The Mule Deer Foundation approved 17 new conservation projects across six states for $271,256 through its Chapter Rewards Program. Projects include water source installation, wildlife-friendly fence modifications, habitat restoration, and mule deer research studies supported by chapter volunteers and event attendees.
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will begin an Aquatic Habitat Project at Niobrara State Park Pond on May 26, focusing on sealing the pond, installing a well, building an ADA-compliant fishing pier, and adding in-lake habitat. Funding comes from the Aquatic Habitat Program, Capital Maintenance Funds, and a Nebraska Environmental Trust grant.
The African Leopard Research Project advances into South Africa following successful fieldwork in Botswana, partnering with the PHASA Foundation and SCIF to generate evidence-based leopard management data. Waterberg Toyota donated a dedicated research vehicle to support the SCIF National Leopard Survey, with additional support from Haltlock, Wild Canopies, and Graeme Alberts.
Kent Cartridge has begun development of a two-acre wetland impoundment on its West Virginia property to advance waterfowl conservation and habitat management. The project will provide employee hunting opportunities, support product testing, and serve as a storytelling platform for the company's conservation commitment.
The Virgin River Program, a collaboration among local, state, federal and private partners, celebrates recent woundfin recovery successes on Endangered Species Day. After a significant hatchery loss in winter 2024-2025, the DWR partnered with the Utah Department of Transportation Division of Aeronautics to transport woundfin to the DWR Aquatic Animal Health and Research Center in Logan, where populations have rebounded to approximately 800 fish with ongoing reproduction.
The Coalition to Save Catalina Island Deer delivered over 30,000 petition signatures to Governor Gavin Newsom and California Department of Fish and Wildlife Director Meghan Hertel opposing the Catalina Island Conservancy's plan to eradicate the island's mule deer population. Supporters including Safari Club International, California Bowmen Hunters/State Archery Association, and local officials called for transparent, science-based wildlife management and full environmental review.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will hold a public meeting on May 20 in Neihart to discuss a native fish restoration project on Harley Creek that includes building a fish barrier to isolate 5.5 miles of creek and restore westslope cutthroat trout habitat in the Little Belt Mountains.
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources partnered with Shirley Heinze Land Trust to expand Lydick Bog Nature Preserve by 93 acres, protecting rare sphagnum bog habitat and extending the trail system. The $250,000 conservation easement, funded by the Next Level Conservation Trust, was supported by St. Joseph County Council, Commissioners, and the St. Joseph Community Foundation.
Yamaha Rightwaters and Georgia Southern University, in partnership with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Coastal Resources Division, released findings demonstrating that restored oyster reefs significantly enhance salt marsh growth and shoreline stability along the Georgia coast, with restored sites outperforming unrestored control areas.
Wyoming Game and Fish celebrates the USDA Partnership expansion of the Migratory Big Game Initiative to Montana, Idaho, Colorado, and Utah. The program, established in 2022, has invested in over 500,000 acres of habitat enhancement through NRCS partnerships with private landowners, allocating $8 million for EQIP and $8 million for CSP in Wyoming's current fiscal year.
Benton County Quail donated $11,628 in herbicides to the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission to improve 361 acres of prairie woodland habitat on Fort Chaffee. The donation served as the required 35 percent match for a State Wildlife Grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, supporting quail, turkey, and ground-nesting bird habitat restoration.
The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department's Green Mountain Conservation Camp still has openings for youth ages 12-14 this summer. One-week sessions at Lake Bomoseen and Buck Lake offer hands-on learning in wildlife conservation, archery, canoeing, and more, with tuition at $300 including meals and lodging.
Conservation Visions published a peer-reviewed article in People and Nature through the Wild Harvest Initiative® showing that big game hunting in the United States generates 235.76 kilotonnes of wild meat annually, equivalent to 1.39 billion meals with a $3.21 billion USD replacement value.
Utah Division of Wildlife Resources offers seven actionable steps to help wildlife and preserve habitats for Earth Day. Recommendations include reporting wildlife sightings to iNaturalist and eBird, reducing plastic use, turning off outdoor lights to protect migrating birds, avoiding feeding wildlife, preventing fish transfers, conserving water, and purchasing hunting or fishing licenses to fund conservation projects.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife is selling the 2026 Ohio Wildlife Legacy Stamp featuring a killdeer photograph by Jennifer Beck. The $15 stamp supports wildlife conservation, with proceeds benefiting the Wildlife Diversity Fund and Southern Wings program protecting migratory bird habitats.
Governor Mike Braun and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources announced the acquisition of 122.4 acres for Yellowwood State Forest in Brown County. The $860,000 purchase through the Next Level Conservation Trust will permanently protect the land, expand hunting opportunities, and strengthen conservation efforts in south-central Indiana.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public input on 41 preliminary fishing regulation proposals for 2027–2028. FWP will host regional public meetings and virtual meetings in May to present proposals, answer questions, and collect feedback from anglers on regulation changes.
Utah Division of Wildlife Resources offers seven ways to help wildlife on Earth Day, including reporting sightings to iNaturalist and eBird, reducing plastic use, turning off outdoor lights to protect migrating birds, avoiding feeding wildlife, and preventing the spread of invasive species through proper equipment cleaning.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife is selling the 2026 Ohio Wildlife Legacy Stamp, featuring a killdeer photo by Jennifer Beck. All proceeds support wildlife conservation, with $1 per stamp donated to the Southern Wings program protecting migratory bird habitats.
Turkeys for Tomorrow (TFT), founded by Ron Jolly, Jason Lupardus, and Kevin Matthews, addresses the wild turkey population decline through research partnerships with universities and state wildlife agencies. The organization tackles predation, habitat loss, and disease while promoting private land cooperatives and citizen science initiatives to restore wild turkey populations nationwide.