After decades of state-level conservation focused primarily on restoration and management of game species, the conservation of at-risk species has come to the forefront. This is largely due to increased human impacts, interest by the general public in wildlife conservation, and increased awareness brought on by the scientific research on those species that most need help.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced on May 1 that it was accepting applications for a new easement program created by the 2014 Farm Bill along with the Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Improvement Program (VPA-HIP) that was already established. According to the Wildlife Management Institute, the USDA will make up to $386 million available through the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to fund these programs.

Water is the great connector across the landscape covered by the Gulf Coast Prairie Landscape Conservation Cooperative (GCP LCC). In this diverse area, the specific issues around water may change but the importance of the resource does not. From the arid regions in Southern Texas to the Cross Timbers of Oklahoma and the Gulf Coast, freshwater inflows affect all of us ? people and wildlife. Add on the impacts of climate change and the importance of protecting water resources increases dramatically.

The 80th North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference will be held March 9-13, 2015 in Omaha, Nebraska. The Conference Steering Committee is seeking ideas and participation from professional conservation interests to help develop the conference agenda. In particular, recommendations for topics, potential co-chairs and presenters for four Special Sessions are invited. Ideas for prospective plenary keynote speakers are also welcome.

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:

Wild turkey (Meleagris gallapavo) populations in eastern North America have been declining over the past 15 years or so, possibly because of a variety of environmental factors. However, fall hunting when both males and females may be harvested could also be a reason. Recent harvest data from New York have indicated that the percent of the total hen (female) population that is harvested in the fall likely has increased in recent years, but harvest rates of hens are unknown. More importantly, the effect of changing season length ?