Habitat Mitigation Case Study

Environmental Protection Agency recognizes the Chesapeake Bay as a damaged ecological community in which millions were spent on research in efforts to save and restore this national treasure and few developments have been proven to be successful, “these actions included upgrading sewage treatment plants, controlling urban runoff, controlling manure and fertilizer runoff, reducing soil erosion, issuing stricter discharge permits, and banning the use of phosphorous detergents.” (Atkins & Anderson, 2003). In partnership, the Chesapeake Bay Program has also made progress in restoring and protecting the Chesapeake Bay. Its efforts include reducing pollution, restoring habitats, managing fisheries, protecting watersheds and fostering stewardship. This program has also set goals in relation to “wetlands, submerged grasses, nutrient reduction, toxins, sustainable development, and citizen involvement.” (Atkins & Anderson, 2003).

In another report by Kessler et al., (2013) the possibility of analyzing a variety of restoration methods will help to determine a cost effective plan. This means that the restoration of roosting and feeding grounds for the sandhill cranes can be achieved if numerous methods are first explored. In addition to exploring a variety of restoration methods the combination of public agencies and private individuals will promote restoration and conservation efforts. A restoration project along the Dolores River in southwestern Colorado and eastern Utah that combined the public and private sectors created a program that could share ideas, finances, and other vital planning decisions (Oppenheimer et al.,

To make sure we are hitting these target groups, we will do several different types of surveys including mail-in, face-to-face, phone and web surveys. Though having so many platforms for these surveys can be costly, it will allow the Department to reach a broader audience across the state. The surveys will help to show deer hunters and the general public that Conservation is committed to helping slow the spread of CWD. The key message for the campaign will be spread through word-of-mouth, radio spots and news releases. To help disseminate this message a CWD media taskforce will be created, whose main goal is to spread the

: CORRECT Agricultural practices improve wildlife habitats and lead to increased species populations in farming communities.

Within the Endangered Species Act, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service helps watch over and investigate the health of different species. Then, local and national scientist collects data to determine if a species gets put on the Endangered Species list. The main factor to determine the endangerment of a species is if a large percentage of the species’ habitat has been destroyed. Next, note if the animal’s population has been excessively decreasing, threatened by disease, or any terrorized by any predators. Also, record any man-made

The United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is the primary agency that works to conserve, protect, and enhance the nation's fish and wildlife by providing sustainable healthy environments for future generations. It is through these three basic principles of ‘conserve, protect and enhance’ the USFWS is able to bring programs that both directly affect the health and well-being of migratory birds, fish and endangered species. In most cases it is through habitat protection that enables the USFWS to carry out these three principles. The Small Wetlands Program (SWP) is one such program that the USFWS utilizes to maintain the health of migratory birds in the United States.

Lost species affect the environment negatively and can disrupt ecosystems. Since the 1940s, many conservation efforts have been successful in helping the whooping crane population increase. By failing to ensure that whooping crane habitats have enough food in their winter habitat, the positive effects of conservation have been set back. The State of Texas breached the Migratory Bird Treaty and is liable for the deaths of whooping cranes. Given the outcome of the lawsuit, this situation could happen again in the future. As Canadian citizens, it’s extremely difficult to impact foreign legal decisions, but we can lobby our own government and legislators to encourage more participation in future international issues like this. We can also work with environmental organizations to work towards common goals for the benefit of the environment. We know that habitats must be properly protected and maintained by all parties involved to help not only the whooping crane, but other species as well, recover their population and thrive. Even just on our own as concerned citizens, we can raise awareness about the whooping crane. Although it might not seem like much, the effort that citizens put in can make a huge difference in the health of our endangered

For this week’s forum, after searching for “wetlands restoration,” I found a local wetlands restoration project that was completed in November 2011 and encompassed an area of 150 acres. The San Dieguito Wetland Restoration Project included the coastal area of San Dieguito Lagoon and the San Dieguito River Park – estuarine and riverine wetland systems, respectively - which serve an important role in the local ecology. They provide a stop for birds along the Pacific Flyway, nesting and foraging areas for endangered species and serve as a fish hatchery.

In the past, I spent a summer researching the effects of climate change on small mammals under the mentorship of a college professor, and greatly enjoyed the experience. However, participation at the National Wildlife Refuge will foster a myriad of different skills. For instance, I will learn how to identify and handle different species like reptiles and amphibians, control the growth of invasive plants, test water quality, build fences or other structures, and interact with visiting groups. These activities, none of which I hold experience with, will provide me with insight into my consideration of working at a national wildlife refuge after graduating from Notre

In 2012 and 2013 Klamath County on the Southern Oregon border declared a drought in April, after a string of fortunate years of heavy rain and snow. In 2014, a drought emergency was declared in February, two months earlier than in 2013, and in 2015 drought was again declared for the county in April( United State Geological Survey 2015). These successive drought declarations are not surprising to anyone who was following the Western water crisis during those years, where the governor of California declared a state of emergency and urban Californians were mandated to find ways to cut their water consumption drastically . In 2012, 10,000 avian mortalities were reported in the Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuges because of the shut off of water facilities that support wetland habitat for migratory species (Learn 2012.) During those dry years, an article titled Birds are Dying As Drought Ravages Avian Highways ran in National Geographic, featuring Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge and putting the struggle of its bird species in a regional context, as long distance flyers found fewer and fewer refuges with the water resources to maintain them( Kay 2015). It was these shocking statistics that first attracted me, as a birder, to the basin as an area of study. However, as I began to wade into the history of the basin and its complicated local politics, I soon realized that I could not disentangle the issues experienced by wildlife and wildlife managers in the

Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), the crowned jewel of the nation’s 544 refuges is in danger of destruction (Lamar and Markey 12). ANWR has been in existence since 1960 and has slowly become one of the most controversial topics to hit Congress. ANWR is composed of 19 million acres on the northeast coast of Alaska. Although the government has been provided with this immense land they are fighting to gain more land. Why? ANWR is the second biggest oil field that is owned by the U.S. Now the government wants more land to construct oil reserves. The refuge is home to many endangered species such as migratory birds, polar bears, and wolves (Lynne and Roberts 1). Most of ANWR’s designated oil area is owned by indigenous Alaskan

"ARTIC NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE  PART OF THE SOLUTION. " US Fed News Service, Including US State News [Washington, D.C.] 30 May 2006, Research Library. ProQuest. 15 Nov. 2007 <

Mason Neck Park and Mason Neck Wildlife Refuge, officially known as Mason Neck State Park and Elizabeth Hartwell Mason Neck respectively, are home to a multitude of species, such as the bald eagle, the Virginia pine tree, and the white-tailed deer (“Elizabeth Hartwell Mason Neck,” 2016; “Mason Neck State Park,” 2016). Critical to the conservation of endangered species, Mason Neck Wildlife Refuge, run by the National Wildlife Refuge System, a part of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, provides a safe habitat for the various organisms (“Elizabeth Hartwell Mason Neck,” 2016). On the other hand, the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, the governmental agency responsible for Mason Neck Park, keeps human’s recreational needs in mind and provides activities such as canoeing and fishing (“Mason Neck State Park,” 2016). The human interference present within the Mason Neck Park may impact the local ecosystem (“Mason Neck State Park,” 2016). Although there are activities available in Mason Neck Wildlife Refuge, they are “wildlife-oriented recreational developments” meaning the well being of organisms living in the Refuge will be the first priority (“Elizabeth Hartwell Mason

The student, Gustavo Ramirez, who is also a second year volunteer member, completed a non-profit case analysis on The Otter Project and created three options to battle our declining volunteer numbers. Chief executive, Steve Shimek, was quoted saying “I’m glad to see this report, it gives us the ability to have a volunteer’s perspective on a very serious issue that we as staff members may not completely understand.” Ramirez recommends in his case analysis that The Otter Project increases their online presence to help communicate between the non-profit and its volunteers. He suggest that the non-profit post the monthly newsletter as well as increase the number of post on social media in hopes to created a stronger connection to those who want to protect our coastal oceans, watersheds, and California sea otters.

Hunting and hunters are the biggest advocates for conservation. They also provide for the most finical aid of any other organization that says they sponsor the environment and wildlife. (SDGFP)(2). Such organizations are PETA and SEIRRA. These clubs think they help the animals and the environment because they do not kill them, but they actually do more damage. Their goal is to save the animals and keep the woods from being touched. They hardly give any money to the conservation groups. The reason the ecosystems have to use conservation is because we have to much human interaction with the environment, as Roger Holmes touches on in his article. Like in small communities there is a lot more wildlife human interaction because the expanding nation. The PETA and SEIRRA clubs have also done nothing for the growth of the animal populations. The hunters have given new life to many species such as; White-Tailed Deer, Canadian goose, Rocky Mountain Elk, Wild Turkey, Pronghorn Antelope, and many others.