How would you define wildlife conservation?
I would
define wildlife conservation as managing fish and wildlife resources
for their long-term well-being and the benefit of people.
How would you define a conservationist?
Someone
who uses the best information available to care for and contribute to
the stability of our fish and wildlife resources and the quality of our
environment.
Why is wildlife conservation important?
Wildlife
Conservation is important because it creates a sustainable and healthy
future for Florida's fish, wildlife, water and habitat resources.
Fish and wildlife activities contribute more than $36 billion and
408,860 jobs to our state’s economy annually. Those fish and wildlife
activities - hunting, freshwater and saltwater fishing, fishing
industries, boating, wildlife viewing - enrich the lives of Florida
residents and visitors every day and serve as inspiration for getting
our kids outdoors.
What do you think is the role of citizens in wildlife conservation?
The
role of citizens in conservation is to work together as stewards of our
living resources and the habitats that support them by getting the
facts and understanding the implications of their activities and
decisions and making conservation-minded choices.
What are things that pose as a threat to wildlife conservation?
Loss
of wetlands and other native habitats to development presents the
greatest threat to wildlife. Other threats are efforts to stabilize
water levels; and the impacts of pollution, including introduction of
non-native plants and animals, increasingly alter our environment and
threaten wildlife conservation. Warmer temperatures on land and in water
and changes in seasonal rainfall patterns will greatly impact Florida's
wildlife communities in the coming years. Warming and altered rainfall
patterns will in turn alter species distributions, life cycles and
species interactions (e.g., predator-prey relationships).
Do you think that people are becoming more or less concerned about
wildlife conservation? Based on this, what do you expect to happen
pertaining to
wildlife in the next ten years?
I think people are becoming more
supportive of wildlife conservation. I expect our state's human
population to continue to grow in the next 10 years and that rural and
natural lands will continue to be converted from to urban uses.
How can people get involved in wildlife conservation?
People can get involved with conservation by:
-Working
with their city and county officials on smart growth initiatives, green
infrastructure planning and other innovative strategies to accommodate
the needs of wildlife and protect public access to shorelines and
working waterfronts.
-Incorporating wildlife habitat conservation
measures on their own property and supporting prescribed burning of
nearby public and
private lands.
-Reducing the amount of fossil fuels they use and the carbon release into the atmosphere. Here are a few easy actions: http://myfwc.com/conservation/special-initiatives/climate-change/you/.
You can learn about more ways to get involved at: http://myfwc.com/conservation/special-initiatives/climate-change/you/ and http://myfwc.com/get-involved/.
Wildlife Conservation
Friday, November 30, 2012
Sunday, November 11, 2012
US to Increase Anti-Poaching Efforts as Elephants, Rhinos Die in Jaw-Dropping Numbers
NAIROBI, Kenya – Alarmed that
rebel militias could be profiting from a sharp increase in the poaching
of elephants and rhinos, the U.S. plans to step up efforts to build a
global coalition to combat the illegal wildlife trade, Secretary of
State Hillary Rodham Clinton says.
Speaking before animal activists and several international ambassadors, Clinton told a crowd in Washington on Thursday that poachers are using helicopters, night vision goggles and automatic weapons to hunt down wildlife. She wants world leaders to increase their focus on combating the problem and said that she and President Barack Obama will speak to Asian leaders about it next week at the East Asia Summit.
"Some of you might be wondering why a Secretary of State is keynoting an event about wildlife trafficking and conservation," Clinton said on Thursday, before answering her own question: "Over the past few years wildlife trafficking has become more organized, more lucrative, more widespread and more dangerous than ever before."
Elephants across Africa are being slaughtered by the thousands for their ivory tusks, which are shipped to Asia, particularly China, and made into ivory trinkets. In Tanzania alone, 10,000 elephants a year are said to be killed by poachers.
Rhino horns are in great demand globally, particularly in Southeast Asia, ground up for use as alleged aphrodisiacs and in traditional medicines or turned into decorative dagger handles.
Iain Douglas-Hamilton, the founder of Save the Elephants, said Clinton's speech "signifies the will of the United States to tackle the scourge of wildlife poaching and elevates the issue internationally. Now it remains to share awareness with the Chinese and for the U.S. and China to exert joint leadership to lower the demand for ivory before it is too late."
Yao Ming, the oversized basketball star from China, visited Kenya in August to raise awareness in China about the animal deaths required to supply ivory to China's middle class. He is taking part in a film called "The End of the Wild."
Clinton said the U.S. will reach out to leaders around the world to forge a consensus on wildlife protection. The U.S. also plans to launch initiatives and expand and strengthen enforcement of wildlife laws. She noted with regret that the U.S. is the second-largest destination market for illegally trafficked wildlife.
Elsewhere on Friday, a South African court sentenced a Thai national to 40 years for selling rhino horns. Chumlong Lemtongthai pleaded guilty to paying prostitutes who posed as hunters to harvest rhino horns, which were then sold on Asia's traditional medicine market, according to the South African Press Association. At least 458 of South Africa's endangered rhinos have been illegally killed this year — a record number.
Speaking before animal activists and several international ambassadors, Clinton told a crowd in Washington on Thursday that poachers are using helicopters, night vision goggles and automatic weapons to hunt down wildlife. She wants world leaders to increase their focus on combating the problem and said that she and President Barack Obama will speak to Asian leaders about it next week at the East Asia Summit.
"Some of you might be wondering why a Secretary of State is keynoting an event about wildlife trafficking and conservation," Clinton said on Thursday, before answering her own question: "Over the past few years wildlife trafficking has become more organized, more lucrative, more widespread and more dangerous than ever before."
Elephants across Africa are being slaughtered by the thousands for their ivory tusks, which are shipped to Asia, particularly China, and made into ivory trinkets. In Tanzania alone, 10,000 elephants a year are said to be killed by poachers.
Rhino horns are in great demand globally, particularly in Southeast Asia, ground up for use as alleged aphrodisiacs and in traditional medicines or turned into decorative dagger handles.
Iain Douglas-Hamilton, the founder of Save the Elephants, said Clinton's speech "signifies the will of the United States to tackle the scourge of wildlife poaching and elevates the issue internationally. Now it remains to share awareness with the Chinese and for the U.S. and China to exert joint leadership to lower the demand for ivory before it is too late."
Yao Ming, the oversized basketball star from China, visited Kenya in August to raise awareness in China about the animal deaths required to supply ivory to China's middle class. He is taking part in a film called "The End of the Wild."
Clinton said the U.S. will reach out to leaders around the world to forge a consensus on wildlife protection. The U.S. also plans to launch initiatives and expand and strengthen enforcement of wildlife laws. She noted with regret that the U.S. is the second-largest destination market for illegally trafficked wildlife.
Elsewhere on Friday, a South African court sentenced a Thai national to 40 years for selling rhino horns. Chumlong Lemtongthai pleaded guilty to paying prostitutes who posed as hunters to harvest rhino horns, which were then sold on Asia's traditional medicine market, according to the South African Press Association. At least 458 of South Africa's endangered rhinos have been illegally killed this year — a record number.
Petesch, Carley. "US to Increase Anti-Poaching Efforts as Elephants, Rhinos Die in Jaw-Dropping Numbers." Fox News [Nairobi] 9 Nov. 2012: n. pag. Fox News. Web. 11 Nov. 2012.
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Wildlife Conservation Intro and Background
In the early history of America, the Native Americans took care of the land and the wildlife, making sure to take only what they needed. When the settlers came to the New World, they hunted to make fine clothes for their men and women as well as for basic food. Gradually, the wildlife decreased. During Teddy Roosevelt's presidency, more people became aware of the wildlife endangerment issue. In this time, many preservation organizations were formed such as the National Parks System (Yellowstone National Park was the first) and the National Wildlife Refuge System. Writers got involved in the movement. Congress also passed many laws at this time limiting hunting among other things. Since then, the interest in wildlife conservation has varied. Some years and decades have been very involved with conservation and other years, especially those years surrounding WW2, have had added interest in hunting and lowered interest in wildlife conservation.
Bibliography
Brown, Robert D.. "The History of Wildlife Conservation and Research in the United States – and Implications for the Future." The College of Natural Resources n.d, n. pag. North Carolina State University. Web. 7 Oct. 2012.
"United States – Where We Work – Wildlife Conservation Society - Wildlife Conservation Society ." WCS.org - Wildlife Conservation Society . N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Oct. 2012. <http://www.wcs.org/where-we-work/north-america/united-states.aspx>.
Bibliography
Brown, Robert D.. "The History of Wildlife Conservation and Research in the United States – and Implications for the Future." The College of Natural Resources n.d, n. pag. North Carolina State University. Web. 7 Oct. 2012.
"United States – Where We Work – Wildlife Conservation Society - Wildlife Conservation Society ." WCS.org - Wildlife Conservation Society . N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Oct. 2012. <http://www.wcs.org/where-we-work/north-america/united-states.aspx>.
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