Some years back I put up nest boxes in my woodlot for the cavity-nesting birds. White-breasted nuthatches readily took to the boxes for raising broods, and for roosting.

I was recently invited to provide a 15-minute presentation on hunting technology to Idaho Fish and Game’s Hunting and Advanced Technology Working Group. Huge kudos to Idaho Fish and Game for creating space to convene the conversation. One of the ancillary benefits of being presented with such opportunities is that planning and preparing to give a talk or write an article always presents great learning moments for me. This 15-minute talk on hunting technology was no different. It forced me to become more aware of the issue and to further contemplate the concept of technology in hunting and fair chase.

Tyler is a cool kid, but he's not nearly as cool as he thinks he is, or as he wants to be.

The same could be said of any 17-year-old boy, my teenage self included. I recognize more than a shaky self-confidence in Tyler; in him I recognize my own slight frame, my grit and determination as a distance runner, and my occasional obliviousness to social cues.

The Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973 is one of the most powerful environmental laws in the United States, designed to conserve biodiversity by protecting the ecosystems that endangered and threatened species rely on. Within this legislative framework, Section 6 holds significant potential to empower states with the tools and authority to manage conservation programs more effectively. To truly realize this potential, we must look beyond the ESA itself and leverage the array of federal authorities available through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). This opportunity could transform conservation into a collaborative federal-state endeavor that achieves meaningful and lasting results.

On Dec 10, 2024, The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) proposed that monarch butterflies receive protection as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. The announcement kicks off a 90-day public comment period. The Service is seeking public input on the proposal to list the species as threatened with species-specific protection and provide input on methods to encourage conservation under section 4(d) of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The FWS will review all comments then will decide whether to tweak the proposal, publish the listing, or drop the effort. The agency has until December of 2025 to publish the listing if it moves forward.

The Gulf of Mexico is famous for its salty, fresh oysters. But with more extreme weather on the way, the U.S. Geological Survey is helping identify places along the Louisiana and Texas coasts that may support good oyster harvests and successful restoration efforts in the future.