Modified items

All recently modified items, latest first.

Conservation Corridor December 2024 Newsletter: Connecting science to conservation.

A New Partnership between the ACF and SARP: The Aquatic Connectivity Framework (ACF) and the Southeast Aquatic Resources Partnership (SARP) are excited to announce a new partnership to enhance aquatic habitat connectivity on private lands across the Southeast. This collaboration leverages the unique strengths of both organizations to address barriers that obstruct aquatic organisms from accessing critical habitats.

The Southeast is Perfect for the Aquatic Connectivity Framework: The Southeastern United States is an absolute gem in terms of freshwater diversity. The rivers and streams here are bursting with life, making this region one of the country's most biodiverse places for freshwater species. The Southeast is home to around 600 freshwater fish species, 500 of which are endemic. This region is a global hotspot for freshwater biodiversity, making the Aquatic Connectivity Framework (ACF) an excellent fit for the Southeast. We aim to protect and restore these incredible aquatic habitats through a landscape-scale Working Lands for Wildlife approach.

WLFW East Region Conservation Webinar Series: Programs and Partnerships Session #4 “Southeast Bumble Bee Atlas”: Session 4 of the “Programs and Partnerships” mini-series was presented by Laurie Hamon with The Xerces Society. This session focuses on the Bumble Bee Atlas program and how beneficial it is to pollinator conservation. Topics covered include a basic understanding of bumble bee biology, a general overview of the Bumble Bee Atlas program, and a focused overview of the Southeast Bumble Bee Atlas.

Species in At-Risk Aquatic Species: This is a list of species that the AquaCorridors Tool Suite selected to make the at-risk aquatic species layer that is used by the AquaCorridor Data Layer Library and Mapper. Our group filtered NatureServe at-risk species data by conservation status and included aquatic species found in the Southeast that are considered imperiled and/or critically imperiled on a sub-national or global level (G1, G2, S1, S2).

AquaCorridors: Data Layer Library: Explore a curated collection of high-quality datasets focused on aquatic conservation. The AquaCorridors Data Layer Library Tool brings together valuable data from agencies and NGOs, providing a comprehensive resource for environmental decision-making. To access the mapper, users must first login or register on the Landscape Partnership Portal.

IN Workshop - Native grasses in Prescribed Grazing Systems: Using Native Warm-Season Grasses in a Grazing System Participants will learn the latest research-supported methods for reliable native forage establishment and grazing management to maintain grass vigor and animal performance through the summer. This training is being presented by The Center for Native Grasslands Management and NBCI through a grant provided by Quail Forever and the Natural Resources Conservation Service in support of the Working Lands For Wildlife: Bobwhite in Grasslands project. Topics to be covered: Bobwhite basics, bobwhite habitat considerations in grazing lands Overview of native warm-season grass (NWSG) establishment Why use NWSG in your grazing system – animal performance and economics How to manage NWSG forages – maintaining vigor and productivity, impact on bobwhite and other grassland birds NWSG in complementary cool-season grass systems. Registration: No registration fee, but registration is required. Please RSVP to jhodge34@utk.edu. Lunch will be provided to participants.

USDA Launches New Bobwhite Conservation Pilot and Announces General Conservation Reserve Program Signup: Working Lands for Wildlife’s Northern Bobwhite Pilot Project, as well as the signup dates for USDA’s General Enrollment signup in the Conservation Reserve Program (General CRP), opens March 4. Both conservation opportunities give producers tools to conserve wildlife habitat while achieving other conservation benefits, including sequestering carbon and improving water quality and soil health.

Pheasants Forever, Quail Forever, and WLFW East Region Webinar Series: Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever, in partnership with USDA-NRCS’s Working Lands for Wildlife, has reformed the WLFW Pollinator Conservation webinar series to include broader topics and changed platforms to Zoom. This series aims to enhance understanding, confidence, and knowledge of conservation concepts. It is designed for conservation professionals working in the WLFW East Region. NRCS staff and partner organizations are welcome to attend (click image for more details), so please feel free to share it with your field staff.

WLFW East Region Conservation Series: Tune in this Thursday, February 8th, at 11:30 am CST for the next webinar in our Conservation Series! This week's topic will cover "How to do a Pollinator Outreach Event" with speaker Cat Beall with Pheasants Forever. Register here: https://tinyurl.com/ykxskkay

WLFW East Region Conservation Series: Tune in this Thursday, January 11th, at 11:30 am CST for the next webinar in our Conservation Series! This week's topic will cover "Pollinators & Forestland: Underappreciated Pollinator Habitat" with speaker Kass Urban-Mead of the Xerces Society. Register here: https://tinyurl.com/ykxskkay

WLFW East Region Conservation Series April 11 2024: Tune in Thursday, April 11th, at 11:30 am CST (12:30 PM EST) for our last webinar in the Pollinator Series! This week's topic will cover "Maintaining Pollinator Habitat" with speaker Brittney Viers with Quail Forever.

WLFW East Region Conservation Series May 9, 2024: Tune in Thursday, May 9th, at 11:30 am CST (12:30 PM EST) for our first webinar in the new mini-series, “Programs and Partnerships”! This week's topic will cover "What is Working Lands for Wildlife?" with speakers Bridgett Costanzo with USDA and Dr. Jess McGuire with Quail Forever.

Kenai Peninsula Salmon: Salmon are anadromous, which means they divide their lives between freshwater and the ocean. This annual return of salmon to freshwater is economically and culturally important to Alaska.

Southwestern Willow Flycatcher: This small songbird needs lush riparian vegetation to thrive. Improving the health of these areas benefits the flycatcher and lots of other wildlife.