NDA names MDC 2024 Agency of the Year

Posted on April 1, 2025 by admin

Missouri recognized for deer management, hunter recruitment and education, and stakeholder engagement.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The National Deer Association (NDA) named the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) its 2024 Agency of the Year Award winner. The award recognizes an agency that has practiced innovative and progressive deer management techniques; affected positive change in deer management regulations, hunter education, hunter recruitment, and/or involvement in youth hunting; and has engaged its hunters and other key stakeholders in the deer management process. MDC was presented with the award Friday, March 28 at Commission Headquarters in Jefferson City.

“We’re thankful to the National Deer Association for presenting MDC with this award,” said MDC Cervid Program Supervisor Jason Isabelle. “Deer management in Missouri is a team effort involving hunters, MDC staff, landowners, and partners like the National Deer Association, and we’re grateful for everyone’s contribution.”

According to NDA’s 2025 Deer Report, Missouri consistently ranks high in numerous deer management categories. MDC was also recognized for its Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP), its targeted removal program to slow the spread of chronic wasting disease (CWD), and its collaborative efforts with key conservation partners and the public to revise its 10-Year White-tailed Deer Management Plan.

“Driven by science and with public input, MDC has a deer management program that benefits deer, deer habitat, and all Missouri residents,” said NDA Senior Director of Conservation Matt Ross. “We are proud to present this award to them and honored to have such a strong partnership with MDC.”

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U.S. F.W.S.  Reopens Public Comment Period for Monarch Butterfly Listing Proposal

Posted on March 19, 2025 by admin

Mar 18, 2025

Media Contacts

Melissa Clark

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is reopening the public comment period for a proposed rule to list the monarch butterfly as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. The proposed rule includes species-specific protections and flexibilities to encourage conservation of the butterfly under section 4(d) of the ESA. The comment period will be reopened for 60 days, until May 19, 2025, to give all interested parties an additional opportunity to comment on the proposed rule, which was published on December 12, 2024. Comments that were previously submitted do not need to be resubmitted as they are already incorporated into the public record and will be fully considered in the final listing determination.

Public comments are an integral part of the ESA listing determination process, and the Service recognizes the complexity of the information requested for public comment in the proposed rule. By reopening the public comment period, the agency is ensuring everyone has a chance to share information relevant to the conservation status of the species, including the associated 4(d) rule and proposed critical habitat designation.

The reopening of the public comment period for the monarch butterfly will publish in the Federal Register Reading Room today. A reopened 60-day comment period will open on March 19, 2025, and will close on May 19, 2025. Information about how to submit comments can be found on regulations.gov by searching for docket number FWS-R3-ES-2024-0137.

Everyone can play a role in saving the monarch butterfly. Because of the species’ general habitat use and wide distribution, all sectors of society have an opportunity to participate in a broad range of conservation efforts throughout the butterfly’s range. Learn more about the monarch butterfly, the monarch listing proposal, and how to help conserve monarch butterflies.

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Southern Wings: 15 Years and Still Soaring

Posted on October 28, 2024 by admin

Southern Wings is celebrating its 15-year anniversary in 2024. In those fifteen years, forty-one states have contributed over $4.2 million to the conservation of shared migratory birds through strategic investment on the stopover and nonbreeding grounds, leveraging over $9M in total partner funding. These contributions have been used to conserve, restore, or manage over 1.5M acres of habitat for birds while also supporting clean air, clean water, healthy habitat, and human well-being. Thank you and congratulations to IN, IA, KS, KY, AR, KY, MI, MN, MO, NE, SD, and WI for their support of and leadership for full annual cycle conservation of priority migratory birds through Southern Wings.

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USDA Announces Department-wide Effort to Support Terrestrial Wildlife Habitat Connectivity

Posted on October 23, 2024 by admin

Press Release

Contact: USDA Press
Email: press@usda.gov

WASHINGTON, Oct. 21, 2024 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced a Department-wide effort to support connectivity of wildlife habitat on working landscapes through the management of National Forests and voluntary conservation assistance on private agricultural lands. In a memorandum released this week, Vilsack detailed plans of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to drive coordination and action within the Department to improve terrestrial wildlife habitat connectivity and corridors in a way that recognizes and leverages state and Tribal authorities, capitalizes on public land management and respects private property rights through voluntary, locally-led conservation.

In this memorandum, Vilsack directs USDA to marshal a network of programs across USDA, including those of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Farm Service Agency (FSA), Forest Service (FS) and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to:

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CDC Confirms Human H5 Bird Flu Case in Missouri

Posted on September 18, 2024 by admin

WMI Outdoor News Bulletin September 16, 2024

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported September 6 that a person in Missouri had tested positive for avian influenza A (H5) (“H5 bird flu”). This is the 14th human case of H5 reported in the United States during 2024 and the first case of H5 without a known occupational exposure to sick or infected animals. H5 outbreaks in cattle have not been reported in Missouri, but outbreaks of H5 have been reported in commercial and backyard poultry flocks in 2024. H5N1 bird flu has been detected in wild birds in that state in the past. No ongoing transmission among close contacts or otherwise has been identified.

While other novel flu cases have been detected through the country’s national flu surveillance system, this is the first time that system has detected a case of H5. In this case, the specimen from the patient originally tested positive for flu A, but negative for seasonal flu A virus subtypes. That finding triggered additional testing.

Without a known exposure to sick or infected animals, further sequencing may help determine if the virus is linked to the B3.13 genotype circulating in cows, if there are links to other human cases, or if there are ties to other animals, which could include birds or even cats, mice, or other wildlife.

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