In the News
News articles and events on WLFW and Target Species sites.
LCC Coordinator Gives Keynote Address at Earth Day Celebration
Appalachian LCC Coordinator Dr. Jean Brennan was a featured speaker for the Distinguished Lecture Series at Northwest Missouri State University during its annual Earth Week Celebration.
Scientists Locate Natural “Strongholds” across Southeast US that Could Protect Nature in the Face of Climate Change
A new study by The Nature Conservancy has identified a series of natural “strongholds” across the Southeastern United States that are predicted to withstand the growing impacts of climate change and help ensure nature’s survival.
Innovative Regional Conservation Partnership Program to Bring Resources to Private Lands in Critical Conservation Areas
U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack launched the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), a public-private partnership designed to focus conservation efforts on the most critical watersheds and landscapes.
Climate.gov wins two Webby Awards and a People’s Voice Award!
NOAA Climate.gov was selected by the International Academy of the Digital Arts & Sciences to receive two Webby Awards in the "Government" and "Green" categories. They also garnered a People's Voice Award in the "Green" category (placing second overall in the "Government" category).
Work by researchers to monitor, protect bats critical as millions perish
A fungus that infects bats as they hibernate is killing them by the millions, placing three species in the East perilously close to being declared endangered — or perhaps beyond, towards extinction.
Our Changing Climate – Third National Assessment Released
The Third National Assessment Release (NCA) report was released today. The report was written by 240 authors who worked in author teams reflecting their expertise, who also selected additional contributing authors, including several scientists and experts from USDA.
US Forest Service Proposes New Management Practices for Stewardship of Water Resources
The U.S. Forest Service today announced its intent to strengthen agency management direction for groundwater resources and the use of best management practices to improve and protect water quality on national forests and grasslands. This action is an integral component of watershed stewardship and land management.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Region 5 Endangered Species Act Update
Featuring general news, incidental take permit, and classification information pertaining to the Endangered Species Act in Region 5.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Announces Completion of National Wetlands Database and Interactive Mapping Tool
To coincide with American Wetlands Month, which begins May 1, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is announcing the completion of the most comprehensive and detailed U.S. wetland data set ever produced, capping a 35-year effort by the Service to map the extent of the nation’s wetlands.
New Report: USFWS Habitat Restoration Programs Create 3,973 New Jobs, Pump $327.7 Million into Local Economies
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today that a peer-reviewed analysis finds that the agency's habitat restoration programs are extraordinary engines for the U.S. economy.
OSMRE Appalachian Region Launches New Website
OSMRE's Appalachian Region has redesigned its website. The new site allows users to find information quickly and easily, and applies a consistent look and feel to the bureau’s web pages. The redesigned site incorporates several new features to make AR's website easier to navigate and user-friendly.
On Earth Day, U.S. Forest Service Seeks Applications for Wood to Energy Projects
As part of the national observance of Earth Day, the U.S. Forest Service today announced that it is seeking proposals that expand wood energy use and support responsible forest management. Also today, the Forest Service released a Wood Energy Financial App for use by community and business leaders seeking to replace fossil fuel with wood energy.
Ecology Team Improves Understanding of Valley-wide Stream Chemistry
A geostatistical approach for studying environmental conditions in stream networks and landscapes has been successfully applied at a valley-wide scale to assess headwater stream chemistry at high resolution, revealing unexpected patterns in natural chemical components.
Restoration biologist Jess Jones receives Rachel Carson Award
Jess Jones, a restoration biologist in the College of Natural Resources and Environment, co-director of Virginia Tech’s Freshwater Mollusk Conservation Center, and an integral part of the Appalachian LCC, received the Rachel Carson Award for Scientific Excellence from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Service Provides More Than $47 Million in Grants to States, Territories for Sensitive, Imperiled Species
Sensitive and imperiled species across the nation will benefit from $47,877,598 in grants through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s State Wildlife Grants (SWG) program. The funds are apportioned annually to all states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and American Samoa. Apportionments are determined by a formula based on land area and population. States and their partners provide a non-federal funds match for projects that help species of greatest conservation need and their habitats.
Progress toward reducing oil and gas air emissions in Ohio
New rules will help reduce air pollution that harms public health and contributes to climate change.
IPCC Working Group II Report Released
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) issued a report today that says the effects of climate change are already occurring on all continents and across the oceans. The world, in many cases, is ill-prepared for risks from a changing climate. The report also concludes that there are opportunities to respond to such risks, though the risks will be difficult to manage with high levels of warming.
Mapping Climate Change in the Oceans
NOAA Research and NOAA Fisheries collaborate on new method to assess fish vulnerability to climate change
Interior Releases First National Interactive Map of Onshore Wind Turbines
USGS Scientific Tool to Aid Landscape-Level Planning, Responsible Renewable Energy Development, Support Climate Action Plan
Fish and Wildlife Service conducts five-year status reviews of 33 southeastern species
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will conduct five-year status reviews of 25 endangered and eight threatened species occurring in one or more of the 10 states in the Southeast and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. The public is invited to provide written information and comments concerning these species on or before May 27, 2014.
