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After arriving in Ocean Beach to renovate an old home, Avery Lawford, her interior designer mother, and some friends discover a set of unexpected challenges.

1. Private lands contain much of the world's biodiversity. Conservation of private land, especially agricultural land, is urgent yet challenging because of the diverse priorities of landowners. Local effects of farmland conservation programmes have been evaluated thoroughly, but population-level response to these programmes may depend on effects that extend beyond targeted land parcels. We investigated the landscape-scale effects of a grassland conservation initiative, the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), on a socially and economically important game bird, the Northern Bobwhite Colinus virginianus. 2. Barriers to assessing population-level response to conservation include determining the spatial scale at which a species responds to environmental change (the scale of effect) and untangling density-dependent processes. We performed point counts over 6 years at 247 sites with similar local CREP density but varying landscape-scale CREP density. We used an open-population distance sampling model to evaluate population response to landscape-level CREP density and to forecast population densities under differing re-enrolment scenarios. Our model included kernel smoothing techniques to estimate scale of effect and an estimator of the strength of density dependence. 3. Density dependence moderated the effectiveness of the CREP, but overall populations responded positively to increasing landscape-scale CREP density. We estimated that at least 5% of the landscape needs to be in CREP to meet population density goals of 0.25 bobwhite/ha. Conservatively, we recommend 10% of the landscape to be in CREP. Our percent cover recommendations are based on a distance-weighted average of CREP around focal sites. 4. Landscape-scale effects diminished with distance. For example, assuming all else is equal, a CREP field 3,000 m away had 88% less of an effect on local abundance than a field 1,000 m away. Fields farther than 5,000 m away had no effect on local abundance. 5. Synthesis and applications. Our study underscores the importance of a landscapescale approach to farmland conservation. Benefits of these programmes to wildlife can extend beyond the local scale, but their importance to local populations diminishes with distance. Estimating this relationship and incorporating it into a decision framework could help practitioners target land enrolment to meet broadscale population objectives.

Calling all explorers and nature-lovers! From Acadia to Zion, discover all 59 of the United States' amazing National Parks in this jam-packed book of games, trivia, jokes, fun facts, and so much more, all inspired by the National Parks outdoor-based Junior Ranger Program. Great for generating pre-trip excitement, long car rides, poking around historical sites, or general learning, these fun and sometimes silly activities will entertain while they draw kids into the majestic and historic importance of America's national parks. Check out the most amazing park habitats, plus awesome sights and animals you might see, from birds to bears. Fun facts are jam-packed onto every page, so kids learn something amazing about each cool park.-- Source other than Library of Congress.

Long‐lived avian scavengers are threatened worldwide and thus, are common targets of conservation plans. However, scientific evidence of both the factors limiting populations and effectiveness of management actions are greatly needed in order to develop more efficient and successful conservation strategies. We assessed the effectiveness of conservation actions applied within a LIFE‐Nature project aimed at improving the long‐term survival of the critically endangered Canarian Egyptian vulture: including education campaigns for public awareness and control of illegal poisoning and the modification of power lines to reduce the risk of accidents. We formulated a multievent capture–mark–recapture model to obtain estimates of survival for juvenile, subadult and adult birds accounting for probabilities of resight, recovery and losses of metal and colour rings. Models supported a substantial enhancement in survival for subadult and adult birds and a moderate improvement for juveniles after the implementation of LIFE actions. Ring loss probabilities became notably high in the middle to long term. Poisoning events became very rare after LIFE was implemented, suggesting a positive effect of environmental education and awareness campaigns. Entanglements and collisions in power lines were also efficiently mitigated. Instead, electrocutions became the most identified cause of death in the post‐LIFE stage. Synthesis and applications. Our results highlight the improvement of survival in a threatened island vulture population after the implementation of a European LIFE conservation project. On small islands, with small human populations and few stakeholders, education and awareness campaigns can be especially effective for biodiversity conservation. We also demonstrate the need to complement conservation programmes with long‐term monitoring, which is essential to evaluate the effectiveness of actions, especially for long‐lived species. Foreign Language Resumen Las aves carroñeras de larga vida están amenazadas a nivel mundial y por ello son objeto de numerosos planes de conservación. Sin embargo, para mejorar la eficiencia y el éxito de los planes de conservación, se requieren más estudios científicos que evalúen los factores que limitan sus poblaciones y la efectividad de las diferentes estrategias de conservación. Hemos evaluado la eficacia de las acciones de conservación llevadas a cabo dentro del marco de un proyecto LIFE para mejorar la supervivencia a largo plazo del alimoche canario, una subespecie en peligro crítico de extinción: —campañas de sensibilización y divulgación para reducir el uso de venenos y modificación de tendidos eléctricos para reducir el riesgo de accidentes—. Para ello, hemos desarrollado un modelo multievento de captura‐recaptura que permite estimar la supervivencia de juveniles, subadultos y adultos teniendo en cuenta las probabilidades de observación, recuperación de cadáveres y pérdida de anillas de metal y PVC. Los modelos mostraron un considerable aumento de la supervivencia de subadultos y adultos, junto con un ligero aumento de la supervivencia de juveniles, tras la implementación de las acciones del proyecto LIFE. La probabilidad de pérdida de anillas fue alta a medio‐largo plazo. Tras la implementación del programa LIFE las muertes por envenenamiento pasaron a ser escasas, lo que sugiere un efecto positivo de las campañas de sensibilización y divulgación. Las colisiones y los enganches en tendidos eléctricos también fueron mitigados de forma efectiva. Por el contrario, las muertes por electrocución no cesaron, convirtiéndose así en la principal causa de mortalidad detectada. Síntesis y aplicaciones. Nuestros resultados destacan el aumento de supervivencia en una especie amenazada ‐ una población insular de alimoche ‐ tras la implementación de un proyecto LIFE europeo. En islas pequeñas, con poca población humana y un número reducido de agentes sociales, las campañas de sensibilización y divulgación pueden resultar especialmente efectivas para garantizar la conservación de la biodiversidad. Es necesario complementar los programas de conservación con seguimientos a largo plazo para evaluar la efectividad de sus acciones, especialmente en el caso de especies de larga vida. Our results highlight the improvement of survival in a threatened island vulture population after the implementation of a European LIFE conservation project. On small islands, with small human populations and few stakeholders, education and awareness campaigns can be especially effective for biodiversity conservation. We also demonstrate the need to complement conservation programmes with long‐term monitoring, which is essential to evaluate the effectiveness of actions, especially for long‐lived species.

Birds may respond to habitat at multiple scales, ranging from microhabitat structure to landscape composition. North American grassland bird distributions predominantly reside on private lands, and populations have been consistently declining. Many of these lands are enrolled in U.S. federal conservation programmes, and properly guided management policies could alleviate declines. However, more evaluative research is needed on the effects of management policies juxtaposed with other multi‐scale habitat features. Furthermore, research focused on nest survival is arguably more valuable because habitat associations with avian densities can sometimes be deceptive. We investigated nest survival of a grassland facultative (red‐winged blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus) and obligate species (dickcissel Spiza americana), and two nesting communities (ground and above‐ground nesters) relative to management and multi‐scale habitat (nest‐site characteristics, in‐field microhabitat, patch metrics, and landscape context). Our study was conducted on private lands in Illinois (2011–2014) and directly linked to policy‐based management (discing, herbicidal spraying, spray/interseeding) and landowner decisions. Multi‐scale models explained more variation in nest survival compared to single scales or management in three of four analyses (blackbirds, dickcissels, and above‐ground nesters). Finer‐scale habitat variables, such as nest‐site characteristics, were more often in top and among the competitive models relative to landscape factors. Compared with other management types, discing (i.e., tractor‐pulled disc harrows removed approximately 50% of vegetation) displayed distinct effects and positively influenced nest survival in above‐ground nesters. Also, greater proportions of a field managed cumulatively and yearly, regardless of type, generally improved nest survival for dickcissels and above‐ground nesters. All groups except above‐ground nesters had generally higher nest survival in native‐grass dominated fields. Synthesis and applications. Habitat practitioners can improve nest survival for certain grassland birds by directly affecting in‐field microhabitat vegetation and structure. However, characteristics associated with specific nest locations often drive nest survival. We suggest habitat managers and agency staff promote native grass practices and management, such as discing, to enhance nest survival of grassland bird populations. Management will likely be most effective in favourable unfragmented grassland landscapes with less surrounding forested areas, which also promote other important responses (e.g., colonization and persistence) of target species. Habitat practitioners can improve nest survival for certain grassland birds by directly affecting in‐field microhabitat vegetation and structure. However, characteristics associated with specific nest locations often drive nest survival. We suggest habitat managers and agency staff promote native grass practices and management, such as discing, to enhance nest survival of grassland bird populations. Management will likely be most effective in favourable unfragmented grassland landscapes with less surrounding forested areas, which also promote other important responses (e.g., colonization and persistence) of target species.

Research on urban insect pollinators is changing views on the biological value and ecological importance of cities. The abundance and diversity of native bee species in urban landscapes that are absent in nearby rural lands evidence the biological value and ecological importance of cities and have implications for biodiversity conservation. Lagging behind this revised image of the city are urban conservation programs that historically have invested in education and outreach rather than programs designed to achieve high-priority species conservation results. We synthesized research on urban bee species diversity and abundance to determine how urban conservation could be repositioned to better align with new views on the ecological importance of urban landscapes. Due to insect pollinators' relatively small functional requirements—habitat range, life cycle, and nesting behavior—relative to larger mammals, we argue that pollinators put high-priority and high-impact urban conservation within reach. In a rapidly urbanizing world, transforming how environmental managers view the city can improve citizen engagement and contribute to the development of more sustainable urbanization. Las investigaciones sobre los insectos polinizadores urbanos están cambiando las percepciones sobre el valor biológico y la importancia ecológica de las ciudades. La abundancia y la diversidad de las especies nativas de abejas en los paisajes urbanos, que además están ausentes en los terrenos rurales cercanos, evidencian el valor biológico y la importancia ecológica de las ciudades y tienen implicaciones para la conservación de la biodiversidad. A paso lento detrás de esta imagen revisada de las ciudades están los programas de conservación urbana que históricamente han invertido en la educación y el alcance en lugar de los programar diseñados para adquirir resultados de conservación para especies de prioridad alta. Sintetizamos las investigaciones sobre la diversidad de especies de abejas urbanas y la abundancia para determinar cómo la conservación urbana podría ser reposicionada para alinearse de mejor manera con las nuevas visiones sobre la importancia ecológica de los paisajes urbanos. Debido a los requerimientos funcionales relativamente pequeños de los insectos polinizadores - extensión del hábitat, ciclo de vida, comportamiento de anidamiento - en relación con los mamíferos más grandes, argumentamos que los polinizadores colocan a la conservación urbana de alta prioridad y alto impacto dentro de nuestro alcance. En un mundo rápidamente urbanizado, transformar la forma en que los administradores ambientales ven a las ciudades puede mejorar la participación ciudadana y contribuir al desarrollo de una urbanización más sustentable.

There are many barriers to using science to inform conservation policy and practice. Conservation scientists wishing to produce management-relevant science must balance this goal with the imperative of demonstrating novelty and rigor in their science. Decision makers seeking to make evidence-based decisions must balance a desire for knowledge with the need to act despite uncertainty. Generating science that will effectively inform management decisions requires that the production of information (the components of knowledge) be salient (relevant and timely), credible (authoritative, believable, and trusted), and legitimate (developed via a process that considers the values and perspectives of all relevant actors) in the eyes of both researchers and decision makers. We perceive 3 key challenges for those hoping to generate conservation science that achieves all 3 of these information characteristics. First, scientific and management audiences can have contrasting perceptions about the salience of research. Second, the pursuit of scientific credibility can come at the cost of salience and legitimacy in the eyes of decision makers, and, third, different actors can have conflicting views about what constitutes legitimate information. We highlight 4 institutional frameworks that can facilitate science that will inform management: boundary organizations (environmental organizations that span the boundary between science and management), research scientists embedded in resource management agencies, formal links between decision makers and scientists at research-focused institutions, and training programs for conservation professionals. Although these are not the only approaches to generating boundary-spanning science, nor are they mutually exclusive, they provide mechanisms for promoting communication, translation, and mediation across the knowledge-action boundary. We believe that despite the challenges, conservation science should strive to be a boundary science, which both advances scientific understanding and contributes to decision making. Hay muchas barreras para utilizar ciencia para informar a la política y práctica de la conservación. Los científicos de la conservación que desean producir ciencia relevante para el manejo deben equilibrar esta meta con el imperativo de demostrar novedad y rigor en su ciencia. Los tomadores de decisiones que buscan que sus decisiones se basen en evidencias deben equilibrar el deseo de conocimientos con la necesidad de actuar a pesar de la incertidumbre. La generación de ciencia que informe efectivamente a las decisiones de manejo requiere que la producción de información (los componentes del conocimiento) sea sobresaliente (relevante y oportuna), creíble (autoritativa, verosímil y confiable) y legítima (desarrollada mediante un proceso que considera los valores y perspectivas de todos los actores relevantes) a la vista tanto de investigadores como de tomadores de decisiones. Percibimos tres retos clave para quienes desean generar ciencia de la conservación que logre estas tres características de la información. Primero, las audiencias científicas y de manejo pueden tener percepciones contrastantes sobre la relevancia de la investigación. Segundo, la credibilidad se puede lograr a costa de la relevancia y legitimidad a la vista de los tomadores de decisiones y tercero, los diferentes actores pueden tener percepciones conflictivas sobre los que constituye información legítima. Resaltamos cuatro marcos institucionales que pueden facilitar que la ciencia informe al manejo: organizaciones de frontera (organizaciones ambientales que trasponen la frontera entre la ciencia y el manejo), investigadores científicos insertados en agencias de manejo de recursos, vínculos formales entre tomadores de decisiones y científicos en instituciones enfocadas a la investigación, y programas de capacitación para profesionales de la conservación. Aunque estos no son los únicos métodos para generar ciencia que traspone fronteras, ni son mutuamente excluyentes, proporcionan mecanismos que promueven la comunicación, traslación y mediación para trasponer la frontera conocimiento-acción. Consideramos que no obstante los retos, la ciencia de la conservación debería pugnar por ser una ciencia de frontera, que incrementa el entendimiento científico y contribuye a la toma de decisiones.

Plant conservation initiatives lag behind and receive considerably less funding than animal conservation projects. We explored a potential reason for this bias: a tendency among humans to neither notice nor value plants in the environment. Experimental research and surveys have demonstrated higher preference for, superior recall of and better visual detection of animals compared with plants. This bias has been attributed to perceptual factors such as lack of motion by plants and the tendency of plants to visually blend together but also to cultural factors such as a greater focus on animals informal biological education. In contrast, ethnographic research reveals that many social groups have strong bonds with plants, including nonhierarchical kinship relationships. We argue that plant blindness is common, but not inevitable. If immersed in a plant-affiliated culture, the individual will experience language and practices that enhance capacity to detect, recall, and value plants, something less likely to occur in zoocentric societies. Therefore, conservation programs can contribute to reducing this bias. We considered strategies that might reduce this bias and encourage plant conservation behavior. Psychological research demonstrates that people are more likely to support conservation of species that have human-like characteristics and that support for conservation can be increased by encouraging people to practice empathy and anthropomorphism ofnonhuman species. We argue that support for plant conservation may be garnered through strategies that promote identification and empathy with plants. Las iniciativas de conservación de plantas se quedan atrás y reciben considerablemente menos financiamiento que los proyectos de conservación de animales. Exploramos una posible razón de esta preferencia: una tendencia entre los humanos a no tomar en cuenta ni valorar a las plantas en el ambiente. La investigación experimental y los censos han demostrado una mayor preferencia por, una memoria superior por y una mejor detección visual de los animales en comparación con las plantas. Este sesgo se ha atribuido a factores de percepción como la falta de movimiento de las plantas y la tendencia de las plantas a combinarse entre sí, pero también se atribuye a factores culturales como un mayor enfoque sobre los animales en la educación biológica formal. En contraste, la investigación etnográfica revela que muchos grupos sociales tienen lazos fuertes con las plantas, incluyendo relaciones no-jerárquicas de parentesco. Argumentamos que ignorar a las plantas es común, pero no es inevitable. Si se está inmerso en una cultura afiliada con las plantas, el individuo vivirá lenguajes y prácticas que incrementan la capacidad de detectar, recordar y valorar a las plantas, algo menos probable de ocurrir en las sociedades zoocéntricas. Por esto, los programas de conservación pueden contribuir a reducir este sesgo. Consideramos estrategias que podrían reducir este sesgo y fomentar el comportamiento de conservación de plantas. La investigación psicológica demuestra que las personas tienen mayor probabilidad de apoyar a la conservación de las especies que tienen características humanas y que el apoyo hacia la conservación puede incrementarse si se alienta a las personas a practicar la empatia y el antropomorfismo de especies -humanas. Argumentamos que el apoyo para la conservación de las plantas puede obtenerse por medio de estrategias que promuevan la identificación con y la empatia hacia las plantas.

An important part of conservation practice is the empirical evaluation of program and policy impacts. Understanding why conservation programs succeed or fail is essential for designing cost‐effective initiatives and for improving the livelihoods of natural resource users. The evidence we seek can be generated with modern impact evaluation designs. Such designs measure causal effects of specific interventions by comparing outcomes with the interventions to outcomes in credible counterfactual scenarios. Good designs also identify the conditions under which the causal effect arises. Despite a critical need for empirical evidence, conservation science has been slow to adopt these impact evaluation designs. We identify reasons for the slow rate of adoption and provide suggestions for mainstreaming impact evaluation in nature conservation.

The aim of the study was to discuss breeding of pigs of the Puławska breed, which is included in a Genetic Resources Conservation Programme, and to analyse performance parameters that are useful in domestic pig production. The Puławska breed is the oldest native breed of pig in Poland. Since 1996 it has been protected by a genetic resources conservation programme, owing to breeding traditions and the production traits characteristic of the breed. The use value of these pigs is currently at the level of maternal breeds: number of live piglets born per litter – 10.54; number of piglets reared per litter – 9.37; daily weight gains – 569 g for breeding boars and 562 g for breeding gilts; meat content – 54.6% for breeding boars and 54.9% for breeding gilts. An important element in favour of the use of this breed in domestic production of fresh pork and pork products is its meat quality parameters. The mean values for physical traits (WHC 22.42%, pH45 6.47, pH 5.63) and chemical parameters (protein 22.70%, fat 2.65%) are characteristic of meat of normal quality. The Puławska breed can be used to produce high-quality fresh meat and meat products, including traditional and regional ones. Puławska pigs are bred and reared according to the principles of sustainable agriculture, which reduces the negative impact of pig production on the natural environment.