What fuels America's bird? Bass tips and curing your no boat blues in this month's newsletter

While the bald eagle has been a long-standing symbol of America, dating back to its appearance on the Great Seal in 1782, it was only recently formally recognized as the national bird. The bald eagle's journey to becoming the official national bird also highlights the success of conservation efforts. After facing near extinction due to factors like pesticide use and habitat loss, the bald eagle population has significantly recovered thanks to federal protections and conservation programs. The species was removed from the endangered species list in 2007. In December of 2024 it officially became America's national bird.

DID YOU KNOW... POLLINATORS play a critical role in our environment.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture, 80 percent of the crop plants grown in the world need pollination.
Bees, butterflies, moths, birds, bats, beetles, ants, flies, and mosquitoes have roles in pollination. Together these pollinators help reproduce three-fourths of the world’s flowering plants and about 35 percent of its food crops. Do you like to snack on blueberries or cherries? Honeybees pollinate up to 90 percent of blueberry and cherry flowers, along with various other fruits, vegetables, and nuts.
Since the late 1990s, it’s estimated the monarch butterfly population has dropped by a whopping 90%
One plant that is essential for the survival of monarch butterflies is milkweed. Female monarchs lay their eggs on the underside of milkweed leaves, and their caterpillars eat milkweed leaves.

How can you help?
1) Planting flowers and plants that benefit pollinators – even in a small spot in the city – can make a difference!
2) Your small backyard can also enhance habitat if you create wet areas with fresh water sources such as a birdbath and by providing nest boxes.

Here is a list of some native plants to add to attract butterflies and hummingbirds:
For butterflies:

Swamp and Common Milkweed
Butterflyweed
Coneflower
Blazing Star
Black-eyed Susan

For Ruby-throated hummingbirds:

Bergamot
Cardinal Flower

Draining water out of lakes on purpose? Yep - lowering water levels in shallow lakes make a big difference for bodies of water that duck hunters spend time on that are classified as a designated "wildlife"lake.

These temporary drawdowns by the DNR are designed to improve wildlife habitat and water quality. Using pumps to lower the water levels by a couple of feet to encourage new aquatic vegetation growth in the lake and to also discourage things that contribute to declining habitat conditions such as exotic common carp.

A drawdown may also be done if there is a dam that needs to inspected or even replaced. This is why it is important to do some research before you head out for your day on the water, as sometimes this activity limits your access to enjoy that area.

While several states already have requirements for someone to operate a boat or personal watercraft, like New York, which requires a boating safety certificate for operators ages 10-18, JPT members in Minnesota should know a new boating law goes into effect July 1st.
It will require boaters to have a watercraft operator's permit to drive a boat or personal watercraft (PWC).
READ MORE: Minnesota’s new boating law begins July 1: What you need to know

To get the permit, you have to go to a DNR website and pay a $34.95 one-time fee. Then study an online boater's safety course and pass a final exam, all of which is estimated to take about three to four hours.
If you pass, you can print a certificate of completion until you receive your permanent permit in the mail within three weeks.