By Terrell Erickson, National Biologist, USDA-Natural Resources
Conservation Service Although no one yet knows the full
environmental impact of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, we are
hopeful about a new initiative to aid wildlife in the Gulf, the
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Migratory
Bird Habitat Initiative. Approximately 50 million birds travel
to the Gulf Coast on their annual migrations to warmer climates.
Some stay through the winter while some feed and rest before
flying over the Gulf of Mexico to Central and South America.
Working with NRCS under the Migratory Bird Habitat Initiative,
farmers, ranchers, and other landowners will develop and enhance
wetland habitats, to provide additional options away from oil
soaked areas, for the birds to use on the long journey south.
The initiative includes Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia,
Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Texas and is available for
sign up until August 1st, 2010. The project was recently
featured on several television