A Golden Wing and a Prayer: Restoring Warbler Habitat

By Brian Sewell

This map from the Natural Resources Conservation Service marks the golden-winged warbler focus area for the new conservation program

Appalachia’s favorite bird, the golden-winged warbler, has been selected as one of seven focus species by a new partnership between the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that aims to reverse population decline through habitat restoration. The “Working Lands for Wildlife” program will collaborate with private landowners and farmers to restore species populations while boosting rural economies by protecting working lands.

According to the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, the habitat of nearly two-thirds of all species federally listed as threatened or endangered exists on private lands. With $33 million in funding from the Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program, the partnership selected seven species, including the golden-winged warbler and the bog turtle, whose preservation will also benefit wildlife with similar habitat needs.

Traditionally, the golden-winged warbler has thrived in the forested hills and grasslands of the Appalachian Mountains. But land lost to development and changes in forestry and agricultural practices have caused populations to decrease.

Photo courtesy of U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

The “Working Lands for Wildlife” partnership aims to rebuild habitat on private lands necessary for the warbler’s spring breeding, by managing and maintaining forested landscapes near active agriculture or pastureland. By cooperating with landowners and local communities, the federal partnership can help the golden-winged warbler population remain at home in the region and off the Endangered Species list.

Tennessee PBS Harnesses the Sun

East Tennessee PBS announced that a 38-kilowatt solar system mounted to their building’s rooftop is now operating and generating electricity. The 162-solar panel system can power four houses for up to 40 years. Funded in part by a grant from the Tennessee Solar Institute and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, PBS says that the system will never cost the station or its members anything, but will decrease the station’s power bill by 20 percent. All engineering and installation work on the rooftop system was sourced by contractors in eastern Tennessee.

Appalachia to Furnish Asian Homes

Home-furnishings and wood products businesses in Appalachia are seeking to expand export sales from Asia to the Pacific Rim at the Furniture Manufacturing and Supply China 2012 trade fair in Shanghai. Qualified Appalachian businesses can apply to join the Appalachia USA delegation traveling from Sept. 11-14. For information on the trade fair, visit: expo.fmcchina.com.cn

Saving Our Rivers (and Kids!) from Drugs

Organizers of the annual prescription drug take-back day in Watauga County, N.C., are stepping it up a notch this spring, aiming to collect one million pills in this year’s May 19 Operation Medicine Cabinet. The twice-yearly event, sponsored by the Upper Watauga Riverkeeper and area groups, is designed to keep prescription drugs from being flushed into the water stream as well as out of the hands of kids. For more information visit: drugtakebackday.com

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