U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)

Hey USFWS, can we get some fall vibes please? For you? Of course. National Wildlife Refuge Week (Oct 13-19) is coming up, so start your plans now to celebrate these wild places. Photo from the auto tour at Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge in Maine by J.Magera/USFWS

BORING PHOTO, USFWS! Where's the wildlife?! No, no, no, stay with us. This is a really great photo and a story about Alabama communities coming together to help protect sea turtles. The photo is of a hotel along the Alabama Gulf Coast and shows ideal lighting for sea turtles. It should be low, shielded, and red or amber in color to minimize disturbance. Research shows artificial lighting deters sea turtles from nesting on Alabama’s beaches, causing their population to dwindle. USFWS senior biologist Shannon Holbrook enters the chat! Holbrook developed partnerships to help keep the beaches dim. From small meetings to large educational workshops, Holbrook and partners like Share the Beach- Alabama's Sea Turtle Conservation Program, lighting experts, conservationists, city workers and volunteers, taught hundreds of people how to transform their lights into sea turtle-friendly fixtures. Results of these efforts are encouraging. In 2023, volunteers found more than 140 sea turtle nests in Alabama, and the highest number of green and Kemp’s nests recorded in one season. The year also marked the first time volunteers recorded a green sea turtle nest on Dauphin Island. Anything is possible, when communities work together to save species! Photo of a sea turtle-friendly lit hotel by Denise Rowell/USFWS

During their active periods, Sonoran desert tortoises can travel considerable distances. Home range sizes vary widely, spanning from just a few acres to well over 100 acres. To track these fascinating creatures, wildlife biologists use GPS data loggers and radio transmitters securely attached to desert tortoises' carapaces. This technology enables monitoring of their movements, offering valuable insights into their habits and habitats. Help protect them by: 🐢 Leaving them in the wild 🐢 Observing from a distance 🐢 Staying on trails 🐢 Slowing down on roads The Arizona Game and Fish Department has an ongoing effort to keep track of these torts, so if you see one, share your sighting with [email protected]. Images: Sonoran Desert tortoise by George Andrejko/AZGFD; an example of a “walkabout” of a male Sonoran Desert tortoise from 2021 to 2023, and a "Drive like a tortoise" road sign both by AZGFD.

Brace for impact! Northern harriers fly low over grasslands, prairies and marshes when hunting for small prey. North America’s only harrier has owl-like facial disks that help them hear voles, mice, lizards, snakes and frogs. This northern harrier was seen making an attack landing at the Julia Butler Hansen Refuge for the Columbian White-Tailed Deer in southwest Washington. USFWS photo: Jake Bonello

Calling all nature-curious kiddos, young biologists, and friends of fish! 🛩️ It's time to spread your wings at next week's Virtual Youth Fish & Wildlife Club (YFWC). Several USFWS programs, like the Migratory Bird Program and the National Wildlife Refuge System, use aviation for conservation efforts. Our agenda for Wednesday, October 9th will focus on how aviation helps protect fish and wildlife. YFWC offers a fun, online space for kids to ask questions, connect with fish and wildlife professionals, and gain outdoor knowledge. Join our open Zoom sessions every Wednesday! It's ideal for ages 8-12, but all curious minds are welcome, including younger kids and adults. Learn more at the link in the comments. Video: Kris Pacheco/USFWS

There's a rumor going around that the folks at Gavins Point National Fish Hatchery have been stalking. No, no, no. They've been stocking. STOCKING. In fact, Gavins Point has been producing fish for sport fishing and restoration projects for nearly 60 years. Just recently, Lake Francis Case in South Dakota got 30,000 more paddlefish after 3 days of stocking at Chamberlain and Snake Creek. The fish (up to 12 inches) looked great and are now exploring their new home. Check out the comments to learn more about Gavins Point as well as the important work being done at this national fish hatchery. Video by USFWS Video description: A person in uniform is seen dumping fish from the back of a large container truck, into a lake. The fish can be seen in the water, swimming around a dock area.

On September 27, the Service, Bowie State University, Bethune-Cookman University and Alabama A&M University signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), expanding opportunities for students to pursue careers in wildlife conservation. Post-signing activities on Bowie State's campus included a viewing of captive-reared adult monarchs, a meet and greet with an 18-year old screech owl named Red, and a tour of the Natural Sciences Building and the university’s greenhouse. Bowie State University, Maryland's oldest HBCU, is the first university in the North Mid-Atlantic to sign on to the agreement. Through this MOU, seven universities will work with the Service to recruit students from diverse backgrounds into conservation careers. Photos of MOU partners and Red the owl by BSU TV Greenhouse photo by USFWS

Named for the Delaware town where it was discovered, the Bethany Beach firefly is found only along the coast of Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia in freshwater wetlands sheltered between dunes. But this rare firefly and its habitat are losing ground to intense storms and rising seas caused by climate change, as well as development. The Service has determined that the Bethany Beach firefly could face endangerment in the foreseeable future. We are proposing to list the species as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. We want to hear from you! We are seeking public comment on this proposal, as well as new information on the location of these fireflies. If you think you’ve seen a Bethany Beach firefly, we'd love to know where. Learn more:https://ow.ly/jKar50TzeJK

Biologists use many tools in the field, including camera traps set up inside of buckets to detect snakes. It's always exciting to see what wandered through and the variety may surprise you! Take a look at some of the cool sightings and surprises. 📷: Eastern massasauga rattlesnake (our target!), black bear, toad, raccoon, opossum, star-nosed mole, cottontail rabbit, striped skunk, hognose snake, black bear

This account Sept 30 🦋🐟🐿️🐢🐦 This account Oct 1 🕷️🐍🦇🐀🕸️