Daniel Schwab

Greater sage grouse numbers have been dropping for years in California. Scientists have concluded there are several reasons: land development, habitat loss, mining and climate change. It’s feared the bird’s population in the state could disappear.
According to the state’s Fish and Game Commission, as of two weeks ago, the bird is now protected under the California Endangered Species Act.
“They are very uncommon in California,” said Ileene Anderson, a senior scientist at the Center for Biologi...

The Biden-Harris administration proposed three rule changes to the Endangered Species Act. The changes affect the criteria used for designating critical habitat, the regulation of threatened species, and consultation between federal agencies.
Martha Williams, Service Director of U.S. Fish and Wildlife, said the goal was to ensure the Endangered Species Act worked for both people and species by “prevent[ing] the extinction of species and support[ing] their recovery.”
At least one of the propos...

The Idaho Fish and Game Commission unanimously adopted a wolf management plan instructing the state to gradually reduce the wolf population from about 1,340 to 500 animals over the next six years.
The new wolf-management plan was introduced at a Commission meeting on January 26. It calls for incentivizing more hunting and trapping of wolves and loosening Idaho’s wolf hunting and trapping policies.
The goal is to keep the wolf and big game, mostly elk, populations balanced to minimize conflict...

Carbon offsetting is a way to reduce the impact of greenhouse gas emissions by investing in projects that either remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere or prevent it from being emitted in the first place. While carbon offsetting has been criticized by some as a way for individuals and companies to avoid taking real action to reduce their carbon footprint, it can be a valuable tool for addressing climate change when used responsibly.
The basic concept of carbon offsetting is fairly straight...

With evolving technology and new research, scientists, conservationists, policymakers, and other stakeholders have a better understanding of how migratory behavior plays an important role in maintaining healthy and abundant ungulate populations, which provides significant benefits to humans.
The science of wildlife migration has advanced at a rapid pace over the past decade, although much remains to be learned about this phenomenon across the western U.S. Tens of thousands of data points now ...

In 2022, seven states enacted laws that provided millions of dollars for constructing wildlife crossing over busy roads.
These milestones- in California, Colorado, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming- broke new ground in protecting corridors while blazing new trails for repeating or expanding future projects.
California Governor Gavin Newsom signed the Safe Roads and Wildlife Protection Act in law on Sept. 30, which addresses ecosystem connection from a transportation perspectiv...

Since humans have spread worldwide, they have affected every corner of the planet in various unexpected ways. While habitat destruction and climate change are well-known causes of environmental damage, other things can negatively affect the environment.
Noise Pollution
Human noise has become an issue in places that used to be quiet, such as the ocean. While marine wildlife still make calls and clicks in the ocean, they compete with ships, submarines, seismic surveys, and oil extraction facili...

One of the most inspiring events in nature is the migration of animals. These massive movements are often carried out in search of new habitats.
The Great Migration of animals is a vital part of our planet’s natural ecosystem. It shows that the world’s habitats are connected. Here are some of the world’s greatest migrations.
Sea Turtles
These sea turtles are known to make incredible journeys in the ocean to lay their eggs and feed.
Recently, scientists were able to track the movements of seve...

Entrepreneurs are utilizing markets and property rights to improve conservation. These three examples are protecting our environment and making an impact that has proven beneficial.
The first example is conserving water. The West is familiar with drought, and with growing populations water is scarce in areas.
Trout Unlimited (TU) is one innovator who is harnessing water markets for conservation. Ranchers and farmers have water rights for their agricultural needs, and TU works with them to tem...

After a three-year delay in implementing Wyoming’s big game migration protection policy, some members of Wyoming Wildlife Taskforce have urged wildlife managers to take action.
On December 14 in Cheyenne, the group held their final meeting. Sen. Larry Hicks (R-Baggs) expressed his frustrations stating, “We’re missing opportunities. It frustrates me to no end to sit here and say we have to have the best available science when we can’t afford [it] for every single wildlife population or corrido...

Setting New Year’s resolutions can be tough, as you set the bar too high and inevitably fail. This year, instead of focusing on what you can do for yourself, you can focus on ways to make the world around you better. This blog is going to talk about the ways you can incorporate eco-friendly goals into your New Year’s Resolutions.
Create a waste audit
Instead of throwing out all of your garbage every day with no thought, try to keep track of what you are throwing away each week. This will allo...

Looking for a way to improve yourself and your community and meet more people? Volunteering can help you gain new skills and experience, meet new people, and help those in need in your local community. There are many ways to get involved in community service.
Serve in your local soup kitchen
Volunteers are needed at soup kitchens to help prepare and serve meals to people who are in need. Some people may only have food for one meal a day, and a soup kitchen can provide them with a variety of n...

You can make a difference in the long-term survival of Yellowstone by following proper environmental practices. One of the most important things that you can do is to treat the park, its forest, hydrothermal and geologic features, and its wildlife with respect. Here are some ways that you can help protect Yellowstone National Park.
Don’t feed the wild animals
Although it may seem small, not feeding the animals has a profound impact on their life. It can affect their welfare and prevent them f...

Yellowstone National Park has been an example of American conservation for 150 years. As the 150th anniversary of Yellowstone is celebrated, it reminds us of how far we have come with conservation, as well as where it needs to go next. When the park was established, there was a consensus that it, as well as other similar lands, should be protected. Roosevelt, Pinchot, Muir, and many others constructed this consensus over the decades to follow.
In 1872, the Yellowstone National Park Protection...

Daniel Schwab Wyoming on why droughts influence populations.