Beaver Tales: Southwest Utah’s Ecological Engineers

By Luke Matschek When you look at the seemingly harsh desert landscape and red rock wonderland of southwest Utah, the American beaver (Castor canadensis) might not be the first critter that comes to mind. However, beavers are long-time residents of the Virgin River Basin and can be found in bodies of water throughout the region.…

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Gila Monsters: Beneath the Scales of Utah’s State Reptile

By Tyson Victor Fall is an excellent time to search for one of Utah’s most iconic creatures, the Gila monster. This large lizard spends most of the summer underground to escape the blistering heat, then emerges in the autumn seeking sustenance before winter brumation (akin to hibernation). Washington County, located within the Mojave Desert, is…

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Ask a herpetologist

Learn more about interacting with Utah’s native reptiles and amphibians in the wild! By Megen Kepas, UDWR Native Herpetology Coordinator [Originally posted by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources] Spring in Utah brings with it the emergence of wildlife. In particular, reptiles and amphibians begin to come out of their winter shelters and disperse onto the…

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Endangered Species Mitigation Fund allocates $4.4 million to fund 42 wildlife conservation projects in 2023

[Originally posted by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources] SALT LAKE CITY — A total of $4.4 million was allocated to dozens of wildlife-related projects at the recent annual Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Endangered Species Mitigation Fund meeting on May 3. The Endangered Species Mitigation Fund was created in 1997 to direct funds toward…

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6 easy ways you can help wildlife, in honor of Earth Day

[Originally posted by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources] Utah is home to many wildlife species and spectacular landscapes. Saturday, April 22 is Earth Day, making it a great time to reflect on the ways we can help restore and preserve nature, including fish and wildlife and their habitats. Here are five simple steps you…

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Found a baby bird on the ground? Here’s what to do.

[Originally posted by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources] It’s a beautiful spring day so you decide to go for a nice walk around your neighborhood. You are strolling along the sidewalk when suddenly you hear loud chirping near your feet. You look over and see a baby bird lying on the ground near a…

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