Restoring Biodiversity - 6/16/2026
A flesh-eating parasite is moving north through Mexico, threatening livestock, wildlife, and rural economies. This week's edition examines the growing New World screwworm threat, the response unfolding in Texas, and why prevention remains the cornerstone of effective stewardship.
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Here is what we’ve been reading, watching and writing about over the past week…
The best conservation stories often remind us that stewardship is not merely about protecting what we can see. It is also about defending against the threats we cannot. This week, we turn our attention to a tiny but devastating parasite that has the potential to impact cattle, wildlife, rural economies, and ecosystems across North America.
The New World screwworm has moved steadily north through Mexico, prompting an unprecedented response from federal and state officials. Here are three stories that help explain why.
USDA: New World Screwworm Not Yet in the U.S., But Threat Draws Closer
Federal officials continue to stress that the New World screwworm has not yet been detected in the United States. However, recent cases in northern Mexico have brought the parasite alarmingly close to the border, prompting increased surveillance, sterile-fly releases, detector dogs, and expanded response planning.
From where I sit, this is precisely what proactive stewardship looks like. The goal is not to manage a crisis after it arrives—it is to prevent one from ever taking hold.
Read the full article:
https://www.pitchstonewaters.com/usda-new-world-screwworm-not-yet-in-the-u-s-but-threat-draws-closer/
New World Screwworm May Be in South Texas
Few words capture a rancher's attention faster than "it may already be here."
This report examines mounting concerns that the New World screwworm could have crossed into South Texas or may be on the verge of doing so. While officials continue monitoring and investigating reports, the story serves as a reminder that biological threats often move faster than public awareness.
For landowners, wildlife managers, and livestock producers, vigilance remains the first and most important line of defense.
Read the full article:
https://www.pitchstonewaters.com/new-world-screwworm-may-be-in-south-texas/
Secretary Brooke Rollins Discusses Actions Taken to Combat the New World Screwworm
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins recently outlined an aggressive national response aimed at stopping the screwworm before it can gain a foothold in the United States.
The strategy includes expanded sterile-fly production, new facilities in Mexico and the United States, increased surveillance, and enhanced coordination between federal and state agencies. The sterile insect technique remains one of the most successful examples of science-based pest management ever deployed, and officials are betting heavily on its success once again.
Protecting livestock is only part of the equation. Deer, elk, wildlife, pets, and countless other species stand to benefit if these efforts succeed.
Read the full article:
https://www.pitchstonewaters.com/secretary-brooke-rollins-discusses-actions-taken-to-combat-the-new-world-screwworm/
And that’s it - as always thank you..
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