Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Teaming With Wildlife



Teaming With Wildlife
Teaming With Wildlife is a national coalition of more than 5,000 organizations working together to prevent wildlife from becoming endangered. The coalition works to support increased public funding for wildlife conservation and associated recreation and education in every state. The Teaming With Wildlife Coalition includes wildlife biologists, state wildlife agencies, conservationists, hunters, anglers, birdwatchers, nature-based businesses, and many others who support the goal of restoring and conserving our nation’s wildlife.
Every state was required to create a Wildlife Action Plan. Wildlife Action Plans identify how we can prevent wildlife from becoming endangered. By focusing on conserving lands and clean waters, thereby providing healthy habitat, wildlife action plans have important benefits for wildlife and people. The plans access the condition of each state’s wildlife, identify the problems they face, and outline the actions needed to conserve them for the long term.
Nebraska’s Wildlife Action Plan, the Nebraska Natural Legacy Project, was rated one of the top ten most comprehensive action plans among all states by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Agency and the Doris Duke Foundation. Efforts are underway to increase the Nebraska State Teaming With Wildlife Coalition which currently has 250 endorsements. If your organization, business, or agency would like to join Nebraska’s Teaming With Wildlife Coalition by endorsing the project please contact Mark Humpert, non-game wildlife manager, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, at mark.humpert@ngpc.ne.gov. or contact Dave Titterington at the Wild Bird Habitat Store. For more information about Teaming With Wildlife log on at www.teaming.com. Help us make sure we leave our children, and our children’s children, a natural world they can enjoy. There is no cost to endorse the project, but the cost of what's at stake is very real.

Wingtip: Did you know that in Nebraska there are 15 endangered species and 13 species listed as threatened? The list includes: 7 bird species, 5 mammals species, 7 fish species, 2 insect species, 7 plant species, and 1 species each of reptile and mussel. This does not include the dozens of plant and wildlife species on the list of concerned or species of special interest that could become threatened or endangered in the near future if nothing is done.
Learn more about Teaming With Wildlife and what your state is doing along with your state's coalition members at http://www.teaming.com/.

Monday, June 9, 2008

Save Our Boreal Birds


Did you enjoy the birds from the Northern Boreal Forests that patronized your bird feeders this past winter? The Red-breasted Nuthatch, Pine Siskin, Purple Finch, Crossbills and others? How about now during spring migration? The Kinglets, Vireos, Warblers, and many other neo-tropical migrants passing through Nebraska? There are also a large variety of shorebirds and waterfowl that move through the state using the Central Great Plains and Missouri River flyways which makes Nebraska one of the most unique birding spots on the North American Continent. And what do many of these birds have in common? More than half their population breeds in the Northern Boreal Forests in Canada, and the population of many of these birds have declined by up to 70% in the past 40 years.

Canada's Boreal Forest, a 1.3 billion acre green garland stretching from Yukon to Newfoundland, is one of the world’s most unique and important eco-systems. The billions of birds raised in North America’s Bird Nursery leave their nests in the fall and migrate to winter locations throughout North, Central, and South America. Many of our favorite backyard birds begin their lives in the Boreal.

Unfortunately, the Boreal Forest is steadily being carved up by unchecked oil and gas, mining, logging, and hydro development. While less than 8% of the Boreal Forest is permanently protected, already 30% has been allocated to industry.

In recent years, there have been long term declines in many Boreal birds species. Rusty Blackbirds have declined 95%, Olive-sided Flycatchers, Boreal Chickadees, Bay-breasted and Canada Warblers, and Evening Grosbeaks by more than 70%, and scaup and scooters by over 50%.

Fortunately there is still time to ensure that the Boreal remains North America’s Bird Nursery. Canadian governments must take responsibility for conserving this precious natural legacy before the birds we love face extinction. Show your concern for the future of Canada’s Boreal Forest and the billions of birds that rely on it.

Sign the petition today, urging government leaders to protect the Boreal. Birds know no borders, and you don’t have to be a Canadian citizen to sign the petition. Log on to:
http://www.saveourborealbirds.org/
and sign the petition today. It’s essential if we want to continue to enjoy the diversity of birds in North America, and guarantee that our children and grandchildren may expect the same.
Wild Bird Habitat Store