Defenders of Wildlife Blog

Manatee Awareness Month is underway! And this week, the gentle giants begin their annual migration to warmer waters, where they’ll spend the winter months. Highly sensitive to cold, these marine mammals head for the heat once the thermometer drops below 50 degrees (68 degrees below the surface).

Florida manatees aren’t the only ones enjoying the south seas, and fast-moving boats continue to be a major threat to these endangered animals. 2010 was a deadly year for manatees, with a total of 83 killed in collisions with watercraft. This year promises to be equally unlucky, and by November 4, at least 77 of the animals had met a similar fate.

Fortunately, with manatee season comes safety measures. From now until March 31, when manatees return to their summer habitat, wintering hot spots such as those in Kings Bay, Florida (popular due to its naturally occurring warm water springs) are designated “manatee sanctuaries.” In these areas, many waterborne activities are prohibited, making them safer for the hundreds of manatees gathering there. Soon, these much-needed protections may get a boost — a rule being considered by the Fish and Wildlife Service would allow for national wildlife refuge managers to increase the size of the protected areas to accommodate manatees if need be, and make all of Kings Bay a manatee refuge.

To kick off manatee season, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and others are hosting a public open house at Three Sisters Springs this Saturday. Three Sisters is one of seven manatee sanctuaries in Kings Bay, and the only place in the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge to view manatees from the land. Participants will have the chance to watch gathering manatees from the new boardwalk while hearing about what the future holds for Three Sisters Springs. (For Floridians looking for more information about the event, contact Ivan Vicente, US Fish and Wildlife Service, at 352-563-2088, ext. 211.)

In the meantime, there are lots of ways to reduce the risk of collisions with manatees. Boaters and personal watercraft operators should scan the water near or in front of their vessels and look for the signs that manatees are close by, including swirls resembling a large footprint, a repetitive line of half-moon swirls, a mud trail, or a snout or tail breaking the water’s surface. Remember to keep vessels in marked channels and wear polarized sunglasses for better viewing. Most importantly, always obey posted boat speed zones. Moving slow gives boaters and manatees alike more time to avoid one another, and may save one of these slow-moving mammal’s lives.

Learn more:

See manatees moving gracefully through their watery home! Watch video footage provided by our friends at the Save the Manatee Club.

Get more information about the proposed rules in Kings Bay and what they mean for manatees.

This blog post is a joint collaboration by Defenders of Wildlife, Friends of the Sea Otter, The Humane Society of the United States, and the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

A coalition of organizations welcomed news that California’s struggling sea otters may soon get a big boost thanks to a draft plan released by federal wildlife officials today. The plan would end a controversial “no-otter” zone on the California coast and allow the marine mammals to re-colonize their traditional habitat.

California sea otters are protected as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). In 1986, The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) implemented a translocation program that removed otters from the shoreline of Southern California and relocated them to San Nicolas Island, with the hope of establishing a second viable population that would protect the species in the event of any environmental disaster. At the same time, FWS implemented a “no-otter” zone south of Point Conception in which otters would be removed and transported back north of the zone’s boundary.

Translocation failed to promote otter recovery, and FWS subsequently determined that enforcement of the “no-otter” zone violates the ESA by jeopardizing the species’ recovery due to harm to the species during transport. FWS has long recognized that natural range expansion is necessary to achieve species recovery for the California sea otter.

For the next 60 days, FWS is soliciting public input on the proposal before making a final decision. Conservation groups that have been focused on efforts to aid the otter’s recovery were quick to commend FWS’ proposal to end the translocation program and allow for the species’ natural range expansion.

Defenders of Wildlife, Friends of the Sea Otter, The Humane Society of the United States, and the Monterey Bay Aquarium, issued the following statement:

“Today is a good day for California sea otters. We support an end to the ineffective and harmful translocation program and “no-otter” management zone. For sea otters to have a real shot at recovery, they must be allowed to return to their historic range off the coast of Southern California. If sea otters thrive again throughout their historic range, the entire marine ecosystem will benefit.”

How you can help:

The Fish and Wildlife Service is scheduled to open its 60-day comment period in the next week or so. We will provide a link on our www.saveseaotters.org web page when it’s available so you can let the FWS know that you want the no-otter zone gone!

A weekly homage to endangered species, large and small.

Tulotoma snails have made an outstanding recovery.

TULOTOMA SNAIL (Tulotoma Magnifica)

We interrupt our regularly scheduled programming this week to celebrate a big success story for a very small animal. Last week, Reuters reported that the Fish and Wildlife Service downlisted the Tulotoma snail from “endangered” to “threatened”. It is the first mollusk (a large phylum that includes clams and squids) ever to be removed from the federal Endangered Species List because of rebounding populations.

The Tulotoma snail is native to the Coosa and Alabama rivers where it was once thought to be extinct. In 1991, a small group of snails were found along a leaking dam in the Alabama River and the FWS placed the tiny gastropods (the class that includes snails and slugs) on the federal endangered species list.

Dams built along Alabama’s rivers have caused big environmental troubles. They prevent water flow necessary for carrying oxygen to underwater organisms. Due in part to these dams, Alabama is among the leaders in extinctions. According to the Reuters article, biologists say that some 59 species of state-native mollusks and fish are now extinct.

However, with the help of a dedicated conservation community, federal regulation, and the resilience of these little critters, the Tulotoma snail has escaped the fate of its many predecessors and been restored to about ten percent of its historic range—a dramatic increase from the one percent it previously occupied in 1991.

A big part of the recovery is attributed to the Clean Water act which implemented pollution control programs and set standards for industrial development. At the request of federal officials, the Alabama Power Company (which constructed dams in the snails’ habitat) began releasing steady flows of oxygenated water into the Coosa River which also helped spur the rebounding population.

WHAT GOOD ARE THEY?

It’s a good thing that the snails have returned. These 2-inch long mollusks with elegant swirls and polished shells do much more than decorate dams and river banks. The Tulotoma snail plays a huge role in cleaning up the environment. They are filter feeders that remove bacteria and algae from the surface waters. With all the pollutants that enter the rivers from natural and man-made waste, the water would be far more mucky and grimy without the snail and other species that sanitize these streams.

Additionally, the snail is an important food source for ducks, turtles, fish and other animals. Without the snails, these animals might leave the river in search of other food sources causing a further decline in the area’s biodiversity.

Thankfully, the slow snails are on a fast track to recovery. Although they’ve now been downlisted, the FWS says that many protections for the snail will remain. Threats such as chemical spills, population isolation and even simple changes in water quality must still be monitored. However, this success story should be a shining example of what local communities, government, and businesses can accomplish when dedicated to the goal of conservation.

A wood duck's brightly colored plumage makes it easy to spot.

Tualatin means “lazy river” to the Atfalati, an American Indian tribe that flourished along the river’s bank in northern Oregon until the mid-1800s. But the apt name also seems to jive with modern-day Portland’s hippie vibe.

Today, the Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge, situated some 15 miles away from the city’s hustle and bustle, offers downtown urbanites a chance to chillax and enjoy nature.

The 2,000-acre refuge also provides a much needed respite for many a feathered friend journeying along the Pacific flyway from Patagonia in South America to Alaska. Large flocks of Canada geese, northern pintails and mallards can be observed feeding. While some birds take a quick pit stop here, others stay on the refuge to nest in the mix of forest, grassland and wetland habitats.

What to Do

At the new Wildlife Center, visitors can learn about the region’s rich history. The center has indoor and outdoor viewing areas, a nonprofit nature store, and plenty of exhibits to discover more about the lands and animals.

Wildlife here comes and goes with the seasons. In spring, yellowthroats and other songbirds serenade in chorus. In summer, breeding wood ducks make homes in hollow trees and logs near the water. Then, during fall and winter when the river overflows into the grasslands, several new plants and animals arrive. Bald eagles become regular visitors feeding on the abundance of small waterfowl and rodents. And rarer critters, such as the Peregrine falcon and the western pond turtle, can also be spotted on the refuge.

Hiking trails meander along breathtaking views of the refuge.

Deer, beaver, coyote and playful river otters are also a common sight.

Photographers can take great landscape shots from elevated parking areas, and there are plenty of overlooks along the trails to capture wildlife in action. Be sure to check out the information kiosk before hiking to learn about which animals to watch for. And don’t forget to  bring binoculars along.

For the community and the Fish and Wildlife Service, restoring and protecting the native habitats and fish and wildlife along the river basin is the refuge’s primary purpose. To prevent disturbing these creatures, biking is prohibited along the trails.

The refuge is accessible by Tri-Met bus route 12 which drops visitors off right at the main entrance.

With so much to see and learn, we doubt that you’ll feel all that lazy on your visit here. So take some time to answer the call of nature and TAKE REFUGE at the Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge in Sherwood, Oregon.

For those of you who missed watching Defenders’ future leader, Executive Vice President Jamie Rappaport Clark, speak at the Conserving the Future conference last week on what’s ahead for national wildlife refuges, we’re posting her insightful speech, here, today.

Jamie, once the director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service during the Clinton administration, charts a bold vision for the future of the National Wildlife Refuge System: “We must better protect America’s wildlife from new and worsening environmental threats, continuing our efforts on conserving ‘trust resources,’ but also by broadening our efforts to identify and conserve those species, habitats and ecological processes that best indicate and contribute to the ecological health and integrity of the refuge system.”

Read the rest below.

National Wildlife Refuge System – Conserving the Future Conference

The Colusa National Wildlife Refuge, California.

Good afternoon. I am so delighted to be here among so many friends and former colleagues. It feels a lot like coming home. National wildlife refuges hold such a special place in my heart. My husband Jim and I were married almost 22 years ago off the coast of Texas, on Matagorda Island where he was the refuge manager. I learned a lot about the system being married to a refuge employee… his fondest memories of his time as a Service employee were his years overseeing the Refuge Training Academy and witnessing firsthand the commitment and passion of the many folks so dedicated to protecting these special lands. As some of you know, both he and my son, Carson are nature photographers, and Blackwater, Chincoteague and Canaan Valley are some of their favorite destinations for shoots near our home. Sometimes, if I promise to be patient and quiet, they even let me trail along with them.

I have visited dozens of refuges over the years, for both business and pleasure. I often find myself reflecting on many of those visits while working in my office in D.C.… a good bit of my conservation career highlights seem to be rooted in those memories… releasing black footed ferrets on Charles M. Russell; watching baby sea turtles erupt out of the sand and scurry to the water at Archie Carr; reflecting on refuge history at Pelican Island as we began to prepare for the System’s centennial anniversary; observing huge flocks of sandhill cranes descend on the flats at Bosque del Apache; hiking over the rise and being overwhelmed at the wallows of walrus on the shore at Togiak; experiencing sensory overload birding at Rio Grande and canoeing the quiet dark waters of Okefenokee with my good friend, Sam Hamilton.

We must conserve wildlife on their terms, engaging the whole ecological neighborhood in refuge planning efforts so that species are protected throughout their ranges, not just inside refuge boundaries.

These memories were all made possible not only because of the refuges themselves, but because of the many people, from the hard working and dedicated refuge staff and volunteers to the partners and friends, that keep the refuges going day to day and provide the experiences of a lifetime.

A rare red wolf at the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, North Carolina.

National wildlife refuges have truly played a critical role in the conservation of wildlife and wild places. But they also play a key role for people. As our country becomes more and more urbanized, refuges become even more important… providing a unique experience for so many, both young and old, who might not otherwise have the opportunity to enjoy splashing in the ocean, catching a fish, hiking and birding along trails teeming with wildlife, or kayaking through silent waters. Not only do refuges provide these experiences, but they teach all of us a respect for nature and the true sense of stewardship.

Conservation is becoming increasingly more complex in this warming world. And refuges, as true jewels and anchors of biological diversity, will provide some of the best opportunities for wildlife to survive and thrive in this changing world.

Defenders of Wildlife has been a friend to the refuge system for decades. We have consistently advocated for funding, for expansion of refuges and for recognition of their importance for conservation. I am particularly happy to be here today to continue that support and to cheer on the effort.

I remember well our time in Keystone back in 1998, which was the first large gathering of Refuge System managers and colleagues in history. While some thought it was a risky endeavor to gather that many people to discuss the future of the National Wildlife Refuge System, there was no denying the excitement, passion and electricity as the meeting got underway.

A blue heron.

I was confident then that the decision to assemble a group of folks who loved the land so much was absolutely the right thing to do. There were so many ties that bound that group together… organizational program identities just melted away. We were one Service, one conservation community, working together to conserve and protect our special places set aside for wildlife. I feel that same sense of excitement and commitment here this week in Madison.

As we move forward, let’s not retrace our steps since Keystone, but instead build upon them with new ideas that lead to bold conservation actions on every refuge. The National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act has the strongest stewardship responsibilities of any land management statute today. We must hold the line as we look towards the future.

First and foremost, we must continue to put wildlife first and conserve biodiversity in America’s most significant ecosystems, reaching out across generations, cultures and institutional boundaries for help and support. As we step from vision to practice we must ensure that refuges have the appropriate policies in place to ensure that wildlife continue to take first priority in the face of mounting conservation pressures.

An elk herd.

We must better protect America’s wildlife from new and worsening environmental threats, continuing our efforts on conserving “trust resources,” but also by broadening our efforts to identify and conserve those species, habitats and ecological processes that best indicate and contribute to the ecological health and integrity of the refuge system.

We must ensure that refuges remain anchors of biodiversity, articulating a clear strategy for land acquisition that will allow wildlife to navigate through a warming world and the refuge system to adapt and remain relevant in conservation for generations to come.

We must reach out to a wider, more urban, and more diverse audience to help repair the American public’s growing detachment from the natural world and reinvigorate the public’s commitment to protecting it.

We have an important job to do in Madison this week, but that job doesn’t end here. Whether we are refuge managers or maintenance workers, budget analysts or human resource specialists, friends, volunteers or partners – each one of us has a critical role to play in transforming our shared vision into reality. I am confident that we will succeed and am eager to be a partner in that success.

I can think of no one who can help urge us on more than our next speaker. Lynn Greenwalt is a great friend of mine and has been with the refuge system every step of the way. I particularly remember his timeless words as he spoke at Keystone:

“And it is your obligation to… move forward… in a way that does not denigrate, dilute, or diminish in the slightest degree that which came before you. Because many thousands of men and women gave their careers, and some even gave their lives, for what you are working towards… Saving dirt.”

An eastern painted turtle clings to a floating log.

When you think of New York, you may think of Broadway, bright lights, busy streets and expensive living. But far from the big city, you can find a striking example of New York’s iconic natural beauty. The Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge–often called one of western New York’s best kept secrets—sits midway between Rochester and Buffalo along the Oak Orchard Creek.

The 10,828 acres of wetlands, forest and grasslands was originally called the Oak Orchard National Wildlife Refuge. However, the state of New York managed adjacent property known as the Oak Orchard Wildlife Management area. To avoid confusion, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) renamed the wildlife refuge “Iroquois” for the Native Americans who once inhabited the area.

The refuge is located along the important Atlantic flyway. Many birds travel this route to move between their nesting grounds and their winter homes. A variety of waterfowl, shorebirds, warblers and sparrows are among the more than 260 bird species documented on the refuge.

In 1986, two bald eagles took up residence in the refuge. The birds were relocated from Alaska in attempts by the state and FWS to restore New York’s eagle population. Today, several nesting eagles live in the refuge. The return of the eagle is a triumph for the natural environments of the state and the country. Other birds of prey include the red-tailed hawk and the American kestrel, which are both common sights.

Webcam catches nesting eagles guarding their eggs.

What to Do

Photographers and nature observers can find great viewing spots along nature trails and overlooks. Hiking, fishing, skiing and snow shoeing are also popular activities.

Kayaking and canoeing are permitted (no motorized boats allowed) and offer closer looks at wildlife around Oak Orchard Creek. Beavers, turtles, mink and red fox can be seen along the river edge.

If you need to borrow a pair of binoculars, head over to the refuge headquarters. Here you can grab brochures, view display panels and talk with personnel to find out where you should start exploring.

The refuge hosts several special events throughout the year, including guided tours and bird watching days hosted in partnership with the Buffalo Audubon Society. Through a continued partnership with Canisius College, visiting groups can team with specially trained college students who guide them through a day of wildlife observation.

So while skyscrapers are still stunning sightings, you should find a little time to ditch the big city for some truly awe-inspiring scenery and TAKE REFUGE at the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge in the towns of Alabama and Shelby, New York.

And don’t forget:  If there’s a refuge you want us to spotlight, comment on this post, and we’ll do our best to answer your questions or feature your refuge, here, on our blog.