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
A friend of mine, who works for the FCC, sent me this article knowing that I would have an interest in it…
The FCC will soon be able to celebrate seven years of sitting on its duff and doing nothing about the problem of bird-slaying wireless towers. Even a court order hasn’t scared the agency into action—Ars wonders what will.
Read the entire article here and feel free to comment.
Darryl Walter Human-wildlife conflict, Policy bird research, habitat protection
Going green is supposed to be good for the environment, unless you’re a bat.
Researchers are investigating the deaths of bats around wind farms where some of the dead animals show no signs of injury. But it’s not just bats that seem to be having problems with the farms.
Video Courtesy of KSL.com
Darryl Walter Animal behavior, wildlife conservation bats, bird research, conservation education, habitat protection
The latest issue of The Wildlife Policy News was just posted. Included in this issue are updates on the FY 2009 Budget that was recently approved and the status on the FY 2010 Budget.
You can also read about the Teaming with Wildlife Act of 2009 (S.655) which would secure dedicated funding for state-level wildlife management and conservation efforts. The Act would use a portion of the royalties collected from mineral development on federal lands and outer continental shelf oil development to allocate states $350 million per year over five years (fiscal years 2011-2016).
Darryl Walter Membership, Policy, Wildlife Policy News Aldo Leopold, bird research, federal budget, funding for wildlife management and conservation
The United States is home to a tremendous diversity of native birds, with more than 800 species inhabiting terrestrial, coastal, and ocean habitats, including Hawaii. Among these species, 67 are federally listed as endangered or threatened. An additional 184 are species of conservation concern because of their small distribution, high threats, or declining populations. View a video and the 2009 State of the Birds Report here.
Darryl Walter Wildlife Policy News bird research, habitat protection, wildlife conservation
The Wildlife Society’s Awards Program honors individuals and groups who have made notable contributions to wildlife conservation. Please help us recognize deserving recipients by submitting your nominations for these awards. Please refer to each award description for deadlines and instructions on preparing your nominations.
With the exception of the Wildlife Publication and Conservation Education Awards, send nomination materials to:
The Wildlife Society – Awards Program
5410 Grosvenor Lane, Bethesda, MD 20814 or email: yanin@wildlife.org
Darryl Walter Membership, TWS Annual Conference Aldo Leopold, annual conference, awards, bird research, Caesar Kleberg, conservation education, fellows, Jim McDonough, student chapter, wildlife conservation, Wildlife Society member
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