Public News Service

Many parks require you to stay a minimum distance of 25 yards from most wildlife and 100 yards from predators like bears and wolves, according to the National Park Service. (Joe A. Chansak/Adobe Stock)

Wildlife advocates: Keep your distance from wild animals

As summer travel peaks, wildlife experts are urging people to maintain their distance from wild animals they may encounter. North Carolina, home to …

The North Carolina Division of Mitigation Services has determined the real estate value of salt marshes in the state is more than $123 billion, based on their overall contributions to the environment and economy. (Adobe Stock)

North Carolina launches five-year plan to restore salt marshes

North Carolina's 220,000 acres of salt marshes face multiple threats to their major roles in climate protection and ecosystem health, from rising …

According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, red wolves were first listed as endangered in 1967, and are currently listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. (US Fish and Wildlife Service)

Red wolf pups signal hope for endangered species in NC

Ahead of Endangered Species Day this Friday, conservation groups in North Carolina are celebrating the birth of eight red wolf pups at the Alligator …

Bats are the only mammals capable of self-powered flight, and account for about one in five of all mammals on earth. There are around 1,300 bat species worldwide. (Anastasiia/ Adobe Stock)

Wildlife advocates: Bats provide $50 billion worth of natural pest control

As Halloween approaches and thoughts may turn to spooky bat costumes, advocates for endangered species are reminding everyone bats are not creatures …

Wildlife crossings help reduce habitat fragmentation and increase landscape connectivity. (Adobe Stock)

Advocates Call for More "Climate-Informed" Wildlife Crossings

Advocates in North Carolina and nationally are calling on decision makers to expand the use of climate-informed wildlife crossings. Given the vast …

The United States has approximately 3.8 million acres of salt marshes, according to The Pew Charitable Trusts. (Adobe Stock)

Multi-State Salt Marsh Conservation Planning Under Way

A plan to conserve more than one million acres of salt marsh stretching from North Carolina to northeast Florida is beginning to take shape. …

Although some hellbender populations remain healthy, it is listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN and is close to qualifying for Vulnerable status. The Ozark Hellbender, a subspecies, was listed as endangered federally in 2011, according to the Nature Conservatory. (Paula Worden/Resource Institute)

NC Habitat Increased for Endangered North American Salamander

Protecting North Carolina's rivers and streams is good for residents, wildlife and even salamanders. Recent work along Hog Lot Creek and Bates …

The planet lost an area of forest larger than the United Kingdom in 2020, according to research by the University of Maryland. (Adobe Stock)

New Scorecard Helps Consumers Find Responsibly Sourced Wood Furniture

HIGH POINT, N.C. - The National Wildlife Federation and Sustainable Furnishings Council have released the latest list of furniture retailers who rely …

The least tern is among nearly 500 species under threat of decline in North Carolina. (Don Henise/Flickr)

NC Senators Sponsor Bipartisan Wildlife Protection Bill

RALEIGH, N.C. - A bipartisan bill to protect wildlife species before they're imperiled has gained the support of North Carolina's senators. It's the …

Trawl nets are responsible for the majority of fish and shrimp catches worldwide. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Commission Set to Change Rules on Shrimp Trawling

RALEIGH, N.C. -- The North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission is expected to vote at its August meeting on a new amendment pertaining to shrimp …

In a 2016 poll by the group Defenders of Wildlife, 73% of North Carolinians said they support red wolf recovery. (Wildlands Network)

Research Shows Red Wolves Coexist with Deer, Other Game Species

EAST LAKE, N.C. - There are plenty of deer, wild turkey and other game species in eastern North Carolina's red wolf recovery area, according to new …

Salt marshes have disappeared over the past two decades along the Eastern Seaboard and other coastlines because of development, polluted runoff and rising seas. (Adobe Stock)

Military, Government Groups Endorse NC Salt-Marsh Protection Plan

WILMINGTON, N.C. -- A group of military and government leaders has endorsed an initiative to protect the one million acres of salt marsh that …

The red wolf is the world's most endangered canid, and the Southeast's native wolf. (Adobe Stock)

More Red Wolves Slated to Be Released Into the Wild

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Government wildlife officials say they will release more critically endangered red wolves into the wild in North Carolina. The move …

Elon University student Caitlyn Bullock is one of the co-plaintiffs in a lawsuit against the state of North Carolina for mismanagement of coastal marine resources. (Bert Owens)

NC Residents Sue, Arguing State Mismanages Coastal Fisheries

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Residents from 29 counties who enjoy fishing have signed onto a civil-action lawsuit, arguing the state of North Carolina has failed …

Flounder historically supported North Carolina's most valuable inshore commercial fishery, and remain a major recreational species. (NOAA/Wikimedia Commons)

Critics: NC Would Benefit from Fisheries Management Reform

RALEIGH, N.C. - Southern flounder is critical to the fishing economy of eastern North Carolina, but its population has dwindled to dangerously low …

The Southern Blue Ridge Mountains are among the most climate-resilient landscapes in the U.S., according to new research by a team of scientists at The Nature Conservancy. (Adobe Stock)

Map Reveals Biodiverse “Hotspots” to Help Species Survive Climate Change

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Animals are on the move to escape rising temperatures and increased floods and drought, but some could find refuge in North …

Catches of key fish stocks off the North Carolina coast have decreased by 75% or more depending on species. (Adobe Stock)

Calls for Reform of “Broken” NC Fisheries Management

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Calls are increasing to merge the state's Division of Marine Fisheries into the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission from …

Part of renovating the Payne Branch Dam involves improving wildlife habitat along Boone's Greenway Trail. (Michelle Ligon/Explore Boone)

NC Dam Restoration Project to Boost Wildlife Habitat

BOONE, N.C. - A damn restoration project set to start next month in western North Carolina is expected to improve water quality for thousands of …

The Civilian Conservation Corps helped build the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Young North Carolinians Could Benefit from Reviving Depression-Era Program

RALEIGH, N.C. -- The nationwide youth unemployment rate is the highest it's been since the Great Depression, and some are calling for creating a new …

This red wolf pup, just a few days old, was born April 21 at the North Carolina Zoo. (North Carolina Zoo)<br />

Critically Endangered Red Wolf Pups Born at NC Zoo

ASHEBORO, N.C. -- The North Carolina Zoo has welcomed the birth of five red wolf pups, as part of its American Red Wolf Recovery Breeding program…

Muskie are apex predator fish native to the French Broad River that runs through western North Carolina. (Conserving Carolina)

Bring Back Muskie – Goal of Western NC River Restoration Project

ASHEVILLE, N.C. -- This spring, a project to restore more than 100 acres of low-lying ground surrounding the French Broad river in western North …

Wetlands are critical to North Carolina's coastal ecosystems. (Adobe Stock)

As Biodiversity Shrinks, Conservationists Shift Focus to Protecting Land

RALEIGH, N.C. -- North Carolina's mountains and coasts are teeming with biodiversity that conservationists say is under threat from global warming…

In North Carolina, the Eastern Band of Cherokee has led conservation efforts to protect black elk and other wildlife on tribal lands. (Adobe Stock)

Eastern Band of Cherokee Leading NC Wildlife Conservation Efforts

RALEIGH, N.C. - Advocates say the survival of more than 450 species in North Carolina hinges on conservation action, and legislation currently being …

The American red wolf is one of the world's most endangered mammals. It once roamed from New Jersey to Texas, but only about 14 wolves live in the wild today, on the Albemarle Peninsula. (B. McPhee/USFWS/Wikimedia Commons)

NC Governor Urges Protection of Red Wolves

ASHEVILLE, N.C. – State officials are urging the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to work harder to save endangered red wolves from extinction…

The Linville River in western North Carolina. (Greg Jennings/Jennings Environmental PLLC)

River Restoration Project in Western NC Aims to Save Trout Population

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — A major project to restore more than 1,000 feet of the Linville River flowing through Gill State Forest in western North …

Each year, hundreds of thousands of bycatch fish die after being released back into the South Atlantic Ocean. (Adobe Stock)

South Atlantic Fishery Council Requires Catch-and-Release Devices

RALEIGH, N.C. – Fishermen from North Carolina down to Eastern Florida will soon be required to equip their boats with a portable device to help …

A new proposal aims to make North Carolina's shrimp-trawling industry more sustainable by lessening the amount of fish that are caught in shrimp nets as bycatch.

New Shrimp-Trawling Proposal Aims to Protect NC’s Juvenile Fish

RALEIGH, N.C. – North Carolina's Marine Fisheries Commission is expected to vote Thursday on a proposal that would place certain conditions on …

Many species of birds, amphibians, freshwater fish, reptiles and other wildlife have been determined to be priorities for conservation action in North Carolina. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Bipartisan Bill Could Help Protect Hundreds of NC Wildlife Species

RALEIGH, N.C. — Congress is considering a bill that would direct nearly $1.4 billion to state fish and wildlife agencies. Introduced by Rep…

A fox passes through wildlife-permeable fencing at a solar farm. This photo was taken by a motion-sensitive camera. (Pine Gate Renewables) A fox passes through wildlife-permeable fencing at a solar farm. This photo was taken by a motion-sensitive camera. (Pine Gate Renewables)

Permeable Fencing Helps Make NC Solar Farms Wildlife-Friendly

DURHAM, N.C. - Permeable fencing could help make solar-energy facilities in North Carolina more wildlife-friendly. The Nature Conservancy, along …

Small descending devices can help fish survive the journey from fisherman's hook back into the deep ocean. (Adobe Stock)

Simple Device Could Help Fishermen Save Deep-Dwelling Fish

MOREHEAD, N.C. – Snapper and grouper fishermen would equip their boats with a portable device to help deep-water fish survive when they're …

New legislation would require marine fisheries to let some fish species reach maturity before they can be harvested. (Adobe Stock)

New Bill Urges NC Fisheries to “Let 'Em Spawn,” Revive Dwindling Industry

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – North Carolina's fish stocks are dwindling, and new legislation aims to increase the populations of certain fish species …

A 600-pound bear died from a car collision east of Plymouth, N.C., this week. Law enforcement officials say the driver was unharmed. (Tom Harrison/NCBearFest.com)

Collisions With Bears Rise on North Carolina Highways

PLYMOUTH, N.C. — As the breeding season begins for North Carolina's black bears, so does the risk of collisions with the animals on highways in …

In the eight counties along North Carolina's seacoast, more than 33,000 people were employed in the tourism industry, generating more than $295 million in state and local revenue, according to the Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce. (Outerbanksfishing.org)

Bernhardt Confirmation Raises Concerns Over Offshore Drilling

CAPE HATTERAS, N.C. — The Senate vote set this week on the confirmation of David Bernhardt as Interior Secretary is making waves in North …

North Carolina's Albemarle Peninsula is home to the world's only wild population of red wolves. (Matthew Zalewski/Wikimedia Commons)

North Carolina’s Red Wolf a Unique Species, Study Finds

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Red wolves roam the Albemarle Peninsula of eastern North Carolina, and a new study confirms that the wild population is a …

The Virginia big-eared bat consumes insects, with small moths making up a significant portion of its diet. (Larisa Bishop-Boros/Wikipedia)

Documentary Highlights Fight to Save Endangered Bats

LINVILLE, N.C. — Bats are among the most misunderstood mammals, and a documentary showing at The Grandfather Mountain Nature Museum next month …

Advocates say pollinator-friendly solar farms benefit the environment and surrounding farms as they generate clean power for local communities. (The Nature Conservancy)

New NC Pollinator Group Offers Solar-Farm Guidance

DURHAM, N.C. – The buzz about the demise of honeybees, birds, monarch butterflies and other crucial pollinators has prompted the creation of a …

Groups say blocking public access to government agencies' websites violates the core principles of public participation outlined in the National Environmental Policy Act. (criene/Twenty20)

Groups Ask to Extend Public-Comment Periods Due to Shutdown

ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Conservation groups are keeping a watchful eye on federal agency websites during the government shutdown and say some pages …

The red patches on either side of the head of male red-cockaded woodpeckers are rarely seen - the birds usually conceal them unless they're excited or agitated. (Chuck Hess/U.S. Forest Service)

Healthy Homes Needed for Endangered NC Birds

WILMINGTON, N.C. — The Fourth National Climate Assessment released by the federal government outlined the impacts of severe weather on the …

Wilson Creek in Caldwell County has a growing number of outdoor enthusiasts seeking out the area because of improved trout population and waterways. (Trout Unlimited)

NC Communities Benefit from Historic Conservation Legislation

LINVILLE FALLS, N.C. – Outdoor recreation generates $28 billion dollars annually in North Carolina, according to the Outdoor Recreation …

Researchers at the University of Massachusetts believe that if oyster beds once in place in the coastal waters of New York had been there during Hurricane Sandy, much of the damage could have been reduced. (The Nature Conservancy)

Oysters Could Help Protect NC from Hurricane Season

WANCHESE, N.C. – North Carolina's coastal residents are breathing a sigh of relief after Hurricane Chris took a turn away from the Atlantic …

The black rail is perhaps the most imperiled bird species along the Atlantic Coast that most people have never seen. (NC Wildlife Resources Commission)

NC Businesses Join Call to Preserve Wildlife Funding

RALEIGH, N. C. – Almost 100 North Carolina businesses and conservation groups sent a letter to the state's congressional delegation this week…

The 2010 Deepwater Horizon spill in the Gulf of Mexico caused billions in damage, and a similar accident is what opponents to oil and gas exploration fear. (Florida Sea Grant/flickr)

Tick Tock: Deadline Nears for Public Comment on Offshore Drilling

BEAUFORT, N.C. – Citizens have two more days to weigh in on restarting the process of offshore drilling on North Carolina's coast. The Trump …

The Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy helped protect the Weaverville watershed that provides drinking water and a home to thousands of wildlife. (SAHC)

Land Conservancies Protect Drinking Water at Its Source

WEAVERVILLE, N.C. -- North Carolina's abundant water sources provide drinking water to thousands of people, but protecting the quality of that water …

The North Carolina Wildlife Federation wants regulations to be based on science when it comes to managing state fisheries. (M Fletcher/flickr)

NC Sportsmen Fishing for Better Solution to Marine Conservation

WILMINGTON, N.C. -- For two decades, North Carolina has been counting on a fishery management system that sportsmen and conservationists say is …

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is taking public comment on the future of the Red Wolf Recovery Program. (Valerie/Flickr)

Howling Mad? Groups Fight for Protection of NC Red Wolf

COLUMBIA, N.C. — North Carolinians are being asked to weigh in on the future of a landmark program responsible for bringing an animal back from …

Strata Solar in Raleigh has begun planting pollinator-friendly plants around the company's solar farms, including this one near Charlotte. (Strata Solar)

NC Solar Farms Do "Double Duty" Helping Pollinators

RALEIGH, N.C. — The growing number of solar farms in North Carolina require large tracts of land, and the areas around the solar panels must be …

Juvenile fish often are caught up in shrimp trawler nets off of the North Carolina coast. (flickr.com/mwms1916)

Marine Regulators Fishing for Public Comment on New Rules

NEW BERN, N.C. – Wildlife advocates say the state's fish population is in jeopardy because some species are getting caught up – literally …

Currently millions of fish and other marine life are caught up in the nets of industrial shrimp trawlers in North Carolina waters. (Roger Sanderson/flickr.com)

Fishing for Solution: Group Petitions State to Protect Fisheries in NC

WILMINGTON, N.C. – The North Carolina Wildlife Federation in a formal petition filed Wednesday asked the state Marine Fisheries Commission to …

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PNS Daily Newscast: Afternoon Update - September 18, 2024

2024Talks - September 18, 2024

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NC: Endangered Species & Wildlife