What recent achievement was made for New England cottontails?

The achievement regarding New England cottontails centers on the significant conservation effort reflected in the conservation of 3.7 million acres across six states. This extensive land conservation is crucial for habitat preservation, allowing for the creation of environments where New England cottontails can thrive. This initiative reflects a collaborative approach among various stakeholders, including state and federal agencies, conservation groups, and local communities. By conserving large tracts of land, these efforts directly contribute to the stability and growth of the cottontail populations, indicating progress in their conservation status.

In contrast, while options regarding population restoration, federal protection, and surveys about population decline touch upon important aspects of wildlife conservation, they do not accurately represent the most significant and recent achievement linked to New England cottontails. Population restoration in three states implies ongoing efforts but does not convey the broader impact of land conservation. Complete protection under federal law would represent a major milestone but is not yet realized for New England cottontails. Similarly, surveys showing population decline would contradict the conservation efforts being recognized, which highlight a positive trajectory rather than a negative trend. This context helps clarify why the conservation of 3.7 million acres is framed as the most meaningful achievement in safeguarding the New England c