Recreation Advocate

SOCIAL CIRCLE, Ga. (3/28/2017) - Spring means it is time for many of Georgia’s wildlife to bear young.  Often, during this part of the year, people come in contact with seemingly “orphaned” young wildlife and want to help – but it is best to leave them where you find them, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division.

"When you take wildlife into your home, you often take away that animal’s ability to then survive in the wild, where they belong,” explains John Bowers, Wildlife Resources Division chief of game management.  “In most instances, there is an adult animal a short distance away – even though you may not be able to see them.  Adult animals, such as deer, spend most of the day away from their young to reduce the risk of a predator finding the young animal.”

Remove bird feeders now to reduce conflicts with bears later

Longer daylight hours, warming temperatures and new green plants have wildlife moving and sightings increasing. Michigan’s black bear is a species that attracts a lot of attention when spotted. Michiganders love black bears – this up-north icon decorates walls and coffee mugs, homes, restaurants and hotels. However, spring also brings increased phone calls to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources from home and business owners who have issues with bears.

Orders Strengthen America’s Outdoor Heritage and Restore Opportunities for Sportsmen and Anglers

WASHINGTON - Today, on his first day on duty, Department of the Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke (pronounced ZINK-ee) issued two secretarial orders which expand access to public lands and increase hunting, fishing, and recreation opportunities nationwide. These orders deliver on promises made by both President Donald J. Trump and Secretary Zinke to expand access to America’s public lands. The action was hailed by representatives from sportsmen, conservation, and recreation organizations. 

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Mar 1, 2017) - National Conservation and Recreation groups today unveiled innovative joint recommendations in support of sustainable recreation management practices across nearly 250 million acres of national public lands. Recognizing their shared values and commitment to the collaborative process, The Wilderness Society (TWS) and BlueRibbon Coalition/Sharetrails.org (BRC) are encouraging and supporting the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in its efforts to conduct and complete comprehensive travel and transportation management planning for all of its units.   

Tried-and-true nature events such as bird walks, ranger-led hikes and wildlife viewing tours will never go out of fashion at national wildlife refuges. Like your nature a bit offbeat? Some national wildlife refuges have read your mind.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is responsible for managing more than 850 million acres of lands and waters in the National Wildlife Refuge System, including five marine national monuments, 566 national wildlife refuges and 38 wetland management districts. Every state and U.S. territory has at least one national wildlife refuge.

Consider these events scheduled for upcoming months or use the zip code locator to find a national wildlife refuge near you.