Why are rare woodpeckers thriving on this US Army base? | WILD HOPE

One of the most inspiring conservation stories in American history is playing out on, of all places, a live-fire training ground at Ft. Liberty Army base in North Carolina. There, an improbable alliance is giving a special bird—the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker (RCW)—a new lease on life. After a clash between U.S. Fish and Wildlife and the U.S. Army revealed that low-grade forest fires sparked by artillery and tracers inadvertently created excellent woodpecker habitat, the two sides joined forces to monitor and protect the birds on the base. Landowners on nearby properties are joining the effort—putting aside mutual suspicions and using fire to save the RCW and ignite a passion for wildlife.

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[glynnrobinson-tztd]

I was born, raised and continue to live in Wilmington NC. My parents bought a home just a few miles inland from Wrightsville Beach in the mid 1960's. We had virgin long leaf pines on the quarter acre lot and the woods behind, including two separate pocosins, I hope I spelled that right. As I recall, one was less than 100 yards off the property line. Mom wouldn't let us into those woods in summer, she was scared of what might get ahold of us. She was right, copperheads and various other snakes were prevalent. I remember box turtles in the backyard, quail amongst the thick scrub oak surrounding the pocosin, ancient live oaks and long leaf pines with twisted branches that stood stately like an old veteran proud of his service. Me and my brothers were free to roam that pococin in winter, no snakes or skeeters to harm us. I was 5 years old when we moved there in 1967, in the early 1970's a development contractor cut in all down, filled in both pocosins and built houses. My mother still lives in my childhood home . She's 88 and still standing like those long leaf pines, proud and strong. There are a few cypress trees surviving as testimony to what was, and I learned with age, a paradise. I drive through that neighborhood and can still see the evidence of the boundary of the pocosins and remember childhood. I hope further generations can have those memories. I love North Carolina, my family has been here since before the American Revolution, let's save what's left of wild North Carolina . Our past creates our future.

[allisavercool]

There's a really cool and interesting history of indigenous people managing the land with fire, so it's nice to see that tradition carry on

[richardjohnson]

what a fantastic film showing that people can unite to help wildlife and nature thrive again. Thank you.

[LIZZIE-lizzie]

There are "helper" males!! That is aMAzing. Animals can help each other and we can't? More like we won't. While at a Botanical Garden on Staten Island, we went into the museum. Now extinct, this area was indigenous for a species of Woodpecker. The bird stood 24" as an adult, had black white and red feathers and a very long and sturdy ivory beak. The ivory beak is quite impressive, as is their size. Please, let us not bring to extinction the RCW Woodpecker or any of our wildlife. They are losing ground as we speak as my heart sank over the loss of the tar pines. How disheartening that man could not leave a "few" 😢 Beautiful documentary ❤
Thank you!

[JohnJonelis]

I love this narrator' strong voice and am convinced I recognize her from other things.

[mddell]

🇺🇲 THANK YOU
for teaching this 60+
year old woman things I did not know.
❤

[bizzybee]

Nice to see how man and nature can both benefit from the land.

[jamieeto]

We are lucky to have such beautiful documentaries that are so inspiring.

[paulafigueiredo]

Very interesting video. It was a pleasure to watch. I also love nature. It heels and it’s a balm for my soul.
Thank you 🙏

[NaNa-jbq]

I luv all the unwanted n hated animals/critters..i have 4 groundhogs a lot of squirrels n wild turkeys n the worse obnoxious birds!😂 but i luv the woodpeckers n hummingbirds!everyone should be kind to all!animals/critters have it so hard man has no idea how easy we got it..we take take take...its only our own fault that all these animals/critters are declining n comin closer to our back yards since were pushing n takin over everything!its sad everyone has a very important role n job n we need to preserve what we have now ...great video!

[trevorrounds]

Great story. I am excited that the RCW is expanding its population.

[annefoley]

I often hear the sad lament "Humans are a plague, " and this is the best defense against that lie. I knew plenty about longleaf pine ecosystems, but this story surprised me.

[dfcpea]

18:02 I bet that hurt some pride to admit the military was doing some good stuff with the habitat.

[k-dramagoodmorningseoul]

HI! How are you?

Starting from this week, Korea/Seoul has finally started to see a break from the heatwave.
Of course, it's still mid-summer. On Tuesday - for the rest of the week, I hope you have good health and good things happening.

And I always support your charming/beautiful activities. ^^

[京狐夢美]

Good to see the military actually doing something good for once lol

[renee]

There should be so many more birds than there are now. I’m very frightened for earth.

[cyankirkpatrick]

Impressive and I just don't throw that around, but I hope they are responsible in picking up the left over spent cartridges here and there.

[chuckokelley]

Been doing about the same thing in Arkansas.With the timber Companies for about the last thirty plus years

[susanhouseman]

No mention of the NC Forest Service or the Nature Conservancy? They have been burning in those Longleaf forests for 30-40 years.

[dfcpea]

12:27 California hasn’t learned this yet.