Boreal Chorus Frog

From U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Mountain-Prairie Region:

Boreal chorus frogs are common on Seedskadee NWRs wetland and riparian habitats.They are the smallest frog in Wyoming

Great Blue Heron

From USFWS National Wildlife Refuge System:

Great blue heron at the newest refuge - Wapato Lake National Wildlife Refuge, OR . Photo by USFWS
.http://www.fws.gov/refuge/Wapato_Lake/

Elk

From Bureau of Land Management - Idaho:

"Plans to protect air and water, wilderness and wildlife are in fact plans to protect man.” - Stewart Udall

Wilderness Wednesday #50: Listen for Elk Bugling at Indian Meadows - If you're visiting in the fall, this loud vocalization can sometimes be heard for miles. Bugling is most common early and late in the day.

http://on.doi.gov/1he78QF 
#WildernessWednesday #IdahoWilderness50

Up Close & Personal

Photo courtesy of Paul Julian.

At Harlan Lake.

From U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District:

Up Close & Personal

Photo courtesy of Paul Julian.

At Harlan Lake.

From U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District:

Up Close & Personal

Photo courtesy of Paul Julian.

At Harlan Lake.

From U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District:

Up Close & Personal

Photo courtesy of Paul Julian.

At Harlan Lake.

From U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District:

Peek-a-boo!

From U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Mountain-Prairie Region:

Peek-a-boo! (Deer at Marais des Cygnes National#WildlifeRefuge, by Carissa Callison / #USFWS)

Brown Creeper

December 30, 2014

From U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Midwest Region:

These little birds are often spotted scaling the largest trees in the area. Their thin, curved bills help them pick loose bark, where they build hammock-shaped nests.

Photo: Brown creeper courtesy of David Mitchell/Creative Commons.

Energy Department Awards Small Business Contract for Support at the Portsmouth Paducah Project Office

December 30, 2014



Energy Department Awards Small Business Contract for Support at the Portsmouth Paducah Project Office

Gambel's Quail

December 30, 2014

From Joshua Tree National Park:

There have been so many great photos shared with us this year! Here's a Gambel's quail as seen through the lens of Matt Hunter. Thanks for sharing your photo, Matt.

Mountain Chickadee

December 30, 2014

From Yellowstone National Park:

Imagine being a mountain chickadee last night—talk about living on the edge. Chickadees survive frigid nights by going into regulated hypothermia, dropping their body temperature about 20 degrees. This saves 20% of the fat they would otherwise burn. Still, chickadees spend much of each night shivering, which metabolizes most of their body fat. Each day they need to find enough food to replace the fat they burned the night before. Something to think about the next time you hear a chickadee calling dee-dee-dee.

Enjoying the sunshine at Clarence Cannon NWR

December 30, 2014

From Great River and Clarence Cannon National Wildlife Refuges:

Enjoying the sunshine at Clarence Cannon NWR.

BBC - Earth - Eight surprising things you never knew about wolves

December 30, 2014





Wolves can spark intense debate, however a leading wolf scientist says there is more to these impressive canines than you might imagine



BBC - Earth - Eight surprising things you never knew about wolves

How Pheidole Conquered the World

December 30, 2014


From the National Science Foundation (NSF):

How Pheidole conquered the world: About one tenth of the world’s #ants are close relatives, belonging to the genus Pheidole. How did this particular genus -- just one out of 323 in the ant world -- become so widespread? Learn more in this #NSFfunded research from University of Michigan and Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology: http://1.usa.gov/13H70rc 

Photo: An ant on Dudley Bluffs twinpod flowers. Credit: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Recent rains avert NorCal waterfowl die-off | Local News - KCRA Home

December 30, 2014



Recent rains avert NorCal waterfowl die-off | Local News - KCRA Home

Coyote on the Hunt

December 30, 2014

From the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Mountain-Prairie Region:

A coyote on the hunt at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National #WildlifeRefuge in Denver.

Keeping Pets Out of the Wild

From the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Midwest Region:

Regret buying that goldfish? Give him to a friend, not to nature! Learn how you can protect our native species by keeping pets out of the wild: http://bit.ly/1zTAX2X

Photo: Goldfish courtesy of Hans Braxmeier/Creative Commons.

Christmas Bird Count

From the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Mountain-Prairie Region:

The 115th Christmas Bird Count is underway. See how you can help at http://bit.ly/S86yf0

Black-capped Chickadee

From Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge:

What do black-capped chickadees, crows, and squirrels have in common? All are winter residents of Wisconsin and have the neat habit of hiding their food to find again in cold weather. These little birds can find food that they've hidden for up to a month afterwards! That's some memory!

Photo credit: PutneyPics Flickr Creative Commons

FerretCam

From U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Mountain-Prairie Region:

Watch real-time, 24/7 footage of North America's most endangered (and cutest) mammal!http://bit.ly/FerretCam

Wintering Elk

From U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service:

Horses lead the way towards a group of wintering elk on a National Elk Refuge sleigh ride. This is one of the many ways you can enjoy the outdoors this winter on our refuges: http://1.usa.gov/1zrQX9w Do you have any winter outdoor adventures planned? Photo: Lori Iverson / USFWS

Pileated Woodpecker

From Fort Washington Park:

WHOA! Was that a woodpecker?!?!? Check out this great shot of a pileated woodpecker taken by our volunteer Michael Garcia. Pileated woodpeckers are the largest commonly found North American woodpecker and do not migrate in the winter. The bare trees make them easier for you to spot next time you visit the fort.

Red Fox

From U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Midwest Region:

What do you think of my winter coat? Even when buried in snow, foxes stay nice and warm with the help of their big bushy tails and thick coat.

Photo: Red Fox courtesy of Rob Lee/Creative Commons.

Illinois Woodlands 101 Online Workshop

From Illinois Department of Natural Resources Division of Education:

Registration will close at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 8, 2015, for the Illinois Woodlands 101 online ENTICE (Environment and Nature Training Institute for Conservation Education) workshop from the IDNR. The workshop will be conducted from January 12-25, 2015. ENTICE workshops offer training on Illinois-specific topics and supply you with the tools needed to implement the topic into your curriculum immediately. Professional Development Hours are available. For workshop details and to register, visit https://www.enticeworkshops.com/

EM Update | Vol. 6, Issue 12 | December 2014

EM Update | Vol. 6, Issue 12 | December 2014

EPA, Coast Guard Extend Pollution Control Agreement with Royal Caribbean

From EPA:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dec. 23, 2014

EPA, Coast Guard Extend Pollution Control Agreement with Royal Caribbean
New advanced technologies allow industry to comply with emission standards, reduce costs

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Coast Guard authorized formal exemptions by Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines that allow for the enlargement of  the cruise line’s research program to develop and install exhaust gas scrubber systems on its cruise ships. Under the exemption, as articulated in MARPOL, Royal Caribbean will expand the program from six to 19 ships.

This advanced emission control technology will be used in waters surrounding U.S. coasts, known as Emission Control Areas (ECAs). Because emissions from ocean-going vessels can harm air quality on land, the U.S. government requires ships operating within the North American and U.S. Caribbean ECAs to reduce harmful air pollution emissions such as nitrogen oxide, sulfur oxide, and particulate matter. The ECAs were developed by the United States and Canada through an agreement with the International Maritime Organization in order to protect human health and the environment by significantly reducing air pollution from ocean-going vessels. EPA estimates that by 2020 the low sulfur ECA requirements will have prevented as many as 14,000 premature deaths and relieved respiratory symptoms for nearly 5 million people in the United States and Canada.

Royal Caribbean’s research program has developed exhaust gas scrubber technology that has the potential to provide greater emission reductions than would be achieved using only ECA compliant low-sulfur fuel, and at a much lower cost.  Under this research program extension, a total of 19 ships covering a range of vessel sizes and applications will begin using these scrubbers starting in 2015.

These permits provide a temporary relief from the ECA’s fuel sulfur content requirements.  This approach will enable Royal Caribbean to meet its emission requirements through exhaust gas scrubber technology, rather than with engine and fuel system modifications. This trial program will also provide valuable information on developing advanced emissions control technologies for other marine engines. 

For more information on EPA’s strategy to reduce harmful emissions from ocean vessels: http://www.epa.gov/otaq/oceanvessels.htm

For more information on Emission Control Areas: http://www.epa.gov/otaq/oceanvessels.htm#emissioncontrol 

EPA to Hold Public Hearings in California, Texas and Washington, D.C. on Proposed Smog Standards

From EPA:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDec. 23, 2014

EPA to Hold Public Hearings in California, Texas and Washington, D.C. on Proposed Smog Standards

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will hold three public hearings on the proposed updates to the national air quality standards for ground-level ozone, also known as smog. EPA has proposed to strengthen the standards to a level within a range of 65 to 70 parts per billion to better protect Americans’ health and the environment, while taking comment on a level down to 60 ppb. The agency estimates that the benefits of meeting the proposed standards will significantly outweigh the costs, preventing asthma attacks, heart attacks, missed school days and premature deaths, among other health effects.

WHAT: ​Public hearings on proposed updates to national air quality standards for ozone

WHEN: ​Jan. 29 and Feb. 2, 2015. Each hearing will begin at 9 a.m. and continue until 7:30 p.m. local time

WHERE:

Jan. 29: Arlington, Texas
Arlington City Hall
101 W. Abram Street
Arlington, Texas, 76010

Jan. 29: Washington
U.S. EPA
William Jefferson Clinton East building, Room 1153
1301 Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20460

Feb. 2: Sacramento, Calif.
California Air Resources Board
Byron Sher Auditorium
1001 “I” Street
Sacramento, CA 95814

Note: People attending the hearings in Washington and Sacramento will be required to show valid picture identification to enter the buildings. In Washington, an additional form of ID may be required for people with driver’s licenses issued by certain states. See http://www.epa.gov/glo/hearings.html for more information on REAL ID.

The public may register to speak at a specific time at a hearing by contacting Eloise Shepherd at 919-541-5507 or shepherd.eloise@epa.gov. People may also register in person on the day of the hearing. EPA will accept written comments on the proposed standards until March 17, 2015. The agency will issue a final rule by Oct. 1, 2015.

More information on the proposal and instructions for submitting written comments: http://www.epa.gov/glo/actions.html

R307

Smart Mountain Bluebird

December 29, 2014

From U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Mountain-Prairie Region:

That is one smart mountain bluebird! #USFWS(Seedskadee National #WildlifeRefuge in #Wyoming)

Homes Built on Toxic Site Despite EPA Warnings - YouTube

Thousands of pages of documents show federal regulators knew as early as 1991 that a North Carolina site potentially threatened the surrounding community's water and air, but failed to order a cleanup or warn nearby residents of the dangers. (Dec. 29)


Video (2:50)



Homes Built on Toxic Site Despite EPA Warnings - YouTube

New York City may ban Styrofoam cups - Dec. 27, 2014

New York City could soon become the biggest U.S. metropolis to outlaw Styrofoam food and beverage containers.

Currently, most Styrofoam products used in the city end up in landfills.

New York City may ban Styrofoam cups - Dec. 27, 2014

Piping Plover

From U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service:

Does a national wildlife refuge near you provide habitat for endangered or threatened species? Find out:http://1.usa.gov/1xsIubi Photo: Piping Plover by Kaiti Titherington/USFWS

Northern Pike

From U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Mountain-Prairie Region:

Duane Biewer landed this 41½" northern pike at Upper Souris National #WildlifeRefuge. Wowza!! #USFWS

Roseate Spoonbill

From USFWS National Wildlife Refuge System:

Nature’s a dazzler. A roseate spoonbill performs a graceful air ballet at J.N. “Ding” Darling Refuge, FL.http://1.usa.gov/1Es6ONy Photo: Montari Massimo,"Ding" Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the RefugeJ.N. “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society

Barn Owl

From U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Mountain-Prairie Region:

Barn owls' heart-shaped faces are designed to collect sound. Their hearing is the best of any animal ever tested!

The Savannah Harbor Expansion Project and the Savannah River - A Wrap-Up | Article | The United States Army

Editor's note: Beginning in July 2013 this blog has posted a series of stories on the environmental monitoring of the Savannah River as part of the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project (SHEP). The monitoring program continues and some will be expanded and continued into the future. This article encapsulates the information presented in this blog over the past 18 months.


The Savannah Harbor Expansion Project and the Savannah River - A Wrap-Up | Article | The United States Army

Yaupon Holly (Ilex vomitoria)

From Timucuan Ecological & Historic Preserve:

Yaupon Holly (Ilex vomitoria) offers cheery seasonal beauty with its translucent red berries and small shiny leaves. Its leaves were used for centuries pre-contact by indigenous people to brew a very strong, highly caffeinated ceremonial tea, the famed Black Drink. The Black Drink was sometimes used to induce vomiting.

Sharp-shinned Hawk

From U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Midwest Region:

The sharp-shinned hawk is the smallest hawk in the country. They will sometimes even visit feeders in the winter!

Photo: Sharp-shinned hawk courtesy of Rick Leche/Creative Commons.

Something Must Be Pretty Funny!

From BLM Wild Horse and Burro Program:

On the 25th Day of December my true love gave to me...wishes??

Here's to you & yours....Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!!! #BLMWHB

photo credit: Ann Bond

Wishing you joy in nature and skies full of birds, today and always.

From USFWS_Migratory Birds:

Sandhill Cranes and Pintail Ducks

From USFWS National Wildlife Refuge System:

Merry Christmas! Sandhill cranes and pintail ducks are bathed in golden light at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico,http://1.usa.gov/1uFEjoQ 
Photo: Tom Barnwell

Larry

From U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Mountain-Prairie Region:

Meet Larry, the newest #endangered black-footed ferret we've reintroduced into the wild. Be free, Larry!#USFWS

Getting into the Yuletide Spirit

From U.S. Department of the Interior:

Looks like the reindeer are getting ready for the big ride tonight!

Photo from Bering Land Bridge National Preserve by Katie Dunbar/NPS — at Alaska National Parks.

Nuthatch

From U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Midwest Region:

It’s common for a nuthatch to store food for later in the winter. If you see one making very frequent trips to your feeder, you know what it’s up to!

Photo: White-breasted nuthatch courtesy of David Mitchell/Creative Commons.

Caribou

From USFWS National Wildlife Refuge System:

“Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer…” Wait. Rudolphine? Both male and female caribou grow antlers. But only females keep theirs til Christmas. Caribou -- reindeer cousins -- are the most numerous large mammals in Arctic Refuge, http://1.usa.gov/1wDcLlA
They’re also at Togiak Refuge: http://1.usa.gov/1A1ltLx 
Photo: Erwin and Peggy Bauer

Flammulated Owl

From the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service:

Happy Owl-idays! Wishing you owl the best!

Photo of a flammulated owl by Dave Menke/ USFWS

Rainbow Trout

From the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Mountain-Prairie Region:

Merry Fishmas from this rainbow trout in the Green River at Seedskadee National #WildlifeRefuge!#USFWS

Ecosystem restoration near downtown Dallas -

From U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Headquarters:

Ecosystem restoration near downtown Dallas -
Construction began this month on the Upper Chain of Wetlands, revealing a glimpse of the Dallas skyline. This new wetlands complex, in combination with the completed Lower Chain of Wetlands just downstream, will help lower Trinity River flood elevations while creating new quality wildlife habitat in the city’s urban core. It is part of the Fort Worth District’s Dallas Floodway Extension Project, now 10 years into the construction phase. The view here is of Wetland Cell B, just downstream from the Martin Luther King Jr./Cedar Crest Bridge. It gives a preliminary look at what the ultimate viewshed of downtown might look like when construction is completed. Prominent in the skyline is the 72-story Bank of America Plaza, 901 Main Street, and just to its right is the 56-story Renaissance Tower, 1201 Elm Street – about three miles from where this photo was taken. The ecosystem restoration will create three wetland ponds surrounded by grasslands – all propagated with native Texas aquatic and upland plants.

Preparing a holiday feast? Serve up the taste of organics

From USDA:

Posted by Scott Elliott, National Institute of Food and Agriculture, on December 23, 2014 at 2:15 PM

Load up your holiday table with nature’s organic bounty. (iStock image)

This post is part of the Science Tuesday feature series on the USDA blog. Check back each week as we showcase stories and news from USDA’s rich science and research portfolio. 

Nature presents unparalleled bounty, so why not go back to basics and serve an organic holiday feast?

Organics is the fastest-growing portion of the agriculture industry, growing from about $1 billion in 1990 to more than $35 billion today.  USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) has supported organic producers with more than $22 million since 2008 by funding research and extension projects on high-priority issues.  Those projects have helped make delicious organic products available to you for a healthful, organic holiday menu.

 Examples of NIFA support can found all around the dinner table, including the centerpiece for many: the roasting hen.  NIFA provided a grant of $1.2 million to researchers from the Agricultural Research Service in Fayetteville, Arkansas, who have been working to ensure your holiday bird was healthy and is safe for you to eat.  In addition, NIFA granted nearly $900,000 to researchers at Ohio State University who are finding more efficient ways for organic producers to raise their chickens. 

Milk and its products are wholesome in their own right, but they are also ingredients to many other dishes, from dips to casseroles, soups, and desserts.  NIFA’s support of the organic dairy industry includes a $2.8 million grant to researchers from the University of New Hampshire to enhance the nutritional quality of milk, evaluate feed supplements, and provide training to organic dairy farmers in a 5-state region. 

Other menu items that represent NIFA’s commitment to organic agriculture include more than $9.2 million to support various projects with leafy green vegetables, carrots, cucumbers, and tomatoes; $2.9 million to support organic blueberries and blackberries; $1.3 million for wheat projects; and more than $500,000 each for apples, potatoes, and pecans. 

Finding ingredients at the store should not be too difficult, since most producers of organic products proudly display that on their labels – but, there are different levels of “organic-ness” and it’s important that consumers understand what the represent. 

Specific information on USDA requirements for organic labeling is available in several locations, including consumer information from USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service.  But, in general, there are four categories: 

• 100% Organic – All ingredients, include processing aids, must be certified organic.  May display the USDA organic seal.
• Organic – All ingredients must be certified organic, except where listed on the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances, and those ingredients are limited to a combined 5 percent of non-organic content.  May display the USDA organic seal.
• “Made With” Organic – At least 70 percent of the product must be certified organic.  These products may NOT display the USDA organic seal or represent the finished product as organic.
• Specific Organic Ingredients – Multi-ingredient products with less than 70 percent certified organic, but provide a list of its organic ingredients and their amounts.  These products may NOT display the USDA organic seal or the word “organic” on the label’s principle display panel.

Why not celebrate nature’s bounty by including certified organic produce, meats, beverages, and grains in your holiday festivities? 

Through federal funding and leadership for research, education, and extension programs, NIFA focuses on investing in science and solving critical issues impacting people’s daily lives and the nation’s future. For more information, visit www.nifa.usda.gov.

USDA Helps a Texas Rancher Reach His Dream of Operating a Successful Ranch

From USDA:

Posted by Dee Ann Littlefield, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Texas, on December 23, 2014 at 2:02 PM

Rickie Roddy (left) of McLennan County Texas has worked closely with the Natural Resources Conservation Service on a conservation plan on conservation practices ranging from pasture planting to establishing water sources for his cattle herd. NRCS photo by Clete Vanderburg.

One central Texas rancher is fulfilling a childhood dream. Rickie Roddy bought his first cow when he was 14 years old. By the time he was 19, he had grown his herd to 13 head of cattle. 

“I have always been fascinated by cattle,” Roddy said. “I didn’t know if I was ever going to be able to have any land, but I wanted to be a rancher since I was a little kid.”

Roddy grew up on two acres his parents owned near Waco, Texas, but that didn’t stop Roddy from raising cattle. He would talk people into letting him graze empty lots and also lease small tracts of land for his cows. 

As a young man, Roddy married and bought a house with 13 acres in McLennan County. He slowly bought neighboring acreage as it became available. Today, he owns more than 300 acres where he runs his herd of 40 cows that are a cross between Angus and Hereford. 

Recently, Roddy was looking for some expert advice on how to improve the production of forage, or food, on his ranch. This led him to a nearby office of USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, (NRCS). 

“I had heard people talk about the NRCS before and the type of assistance they could offer landowners,” Roddy said. 

Working alongside Jeff Brister, NRCS soil conservationist, Roddy developed a conservation plan to serve as a roadmap toward accomplishing his goals. When Roddy walked into the NRCS office, he was thinking they might look at clearing some brush clearing and planting grass. A couple site visits later, Roddy had developed an aggressive improvement plan that included pasture planting to improve forage diversity and density, cross fencing for rotational grazing, brush management, along with developing water sources for the herd. 

To help meet his goals, Roddy learned he was also eligible for financial assistance through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program. The funding came through USDA’s StrikeForce for Rural Growth and Opportunity, an initiative to focus high-priority assistance in rural communities in 20 states, including Texas, with a special emphasis on historically underserved farmers, ranchers and communities in counties with persistent poverty. McLennan County is one of 96 counties in Texas that are part of the initiative. 

With the funding assistance, Roddy will be able to fulfill all his conservation plans for his land. Roddy said everything on the land was old and worn out when he bought it. He has a full time job, but works on his ranch on evenings and weekends repairing fences and barns and clearing out old junk. His kids, ages 21, 12 and 8 enjoy helping every chance they get.

“These land improvements that NRCS is helping me with are really going to make the place look nice and help me achieve my stocking rate goals,” Roddy said.

“My dream is becoming a reality, and that’s a pretty neat thing,” he added. “It makes me feel good to think this is a legacy I can leave for my kids someday.”