The Michigan DNR acquired two significant properties in Q2 2026: the 40-acre Bavin Tract in Hillsdale County for Lost Nation State Game Area, and the 320-acre Thunder Bay River Headwaters Tract in Montmorency County for Atlanta Forest Management Unit. Ess Lake Development Corporation contributed $231,000 toward the Thunder Bay acquisition.
Grand Slam Club/Ovis has pledged a five-year commitment to Wild Giants Conservation Fund to support rewilding efforts in the Republic of Georgia, including habitat restoration and community-led conservation. The partnership aims to restore native species like Bezoar Ibex to their historic range in the Caucasus.
The Indiana Conservation Partnership announced 2025 conservation accomplishments, with landowners installing over 44,800 new conservation practices and preventing 2.1 million tons of sediment from entering waterways. Hoosier farmers planted 242,000 acres of cover crops and implemented 217,000 acres of conservation tillage with ICP assistance.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service downlisted the razorback sucker from endangered to threatened, marking a significant conservation milestone after 30+ years of collaborative efforts by Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, federal agencies, tribes, and the Arizona Game and Fish Department.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks accepted an 82-acre island donation from Trust for Public Land on the upper Yellowstone River, creating Siskin Island Fishing Access Site. The acquisition protects riparian habitat, expands public access, and will be managed for conservation and recreation including float-in camping and fishing.
Governor Mike Braun and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources announced the acquisition of 15 acres of forested land for Austin Bottoms Conservation Area in Scott County. The Central Indiana Land Trust purchased the property and conveyed it to DNR, which used President Benjamin Harrison Conservation Trust funds from blue Environmental license plate sales to complete the acquisition.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources, partnering with the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation and Lucas County Conservation Board, is restoring the newly acquired 356-acre Rathbun Wildlife Area in southeastern Lucas County through invasive species removal, prescribed fire, and wetland restoration to enhance habitat quality.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service rescinded the blanket 4(d) rule under the Endangered Species Act, a policy victory championed by PERC and RMEF. The change enables more tailored, incentive-driven species recovery by rewarding conservation progress and encouraging habitat restoration by states and landowners.
The piping plover, absent from Pennsylvania for over 60 years, has achieved ten consecutive years of nesting at Presque Isle State Park in Erie. The Pennsylvania Game Commission, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Army Corps of Engineers, USDA, DCNR, Erie Bird Observatory, and Western Pennsylvania Conservancy collaborated to restore this federally endangered shorebird to the Commonwealth's beach ecosystem.
The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources completed 133 habitat projects during fiscal year 2025, restoring or preserving over 114,277 acres across Utah with $55 million in funding from 49 partners. Projects included acquiring the Cook Wildlife Management Area in Daggett County and completing watershed restoration initiatives to improve mule deer populations and habitats.
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources and Parke Trails Alliance celebrated the opening of Phase 2 of the Parke Community Rail Trail in Jessup, a 2.5-mile hard-surface segment funded by a $5 million grant. The project connected Jessup and Catlin communities and relocated a historic 175-year-old Whipple truss bridge, aligning with Governor Mike Braun's commitment to outdoor recreation and healthy communities.
Wild Giants Conservation Fund officially launched with a mission to restore iconic wildlife in the Caucasus Mountains of the Republic of Georgia. Founded by Tanner Tripp, the organization combines rewilding, community partnerships, and sustainable economic development to rebuild wildlife populations while creating lasting economic opportunities for local communities.
Michigan's Department of Natural Resources acquired the Black River Ranch property in the Pigeon River Country State Forest through a partnership involving the Forest Legacy Program, Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund, Little Traverse Conservancy, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, and National Fish & Wildlife Foundation's Acres for America program. A public celebration is scheduled for July 17.
Gunwerks and the Worldwide Trophy Adventures Outdoor Guardian Fund committed $109,000 to fully fund the Wild Sheep Foundation's Coming Home project, which will translocate approximately 100 California bighorn sheep from Oregon to British Columbia over two years, completing a significant North American conservation effort.
Over 5,500 Wyoming students participated in Trout in the Classroom, a partnership between the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and Trout Unlimited. Students raised rainbow trout in classrooms and released fingerlings into 24 community fisheries, learning ecology, water quality, and conservation while gaining hands-on STEM experience.
The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission unanimously approved the purchase of the Upper Thompson Conservation Easement Phase 1, protecting 34,610 acres on Green Diamond Montana Timberlands LLC property in the Cabinet Mountains. The project secures permanent public recreation access, prevents development, and protects critical wildlife habitat supporting elk, moose, deer, and mountain lions while maintaining sustainable timber harvest.
Governor Mark Gordon is seeking public comment on proposed revisions to Wyoming's Executive Order 2019-3 Greater Sage Grouse Core Area Protection through July 30. The updates reflect Wyoming's commitment to state-led sage-grouse conservation strategy utilizing best-available science alongside responsible development.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) installed eight floating enclosures at Lake Harris and Little Lake Harris to promote submerged aquatic vegetation coverage. The three-year habitat restoration project supports the Harris Chain of Lakes Management Plan and provides breeding grounds and shelter for fish and wildlife species.
The National Fish Habitat Partnership and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are providing over $14.8 million to support 58 fish habitat conservation projects across 26 states in 2026. The USFWS contributes $2.7 million with partners adding $12 million, demonstrating a 5:1 federal-to-partner funding ratio for restoring habitats and improving fishing opportunities nationwide.
Jeffrey Kimbell, a longtime SCI supporter, won a hunt sweepstakes and chose to bring his three children on a full bag hunt with Venator Safaris in New Zealand. The family combined hunting with duck hunting, jet boating, skiing, and fishing, harvesting fallow deer, Arapawa rams, red stag, and tahr while creating lasting memories and experiencing conservation firsthand.