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Save The Habitat. Save the Hunt. Makes Significant Impact in First Year

The National Wild Turkey Federation’s (NWTF) Save the Habitat. Save the Hunt. initiative was implemented just over one year ago and its already making a difference. The Save the Habitat. Save the Hunt. initiative is an aggressive charge that mobilizes science, fundraising and devoted volunteers to combat some of the driving factors in the decline of wild turkey numbers, loss of habitat and the decrease in the number of hunters. “Save the Habitat. Save the Hunt. has re-energized our incredible volunteer base and it shows in the progress that has been made thus far,” said Becky Humphries, NWTF executive vice
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Bobwhite Concerns, Bobwhite Meeting

The current status of Northern Bobwhite in the U.S. is less than ideal. Once a common and prolific breeder in pastures, grassy roadsides, and farmlands across the eastern half of the country, the species has experienced a severe decline over a number of decades. With this in mind, Northern Bobwhite experts from around the country will meet in West Des Moines, Iowa, at the end of this month for the 2014 meeting of the National Bobwhite Technical Committee (NBTC). The NBTC – comprised of representatives of state wildlife agencies, academic research institutions, and private conservation organizations – is the technical
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Pennsylvania’s Bald Eagles Continue their Climb

At its midway point, there’s already reason to believe 2014 just might go down as the “Year of the Pennsylvania Bald Eagle.” In January, the Pennsylvania Game Commission removed the bald eagle from the state’s list of threatened species, capping a 30-year comeback that ranks as one of the great success stories in wildlife-conservation history. And in the months that followed, more than 3 million viewers joined in the celebration, watching online as three bald eaglets hatched, then developed into birds strong enough to fledge the Pittsburgh nest in which they grew up. Now, the Pennsylvania Game Commission reports its
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New Federal and Junior Duck Stamps Now on Sale

Canvasbacks are taking center stage for hunters, conservationists and stamp collectors as the new Federal Duck Stamp goes on sale today. The 81st Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp, as it is formally known, debuted at a special event hosted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Bass Pro Shops at the Department of the Interior in Washington, D.C. The 2014-2015 stamp features a pair of canvasbacks painted by wildlife artist Adam Grimm of Burbank, S.D.  Last fall, a panel of five judges chose Grimm’s art to grace the stamp from among 202 paintings at the Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest. Grimm is a two-time contest
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Urban and Community Forestry Challenge Grants to Support Climate Resilience

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the 2014 USDA Forest Service’s National Urban and Community Forestry Challenge grant recipients. The grants provide funding that will help enhance urban forest stewardship, support new employment opportunities, and help build resilience in the face of a changing climate. Close to 80 percent of the U.S. population lives in urban areas and depends on the essential ecological, economic, and social benefits provided by urban trees and forests. Climate and extreme weather events pose threats to urban trees and forests requiring increased investment in management, restoration and stewardship. “Our urban and community forests provide clean
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First Participants in Conservation Stewardship Program can Renew

Producers with expiring U.S. Department of Agriculture Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) contracts have from July 11 until Sept. 12, 2014 to renew and add conservation activities that will support their natural resource improvement activities and fine-tune their conservation plans. “CSP farmers are conservation leaders and go the extra mile to conserve our nation’s resources,” said Natural Resources Conservation Service Chief Jason Weller. “The 2014 Farm Bill continued that strong commitment and heightened the program’s focus on generating conservation benefits. This program allows landowners to reach the next level of conservation and opens the door to trying new conservation activities.” About
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