The New State Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategies: Aquatic/Fisheries Components

Moderators: Tim Hess and Jeff Koenings
Emails: Tim_Hess@fws.gov and koenijpk@dfw.wa.gov

Date: Thursday, September 15, 2005
Time: 8:00 am to 12:00 pm
Location: Egan 13

Since the early days of natural resource conservation in this country, a comprehensive fish and wildlife plan from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and from Canada to Mexico has eluded us. Various state and federal agencies have crafted strategic plans for different species or species groups, but with only some recent exceptions these plans focus on the agencies producing them, their capabilities, and their jurisdictional authorities. Recently, however, Congress has provided funding to State fish and wildlife agencies, primarily through the State Wildlife Grants program, to develop Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategies (CWCS) by October 1, 2005. These strategies must (1) provide information on wildlife distribution and abundance; (2) describe locations and relative conditions of key habitats and community types; (3) describe problems affecting species and habitats and identify priority research and survey needs; (4) describe conservation actions deemed necessary; (5) propose monitoring plans; (6) describe procedures for strategy review and updates; (7) identify plans for coordination and implementation with other agencies; and (8) include broad public participation. During the past three years, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has worked closely with the States through the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies and through other agencies and national organizations to provide guidance and workshops for the Strategy development. Most States will have submitted and received approvals for their Strategies by symposia time. The implementation of all of the Strategies will complete a blueprint for the future of fish and wildlife conservation across the United States. The primary symposium objective is to inform the larger fisheries community about the existence of and future positive impacts from the State Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategies. A secondary objective is to energize and engage potential fisheries conservation partners to assist in the execution of the conservation actions offered in these Strategies.

Link to list of presentations in this symposium

Sponsors:

AFS Fish Administrators' Section

AFS Fish Management Section