Check out our latest stories: "Bird Bling!" and "San Luis NWR 50 Years later"

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page. Our latest stories:   50 Years Later: A Community Still Invested Known for its tule elk and wildlife habitat, San Luis National Wildlife Refuge has been a part of the San Joaquin Valley since 1967. Authorized 50 years ago through the Migratory Bird Conservation Act, the refuge's original size conserved 7,360 acres. Credit: Meg Laws/USFWS By Byrhonda Lyons & Madeline Yancy February 7, 2017 An avid birder and photographer, Rick Lewis is a regular at the San Luis National Wildlife Refuge in Los Banos, Calif. On weekends and holidays, he makes the 100-mile trek south from Alameda, Calif., to explore the refuge. "It's [the refuge] spectacular," Lewis said. "I don't know what it looked like 100 years ago, but as a birder and photographer, the refuge is paradise." Known for its tule elk and wildlife habitat, the refuge has been a part of the San Joaquin Valley since 1967. Authorized 50 years ago through the Migratory Bird Conservation Act, the refuge's original size conserved 7,360 acres in the valley. "Dozens of civil servants have devoted part or, in many cases, all of their government careers to maintaining and improving the wetland, upland and riparian habitats across the refuge," said Sean Brophy, assistant refuge manager. "The recreational opportunities available to the public and the hundreds of species that call the refuge home are a lasting legacy of our employees' dedication." Continue to full story...     Bird Bling: How a Simple Silver Bracelet is Aiding Conservation Band recovery data show biologists how the harvest is distributed throughout the flyway and help with estimating annual harvest and survival rates. Credit: Vincent Griego, USFWS By Veronica Davison February 7, 2017 With a cobalt blue, cloud-filled sky overhead, Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office Biologist Vincent Griego set out on a 30-minute bumpy ride through the prairies of Saskatchewan, Canada—just outside of Saskatoon. Surrounded by green and brown fields of barley and canola, with the distinct earthy smell of wetlands and a choir of sandhill cranes overhead, Griego and three U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service  colleagues representing regions throughout the country made the trek to this remote location for the Service's annual duck-banding event. Continue to full story...         Stay Connected with U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Pacific Southwest Region       This email was sent using GovDelivery, on behalf of: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Pacific Southwest Region · 2800 Cottage Way · Suite W-2606 · Sacramento, CA 95825