Government Shutdown Could Disrupt Timing of Crucial Conservation and Wildfire Efforts

In the United States, the government shutdown is about to stretch into its third week as Republicans and Democrats continue to disagree on a bill to fund government services.

With many government programs on hold and at least 600,000 federal employees furloughed , the shutdown is having ripple effects on environmental work across the country.

For some government-run activities—from fire mitigation to endangered species recovery—timing is crucial, and even a short delay could have profound long-term impacts, experts say. On Monday, Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson said that the freeze could become the longest in history.

Ferrets in Limbo: Known for their bandit-like masks, black-footed ferrets once scampered the North American prairies in the hundreds of thousands . But throughout t