U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

NASA has transferred ownership of a Maryland woodland to the US Fish and Wildlife Service. The article describes this as a rare 2026 story of good news for the planet.

The proposed DC Blox data center near the Nashville Zoo could threaten the federally endangered Nashville crayfish, whose limited habitat is close to the construction site. Environmental groups warn that development risks, such as erosion, sediment control failures, or water-cooling systems, could harm the crayfish and other vulnerable species like the alligator snapping turtle and eastern hellbender.

The city of Waverly removed a low-head dam from Trace Creek to reduce flood risk and benefit protected wildlife. The project, supported by local leaders and funded by a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service grant, is part of ongoing efforts to improve flood resilience after the 2021 disaster.

Two orphaned grizzly bear cubs have been relocated to Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado after their mother was euthanized in Montana due to conflicts with humans. The zoo is working to care for the cubs, emphasizing the importance of keeping wildlife wild and avoiding interactions that could endanger people.

Kelby Ouchley, a Louisiana biologist, highlights the interconnected relationships in bayou ecosystems, emphasizing how human activities like overfishing disrupt species like gar and freshwater mussels. He underscores the ecological and practical value of swamps, including flood control and biodiversity, through his books and work with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Kelby Ouchley, a Louisiana biologist, highlights the interconnected relationships in swamp ecosystems, emphasizing how human activities like overfishing can disrupt balance. He explains the role of species such as gar and freshwater mussels in maintaining water quality and the broader ecological benefits of preserving bayous.

Kelby Ouchley, a Louisiana biologist, highlights the interconnected balance of plants, animals, and water in bayous and swamps, emphasizing human impacts and the importance of conservation. He explains how overfishing species like gar can disrupt ecosystems by threatening freshwater mussels, which filter water. Ouchley's books explore biodiversity and sustainable practices in Louisiana's swamp environments.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed opening over 95 percent of the National Wildlife Refuge System to hunters and anglers, creating over 1,450 new opportunities and boosting rural economies.

Western conservation groups partially won their case against the U.S. Forest Service over the impact of road and vehicle access on grizzly bears and bull trout in the Bitterroot National Forest. A Montana federal judge ruled that the agencies failed to adequately assess the environmental effects of Amendment 40, which removed road-density restrictions, and did not properly consult on bull trout habitat.

Chris Andrews, a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service inspector in Alaska, intercepted 1,600 pounds of shark fins destined for Hong Kong, uncovering a major trafficking case linked to stinky boxes labeled 'car parts.' He also seized items like reptile leather goods and taxidermied lizards at Anchorage airport, enforcing international treaties and national laws to protect wildlife.

Chris Andrews is a wildlife inspector for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Alaska, tasked with intercepting trafficked wildlife. The article highlights the unusual challenges of this role, as suggested by the title's reference to a problematic box.

Chris Andrews, a wildlife inspector for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, intercepted 1,600 pounds of shark fins in Anchorage, Alaska, which were smuggled in boxes labeled as car parts. His team also seized items like designer bags made from crocodile/python leather, taxidermied lizards, and live animals smuggled in speakers and snow boots, highlighting the challenges of enforcing wildlife protection laws.

The Asian Swamp Eel, native to eastern and southeastern Asia, has established a population in South Florida and is classified as an ecological risk by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). A 2023 study in Taylor Slough showed significant declines in local crayfish and fish populations where swamp eels are present, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) urges reporting sightings via the IveGot1 app or website.

The Center for Biological Diversity is suing the Trump administration to protect the tine springsnail, found only in Quitobaquito Springs, from border wall construction. The lawsuit claims the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service failed to adequately protect the endangered species, which is threatened by the Tucson 2 Project border wall plan.

The Ivanpah Solar Power Plant, an Obama-era solar plant, is allowed to continue operating despite killing thousands of birds annually. The plant, built with taxpayer support, remains in compliance under existing regulations. Regulators were aware of the risks before approving the project.

The Ivanpah Solar Power Plant, an Obama-era solar plant, is allowed to continue operating despite killing thousands of birds annually with its reflected solar beams. The plant remains in compliance under existing regulations and no fines or enforcement actions have been taken. The facility was built with taxpayer support and approved as part of a broader push to expand renewable energy.

Topa Topa, a California condor and the first of his species to reside in a zoo, is celebrating his 60th birthday at the L.A. Zoo. He has played a key role in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s California Condor Recovery Program, aiding efforts to repopulate the critically endangered species.