Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program
How can I contribute? | Nongame projects
In
North Carolina, there are over one-thousand nongame mammals, reptiles,
birds, amphibians, mollusks and crustacea. Nongame wildlife includes all
wild animals except those that can legally be taken by hunting and fishing.
Many nongame species are quite common and can be viewed as close as your
own backyard. The Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program, established
in North Carolina in 1983, strives to prevent species from becoming endangered
through maintaining viable, self-sustaining populations of all native
wildlife, with an emphasis on species in decline.
The Nongame Program was developed as a section of the Division of Wildlife Management of the NC Wildlife Resources Commission. Funding for the Nongame Program is the result of the General Assembly's enactment of the North Carolina Tax Check-Off for Nongame and Endangered Wildlife. The Tax Check-Off enables North Carolina taxpayers to donate a portion of their state income tax refund to nongame wildlife conservation. These contributions are a significant source of funding for the Nongame Program.
How You Can Contribute
To contribute to the Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Fund, please enter an amount on line 26 of your North Carolina income tax form. If you are not eligible for a refund, but would still like to contrbute towards nongame wildlife conservation, direct donations can be sent to: Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Fund, 1722 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, N.C. 27699-1722. All donations are tax-deductible.
Over the past decade, the Tax Check-Off has supported projects focused on conservation, education, and recreational use of our nongame wildlife resources. Some of these efforts are described below.
Nongame Wildlife is Important!
Whether you are a landowner, parent, fisherman, hunter, business professional or wildlife enthusiast, the conservation of wildlife is important to you! Declining populations are indicators of suffering ecosystems of which we are all a part. The conservation of our natural resources benefits everyone.
Nongame Program Projects
NC
Birding Trail
The NC Birding Trail was created "to conserve and enhance North Carolina's bird habitat by promoting sustainable bird watching activities, economic opportunities and conservation education".
Sea Turtle Recovery
Sea turtle nests are often threatened by high tides, heavy beach traffic, and artificial lighting. Nongame Staff coordinate the efforts of several hundred volunteers from individual beach projects along approximately 300 miles of North Carolina's coastal barrier islands. These volunteers monitor nesting activity and report sea turtle strandings.
Learn about the satellite tracking at Bald Head Island, NC
Download Seaturtle fact sheet >> lo-res (pdf, 181 KB) | hi-res (pdf, 2.67 MB)
Reptile and Amphibian Day
This annual event highlights the biology, ecology and conservation needs of reptiles and amphibians around the world. With live animal and educational exhibits, there is much to see and learn for people of all ages.
Colonial Waterbird Conservation
The Nongame Staff manages colonial waterbirds on 21 state-owned coastal islands. These islands provide nesting habitat for 25 species of terns, gulls, herons, egrets, cormorants, and pelicans which have long-attracted bird enthusiasts. Nongame staff lead the efforts of state, federal and private agencies to manage and protect these nesting areas.
Download Colonial Waterbirds fact sheet >> lo-res (pdf, 288 KB) | hi-res (pdf, 1.5 MB)
Freshwater Mussel Population Monitoring
While
over fifty percent of the mussels in North Carolina's waterways are
considered imperiled, they are thought to be one of our best indicators
of water quality. Nongame Staff monitor mussel populations and coordinate
with state, federal and private agencies to protect their habitat.
See the North Carolina Atlas of
Freshwater Mussels and Endangered Fish
NC Partners in Amphibian & Reptile Conservation
NC
Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (NCPARC) is North Carolina’s
own chapter of the successful world-wide organization Partners
in Amphibian and
Reptile
Conservation. Like the
parent organization, NCPARC unifies members from all walks of life under
one banner; that of the conservation of amphibians and reptiles and their
habitats. The members of NCPARC hail from academia, state and federal
agencies, research facilities, nature education centers, land trusts,
municipalities, zoos, veterinary fields, forest products industries,
energy cooperatives, conservation organizations, herpetological societies,
pet trade industries, museums, and even your own neighborhoods. The program
hopes to make a difference for the persistence of healthy amphibian
and reptile populations
in our
state.
NC Partners In Flight
This initiative,
coordinated by the Nongame Program in North Carolina, brings together
government, private
and public organizations and individuals in an effort to further migratory
bird conservation throughout the Americas. Through habitat protection,
management,
monitoring, professional training and education this program hopes to
maintain both bird species and habitats, to preserve the sights and
sounds of springtime. Visit
the NC Partners in Flight Web site.
Neotropical Migratory Landbirds
Download Neotropical Landbirds fact sheet >> lo-res (pdf, 218 KB) | hi-res (pdf, 1.1 MB)
Northern Flying Squirrels
Research involving trapping and nest box surveys, conducted by Nongame Staff in the mountains of North Carolina, is helping to determine the range of this endangered species. This information will help to ensure that our forests are managed in a manner that protects and enhances Northern Flying Squirrel habitat.
Download Northern Flying Squirrels fact sheet >> lo-res (pdf, 320 KB) | hi-res (pdf, 5.4 MB)
Peregrine Falcon Restoration
Between 1984 and 1996, 88 peregrines were released from various cliff sites in western North Carolina by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission. Nongame staff coordinates and conducts a nest monitoring project which tracks the success of restoration efforts.
Download Peregrine fact sheet >> lo-res (pdf, 241 KB) | hi-res (pdf, 3.68 MB)
Bald Eagle Wildlife Observation Site and Nesting Activity
Bald eagle nests are monitored each year by the Nongame Staff in order to obtain productivity information. Previously known nests and additional areas are surveyed either from the ground or by plane. The number of active nests, along with the number of young fledged per nest is recorded and compiled on an annual basis. The Wildlife Observation Site on Jordan Lake provides a tranquil location for observing our national bird in addition to year-round wildlife. Nongame Staff coordinates management of this site in cooperation with the US Army Corps of Engineers and the New Hope Audubon Society. The nature trail and viewing platform are used daily by school groups and wildlife enthusiasts.
Download Bald Eagle fact sheet >> lo-res (pdf, 254 KB) | hi-res (pdf, 653 KB)
Green Salamaders
Download Green Salamander fact sheet >> lo-res (pdf, 480 KB) | hi-res (pdf, 2.45 MB)
Red-Cockaded Woodpecker
Download Red-Cockaded Woodpecker fact sheet >> lo-res (pdf, 162 KB) | hi-res (pdf, 675 KB)
Learn about the Red-Cockaded Woodpecker Safe Harbor Program:
- Safe Harbor Program Questions and Answers (pdf, 34 KB)
- Information for Landowners. Is it right for you? (pdf, 508 KB)
Bats
Download Bats fact sheet >> lo-res (pdf, 267 KB) | hi-res (pdf, 1 MB)
Bog Turtle
Download
Bog Turtle fact sheet >> lo-res (pdf,
217 KB) | hi-res (pdf,
3.9 MB)
Urban Wildlife
Download Urban Wildlife Program fact sheet >> lo-res (pdf, 288 KC) | hi-res (pdf, 3.56 MB )