North Carolina Wildlife Federation

Today is the last day to to get your discounted early bird tickets for this year's Ocean Advocacy Workshop! Don't miss the chance to participate in this incredible workshop and learn how to protect, conserve, and restore our coastal marine ecosystems and resources! Register now: https://lnkd.in/ecuh_GYp

"You guys... give it to me straight... is there something on my head?" ?? #WildlifeInYourYard While it may be a few more weeks before we see some dragonflies in flight... this is the time of year when our NC reptiles start emerging from their state of brumation! Brumation is essentially the same thing as hibernation, but for reptiles and amphibians. Both hibernation and brumation are defined as a state of low activity and metabolic depression in cold-blooded animals. Species like snakes, turtles, and amphibians enter brumation by escaping into the ground, beneath the frost layer. Some species of turtles rear their young before winter, but the hatched young will brumate underground and wait until spring to emerge for the first time. And, generally, right about this time of March is their time to shine! Keep an eye out for reptiles in your yard, give them plenty of space, and keep working to provide healthy habitats for them and the other wildlife species that share your yard!

This is the season of the Eastern swallowtail butterfly (Papilio glaucus). You might see them flittering about your garden plants this time of year and on through the summer! ?? Swallowtails are a common type of butterfly, present wherever deciduous forest is close by! Because of their wide habitat range, they are considered a generalist species. That's good news for us and for our NC plant species that rely on their pollination prowess! ??

?? Psst... hey... guess what... it's almost hummingbird time. ?? #WildlifeInYourBackyard We're getting a little ahead of the game here, but there's a reason for it! Hummingbirds will start migrating back to North Carolina later this month, and its the perfect time to prepare for their arrival. Plant native flowering plants in your backyard to provide them with crucial nectar sources. And if you use hummingbird feeders, make sure to wash them thoroughly before hanging them up again later this month! If you have any hummingbird visitors this year, make sure to take a couple photos and tag us in them so we can check them out. ??

Whether you know it or not - birds need your yard. ??And they're probably already there! The question is... are you providing them with the habitat they need for survival? ???? #WildlifeInYourYard Creating habitat for birds in your yard doesn't have to be difficult. Check out our blog post "Wild Bird Essentials: How to Provide Birds with Shelter, Food, and Water" to learn how you can start turning your yard into a haven for wild birds! Link: https://lnkd.in/eSda6HQy ??Photo: Red-bellied woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) by Tony Cervati, NCWF Photo Contest Submission

North Carolina, like much of our country, faces a significant habitat problem.???? The available spaces where wildlife can thrive—finding food, water, shelter, and safe places to raise young—are increasingly scarce. ?? But it doesn’t have to be this way. Spaces that could be hospitable for wildlife are plentiful – if we would landscape differently. Dr. Doug Tallamy, author of Nature’s Best Hope and Bringing Nature Home, estimates there are 40 million acres of lawn in the US. If landowners converted half of these spaces to habitats full of native plants, we could restore 20 million acres of habitat, creating a “park system” larger than all of the country’s national parks combined. ?? Making your yard a better habitat for wildlife doesn’t require a massive overhaul – there are small, simple steps you can take to ensure that your property provides wildlife with the essentials they need for survival. We're here to help you get started with the resources and information you need! Head to ncwf.org/habitat to find out more. ??Photo: Red fox (Vulpes vulpes) by Michael Burkhard - NCWF Photo Contest Submissions

It's the last day of #InvasiveSpeciesAwarenessWeek , and we're gonna tackle an invasive species with one of the most misleading names - the tree of heaven.?? Once introduced as an ornamental tree due to its fast growth and adaptability to a variety of conditions, the tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima) has now become an invasive species. The tree of heaven forms dense thickets by rapidly producing root suckers, and its wind-dispersed seeds spread quickly, allowing it to invade large areas. Additionally, the tree excretes toxic compounds from its roots that inhibit the growth of native plants, further disrupting natural habitats. What You Can Do: Remove: If you spot a tree of heaven on your property, remove it to prevent its spread. Monitor: Keep an eye on treated areas, as new suckers and seedlings will need to be removed quickly to avoid regrowth. Replace: Consider replacing the tree with native alternatives such as hickories, green ash, butternut, smooth sumac, or staghorn sumac. Give: Consider donating to NCWF's Invasive Species Awareness Week campaign! You can donate here: https://conta.cc/4hLqPDS

Did you know feral pigs are one of the most destructive invasive species in North Carolina? ?? #InvasiveSpeciesAwarenessWeek You can learn all about them in NCWF Union County Wildlife Chapter's recent webinar: Invasive Wild Pigs and Their Behavior: https://conta.cc/4iqRFBh

Can you identify these two species of invasive vine that endanger native trees and treetop wildlife habitats? ?? #InvasiveSpeciesAwarenessWeek Put your answers in the comments! While you're at it, consider donating to NCWF's Invasive Species Awareness Week campaign, and help us address the harm caused by invasive species in North Carolina! Donate here: https://conta.cc/4hLqPDS

This is a zebra mussel - unfortunately, its not as cool as it sounds. ???? It's Invasive Species Awareness Week! This the week, we'll be highlighting some of the invasive species in North Carolina that need your attention. This is the zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha), one of the most significant and destructive invasive species in North America. Native to Asia, zebra mussels were first detected in the United States in 1988 in the Great Lakes. Despite their small size, they can clog water filtration pipelines, render beaches unusable, and cause damage to watercraft. It is estimated that the United States spends more than $1 billion annually for zebra mussel-related damages. Zebra mussels have also been detected within a variety of moss ball products designed and sold for use in aquariums and – as such – have continued to work their way into the water system. The moss balls are sold under different brands in a variety of packaging. Before using moss balls – or any type of aquarium product – it is best practice to inspect them for pests or other harmful elements. You can help address the harm caused by invasive species by donating to NCWF's Invasive Species Awareness Week campaign! Donate now: https://conta.cc/4hLqPDS ?? Photos by NCWRC and USFWS and Aquatic Conservation