U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)

Skies are blue, trees are green, restoration looks really good on this stream! In 20 seconds, you'll see the incredible results of restoration in action at Nulhegan Division of Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge, as a road culvert gets upgraded to a sustainable bridge, promoting safe infrastructure for people and healthier habitats for brook trout, wood turtles, freshwater mussels, and more. Culvert replacements are one of the nature-based solutions funded through the Inflation Reduction Act, the largest climate investment in history. For more on how the IRA is funding conservation across the Northern Forest, visit https://ow.ly/IJ9t50T8YAp Video description: funky, upbeat music plays as a timelapse video of a road with a large culvert under it is gradually torn down by workers and machines, and is replaced by a sturdy bridge with a stream flowing underneath

Motown Birds is a great band name and the focus of the Detroit Bird City project. 🎶🐦 This project is transforming underutilized parks into beautiful community greenspaces with meadow habitat, providing a haven for birds, insect pollinators, and visitors alike. Detroit is a migration hotspot, particularly in the fall when birds funnel through the Detroit River corridor during migration. By turning unused land commonly filled with trash and invasive species into meadow habitats, these areas can support struggling birds during their migratory journeys. Discover more about the partners making this project come to life in the comments below. Photo of an indigo bunting in a meadow in Detroit, Michigan by Diane Cheklich/Detroit Bird Alliance.

Moooood: plodding, with deep thoughts. Meet the Cowcod, not to be confused with the very different/not related cowfish!🐄🐟 This big rockfish found off the coast of California has a huge mouth that can extend impressively outward. Catch all the deets on our latest episode of "Fish of the Week!" - your audio almanac of #AllTheFish. Our guest is cowcod enthusiast Milton Love. Catch new episodes every Monday at FWS.gov or wherever you get your podcasts. On deck: American Eel! A deep-dwelling Cowcod. 📷 NOAA Fisheries/SWFSC/Fisheries Research Division

A new program brings college students together to learn curriculum about wildlife biology, hunting strategy, firearm training, and animal processing. Academics Afield is a college learn-to-hunt program created by the Georgia Wildlife Federation in 2019 that aims to introduce students to shooting sports, hunting, and a better understanding of conservation. Supported in part through multistate grant funds administered by USFWS, this initiative is introducing hundreds of young adults to hunting and the outdoors. Discover more about this awesome program and great story: https://ow.ly/elci50T8IT8 Photo of Fort Valley State University students appreciating a sunrise while on an Academics Afield Program dove hunt. Photo courtesy of Academics Afield Program

Randy the Rescue Dummy is here to let you know that he's a huge supporter of life vests. Randy and all of us here at USFWS hope you have a fun Labor Day weekend. Don't forget those flotation devices while you're out recreating, fishing and enjoying the water this holiday. Photo of Randy the Rescue Dummy from Parker River National Wildlife Refuge Complex by USFWS.

May your skin stay as moisturized as a torrent salamander. Torrent salamanders have evolved for a semi-aquatic existence around cold mountain streams and wet forest floors. They are thought to have some of the lowest heat tolerances among all amphibians and are incredibly sensitive to drying out, requiring near-constant access to water for survival. Accordingly, increases in severe heat, drought, and wildfire associated with climate change are expected to have negative impacts on these sensitive species in the years ahead. This Columbia torrent salamander is endemic to southwestern Washington and northwestern Oregon. USFWS photo: Chris Cousins

Nobody will remember: - your salary - how “busy you were” - how many hours you worked People will remember: - all of those interesting wildlife facts you'd tell at parties and work gatherings

Check out the latest episode of the Thoughts From Home podcast! Maria Trevino is an outdoor recreation planner and works with the River, Trails, and Conservation Assistance (RTCA) program which is a wing of the National Park Service. In this episode, Maria shares how she makes connections with communities, builds their trust, and her journey to her current position, stationed in her hometown of El Paso, Texas. 🔊 https://ow.ly/6tKB50T8HLk Image by USFWS

Alaska is home to an estimated 100,000 black bears. Many black bears find themselves in habitat shared by people and wildlife, such as these two young bears in a residential area of Anchorage. While wildlife may be enjoyable to watch, remember thinking cautiously can help protect them. Before settling in to enjoy watching bears from a safe distance, survey the scene and remain alert because the mother is likely nearby. Binoculars or a high zoom capable camera make great tools for bear viewing at a distance not close enough for the bears to be aware of your presence. Bear aware practices, even in residential areas, decrease interactions that threaten the safety of bears and their human neighbors. 📸 Black bear cubs in Anchorage, AK by Kris Pacheco/USFWS #AlaskaWildlife #BlackBearHabitat #BearSafety #BearAwareness #WildlifeHabitat #WildlifeConservation #NaturePhotography

Striped skunks are starting to bulk up for the long winter, so you might see them foraging later in the morning and coming out earlier in the evening. Have you seen any lately? 📷 Tom Koerner/USFWS