Images

In Navajo culture, the American black bear holds deep significance, symbolizing strength, protection, and a sacred connection to nature and the spiritual world. Little is known about their ecology or how they interact with humans in Arizona.

Arctic-breeding shorebirds have experienced widespread population declines in recent decades. These declines are occurring even though Arctic nesting grounds are relatively undisturbed by human infrastructure and fragmentation, although future infrastructure expansion poses a threat to breeding birds.

Arctic-breeding shorebirds have experienced widespread population declines in recent decades. These declines are occurring even though Arctic nesting grounds are relatively undisturbed by human infrastructure and fragmentation, although future infrastructure expansion poses a threat to breeding birds.

Aaron Yappert is a master’s student at Iowa State University in the USGS Iowa Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit. His research focuses on the movement ecology of Dunlin, a medium-sized shorebird, on the breeding grounds in northern Alaska.

Arctic-breeding shorebirds have experienced widespread population declines in recent decades. These declines are occurring even though Arctic nesting grounds are relatively undisturbed by human infrastructure and fragmentation, although future infrastructure expansion poses a threat to breeding birds.

Arctic-breeding shorebirds have experienced widespread population declines in recent decades. These declines are occurring even though Arctic nesting grounds are relatively undisturbed by human infrastructure and fragmentation, although future infrastructure expansion poses a threat to breeding birds.

Boreal toads, once common in the Rocky Mountain Region have experienced significant population declines. These declines are linked to habitat loss and infection by the fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis. This boreal toad pictured is from the La Barge Creek watershed in Wyoming. 

Margot Breiner, MS student, using telemetry to re-locate a boreal toad. Boreal toads, once common in the Rocky Mountain region, have experienced significant population declines. These declines are linked to habitat loss and infection by the fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis.

In January 2025, Sammy accepted the CRU Regional Unit Supervisor for the Northeast Region. Unit scientists and unit supervisors work with cooperators to help them identify their needs, and unit 
supervisors ensure that all research conducted is aligned with the USGS mission. 

Crawfish frog in its breeding wetland, this frog was captured and outfitted with radio-transmitters to understand how far from the wetlands they travel after breeding season ends.

A crawfish frog in its breeding wetland. We attached radio-transmitters to the crawfish frogs to understand how far from the wetlands they travel after breeding season ends. The crawfish frog is rapidly declining across its range. This unique species lives primarily in upland habitats and relies on crayfish/mammal burrows. 

A bucket full of crawfish frogs captured at their breeding wetland in Arkansas to better understand their habitat requirements.

Conor is the Assistant Unit Leader of the Florida Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit. Conor's research focuses population assessment and predictive modeling to support decision making for both harvested species and imperiled species.

American bullfrogs are causing big problems for our native wildlife in Arizona. These non-native frogs are a threat to species like the federally threatened Chiricahua leopard frog. Bullfrogs breed quickly and spread far, making it tough to control their numbers.

Chiricahua leopard frog breeding site, Las Cienegas National Conservation Area, Arizona. American bullfrogs are causing big problems for native wildlife in Arizona. These non-native frogs are a threat to species like the federally threatened Chiricahua leopard frogs. 

Invasive American bullfrogs are a BIG threat to our native wildlife in southeast Arizona, including some endangered reptiles and amphibians like Chiricahua leopard frogs and northern Mexican garter snakes. These bullfrogs can spread quickly and reproduce easily, making it tough to manage their population.

American bullfrogs are causing problems for native wildlife in Arizona. These non-native frogs are a threat to native species like the Chiricahua leopard frog and northern Mexican garter snake, which are already struggling to survive. Here, graduate students gather invasive American bullfrog tadpoles using a net.

Invasive American bullfrogs are a big threat to our native wildlife in southeast Arizona, including some endangered reptiles and amphibians like Chiricahua leopard frogs and northern Mexican garter snakes. These bullfrogs can spread quickly and reproduce easily, making it tough to manage their population.

The Goose Lake Basin in Oregon is a unique, desert valley straddling the Oregon-California border. This basin is home to several endemic fish species, including the Goose Lake redband trout, Goose Lake lamprey, Goose Lake tui chub, and Goose Lake sucker.

Graduate students at the Nebraska Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit are electrofishing on Deer Creek, Nebraska. Fish in prairies and rivers are influenced by processes that happen in their habitats. When river habitats are damaged, it can disrupt processes like fish movement.

Purple coneflowers (Echinacea purpurea) can provide habitat for butterflies and bees in a home garden.