AOS Checklist Redux 2024

Ornithological Society’s (AOS’s) Check-list of North American Birds, published today in Ornithology, includes several updates to the classifications of bird species found in North America, Central America, and the Caribbean.

A few highlights from this year’s supplement, detailed below, include species splits for Troglodytes aedon (House Wren) and Tyto alba (Barn Owl); a lumping of Acanthis flammea (Common Redpoll), Acanthis hornemanni (Hoary Redpoll), and Acanthis cabaret (Lesser Redpoll); a genus merger for bitterns; and a genus split for plovers.

Source and full article: https://americanornithology.org/65th-supplement-to-check-list-of-north-american-birds-publishes-in-ornithology/

Transformational Change in British Columbia

Tashina James-Matilpi, a Guardian from the Tlowitsis First Nation, takes measurements of a kelp forest. © Joshua Neufeld        

          Over the last month, two major announcements in British Columbia led by First Nations have protected millions of hectares of rainforest and marine ecosystems while advancing conservation economies.

  On June 18, the Ahousaht and Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations announced an agreement with the Government of British Columbia for the protection of more than 76,000 hectares (188,000 acres) in Clayoquot Sound. One week later, 17 First Nation in partnership with the Government of Canada and the Government of British Columbia announced the signing of agreements launching the Great Bear Sea PFP — a sustainable long-term financing model that will protect 10 million hectares (nearly 25 million acres) of globally significant marine ecosystems.

  Nature United is honoured to have supported these initiatives and congratulate all the leaders of these landmark achievements. 

Source: Nature United

First Indigenous-led Blue Park - April 25, 2024

It’s the world’s first Indigenous-led ‘blue park.’ And Kitasoo Xai’xais Nation pulled it off without waiting on Canada

Awarded for protecting sea life, Gitdisdzu Lugyeks Marine Protected Area is also the first ever ‘blue park’ in Canada

Source: https://thenarwhal.ca/bc-first-nation-blue-park-designation/?en_txn1=e.co_ca.eg.x.0515.n.n.sas._canada&en_txn8=NewSch.ZBEMSA2405NPNZNZZE15Z00-ZZZZZ-XXXX&lu=7a9b4091-bcd5-4eab-b416-a2506be15c55&customer_id=20771566