Conservation Briefs is a compilation of short news stories of interest to Outdoor News Bulletin readers. The stories cover a number of issues that have developed in the past month or provide updates on issues that were featured in previous ONB editions. Each story includes links to online resources for more details on each topic.

This Month:

• DOI Secretarial Order Calls for Science-Based Rangeland Fire Strategy
• USGS Research Explains How White-Nose Syndrome Kills Bats
• FWS Announces $21 Million in Coastal Wetland Grants

DOI Secretarial Order Calls for Science-Based Rangeland Fire Strategy

On January 6, Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell issued a Secretarial Order to protect and restore sagebrush landscapes threatened by rangeland fires. The Order establishes a Rangeland Fire Task Force, chaired by Department of the Interior (DOI) Deputy Secretary, Mike Connor. Through the Task Force, the Department will develop a comprehensive, science-based strategy to reduce the size, severity and cost of rangeland fires, address the spread of cheatgrass and other invasive species, and help position fire management resources for more effective response. The Order continues the Department's wildland fire efforts including the National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy and proposed budgeting changes to treat extreme fire seasons the way other emergency disasters are treated.

"These efforts will help Governors, state, tribal and local fire authorities, and those landowners on the ground ? including rangeland fire protection associations and rural volunteer fire departments ? make sure they have the information, training and tools to more effectively fight the threat of rangeland fires," said Jewell. "To protect these landscapes for economic activity and wildlife like the greater sage-grouse, we need a three-pronged approach that includes strong federal land management plans, strong state plans, and an effective plan to address the threat of rangeland fire."

USGS Research Explains How White-Nose Syndrome Kills Bats

Scientists with the U.S. Geological Survey have developed the first detailed explanation of how white-nose syndrome (WNS) is killing millions of bats. The new study, "White-nose syndrome initiates a cascade of physiologic disturbances in the hibernating bat host," models how the disease progresses from initial infection to death of bats during hibernation. The scientists measured the amount of energy used by infected and healthy bats hibernating under similar circumstances and found that bats with WNS use twice as much energy as healthy bats and had potentially life-threatening physiologic imbalances that could inhibit normal functions. They also found these effects before there was noticeable damage to the bats' wings and before the disease caused increased activity levels.

"Clinical signs are not the start of the disease ? they likely reflect more advanced disease stages," said University of Wisconsin and USGS National Wildlife Health Center scientist Michelle Verant, the lead author of the study. "This finding is important because much of our attention previously was directed toward what we now know to be bats in later stages of the disease, when we observe visible fungal infections and behavioral changes."

FWS Announces $21 Million in Coastal Wetland Grants

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) announced on January 7 that it is granting $21 million to 25 projects through the National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grants Program. Project partners will contribute over $35 million in additional funds.The funding will protect, restore or enhance more than 11,000 acres of coastal wetlands and adjacent upland habitat in 13 coastal and Great Lakes states. The program is funded through the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund generated from excise taxes on fishing equipment and motorboat and small engine fuels.

"This program provides states with an extraordinary opportunity to address conservation priorities in coastal areas at a time when coastal wetlands are under siege from the combined forces of development and climate change," said FWS Director Dan Ashe. "These coastal wetlands grants are more important than ever in helping to ensure the resilience of coastal communities and the preservation of our wildlife heritage."