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Please share this edition of Wildlife Highlights with other outdoor enthusiasts
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Wild turkeys have once again become a common sight in Connecticut thanks to dedicated funding made possible by the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Program (Pittman-Robertson Act). While it is hard to believe that wild turkeys had completely disappeared from our state, their conservation success story is one we need to share with other species that are facing similar challenges. The bipartisan Recovering America's Wildlife Act, the most significant conservation investment in a generation, will provide the kind of proactive help needed to make sure the wildlife we enjoy today will be here for future generations to enjoy.
#RecoverWildlife
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| Recovering America's Wildlife Act Story Map |
The Recovering America's Wildlife Act is bipartisan legislation that is critical to prevent more than 12,000 species of fish and wildlife from becoming endangered. Habitat loss, invasive species, and intense weather events have all taken a toll on birds, mammals, fish, amphibians, reptiles, butterflies, and bees. We are facing an historic fish and wildlife conservation challenge that could alter America's opportunities to benefit from these resources. A recently-released Story Map shows how this proactive conservation legislation will help protect and conserve Connecticut's fish and wildlife before they face a crisis.
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2020 CT Hunting & Trapping Guide Now Available!
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The 2020 Connecticut Hunting and Trapping Guide is now published on the DEEP website. The printed version will be available at select DEEP facilities, town halls, bait and tackle shops, and outdoor equipment stores.
2020 hunting and fishing licenses, stamps, and permits are currently available for purchase through the
Online Sportsmen Licensing System
and at select DEEP offices, town halls, and various outdoor equipment vendors.
2020 Deer Lottery:
Deer hunters can apply for the 2020 deer lottery starting on January 1 at 12:01 AM. Please be reminded that hunters have until February 29 to purchase lottery permits. After that date, all unsold lottery permits will be made available on a first-come, first-serve basis starting March 15 until they are sold out.
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| A Successful Breeding Season for CT's Shorebirds |
Thanks to the efforts of nearly 100 volunteers on Connecticut's beaches, two of the state's most vulnerable shorebirds (piping plover and American oystercatcher) had highly successful breeding seasons in 2019. Piping plovers and oystercatchers nest only on beaches, which limits their nesting opportunities and leaves them vulnerable to various threats including dogs, predators like raccoons and foxes, and people who might not be aware that there are nests nearby. Look for our upcoming article in Connecticut Wildlife magazine that details the efforts of these dedicated volunteers and the Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds.
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| North American Wetlands Conservation Act Celebrates 30 Years |
The North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA)
was passed, in part, to support activities under the North American Waterfowl Management Plan (NAWMP), an international agreement that provides a strategy for the long-term protection of wetlands and associated upland habitats needed by waterfowl and other migratory birds in North America. NAWCA grants help increase bird populations and wetland habitat, while supporting local economies and American traditions, such as hunting, fishing, and bird watching. Wetlands protected by NAWCA also provide valuable benefits, such as flood control, reducing coastal erosion, improving water and air quality, and recharging ground water.
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| Give the Gift of Connecticut Wildlife Magazine |
Are you looking for a unique holiday or birthday gift? Would you like to thank a landowner who allowed you to hunt on their property? Give a gift subscription to the DEEP Bureau of Natural Resource's 24-page, full-color, bimonthly magazine.
Connecticut Wildlife is the perfect gift for those who like to stay informed about fish, wildlife, natural resource issues, and events in our state.
The magazine is published six times a year, and is available by subscription for $8 a year, $15 for two years, or $20 for three years. To receive a subscription or order a gift subscription, send a check or money order (along with the name and address of the gift recipient) payable to: Connecticut Wildlife, P.O. Box 1550, Burlington, CT 06013-1550.
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| Join the Christmas Bird Count |
The National Audubon Society's 120th Christmas Bird Count will take place between the dates of
Saturday, December 14, 2019 and Sunday, January 5, 2020. This early-winter bird census
is vital to collecting long-term data that give biologists insights into how movements and population sizes of birds have changed over time, along with other parameters.
To participate in the Christmas Bird Count (CBC), you will need to join an existing CBC circle by contacting the compiler in advance of the count day; individual data will not be accepted. If you are interested in participating in this fun-filled annual event, please check out the Audubon's map to find a count near you!
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Students Paint Mural at Stewart B. McKinney NWR
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Joe Koripsky, a Master Wildlife Conservationist for the DEEP Wildlife Division, recently coordinated a project with middle school students and their teachers in Stratford for the creation of a beautiful mural featuring birds of the salt marsh. The 8x20-foot mural was unveiled at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge, Great Meadows Unit located at 600 Long Beach Boulevard in Stratford. Students from Flood and Wooster Middle Schools and teachers Geralyn Vigliotti, Samantha Williams, and Dan Romaniello decided to depict a deep blue, clouded sky over a green marsh with native birds, such as osprey, great egret, and black-crowned night heron. The painted mural provides a scenic cover for a storage trailer in the parking lot at the refuge.
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First Day Hike at Sessions Woods WMA
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Begin 2020 with fresh air and a hike at 10:00 A.M. on January 1 led by Friends of Sessions Woods Director Jan Gatzuras.
The 5.5-mile loop hike will include The Great Wall and the backside of the Beaver Marsh. The terrain is moderately difficult, but the pace will be comfortable. If participants are lucky, they may even see some river otter tracks! Please register for this program by calling 860-424-3011 or email [email protected]. Participants are asked to meet at the gazebo in the Sessions Woods parking lot.
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Species of the Month: Bald Eagle
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The bald eagle embodies one of Connecticut's best conservation success stories. Nesting bald eagles disappeared from our state in the 1950s. Today, through cooperative work between wildlife biologists and landowners, eagles are thriving and represent the importance of the Recovering America's Wildlife Act. Dedicated funding for wildlife conservation will create a wildlife legacy we can be proud of -- where future generations of eagles soar free and we delight in watching them.
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Your Feedback Is Important to Us!
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You are making a difference and we thank you for your support!
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You'll find each issue packed with information about wildlife, hunting, fishing, and natural resource-related issues in Connecticut.
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The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is an Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity Employer committed to complying with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Please contact us at 860-418-5910 or [email protected] if you: have a disability and need a communication aid or service; have limited proficiency in English and may need information in another language; or if you wish to file an ADA or Title VI discrimination complaint.
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