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U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service - Midwest
The monarch super generation
It's mid-August, the start of fall migration. Adult monarchs are partway through their lifecycle, but their reproduction is on hold. These monarchs are different from their parents, grandparents and great grandparents. Previous generations completed their life cycle in four weeks. Each of these generations migrated north, resulting in four generations this summer. But these butterflies are members of the generation that migrates south, often called the monarch ‘super generation.’
The Big Muddy comes home
After more than two decades, Big Muddy National Fish and Wildlife Refuge in Missouri has a place to call home on the bluffs above the Missouri River floodplain. Staff and supporters from the local community celebrated the grand opening of the new refuge headquarters and visitor contact station on August 3, 2017 and enthusiasm ran high. This event marked the completion of the largest Maintenance Action Team project in the history of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service!
Postal Service “Protects Pollinators”
On August 3, the United States Postal Service celebrated pollinators by issuing a set of five forever stamps with the theme Protect Pollinators at the American Philatelic Society Stamp Show in Richmond, Virginia. More than 200 people attended the ceremony to learn about the importance of pollinators and how they can help conserve monarchs.
Celebrating 70 years of birding, fishing and camping in Illinois
Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge in Illinois is celebrating its 70th birthday! While all of America’s national wildlife refuges have special aspects, this refuge really stands out for its diverse mission and focus. Established on August 5, 1947 in southern Illinois, this 44,000 acre national wildlife refuge is the only one in the Midwest that has congressionally mandated purposes outside of the traditional focus of wildlife conservation and recreation.
Old Man Plover’s legacy lives on
He was a legend, at least in terms of piping plovers. After tens of thousands of miles migrating between Michigan and South Carolina, 15 breeding seasons and raising 36 chicks, BO:X,g, also known as Old Man Plover, finally disappeared this season. It was inevitable; the Old Man likely finally fell to one of the many plover predators. But when he disappeared, the wheels of the Great Lakes Piping Plover recovery effort kicked into high gear. Monitors at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore alerted the Service that BO:X,g’s nest may have been abandoned.
Old Man Plover’s legacy lives on
He was a legend, at least in terms of piping plovers. After tens of thousands of miles migrating between Michigan and South Carolina, 15 breeding seasons and raising 36 chicks, BO:X,g, also known as Old Man Plover, finally disappeared this season. It was inevitable; the Old Man likely finally fell to one of the many plover predators. But when he disappeared, the wheels of the Great Lakes Piping Plover recovery effort kicked into high gear. Monitors at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore alerted the Service that BO:X,g’s nest may have been abandoned.
Heroes on the mighty Mississippi River
What is a hero? Ask any of the federal wildlife officers who work on national wildlife refuge lands across the country if they are heroes and they’re probably going to blush and look a bit uncomfortable. If heroes are people who repeatedly put themselves in harm's way to protect others, that’s exactly what they are.
Calling all road-trippers looking for adventure!
Before you pack up the car and hit the road this summer, consider adding one more destination to your journey. With scenic overlooks, walking trails and live animals on site, 2017 is the summer the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service invites you to discover your national fish hatcheries. Ready for an adventure? Many hatcheries sit tucked away in rural areas or small towns. Here in the Midwest we have six national fish hatcheries. For the thrifty traveler, you should know that all hatcheries are free!
Building relationships, building community: Detroit welcomes Sigma Beta Club
When you hear the word refuge, what does it mean to you? It’s a simple question, but one which can elicit a variety of responses depending on your perceptive. For us, refuges are biologically diverse places for fish, wildlife, and people. They are places to have fun, places to be happy. The question came up recently as more than 200 Sigma Beta Club youth and their mentors came out to spend a day with us at Historic Fort Wayne in Detroit, Michigan.
Don’t touch these plants! Six lookalikes you want to avoid
It can be difficult to determine whether you’re looking at hogweed, hemlock, parsnip or lace, but all of these plants have several things in common. Contact can cause unpleasant, potentially deadly, reactions. Most of these plants are invasive and easily grow in ditches and disturbed soils across the country. Get familiar with these species and remember to keep your distance!
Service provides $1 million to states to combat bat-killing fungal disease
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced over $1 million in grants to 37 states and the District of Columbia to help combat white-nose syndrome, a fungal disease that has killed millions of North American bats in recent years. Funds will help states find ways to prevent the spread of WNS while increasing survival rates of afflicted species.
