Pioneering Report Documents Plight of North American Birds

May 26, 2010–Nearly 150 species of North American birds are in significant trouble, according to a report released May 11, 2010, by a consortium of US, Canadian, and Mexican government agencies, NGOs, universities, and individuals.

Russian Olives and Tamarisk Get A Little Federal Love

May 12, 2010–A new report by the US Geological Survey, Bureau of Reclamation, US Forest Service, other federal agencies, and university experts says the water-hogging reputation of the two species has little merit, but found that effects on wildlife are mixed.

Gulf Dispersants Called Trade Secret

May 5, 2010–The exact ingredients of the chemical mixture being sprayed on and pumped into the spreading BP oil spill are secret, even though some are rated toxic and may endanger the health of Gulf residents and ecosystems.

Several More States and Provinces Hit by Fatal Bat Disease

April 28, 2010–Bat losses can have major impacts on ecosystems, as they routinely consume large quantities of insects and themselves provide food and nutrients for other plants and animals. There also are economic impacts as caves close to recreational use, in an effort to combat the spread of the disease.

1 in 7 Wildlife Refuges Has Genetically Engineered Crops

March 17, 2010–Three organizations file a lawsuit against the USFWS, a new study finds three strains of GE maize likely damaged organs of rats that ate the foods for just three months, pesticide use associated with GE crops may actually be greater than for traditional crops, and GE seed prices skyrocket.

Birds: New Listings, Cutting-Edge Research, and At-Risk Assessments

March 17, 2010–For the first time in 25 years, the US Fish and Wildlife Service has updated the list of federally-protected migratory birds. The net result is the addition of 175 species, bringing the total to 1,007.

Feds Launch New Tool For Locating Endangered Species

March 17, 2010–Find out if an endangered or threatened animal or plant species lives in counties of interest to your audience, and cover it in the context of current news developments or some other at-risk-species angle.

Recovering Eagles Flock to U.S. in Winter

February 3, 2010–This a good time to report on the fate of the bald eagle; the National Wildlife Federation provides a couple of lists that pinpoint at least one spot in every state except Hawaii where the big birds can typically be found.

Feds Release New Info on Climate-Plant Connections

January 6, 2010–Research and policy discussions are focusing on both natural plant systems and domesticated ones, especially agriculture — one possible effect being shifts in water availability.

USGS Offers Early Warning On Wildlife Die-Offs

October 14, 2009–You may find a local wildlife story by keeping your eye on the US Geological Survey's National Wildlife Health Center which keeps constant surveillance on outbreaks of wildlife disease and posts the information online as it comes in.