Sustainability initiatives, such as protecting old-growth forests, creates biodiversity oases that serve as safe havens for species of all shapes and sizes. The Bear Hill Conservancy, which stretches for 14,817 acres across New Hampshire, is one such oasis. In collaboration with the Kilham Bear Center, WildLandscapes, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bear Hill has placed conservation easements on their land that prohibits development and requires sustainable timber management. Not only does Bear Hill protect the land for future use, wildlife can also use the land as a safe corridor to reach the White Mountain National Forest without forcing them to enter human communities and risk human-wildlife conflict.
In a city known for its dense tree canopy, I was surprised to hear that there’s a slice of scrub habitat found just on the outskirts of Gainesville. Having grown up on the Atlantic Coastal Ridge (known for this unique scrub) in the southern extent of Florida, and spending several years there studying gopher tortoises and the animals that rely on their burrows, I was excited to get back to my roots and have the opportunity to explore the scrub near my new home. Price’s Scrub State Park is in Micanopy, about 25 minutes from downtown Gainesville. It spans 1,000 acres, has 9.5 miles of hiking trails, and plays a key role in connecting the Northwest Marion Greenway conservation areas.
Florida boasts not only beautiful beaches and brilliant sunsets but also boundless biodiversity. It is one of the most biodiverse states in the U.S., ranking among the top five in endemic species (plants and animals found nowhere else). Unfortunately, with so many unique species and continual expansion into their territory, Florida also ranks among the top five states at risk for species extinction.
This includes species like the gopher tortoise, some of which reside in the Florida Wildlife Corridor.
A Conservation Area is a given area of land in which private landowners can join a regional partnership consisting of interested agencies, organizations, indigenous tribes, and local communities, the goal of which is to achieve regional conservation goals. Private landowners benefit because they acquire less than fee title interest or enter into management agreements while retaining their rights to land use.
This article will explain some of the top reasons that conservation areas are the best path forward for landscape conservation.
WildLandscapes are in the process of expanding our work throughout the state of Florida, and it's with these projects in mind that our team toured Florida Wildlife Corridor earlier this month. At the same time, we held meetings with stakeholders to better understand how we can effectively accomplish even more in the state. As these projects unfold, we’re eager to share with you what we’ve been working on!
In the meantime, we want to share some scenes from our recent tour, from the Ocala National Forest Wildlife to marine mammals of Merritt Island Nature Preserve, in the hopes they will inspire you as they did for us.
Earlier this month, WildLandscapes’ ecologist, Marta Prat-Guitart, traveled to King Salmon, Alaska, forwarding movement on our work in the region's public lands. What follows is an interview on the significance of Bristol Bay and its wildlife, with Marta, providing insight into the work we are doing there, why it’s important, and what about it that inspires her.
WildLandscapes, in partnership with Family Lands Remembered, has entered into an agreement with Collier Companies to permanently protect 11,171 acres and to acquire 317,436 acres of mineral rights. All of these lands remain unspoiled, providing essential habitats to many of the Everglades' endangered species. Securing the Collier properties will position the National Park Service (NPS) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) with the opportunity to ensure connectivity between large conservation areas and landscapes in Florida, and prevent future harmful development or exploitation.
WildLandscapes has partnered with Roaring Springs Ranch (the Ranch) and High Desert Partnership to implement several scientific studies that will inform sound sustainable ranching activities and determine the health of the ecosystems and its wildlife conservation efforts in the region. The sustainable management of the land will be key to preserving the Sheldon-Hart-Malheur landscape in the face of future climate change and growing threats of megafires.
Wildlife trade poses the second-biggest threat to the survival of species after habitat destruction. India is among the top 20 countries for the illegal wildlife trade and its fast-expanding airport, rail and other transport sector is often used by wildlife traffickers to smuggle high-end, high-value species and products. To check wildlife crime and improve biodiversity conservation and preservation efforts in India, the Indian Government mandated Wildlife Crime Control Bureau of India to initiate vigil on wildlife criminals to protect wildlife from illegal wildlife criminals.
In partnership with Bear Hill Conservancy and Kilham Bear Center, WildLandscapes Conservation and Preservation recently permanently protected over 2,300 acres of land in New Hampshire, now added to Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge and we have plans to preserve over 12,557 more!
