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Woodpeckers thrive where missiles fly. How a bombing range became a wildlife refuge

In a surprising twist of conservation success, a U.S. Air Force bombing range in Florida has become a sanctuary for endangered species like the red-cockaded woodpecker. Michigan State University researchers used decades of monitoring data to study the impact of moving birds from healthier populations to struggling ones. The outcome? A powerful success story showing that with long-term commitment, strategic partnerships, and smart interventions like controlled burns and translocations, even isolated wildlife populations can rebound and thrive. This model may hold the key to saving many more species teetering on the edge.

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