Horned lizards are spiky cuties. Three to six inches long, these lizards are coated with sharp spines all across their hard, sand-colored backs. But in the dry deserts and prairies they call home,...

The commission approved a Monroe County code amendment to adopt revised species-assessment guides and incorporate Condition G of the incidental-take permit for Key Deer; staff said the amendment will be forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners for adoption in December.

Staff said the Board approved the Forest Management Plan under contingencies tied to Habitat Conservation Plan permits and performance measures; NOAA Fisheries has issued its incidental-take permit for anadromous fish while U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service review of terrestrial species is ongoing.

City staff told the council the archaeological/pedestrian surveys (two task orders) are NEPA grant requirements for FAA/FHWA-funded runway protections and a 1,000-foot Runway 35 extension; council approved the task orders authorizing $29,962.90 and $16,949.15 for the two task orders.

A citizens' petition led by Dustin Neild urged Littleton to ban first‑ and second‑generation anticoagulant rodenticides on town property and to file a home‑rule petition to opt into a forthcoming state framework; town meeting approved the motion after testimony about wildlife and pet poisonings.

The board approved a future land‑use map amendment and zoning change for a 3.22‑acre US‑19 site at Timberlane/Trent Road for a restaurant with development‑agreement limits (reduced impervious surface, capped occupancy, no amplified music). Neighbors objected over bald eagle activity, lighting, noise and private‑road access; staff and applicant said site plan permitting and Fish & Wildlife review will address those issues.

Professor Randy Chambers (William & Mary) presented a metal‑ring TED design and said field tests showed about 84% fewer terrapins and that pots with BRDs caught more crabs, points the committee cited in technical discussion.

Two residents presented certified lab results they said show petroleum hydrocarbons and multiple PAH compounds moving from Venice Airport outfalls into Deertown Gully and asked the city to expand the planned $200,000 environmental review to include deeper sediment cores, sampling along the canal to the Gulf, air filters and a remediation budget.

Multiple public commenters at the Oct. 27 Pima County Board of Supervisors meeting urged the county to stop awarding contracts to Sun Construction, citing its federal border-wall work and alleged environmental and cultural harms. Commenters asked the board to adopt a policy barring contracts with companies building the border barrier.

Commissioners probed how the draft would address pre- and post-construction noise and vibration, thermal (heat-island) effects and cumulative impacts on wildlife and communities; staff said technical submittals will include modeling, decibel limits and mitigation strategies.

American NGO the Rainforest Trust recently aided in the creation of a 715,000-acre wildlife reserve in Bolivia along the Iténez River, considered by scientists to be a “link of life.” This 780-mile-long watery artery, the majority of which forms the northeast border between Bolivia and Brazil, is home to all the hits: jaguar, Amazon River […] The post NGO Celebrates 70 Million Amazon Acres Conserved After Protecting Are Called a ‘Link of Life’ appeared first on Good News Network.

Resolution 51‑2026, included in the packet, would create the Pronghorn Meadows CIZD after a clerk certification that 78% of affected property owners signed the petition; findings mirror other Raynold’s Pass petitions on habitat, water and emergency‑service concerns.

Zoo staffers don’t know whether the bright green eggs are viable and will ultimately hatch into chicks. However, the eggs themselves are a major win, because breeding the birds in captivity is tricky

Dozens of residents told McCormick County Council on Oct. 20 that rezoning nearly 1,000 acres for data-center development would threaten water supplies, wildlife and the rural character of the county and asked council to delay or strengthen ordinance 26-06.

CDA staff say a specialty license plate could provide dedicated revenue for a permanent wild‑horse program; the department plans design input from the advisory committee and aims for sales to start as early as Jan. 1, 2027.

Council unanimously directed staff to draft a mayoral cover letter to Secretary Burgum affirming support for the Teton County Commissioners' letter opposing the Moose Wilson Corridor record‑of‑decision amendment; multiple conservation groups urged pause and further environmental analysis during public comment.

Staff said the grant explicitly asks the committee to consider the Eastern Oregon solar siting rule and that work will identify where solar is most appropriate (transmission access, low conflict with irrigated ag/wildlife); a detailed state briefing is planned.

Permian Resources and Cascade Services offered a donated project to line and restore the Wadley Baron 'Duck Pond' to address drainage and evaporation problems; council accepted the donation unanimously and staff described a bentonite clay liner approach to retain water and protect wildlife.