2700 Freeway Blvd #1000
Brooklyn Center, MN
55430-1779
763.253.0222

New York Conservation Projects

	OTTERS MAKE SPLASHING RETURN After a 100-year absence, river otters have returned to the central and western regions of New York state, thanks to support from Wildlife Forever. With a goal of releasing 50 otters per year, the project ended up releasing 279 river otters over the course of 6 years. The otters were live-trapped in areas where stable populations had already existed and then transported and released at 16 carefully selected sites. The New York Bureau of Wildlife provided training and technical support during the project and is assisting with monitoring the otters after their release. River otters are popular for wildlife viewing because of their playful habits and daytime activity.
	VAST ENHANCED AREA SERVES UPLAND BIRDS More than 2,500 acres were improved to help upland game birds and other wildlife species in New York’s Finger Lakes National Forest, thanks to help from Wildlife Forever. Prescribed burns were used to improve the conditions in tracts of shrub lands, grasslands, and pasture. Approximately 65 percent of the vertebrate species in the region rely upon the created habitat for their life requirements. The fires have opened areas and promoted grasses to grow and create more beneficial wildlife nature sites and habitat.
	"CRITTERS OF NEW YORK" EDUCATES A NEW GENERATION OF STEWARDS Wildlife Forever partnered with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) to create an produce an original "Critters of New York Pocket Guide" to teach young New Yorkers about the native wildlife of their home state. The pocket guide profiles 50 native species. Each profile includes a color photograph of the critter and information on its home range, feeding and reproductive behavior and a "Did You Know?" section that provides interesting facts unique to that species. The species profiles also help students identify the animals' tracks in the field. The NYSDEC will distribute the guides to youth through their outreach programs. Thanks to this partnership, a new generation of New Yorkers are learning to become stewards of their state's abundant wildlife.