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Recovering America's Wildlife Act Reintroduced to U.S. Senate
On Friday, July 12, 2019, Representatives Debbie Dingell (D-MI) and Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE), along with conservation and sportsmen's leaders, reintroduced the bipartisan Recovering America's Wildlife Act (RAWA) to help promote and enhance our nation's conservation efforts and ensure the long-term health of fish and wildlife throughout the country. The bill would dedicate roughly $1.4 billion to the Wildlife Conservation Restoration Program for proactive, voluntary efforts led by the states, territories, and tribal nations to prevent vulnerable wildlife from becoming endangered.   

2019: Make a Difference for Wildlife
There are plenty of simple ways to help wildlife, and each month we will highlight an action you can take to benefit the species that call Connecticut home.

Protect the trees you love from tree-killing bugs. Trees are essential to countless species of wildlife. If you are a camper heading out for a trip - or just getting firewood for your wood stove - do nature a favor. Don't move firewood long distances - it can potentially transport devastating invasive species, including the Asian longhorned beetle and emerald ash borer. Instead, buy it where you'll burn it, buy certified heat-treated firewood, or gather on site where permitted.


More details are at  www.ct.gov/deep/DiscoverOutdoorCT
Purple Martin Banding Project
Wildlife Division biologists have been visiting purple martin colonies to place identifying leg bands on young martins before they fledge from their nest boxes or nesting gourds to learn more about their survival rates.    Through this study, biologists can track and assess movement patterns of the birds from their hatching location to their breeding locations and future nesting sites. All of the young birds banded at each purple martin colony are given colored bands specific to that colony location. This allows the birds to be identified while in flight and also keeps track of the colony they hatched from.
 
Please watch for banded purple martins and tell us what you have seen. Observations of  color-banded purple martins should be reported to the DEEP Wildlife Division at  deep.wildlife@ct.gov or phone: 860-424-3011.

Join Us for "Take It Outside: Outdoor Cooking Expo"
Join us at Sessions Woods Wildlife Management Area (341 Milford Street, Burlington) on Sunday, August 25, 2019, from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM for the Take It Outside: Outdoor Cooking Expo. This expo will introduce attendees to various methods of outdoor cooking through the use of locally sustainable foods. Outside cooking stations and demonstrations include open fire cooking, Dutch oven cooking, smoking and grilling, and backpack cooking.

August is Tree Check Month - Help Find Invasive Pests
August is the height of summer, and it is also the best time to spot the Asian longhorned beetle (ALB) as it starts to emerge from trees. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is asking the public to take five minutes to step outside and report any signs of this invasive pest. Checking trees for the beetle will help residents protect their own trees and better direct USDA's efforts to eradicate this beetle from the United States.  The Asian longhorned beetle feeds on a wide variety of popular hardwood trees, including maple, birch, elm, willow, ash, and poplar. It has already led to the loss of more than 180,000 trees.  

Bat Day at Old New-Gate Prison and Copper Mine
Come to the Old New-Gate Prison & Copper Mine in East Granby (115 Newgate Road) on Saturday, September 7, from 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM and learn about New-Gate's beloved bats and also bat conservation. Engage with DEEP Wildlife Division biologists and learn about how cool bats really are, and how you can help support these important and amazing creatures. Demonstrations and hands-on activities for all ages.

Avoiding Mosquitoes
A friendly reminder on the importance of avoiding mosquito bites: West Nile virus and eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) have been detected at certain Connecticut locations this year. To reduce the risk of being bitten by mosquitoes residents should:
  • Minimize time spent outdoors between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
  • Be sure door and window screens are tight-fitting and in good repair.
  • Wear shoes, socks, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt when outdoors for long periods of time, or when mosquitoes are more active.
  • Clothing should be light-colored and made of tightly woven materials that keep mosquitoes away from the skin.
  • Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors or in an unscreened structure and to protect small children when outdoors.
  • Consider the use of mosquito repellent, according to directions, when it is necessary to be outdoors.
Upcoming Hunter Education Courses for September 2019
Conservation Education/Firearms Safety courses are administered by the Wildlife Division and taught throughout the year by a dedicated corps of certified volunteer instructors. Certifications are offered in the disciplines of firearms hunting, bowhunting, and trapping. Following is a list of upcoming courses for the month of September. These courses post for registration 30 days prior to their start date.  Please note: Courses can be scheduled at any time, and this may not be a final list of the month's offerings.

Firearms:
- Thomaston: September 3, 5, and 7
- Suffield: September 28 and 29

Bowhunting:
- Durham: September 8

Basic Trapping:
- Meriden: September 22

Species of the Month: Great Egret
Great egrets can be found in freshwater, brackish, and marine wetlands where they spend much of their time hunting for fish, amphibians, reptiles, invertebrates, and even small mammals. This large wading bird hunts by standing immobile or wading through wetlands to capture prey with a deadly jab of its yellow bill. Despite its large size, the great egret can reach a top flight speed of 25 mph with just two wingbeats per second!
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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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