U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)

A Conversation with Actress and Conservation Champion, Jane Alexander: How We Can All Protect Birds Earlier this year, we hosted a “Multi-Sector Summit to Address Light Pollution and Bird Collisions” at the National Conservation Training Center. This Summit was the first of its kind: a symposium that brought together scientists, medical researchers, engineers, city planners, architects, lighting specialists, conservation groups, federal agencies, various industries, and social scientists to discuss the effects of lights at night on bird migration, dark skies, collisions, as well as human health and safety. One of the keynote speakers at the Summit is Jane Alexander, award winning actress, author, and conservation champion. End of
Translation Both a captivating storyteller and a birder, we couldn't wait to ask Jane about her love of birds and how she cultivates her passion for protecting birds alongside others. In this episode of the Thoughts From Home podcast, Brian Smith, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Administrator/Assistant Regional Director, talks with her about her passion for birds. You can find more information about the Multi-Sector Summit at https://ow.ly/qh2g50S29Yg. For more information about bird collisions, go to https://ow.ly/2wc050S29Yf and nighttime lighting at https://ow.ly/w8RT50S29Ye https://ow.ly/S8g650S29Yh

Summer's here and our turtle friends are out and about! Be sure to slow down for all of our cold-blooded critters while cruising on the road. Desert tortoises (left) live in a variety of desert habitats. If you see a desert tortoise out in the wild, give them space and do not pick them up. They may empty their bladder when picked up or scared, and that loss of water can be fatal. Western pond turtles (right), found throughout the Pacific Northwest, often hangout near bodies of water and will occasionally choose roads to sunbathe on (other aquatic turtles, snakes and lizards do this too) to regulate their body temperatures. Please spread the word and be on the lookout. 🐢 #everyturtlecounts #wildturtleweek Photo of a desert tortoise by NPS and photo of a western pond turtle by USFWS

Something seems fishy... oh, it's our Fish Biologist positions that are open at the Red Bluff Fish and Wildlife Office. Check out the duties and apply for the Fish Biologist (CSRA Supervisor) here: https://ow.ly/mp1t50ShgnS Check out the duties and apply for the Fish Biologist here: https://ow.ly/xIOC50ShgnT Come work for one the most fin-tastic teams at USFWS. Apply today! Photo of Red Bluff Fish and Wildlife Office staff preparing to install a rotary screw trap. Photo by Steve Martarano/USFWS

Ken isn’t the only one whose job is beach. Shorebirds like piping plovers work the Northeast’s shores, nesting in the summer and refueling during long spring and fall migrations. But their workplace is our playground, which can endanger the birds. That’s why the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and its partners in the Atlantic Flyway Shorebird Initiative use social science to encourage behaviors that give the birds the space they need. Learn how some of our refuges are managing for people and wildlife. https://ow.ly/HfOX50SgMGK

Look at the baby! Trumpeter swans leave the nest shortly after hatching and are able to swim and feed, tagging along with mom and dad. In just 3-4 months they’ll be able to fly! Have you seen any baby swans yet? 📷 Courtney Celley/USFWS

Endangered Species Day may have been last month, but at the Fish and Wildlife Service we celebrate it every day! Last month we were honored to host Department Of the Interior Secretary Haaland for Endangered Species Day at Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge. Seal Beach Refuge is located on the Naval Weapons Station and provides some of the last remaining coastal wetland habitat in Orange County, California. Endangered species found on the refuge include light-footed Ridgway's rail, California least tern, green sea turtles (we were lucky enough to see the latter two)! The Refuge is only open to the public via free escorted tours offered by Friends of Seal Beach for those wanting to explore the refuge! Thanks to our military partners at Conservation Corps Long Beach, and the Friends group for their support in managing this coastal wetland and maintaining a beautiful native garden. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eavrZW4k 📷: (Secretary Haaland) Joanna Gilkeson/USFWS 📷: (Clapper rails release) Edgar Espinoza/Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station

Don't be sheepish, apply for our Wildlife Refuge Manager position at the National Elk Refuge in Jackson, Wyoming. We are looking for someone to: *Oversee and administer refuge land and aquatic conservation activities *Oversee and administer a large suite of facilities and associated facility maintenance, repair and replacement program *Formulate, develop and implement long-range plans, strategies, and refuge policy associated with all operations, fiscal requirements, personnel and property management, etc. Check our the link for the full list of duties and the job announcement: https://lnkd.in/ecbdhRUX Photo of bighorn sheep at the National Elk Refuge by Shelton Styers (sharetheexperience)

This nest is just about the size of a walnut! This hardworking broad-billed hummingbird mom built it out of vegetation and downy material, then wrapped it all in spiderwebs. She'll lay two eggs, and hopefully raise those babies to become important pollinators themselves someday. Video: a female hummingbird flies in, lands in her nest, then adjusts her position and flicks her tongue a few times. By Jennie Duberstein/USFWS

Happy Birthday national fish hatcheries! Did you know that the National Fish Hatchery System was one of the earliest federal conservation efforts in the country? Established June 10, 1872, these hatcheries were originally designed to raise fish for food and commercial fishing. But over the years, they've evolved to meet the changing needs of conservation! Today, 71 national fish hatcheries across the country are working to support wild populations of aquatic animals, from fish to frogs and mussels! Some hatcheries still focus on raising fish for food, but others are dedicated to rescuing at-risk, threatened, and endangered species. These incredible conservation efforts rely on responsible aquaculture and applied science to make a real difference. To learn more visit: https://ow.ly/sYKV50ScMxw. Photo of a blue catfish by Sam Stukel/USFWS

What has cantaloupe-sized eyeballs, looks like a giant log, and loves a delicious whale fall? The Pacific Sleeper Shark! 👀😴 We've got nearly 40 minutes of sharky conversation to help you get to know the Pacific Sleeper on our latest episode of Fish of the Week! (at FWS.gov or wherever you get your podcasts). Our guests are Cindy Tribuzio and Beth Matta with NOAA Fisheries. Beth is a research fisheries biologist in the Age and Growth Program at the Alaska Fisheries Science Center and Cindy is a research biologist with the Alaska Fisheries Science Center's Auke Bay Laboratories. On deck next Monday: Sawfish! 📷 A Pacific Sleeper Shark photographed 3,125 feet deep by the remotely operated vehicle Deep Discoverer. NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research #AllTheFish #WorldOceansMonth #Oceans