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The Southeast is Perfect for the Aquatic Connectivity Framework
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by
Brian Rhodes
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published
Dec 06, 2024
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last modified
Jun 04, 2025 11:31 PM
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filed under:
Aquatics,
Stories,
WLFW,
Biodiversity
The Southeastern United States is an absolute gem in terms of freshwater diversity. The rivers and streams here are bursting with life, making this region one of the country's most biodiverse places for freshwater species. The Southeast is home to around 600 freshwater fish species, 500 of which are endemic. This region is a global hotspot for freshwater biodiversity, making the Aquatic Connectivity Framework (ACF) an excellent fit for the Southeast. We aim to protect and restore these incredible aquatic habitats through a landscape-scale Working Lands for Wildlife approach.
Located in
Stories
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Addressing Sedimentation Threats
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by
Rosanne Hessmiller
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published
Dec 02, 2024
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last modified
Jun 04, 2025 11:33 PM
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filed under:
Aquatics and WLFW,
WLFW,
Aquatic ecosystems,
Sediment,
Conservation Practices,
Riparian Forest Buffer (CP391),
No-Till Practices (CP329),
Critical Area Planting (CP342),
Conservation Cover (CP327),
Riparian Herbaceous Cover (CP390),
Access Control (CP472),
Stream Crossing (CP578),
Stream Habitat Improvement and Management (CP395),
Aquatics
Rivers and streams are the lifeblood of our environment, home to a stunning array of wildlife, from fish and amphibians to the aquatic insects that form the foundation of the food chain. However, these ecosystems are under growing threat from sedimentation and siltation. When excess soil and fine particles wash into waterways, they cloud the water, smother habitats, and disrupt the delicate balance that sustains aquatic life. The consequences ripple throughout the food chain, from the tiniest insects to the largest fish, threatening sensitive species like the Eastern hellbender and endangering fisheries.
Located in
Stories
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Cozying Up for Winter: The Bog Turtle’s Seasonal Slumber
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by
Brian Rhodes
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published
Jan 08, 2025
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last modified
Jun 04, 2025 11:33 PM
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filed under:
WLFW,
Stories,
Aquatics,
Bog Turtle,
Wetlands,
Conservation Grazing
While we sip hot cocoa, these remarkable reptiles tuck themselves away, waiting for the warmth of spring to awaken their vibrant world again.
Located in
Stories
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Hellbender Proposed for Endangered Species Act Protection: A Call to Action for Aquatic Conservation
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by
Brian Rhodes
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published
Dec 16, 2024
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last modified
Dec 16, 2024 10:01 AM
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filed under:
News,
Hellbender,
Eastern Hellbender,
WLFW,
Aquatics
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has proposed to protect the Eastern Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis) as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. This proposal addresses the dramatic decline in Hellbender populations due to habitat loss, water pollution, and other factors. The proposal builds on years of collaborative conservation work and scientific study, highlighting the need to safeguard this species to maintain the health of freshwater ecosystems. This proposed rule would extend protection to hellbenders across their range, from New York to Georgia.
Located in
News
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First-of-Its-Kind Study Inventories New Mexican Beaver Dams
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by
Web Editor
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published
Jun 19, 2025
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last modified
Jun 19, 2025 03:59 PM
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filed under:
WLFW,
News & Events,
Aquatics,
News,
Defenders of Wildlife,
Working Lands for Wildlife
As part of Defenders of Wildlife’s beaver conservation initiative, a new survey, which has never been conducted in New Mexico, reveals an uneven distribution of beaver dams — and the sub-sequential ecological benefits — throughout the state. Commissioned by Defenders, the survey is a critical tool for the future of strategic beaver and water conservation New Mexico.
Located in
News