The 2024 legislative short session has come to an end and in a bewildering turn of events, despite broad stakeholder support, House Bill 4148, (HB4148) Rep. Helm’s Wildlife Omnibus Bill, died in ways and means. To recap, HB 4148 would have addressed programmatic needs and raised awareness around migration corridors, zoonotic disease research, combating invasive species and addressing coexistence of wildlife in Oregon. Over the course of the session, BHA members, supporters and other public ...

Friday March 8, 2024 Albuquerque, NM   The meeting began shortly after 9 a.m. with the Commission roll call. Commissioners present included Tirzio Lopez (Vice-Chair), Fernando Clemente, Sharon Salazar-Hickey, Ed Garcia, Dr. Sabina Pack (new), and Robert Stump (new). Attending virtually was Commissioner Greg Fulfer. With the two new commissioners, the legally required number of 7 members was reached. Commissioner Pack (Silver City) identifies as a marketing professional; Commissioner Stump ...

From the column: "In the water world that is northern Minnesota, one thing you can count on is that any sulfide-mine proposal is also a watershed-ruining disaster in waiting." David A. Lien   In October, I joined a group of hunters, anglers, and others for an annual Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness trip. On Bald Eagle Lake, we noted the remarkable comeback of trumpeter swans, counting 37 in one bay. Although we didn’t encounter any other paddlers until our fifth day, the Boundary Waters ...

Government Funding Update Last Friday, Congress voted once again to avoid a government shutdown by extending funding for the federal government through a continuing resolution. A negotiated deal to finalize government funding for the current fiscal year was released over the weekend and is expected to be voted on and sent to the President’s desk this week. The negotiated government funding deal includes cuts to nearly all agencies and programs, including federal land management agencies. The ...

Tuesday March 5th NY BHA along with Wildlands Network, The Nature Conservancy, Rewinding Institute, Protect the Adirondacks, Scenic Hudson, and Hudson Highlands Land Trust visited with NY Assembly members to push for passing the Wildlife Crossing Bill, A4243B. Here are some reasons we support this bill New York State DOT estimates that there are roughly 65,000 deer-vehicle collisions each year in New York Habitat loss and fragmentation are leading causes of biodiversity loss, with ...