U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)

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Meet the next generation of cloned black-footed ferret kits! The twelve new offspring are the result of continuing genetic research on cloning technology to increase genetic diversity for this endangered species. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gbHDMrzV. Thanks to our partners at Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, Revive & Restore, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, and others, this achievement marks a significant milestone in the possibilities of using cloning technology to enhance genetic diversity for endangered species. Video: Roshan Patel/Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute Video description: Black-footed ferrets, light brown in body color, play in an enclosure with plastic tubing, at one point three emerge from under a pot, and then one shows off its long and slender body while walking.

From scaling waterfalls to farming algae, Hawaii’s native ‘o’opu gobies embody a mauka to makai (mountains to sea) way of living. These fascinating obligate amphidromous fishes help us open a window into Hawaiian culture, sense of place, and kuleana. Get to know 'o'opu nākea, 'o'opu 'alamo'o, ‘o’opu nopili, ‘o’opu naniha, and ‘o’opu ‘akupa on our latest "Fish of the Week" podcast episode. Catch new episodes every Monday on our FWS website or wherever you get your podcasts. If you like learning about Hawaii's fishes, you might also like these episodes: S4:E43 Mullet S4:E21 Awa (Milkfish) S3:E18 Tuna S2:E18 Moi (Pacific Threadfin) ‘o‘opu nōpili (Sicyopterus stimpsoni) 📷 Jules Wyman CC BY-NC 4.0 ‘o‘opu nākea (Awaous stamineus) 📷 Cody Chicon ‘o‘opu ‘alamo‘o male (Lentipes concolor) 📷Cory Yap ‘o‘opu ‘akupa (Eleotris sandwicensis) 📷Cory Yap ‘o‘opu naniha (Stenogobius hawaiiensis) 📷Hubert Szczygieł CC BY-NC 4.0 #AllTheFish

Today is National Public Lands Day. It's the one day when Mother Nature herself says, “Go ahead, the cover charge is on me.” All national wildlife refuges and national park sites that usually charge an entrance fee are fee-free today. That means more opportunities to explore, wander, and maybe even spot a white-tailed buck showing off his best “branch manager” impression, like this one at Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge. Public lands are yours. They're open spaces where wildlife thrives and people connect with the outdoors. Take advantage of today and make some wild memories. Photo by Dan Walters (sharetheexperience)

It’s not just a day on the calendar, it’s a tradition that built American conservation. National Hunting and Fishing Day is here, and we’re celebrating the role hunters and anglers play in conserving wildlife and wild places. Did you know that hunting and fishing is allowed on more than 400 national wildlife refuges, water management districts, and national fish hatcheries? That means family traditions, good food on the table, and access to the outdoors on public lands across the country. Hunters and anglers have always been conservationists at heart. Their contributions restore habitats, support wildlife, and ensure future generations can experience the same outdoor traditions we love today. As we look toward America’s 250th birthday in 2026, we’re reminded that hunting and fishing are more than hobbies, they’re part of our national heritage. #America250 Photo of hunters at Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge by USFWS

Incredible underwater scene as a manta ray swims above the coral reef at the remote Palmyra Atoll National Wildlife Refuge! The filter feeders with wingspans that can surpass 20 feet long are common in the plankton-rich lagoons of the atoll, about 1,000 miles south of Hawaiʻi. Palmyra Atoll is a circular string of islets nestled among several lagoons, all encircled by 15,000 acres of coral reefs. USFWS video Video description: Large manta ray approaches from the distance, slowly propelling itself in the shallow blue ocean with coral below and crashing waves above, eventually moving just past the camera.

Did you mistake this moth for a hummingbird? You’re not alone. Meet the white-lined sphinx moth, also known as the hummingbird moth — a fascinating pollinator that mimics hummingbirds in both appearance and behavior. Like hummingbirds, these moths hover in front of flowers, and they even sound similar to hummingbirds. But despite the similarities, they’re quite different: - Hummingbirds are larger, live longer, and consume both nectar and insects. - Hummingbird moths are smaller, live shorter lives, and feed exclusively on nectar. They also undergo complete metamorphosis — from caterpillar to moth. Want to attract these unique pollinators to your garden? Fall is the perfect time. Plant nectar plants, like honeysuckle, four-o'clocks, and phlox, for adults. Plant host plants, like four-o'clocks, evening primrose, and willow weed, for caterpillars. By planting with purpose, you can support pollinators and enjoy the magic of these hummingbird look-alikes right in your own backyard. Photo of white-lined sphinx moth by Tom Koerner/USFWS

Desert bighorn sheep are occasionally seen at Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge in Nevada, often roaming the hills above the Point of Rocks – King Pool Springs boardwalk and picnic area. Even if you don’t catch a glimpse of them, you might notice signs of their presence, like scat, along or beside the half-mile boardwalk loop trail. Credit: Rod Colvin/USFWS

So, uh, what are we looking at here? These are baby paddlefish (called fry), so new that they haven't yet developed the paddle-shaped rostrum they're named for. At this age, they survive off the yolk sac they hatched with, but will soon start feeding on microscopic plankton which will help them grow to be up to 7 feet long and 200 pounds! Photo: Ralph Simmons/USFWS

97% of visitors give national wildlife refuges two thumbs up. 👍👍 That’s not just a number, it’s a reflection of how deeply Americans value time outdoors, whether it’s watching a bald eagle soar, hiking a quiet trail, teaching kids to fish, or heading out for a fall hunt. The latest National Visitor Survey shows that refuges aren’t just places to see wildlife. They’re destinations where families make memories, local economies thrive, and communities stay connected to the land and water that define America. With more than 560 refuges across the country, most within an hour’s drive of major cities, there’s always a wild place waiting to welcome you. Learn more about the results and what visitors are saying about the National Wildlife Refuge System: https://ow.ly/OMHj50X0pkk Photo of Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge by Matt Sonnycalb (sharetheexperience)