation group in Colombia and an ABC International Partner. The conservation effort resulted in the acquisition of nine new properties. Those new properties now make up the western flank of the
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The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service is now accepting applications for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program Wildlife Initiative. Land users may apply for Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) at any time. However, the second application evaluation cutoff date for 2013 has been set at April 19. This program provides land users an opportunity to improve wildlife habitat by providing financial incentives for installing eligible practices on land they own or control. In Kentucky, the primary focus of the program is to improve early successional and forestland habitats for declining species and other wildlife. Restoring remnant prairies, planting native grasses, shrubs
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The Pennsylvania Game Commission today unveiled a redesigned and expanded birding and bird conservation section on its website to help it better communicate the importance of wild birds to the millions who visit the website annually. “We have always recognized that there is tremendous interest in birding and bird conservation among Pennsylvanians, but it hasn’t been easy to meet that demand with content on our website, because of our limited number of wildlife diversity biologists are incredibly busy,” explained Carl G. Roe, agency executive director. “These upgrades have been in development for the better part of two years, and with
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The 2023 AMJV Impact Report is now available for downloading and sharing! Starting in 2022, this beautiful report has been designed annually by Liz Brewer (AMJV Outreach Specialist) to…
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by Liz Brewer, AMJV Outreach Specialist Appalachian Mountains Joint Venture (AMJV), in partnership with the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS), and the West Virginia…
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The new AMJV 2022 Impact Report is now available for downloading and sharing! This beautiful report was designed by Liz (AMJV Outreach Specialist) to be handed out to congressional leadership…
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