Researchers at the Cornell University Lab of Ornithology are studying the effects of toxic contamination from the Gulf oil spill on the fecundity of migratory birds. While scientists know that toxins are detrimental to bird reproduction, they still need more data to determine to what extent these negative effects manifest further inland; for instance for migratory birds that pass through the Gulf yet breed hundreds of miles away.
In order to gather this data, researchers are asking birdwatchers across the continent to contribute by monitoring local nests and providing information to the NestWatch program. Citizen-science observations have long driven otherwise unworkable research efforts, and hopefully will continue to do so in the future.
william_he Environmental toxicants, Oil Spill bird research
Scientists from the University of Massachusetts Amherst have tied up with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to develop a new iPhone App called Mobile Gulf Observatory or MoGo, which allows iPhone users to take and upload images of injured or dead wildlife and oiled habitat to their phone. Once the image is uploaded, the GPS from the phone will notify rescue and response networks of the location of the impacted wildlife. That information will then be stored in a comprehensive, public database that will help guide restoration efforts of coastal and marine habitats in the Gulf. To get started and download the free MoGo App, visit www.savegulfwildlife.org/.
admin Animal Welfare, Environmental toxicants, Oil Spill, science, wildlife conservation
In what’s likely to become (if it hasn’t already) the largest oil spill in U.S. history, many of us are wondering what we can do to help. Currently, volunteer signups are being accepted from many organizations. Some volunteer training has begun and others are in the process of collecting potential volunteer information and coordinating training programs that will commence shortly. In the meantime, there are plenty of preliminary actions currently underway where you can be of assistance.
Mobile Baykeeper (www.mobilebaykeeper.org) says the best way to help now – before the oil hits the shoreline – is by picking up litter and debris. “If you can get to your favorite shoreline today or tomorrow you can help speed up the clean up process,” officials said. Volunteers will be trained and organized for the cleanup process in the days and weeks to follow; call (251) 433-4229 to sign up. Donations are being collected for a wide range of supplies from hair and pantyhose (to make oil booms), to towels, blue Dawn, plastic storage bins with lids (18-24 Gal), baby blankets, heating pads w/out auto shut-off (older models), heat lamps, portable swim pool (non-inflatable) not shallow baby pools, cash for medical supplies, gift certificates to Home Depot/Lowe’s etc.
If you live near the affected coastlines, you can help The Deepwater Horizon response team (www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com/go/site/2931/) by reporting oiled animals and/or areas where oil can be seen from shore (866) 557-1401.
To find out more information about volunteering/donations/contact information click here.
Lisa Monrreal Animal Welfare, Environmental toxicants, Oil Oil Spill
Want to learn more about fish and wildlife species introductions and reintroductions (i.e., carp, wolves, mollusks, leopard frogs) from top experts in the field? Want to hear about managing invasive species and feral cats? Check out today’s free webcast being held by the first joint American Fisheries Society/The Wildlife Society Symposium by going to http://msworkforce.org/WFA/. To learn more about the joint AFS/TWS symposium, please go to http://www.cfr.msstate.edu/wildlife/symposium/.
shannon Amphibians, Environmental toxicants, Human Dimensions of Wildlife Management and Conservation, TWS Sponsored Programs, Technology, Wildlife Over-abundance, Wildlife management, endangered species, invasive species feral cats, invasive species, species introductions, species reintroductions
Free and Open to the Public
USGS, Dallas L. Peck Memorial Auditorium
12201 Sunrise Valley Dr., Reston, VA 20192
Wednesday April 7, 2010 7:00 PM
Title: Wandering Wildlife: Tracking movement, migrations and mileage, from wolves to wading birds
By Robert Gill and Dr. L. David Mech
Wednesday May 5, 2010 7:00 PM
Title: Mercury Contamination of the Environment: From Me to Shining Sea
By Dr. David Krabbenhoft
Wednesday June 2, 2010 7:00 PM
Title: Passing Strange – the Secret Life of Clarence King, first director of the USGS
By Dr. Martha Sandweiss, noted author
More information can be found at http://www.usgs.gov/public_lecture_series/
or by calling Judy Salvo at 703-648-5645.
Judith F. Salvo (Judy)
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
Eastern Region Office of Communications
12201 Sunrise Valley Drive (MS150)
Reston, VA 20192
(703) 648-5645, fax (703) 648-4588
Email: jfsalvo@usgs.gov
shannon Environmental toxicants, Technology, Uncategorized public lecture, USGS
You recycle, carpool to work and shop at farmer’s markets when you can; but is that enough? Have you ever thought about the impact of your own carbon footprint and how you measure up to others domestically and abroad? The Greendex Calculator can tell you just that. Based on energy use, transportation, travel, and consumer goods the Greendex survey quickly calculates your Greendex score which will tell you how your personal choices add up.
The second annual National Geographic/GlobeScan Consumer Greendex, is “a scientifically derived sustainable consumption index of actual consumer behavior and material lifestyles across 17 countries…to give people a better idea of how consumers in different countries are doing in taking action to preserve our planet by tracking, reporting, and promoting environmentally sustainable consumption and citizen behavior.” The Greendex will continue to be calculated over time and include both developed and developing countries. National Geographic and the international polling firm GlobeScan have reported that Greendex scores are up from 2008 due to consumers’ further understanding of their own impact and decisions to make more environmentally-friendly choices. The top-scoring consumers of 2009 are in the developing economies of India, Brazil and China. Consumers in wealthier countries, such as the U.S, Japan and Canada hold the lowest Greendex scores; which is unacceptable considering these countries have the greatest access to sustainable goods.
Calculate your own Greendex and compare your results to Greendex Map of the World; it’s both fun and informative! Then, challenge yourself to make a few simple changes that would increase your score and reduce your carbon footprint.
Click here for more information on the National Geographic/GlobeScan Consumer Greendex
Lisa Monrreal Environmental toxicants
In January, a team from The Peregrine Fund recovered carcasses of three California condors in northern Arizona. Yesterday, they announced that scientists at San Diego Zoo’s Institute for Conservation Research had performed necropsies and confirmed that fragments of spent lead ammunition found in the birds’ digestive tracts had poisoned the condors.
The news is a setback for this critically endangered species: Fewer than 200 individuals currently exist in the wild. But the loss also presents an opportunity to expand condor conservation efforts, such as the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s outreach program, which encourages hunters in condor habitat to use non-lead ammunition in condor habitat. The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources plans to follow suit later this year by offering free non-lead ammunition to hunters in one of their units in southwestern Utah.
In 2008 TWS published a Technical Review on the effects of lead on wildlife and articles in The Wildlife Professional (v. 3/2) took up this issue last summer–see this piece by the Missouri Department of Conservation’s John Schulz and this one by Adam Keats and Shaye Wolf of the Center for Biological Diversity. Keats and Wolf called voluntary lead ammunition reduction efforts in Arizona “modestly successful,” citing this report, which found more than 80 percent of hunters took steps to reduce lead in the environment during 2007. However, the authors also noted the ”major limitations” of such efforts, notably that “low amounts of noncompliance can still cause harm.” The three poisoned condors–which included a breeding female and her chick from last year–unfortunately provide evidence of this harm.
Katie Unger Environmental toxicants, Human Dimensions of Wildlife Management and Conservation, hunting endangered species, hunting, lead
The Montana State Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission is considering a possible ban on lead ammunition. The recent discovery of lead in the blood of the state’s bald eagle population has called into question the safety of lead ammunition, especially given its known effects on human and wildlife health. Many supporters of lead ammunition, such as the Montana Shooting Sports Association and National Rifle Association are characterizing the call to ban lead as an attack on hunting and the right to bear arms. However, The Wildife Society (TWS), a professional and scientific society that strongly supports legal and ethical hunting has also called for an eventual phasing out of lead ammunition, based on the results of a detailed technical review on the known effects of lead on wildlife and humans. TWS believes that some aspects of modern hunting are in opposition to the (Aldo) Leopoldian traditions of fair chase and ecological compatability, and need to be challenged if the important tradition is to persist in our society.
Michael Hutchins Environmental toxicants, Human Dimensions of Wildlife Management and Conservation, hunting, wildlife conservation
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