Centuries ago, the largest rodent in North America, the beaver, was extirpated throughout most of its range due to trapping for its highly sought after fur. Today, after years of efforts to reintroduce the beaver to extirpated areas, some consider this critter quite a nuisance while others understand the conservation benefits that beaver have to offer.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced that it is making $17.5 million in financial and technical assistance available for protection, restoration and enhancement of critical wetlands on private and tribal agricultural lands, according to the Wildlife Management Institute. The funding will be provided through the Wetland Reserve Enhancement Partnership which is part of the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program created in the 2014 Farm Bill.

The Appalachian Region is known for its extensive tracts of mature hardwood forest and high biodiversity, including that of songbirds. The region is a stronghold for the cerulean warbler, containing about 75 percent of the population. The USGS West Virginia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, in collaboration with the Cerulean Warbler Technical Group, National Council for Air and Stream Improvement, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Appalachian Mountains Joint Venture (AMJV), and researchers and managers from universities, state agencies, U.S.