Latest news with #NationalSurveyofFishing
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Scientists issue urgent warning after alarming collapse of bird populations across the US: 'We have a full-on emergency'
A report from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology shows that bird populations across every U.S. habitat are plummeting, with 229 species in urgent need of help. And the impacts go far beyond bird-watching, pointing to deeper risks for ecosystems, economies, and human health. The 2025 State of the Birds report, released in March by a coalition led by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and detailed in a university release on found that bird populations continue to decline. More than one-third of bird species are considered of high or moderate conservation concern, and 112 species are labeled "Tipping Point" birds, meaning they've lost more than half of their populations in the last 50 years. Birds such as Allen's hummingbird and the salt marsh sparrow are barely hanging on. Duck populations, a rare bright spot in past reports, are also beginning to decline. "Birds tell us that we have a full-on emergency across all habitats," said Marshall Johnson of the National Audubon Society. The data builds on the 2019 finding that North America has lost nearly 3 billion birds since 1970. Those losses aren't slowing down, and experts say the reasons are clear: habitat destruction, pollution, and extreme weather. Birds pollinate plants, spread seeds, and eat pests. Their decline points to deeper environmental issues that also threaten human health and well-being. "When we see declines like those outlined in the report, we need to remember that if conditions are not healthy for birds, they're unlikely to be healthy for us," said Amanda Rodewald from Cornell's Center for Avian Population Studies, per There's also an economic impact. According to the 2022 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, birding supports 1.4 million jobs and generates $279 billion annually. That's a huge loss if birds — and the people who travel to see them — disappear. And mental health research published in Scientific Reports shows that hearing or seeing birds can help lower anxiety and depression symptoms, especially in urban environments. Do you worry about air pollution in and around your home? Yes — always Yes — often Yes — sometimes No — never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Conservation efforts work if they're well funded and wide reaching. The State of the Birds report outlines successful strategies such as wetland restoration, forest renewal, seabird translocation, and coastal habitat protection, all of which have helped some species recover. Private land programs such as Audubon Conservation Ranching and Ducks Unlimited's wetland partnerships show how farmers, hunters, scientists, and communities can work together to rebuild habitats. One of the most effective things you can do is create a bird-friendly home and yard. That includes turning off outdoor lights during migration season, planting native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Apps such as Merlin Bird ID and eBird also help scientists track populations and can make birding more fun and accessible. "Birds unite us across the hemisphere and across the political spectrum — there should be no hesitation as we move to protect them today and in the future," said Johnson. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Interior Department wants to triple opportunities for hunting in nation's Wildlife Refuge System
May 2 (UPI) -- Federal officials are proposing to roughly triple the number of hunting opportunities across the National Wildlife Refuge System and National Fish Hatchery System, the U.S. Department of the Interior confirmed Friday. The proposal would see 42 new hunting opportunities across more than 87,000 acres within the department's systems, including the first-ever sanctioned hunting opportunity in the newly established Southern Maryland Woodlands National Wildlife Refuge. Opportunities will expand in 16 National Wildlife Refuge System stations and one National Fish Hatchery System station in 11 states. The system is made up of 573 national wildlife refuges and 38 wetland management districts. The proposal would amount to more than tripling the number of hunting opportunities under President Donald Trump's administration. It would also more than quadruple the number of fishing stations, the department said in a statement Friday. "Expanding recreational access to our public lands isn't just about tradition -- it's about supporting rural economies and the American families who depend on them," Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum said in the department's statement. "By opening more areas to hunting and outdoor recreation, we're helping drive tourism, create jobs, and generate revenue for local communities, all while promoting responsible stewardship of our natural resources." The proposal will see expanded hunting opportunities at National Wildlife Refuge System stations in Alabama, California, Idaho, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, North Carolina, Texas and Washington. Among the new opportunities is the first time sport fishing will be offered at the North Attleboro National Fish Hatchery in Massachusetts. The department says it is making the changes to grow interest in outdoor activities, which collectively generated more than $394 billion worth of economic expenditures in the United States in 2022. Hunting and fishing specifically accounted for over $144 billion of that total, according to the National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation. Federal officials say they are working in harmony with their state-level counterparts to facilitate the new proposal. In Minnesota, the department is proposing an end to an experimental five-day early opening of the hunting season for the American teal, a common duck, at the request of the state and White Earth Nation. "Hunting and fishing are traditional recreational activities deeply rooted in America's heritage. National wildlife refuges, national fish hatcheries and other Service lands offer hunting and fishing access that helps boost local economies and gives Americans an opportunity to unplug," Fish and Wildlife Service Acting Director Paul Souza said in the department's statement. "We are pleased to expand access and offer new opportunities that are compatible with our conservation mission and are committed to responsibly managing these areas for the benefit of future generations."
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources compiles list of facts about fishing in the state
May 2—Here are some nuggets about fishing in Minnesota. Some of the information is from the 2022 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and others. * 1.7 million anglers fished in Minnesota in 2022. Of these, 1.2 million were Minnesota residents, while 508,000 were nonresidents, according to the USFWS survey. * About 500,000 people are expected to fish on Saturday, May 10, Minnesota's opening day of the walleye, northern pike, bass and trout-in-lakes season in 2025. * Minnesota has 11,842 lakes that are 10 or more acres in size, 4,500 of which are considered fishing lakes. There are more than 16,000 miles of fishable rivers and streams, including 3,800 miles of trout streams. * Although not every kind of fish lives everywhere, 162 species of fish can be found in Minnesota waters. * Minnesota anglers spent $5.9 billion on angling-related expenses (for example, angling trips, equipment and licenses) in 2022, according to the USFWS survey. * Average annual expenditures per angler in Minnesota in 2022 were $3,600, according to the USFWS survey. * Fishing supports 28,000 Minnesota jobs, according to the American Sportfishing Association . * According to the survey led by the USFWS, an estimated 26% of Minnesota residents aged 16 and older went fishing in 2022. A closer look at participation by race and ethnicity found that 21% of Black, 26% of Hispanic, and 27% of white Minnesotans aged 16 and older fished in 2022. * An estimated 38% of male and 14% of female Minnesota residents fished in 2022. * Among Minnesotans who did not possess a fishing license in 2022, 36% expressed an interest in fishing in Minnesota in the future. * The most frequently reported barrier to fishing — for Minnesotans interested in fishing — is lacking friends and family to fish with. The purchase price of every fishing license in Minnesota goes into the Department of Natural Resources' Game and Fish Fund, a dedicated account that can only be used for fish, wildlife, law enforcement and certain other outdoor-related activities. More information on fishing in Minnesota is available on the Minnesota DNR fishing webpage at
