Recent News

Patch Cuts Provide Homes for Young Forest Birds in MA

September 07, 2017 — cfergus

Many people are turned off by the messy look of clearcuts – even though such timber harvests efficiently create expanses of important young forest habitat for wildlife. Recent research by two Massachusetts scientists suggests that smaller patch cuts can also help certain bird species.

Spirit of Amateur Conservation Strong in WI, Nationwide

August 16, 2017 — cfergus

By the Lacrosse Tribune

If you are a landowner interested in improving habitat on your land, you are invited to help the Necedah National Wildlife Refuge, in central Wisconsin, celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program on August 26.

In 1987, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service kicked off the “Partners” program: the reason and the need were clear — Americans wanted more wildlife and wildlife habitat than public lands can provide.

Partners Plant Shrubs to Help Maine Cottontails

August 16, 2017 — cfergus

By Eric Hoar, Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife

Scarborough Marsh Wildlife Management Area is a 3,100-acre collection of parcels in the towns of Scarborough and Old Orchard Beach. It’s also a focus of habitat enhancement for the state-endangered New England cottontail rabbit. Portions of the WMA consist of old farm fields with pockets of dense shrubs; other areas remain as grasslands. With the help of several partners, Inland Fisheries and Wildlife has launched a planting project to make the WMA a better habitat for cottontails.

Texas Cattle Ranch Connects to CT Cottontails

August 16, 2017 — cfergus

By Peter Marteka, Hartford Courant

There doesn't seem to be much in common between a patch of woodlands in southeastern Connecticut and a cattle ranch in Texas.

5-Year Strategy to Help Golden-Winged Warbler, Sustain Forest Health

August 11, 2017 — cfergus

By Justin Fritscher, NRCS

Sustainable Forestry on Private Lands Key to At-Risk Bird’s Success

16,000 Forested Acres Bought in NY, New England

August 03, 2017 — cfergus

By Brian Nearing, Albany Times Union

A national conservation group is protecting more than 16,000 acres of forest in Rensselaer and Washington counties from potential development while also guaranteeing it remains available for sustainable forestry and recreation.

Lands purchased by the Virginia-based Conservation Fund include forests next to Cherry Plain State Park and the Capital District Wildlife Management Area, which cover about 4,300 acres in the southern Rensselaer County town of Stephentown.

U.S. Bird Report Shows Progress

August 03, 2017 — cfergus

By John Myers, Duluth News Tribune

The future of golden-winged warblers in Northland forests, ringneck pheasants in farm country and sage grouse in the mountainous west are tied to the massive farm bill that's starting to wind through the Washington labyrinth, a coalition of wildlife and government agencies said Wednesday.

New Best Management Practices for New England Cottontail

July 27, 2017 — cfergus

A new 28-page publication, Best Management Practices for the New England Cottontail: How to Create, Enhance and Maintain Habitat, will equip habitat managers and landowners with detailed knowledge of how to make habitat necessary for the survival of the New England cottontail, a rare regional rabbit currently found in six northeastern states.

The new BMPs are currently published in an electronic format. Physical copies will be made available in the coming months.

RI Bobcat Tracking Program Nears End

July 17, 2017 — cfergus

(In a healthy environment, New England cottontails form a significant part of the prey base for bobcats and other predators. Wildlife scientists are studying bobcats’ population, distribution, and home range sizes in Rhode Island. The state’s Department of Environmental Management monitors the cats’ potential impacts on cottontails.)

By Jackie Roman, Valley Breeze and Observer

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