Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources’ Post

Forest Bathing - beautifully described by Gary Webb After reading you can close your eyes and almost feel like you're there. If you haven't experience this treat for the senses, then I encourage you to investigate further. There are some good beginners guide to forest bathing on Forestry England, National Trust, Warwickshire Wildlife Trust & Heart of England Forest websites. #mindfulnessmatters #forestbathing #wellbeing #lovenature

Bighorn Sheep versus Backcountry Skiers. Why go in the backcountry if you are not going to see wildlife? This is one of several new situations where recreationists have decided their needs are greater than wildlife. It has taken me a while to think through the article that looks at the conflicts. Do recreationists have too much "clout" to the detriment of wildlife or the land. It seems to be a battle that is starting to grow, enjoying the land versus the land. The case discussed concerns bighorn sheep. Backcountry skiers were able to keep open an area during winter that the sheep need to survive. Recreationist disturb the sheep using up energy which decreases their survival rate. I am a big recreationist & supporter of recreation. I believe the protection afforded our lands and wildlife comes from recreationists. However, have we gone to far in some cases? Read the article and determine your position. I'm on the side of the sheep. https://lnkd.in/g7dpdSJh #ExtinctionIsForever #EndangeredSpecies #ProtectWildlife #ClimateChange @RecreationLaw #RecLaw #RecreationLaw

Happy Friday! Take Time to Enjoy Wildlife. When I make time to take a lunchtime stroll, there is little that can give me a lift more than the soundtrack of a local blackbird, singing his heart out from a treetop perch. I've witnessed the charm of blue tits weaving their way through the trees and watched crows and gulls play on the thermals in the blue sky. This gives me the opportunity to take a breath, relax and tune in to the world of wildlife around me Sculpted from tarmac, concrete and glass, our urban world would seem hostile to other species. But as we know our cities and towns provide many of the things our wildlife needs to survive, food, homes, and shelter. Wild creatures will find a way to make the best of almost every opportunity however unlikely it might look to us. The key is to look at our urban world in a different way, the way an animal would see it. Then, buildings become nesting platforms for peregrines and herring gulls, a sheltered bush becomes a refuge for roosting fledged wagtails, and even our rubbish is sometimes an all you can eat buffet for rodents and foxes. As the seasons change, our skies come alive with the sights and sounds of migrating birds, so it can be a particularly good time to look up, as birds migrate over cities at night but also during the day. In the Spring you will see the arrival of swallows, warblers, nightingales and many more. During the autumn months you will see brent geese, waxwing, fieldfares come and settle on our shores. In the hustle and bustle of a working day what could be better than taking a break and snatching a few moments watching our wildlife. We'd love to hear about your wildlife encounters at work, on your commute and lunch break, and what's your favourite sighting in the urban jungle? We know our climate is in crisis, and many species face extinction and nature needs us more than ever, so we must all play our part and need to do so as a matter of urgency. Businesses can make a real impact, so if yours would like to support at a local level please consider becoming an Investor in Wildlife. Contact [email protected]. or [email protected] #nature

So how will we manage people who want to enjoy recreating on Pikes Peak? And protect the resource? We've seen the trash, the misuse, and user conflicts. Campgrounds and trails have been closed because of lack of resources to manage them. CPW already manages the layer of all wildlife across the mountain. What if they manage the layer of outdoor recreation? One management organization to balance wildlife and people... Be a part of the converstation. https://lnkd.in/gDwYBCnY

Want to support local wildlife and bring joy to your home? Use these tips to turn your backyard into a bird-friendly oasis. 🐦 What other outdoor home projects do you have planned this spring? Share in the comments! #livinglovingteam #beyondconventional #compassfl #tampabayrealestate #tampabayrealestateagent #homeownertips #birdwatching #springhomeimprovement

Lessons from Rutland Water: the miracle of nature My son and I took a quick blast on our bikes around Anglian Water Services Rutland Water yesterday. For those that haven’t been, it is England’s largest reservoir and a remarkable place. Here are a few things that struck me. 1.     The proposal and construction was incredibly controversial, destroying 2 villages and opposed by many local groups including the NFU & CPRE. 2.     Fast forward 50 years, and the site is treasured for its contribution to wildlife. It is an internationally important wetland and was designated a UNESCO RAMSAR site in 1991. 3.     The Wildlife Trusts Rutland Osprey project is focused on Rutland Water. Osprey’s were extinct in England until Roy Dennis OBE led the translocation and reintroduction programme, bringing Scottish Ospreys to Central England. In 2022 11 breading pairs of Osprey raised 22 chicks, a record. 4.     468 species of moths were recorded in 2022 and a remarkable 572 species of beetle (credit to the experts that can distinguish between all the variety of creatures!) 2022 was also a record year for Otter sightings. So what? Rutland water is principally a human resource, providing drinking water for half a million people. It also provides leisure activities including sailing, canoeing, fishing, paintballing, and cycling. But alongside that, with foresight and sensitive management it is proven that wildlife species can thrive even in somewhere as densely populated as England. Mother Nature is resilient. Humility And lastly, we should continue to appreciate that the human timescale is tiny and insignificant. The discovery in 2021 of a 10m long ichthyosaur should give everyone pause for thought. The ichthyosaur is an ancient marine reptile which swam the oceans over 180 million years ago as the top predator. The tiny County of Rutland was underwater. As you go about your business next week, will you be doing something visionary, that stands the test of (human) time? Will you be a positive force for good and contribute to your community? And just remember, whilst mother nature can be beautiful that ichthyosaur would have gobbled you up without a moment’s thought!

💡 Tip for Sellers: Spring marks one of our busiest seasons as you prepare to bring your property to market. Here are key tasks to enhance your property's appeal: 🌳 Trail Maintenance: Ensure trails are clear by hand-cutting back overgrown limbs or utilizing heavy equipment like a Bush Hog. 🚜 Landscaping: Mow dead fall weeds from pond and lake edges for a cleaner presentation. 🦌 Wildlife Care: Maintain deer and fish feeders to enhance the property's allure during showings. 💧 Aquatic Management: With warming waters, anticipate aquatic vegetation growth and be ready to spot spray where necessary. 🚛 Property Organization: Speaking from experience, the ranch is where household junk goes for a second life. It's time to declutter and send that stuff off to its afterlife. 🤣 Maximize your property's potential this spring with these impactful tips. 🌱 #ranchsales #republicranches

Want to support local wildlife and bring joy to your home? Use these tips to turn your backyard into a bird-friendly oasis. What other outdoor home projects do you have planned this spring? Share in the comments! . #Sold #teamTony #RemaxAspire #Teamtonyremax #realestate #realestateagent #homeownertips #birdwatching #springhomeimprovement

Protecting landscapes for their role in wildlife corridors and vital connectivity is a fascinating (and valid) logic for national monument designations. We cannot grow or replace these places on the landscape, or the wildlife that depends on them.