A United Nations report released Monday shows that the world’s migratory species are declining at an alarming rate.
Look West: Public lands and energy news from the Center for Western Priorities
** UN report reveals worldwide decline in migratory species
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Wednesday, February 14, 2024
Wildlife overpass in Elko County, Nevada. Source: Nevada Department of Wildlife ([link removed])
A United Nations report released Monday ([link removed]) shows that the world’s migratory species are declining at an alarming rate. The State of the World’s Migratory Species ([link removed]) report represents the most comprehensive assessment of migratory species ever conducted. It reveals that about 44 percent of migratory species worldwide are declining in population and 22 percent are threatened with extinction.
Migratory species face unique risks because they rely on the connectivity of multiple ecosystems, sometimes spanning national borders. They face threats from human activity such as habitat loss, illegal hunting and fishing, pollution, and climate change. The report also identified ([link removed]) other contributing factors including pollution from pesticides, plastics, heavy metals, light, and noise, as well as barriers like roads, fences, and dams. “Migration is essential for some species. If you cut the migration, you’re going to kill the species,” said Duke University ecologist Stuart Pimm ([link removed]) .
Researchers say it is imperative to protect, connect, and restore habitats to recover these populations. They identified 9,500 key locations for these species and found that over half of those areas lack protected status. These results reinforce the importance of committing to the pledge made by governments in 2022 at the UN Biodiversity Conference to protect 30 percent of the planet’s land and water resources. While the United States was not one of the nations to formally ratify the biodiversity convention, the 30X30 pledge is in line with the Biden administration's America the Beautiful Initiative ([link removed]) , which set the goal of conserving 30 percent of the nation's lands and waters by 2030.
** Quick hits
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Report: Nearly half of the world’s migratory species are in decline
Associated Press ([link removed]) | Inside Climate News ([link removed]) | CNN ([link removed]) | Reuters ([link removed])
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Salt Lake Tribune ([link removed])
Dozens of Colorado farmers, ranchers, and one city cut Colorado River water use in exchange for $8.7M
Colorado Sun ([link removed])
Wyoming ranch owner appeals corner-crossing case
WyoFile ([link removed])
How to privatize a mountain
In These Times ([link removed])
Study: Wildfire smoke will worsen, and protections are few
New York Times ([link removed])
A new BLM plan guides recreation, culture, and energy development in eastern Colorado
CPR News ([link removed])
Opinion: Inaccurate claims are circulating about the proposed Mimbres Peaks National Monument
Albuquerque Journal ([link removed])
** Quote of the day
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” The list goes on and on and on of why I should be doing everything I can to diversify or maneuver. Be agile. Be thoughtful. The past will not be the future; what my dad did is not likely what’s going to work for me. It’s kind of daunting out there.”
—David Harold, corn farm owner, Colorado Sun ([link removed])
** Picture This
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@deathvalleynps ([link removed])
After reviewing the feedback, we decided to keep the lake on Badwater Basin. You all seem to really like it, and honestly after the recent rain we had no choice.
We are fully embracing our water era.
Death Valley is the driest place in North America, typically receiving about 2 inches of rain per year. The official weather gauge at Furnace Creek has measured 4.9 inches in the past six months, with most of that happening in just two events: the remnants of Hurricane Hilary (2.2 inches on August 20) and the recent atmospheric river (1.5 inches from February 4-7).
📍 Badwater Basin
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