Local Native Species News Items
Aerial Surveys Confirm Upward Trend in Lesser Prairie-Chicken Population7/9/2018 5:52:00 AM
The latest lesser prairie-chicken survey shows bird populations are up from last year, continuing an upward trend over the last few years. The survey indicates an estimated breeding population of 38,637 birds this year, compared to 29,934 birds counted last year.
“This approximately 30% annual increase is good news, but we know that year-to-year fluctuations are the norm with upland birds like the lesser prairie-chicken,” said Roger Wolfe, WAFWA’s Lesser Prairie-chicken Program Manager. “The most encouraging result from the survey is the steadily increasing population trend over the last six years, which likely reflects improving habitat conditions.”
Lesser prairie-chickens can be found in four ecoregions in five states: Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. Wildlife biologists note prairie chicken numbers regularly fluctuate up and down from year to year due to changes in habitat conditions mainly influenced by weather patterns. More favorable weather patterns this past year contributed to apparent increases in three of four ecoregions where the birds are found. There is concern that moderate to severe drought over portions of the lesser prairie-chicken range this year may lead to a down turn in the population next year.
The shinnery oak ecoregion of eastern New Mexico and the Texas Panhandle saw the biggest annual increase in birds, followed by the sand sagebrush ecoregion of southeast Colorado and southwest Kansas. The shortgrass ecoregion which covers northwest Kansas also registered an annual increase in the number of breeding birds. The estimated number of birds in the mixed-grass ecoregion spanning the northeast Panhandle of Texas, northwest Oklahoma and south-central Kansas is similar to last year’s estimate.
The annual population surveys are conducted as part of the Lesser Prairie-Chicken Range-wide Plan, a collaborative effort of WAFWA and state wildlife agencies of Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas and Colorado. It was developed to ensure long-term viability of the lesser prairie-chicken through voluntary cooperation by landowners and industry. The plan allows industry to continue operations while reducing and mitigating impacts to the bird and its grassland habitat. Industry contributions support conservation actions implemented by participating private landowners. To date, industry partners have committed more than $64 million in enrollment and mitigation fees to pay for conservation actions, and landowners across the range have agreed to conserve more than 150,000 acres of habitat through 10-year and permanent conservation agreements.
“We’re encouraged by this year’s numbers but are mindful that successful conservation of the lesser prairie-chicken will require decades of consistent progress,” said J.D. Strong, Director of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation and Chairman of the Lesser Prairie-Chicken Initiative Council. “The continued success of the range-wide plan depends on ongoing participation by industry partners, and we are grateful for the support shown thus far. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will be making another ruling on the status of the lesser prairie-chicken later this year, and industry support of the plan is more important than ever. At such a critical juncture in the conservation of this important but imperiled prairie grouse, we encourage industry to contact us and get involved."
For more information about the Lesser Prairie-Chicken Range-wide Conservation Plan, contact Roger Wolfe at roger.wolfe@wafwa.org
WAFWA news releases available at www.wafwa.org/news/
Lesser Prairie-Chicken Range-wide Conservation Plan can be found HERE
Photo Credit: Grant Beauprez
Since 1922, the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA) has advanced conservation in western North America. Representing 24 western states and Canadian provinces, WAFWA’s reach encompasses more than 40 percent of North America, including two-thirds of the United States. Drawing on the knowledge of scientists across the West, WAFWA is recognized as the expert source for information and analysis about western wildlife. WAFWA supports sound resource management and building partnerships at all levels to conserve wildlife for the use and benefit of all citizens, now and in the future.
WAFWA Reports on 2017 Lesser Prairie-Chicken Range-wide Conservation Plan Progress4/2/2018 3:05:00 PM
On March 30, the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA) submitted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service its fourth annual report detailing achievements under the Lesser Prairie-Chicken Range-wide Conservation Plan. Among other accomplishments, WAFWA reported on the permanent conservation of land in three ecoregions, including a stronghold that was created with the placement of a conservation easement on a nearly 30,000-acre ranch in Kansas. In addition, the population of the bird is trending upward, a promising sign.
“We’re in this for the long haul and we’re just four years in at this point,” said J.D. Strong, Director of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation and Chairman of the Lesser Prairie-Chicken Initiative Council. “We’re pleased at the progress that has been made thus far. The population trend is encouraging, as is the continued support of all of our partners who are participating in the range-wide plan.”
The range-wide plan is a collaborative effort of the state wildlife agencies of Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas and Colorado as well as other private and public partners involved in lesser prairie-chicken conservation. It was developed to enhance lesser prairie-chicken conservation by refocusing existing efforts and also established a new mitigation framework, administered by WAFWA, to encourage greater voluntary cooperation of landowners and industry participants. This plan allows industry participants to continue operations while restoring and maintaining habitat and reducing development impacts to the bird and its habitat.
The plan was endorsed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 2013, and as part of the conservation effort, the states agreed to report annually on the overall progress of the plan. Findings for 2017 include:
Lesser prairie-chicken population stable, trending up
The annual lesser prairie-chicken aerial survey used to monitor populations was conducted from March through May 2017. The breeding population was estimated at 33,269 birds in 2017 which was up 34% from the previous year. There has been a statistically significant increasing trend in the range-wide lesser prairie-chicken breeding population since 2013 when drought subsided across much of their range. The average rate of annual increase since that time has been 2,931 birds.
Permanent conservation efforts on private land are bolstered in 2017
During this reporting period, WAFWA secured permanent conservation in three ecoregions by finalizing agreements with five landowners. One site consists of 968 acres of privately owned native rangeland in the mixed-grass ecoregion in south central Kansas. WAFWA purchased a perpetual easement, held by Pheasants Forever, that protects the conservation values of the site. This property is adjacent to a property WAFWA has already permanently conserved, bringing the complex total to 2,726 acres.
In September 2017, permanent conservation easements were finalized with three different landowners to secure a complex of 3,682 acres in the shortgrass ecoregion in northwest Kansas. The Nature Conservancy holds these easements.
WAFWA acquired the title to a 29,718-acre Kansas ranch in the sand sagebrush ecoregion in 2016, and in March 2017, a conservation easement held by The Nature Conservancy was placed on the ranch. The property meets all the criteria to be considered a stronghold, which is defined as a large area of high-quality habitat that can sustain a population into the future. WAFWA will continue to manage the property as a working cattle ranch.
Private land lease agreements enhance conservation efforts
In March 2017, a new 10-year term agreement was signed with a landowner in the mixed-grass ecoregion on 12,738 acres in southern Kansas. An additional 10-year agreement was signed with another landowner on a 160-acre inholding within the larger tract. Both properties are grazed and managed as one unit.
NFWF grant enhances lesser prairie-chicken habitat
During 2017, WAFWA provided $153,945 in funding to a private landowner in the shinnery oak ecoregion in the Texas Panhandle for mechanical removal of invasive mesquite. The funding for that agreement was provided by a ConocoPhillips Spirit of Conservation Grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. The agreement prescribed 933 acres of brush management in a high priority area that is immediately adjacent to a property that is occupied by the species and permanently conserved. All the restoration work prescribed through this agreement was completed prior to the end of this reporting period and lesser prairie-chicken are expected to quickly benefit from the new habitat.
Industry projects mitigated
In 2017, there were 169 industry projects processed and mitigated. These projects required $1,426,961.45 in mitigation fees. There continues to be a substantial surplus of credits available. In 2017, participant companies reduced impacts on lesser prairie-chicken habitat by voluntarily siting 74% of new development with pre-existing development and by siting most new developments in areas that have poor or marginal habitat quality. These siting decisions also significantly reduced the amount of mitigation fees required to offset the new development.
Cooperative efforts enhancing conservation
A two-year renewable agreement with Pheasants Forever was extended for the second year of the agreement to partially fund five positions located throughout the lesser prairie-chicken’s range. This is a cooperative effort between the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Pheasants Forever and WAFWA. The supported positions will assist all the partnering entities with program promotion, monitoring activities, and conservation planning. In addition, a video highlighting the WAFWA lesser prairie-chicken program was produced and can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TI4M_uPgqlM
Contact: Roger Wolfe, 785.256.3737
roger.wolfe@wafwa.org
Photo Credit: Kansas Department of Wildlife Parks and Tourism
Full details are in the annual report, which will be available on the WAFWA website at www.wafwa.org
Since 1922, the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA) has advanced conservation in western North America. Representing 23 western states and Canadian provinces, WAFWA’s reach encompasses more than 40 percent of North America, including two-thirds of the United States. Drawing on the knowledge of scientists across the West, WAFWA is recognized as the expert source for information and analysis about western wildlife. WAFWA supports sound resource management and building partnerships at all levels to conserve wildlife for the use and benefit of all citizens, now and in the future.
Lesser Prairie-Chicken Aerial Surveys to Document Population Trends3/6/2018 4:41:00 AM
Aerial surveys will begin March 16 and run through mid-May in five states containing lesser prairie-chicken habitat. The surveys are conducted annually by the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA) to document population trends and how the bird is responding to management strategies identified in the Lesser Prairie-Chicken Range-wide Conservation Plan.
The range-wide plan is a collaborative effort of WAFWA and the state wildlife agencies of Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas and Colorado. It was developed to ensure conservation of the lesser prairie-chicken with voluntary cooperation of landowners and industry. The plan allows agriculture producers and industry to continue operations while reducing impacts to the bird and its grassland habitat.
“This survey is critical to provide annual estimates of the lesser prairie-chicken population across the five states,” explained Roger Wolfe, WAFWA’s Lesser Prairie-chicken Program Manager. “These population estimates help guide decisions related to conservation efforts targeting lesser prairie-chickens and their habitat.”
The surveys will be conducted by helicopter in locations chosen randomly within lesser prairie-chicken range, which is part of the methodology strategy. In previous years, some of the fly paths prompted calls, which is why WAFWA is providing notification about the start of aerial survey work.
Preliminary results from this year’s surveys will be available on July 1.
WAFWA news releases available at http://www.wafwa.org/news/
Lesser Prairie-Chicken Range-wide Conservation Plan can be found HERE
Contact: Roger Wolfe, 785.256.3737
roger.wolfe@wafwa.org
Since 1922, the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA) has advanced conservation in western North America. Representing 23 western states and Canadian provinces, WAFWA’s reach encompasses more than 40 percent of North America, including two-thirds of the United States. Drawing on the knowledge of scientists across the West, WAFWA is recognized as the expert source for information and analysis about western wildlife. WAFWA supports sound resource management and building partnerships at all levels to conserve wildlife for the use and benefit of all citizens, now and in the future.
WAFWA Conservation Partners Forum Aims to Amplify Lesser Prairie-chicken Conservation Efforts1/30/2018 10:34:00 AM
The Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA) recently convened a forum of conservation professionals working on lesser prairie-chicken recovery efforts to share information and strategize how conservation efforts for the bird can be enhanced. The meeting took place at the Arcadia Conservation Education Area in Edmond, OK Jan.17-18, 2018, and was hosted by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, WAFWA, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).
More than 60 professionals attended, including representatives of state and federal agencies and nonprofit organizations that are working on a variety of efforts to conserve the grassland bird. The lesser-prairie chicken was listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act in 2014, a listing that was vacated in 2016 as a result of a lawsuit and subsequent federal court ruling. Several environmental groups petitioned that decision, and a species status review is currently underway by USFWS, which could result in the species being listed again.
The conservation partners forum was designed to identify paths forward to enhance current conservation strategies and develop new strategies to conserve grasslands and the lesser prairie-chicken. The focal point of the meeting was WAFWA’s Lesser Prairie-chicken Range-wide Conservation Plan.
“We view the range-wide plan as a road map for comprehensive recovery of the lesser prairie-chicken,” said attendee Tim Griffiths, West Working Lands for Wildlife Coordinator with NRCS. “We were glad to participate, because we believe there is ample opportunity to scale up private lands conservation in the Southern Great Plains. Having a diverse group of partners aligned and all working towards productivity of working rangelands will yield much larger results.”
The partners shared information on current efforts and then spent time brainstorming specific ideas and suggestions on how to move forward to amplify collective efforts.
"Everyone at the table during the meeting shares the same goals of improving habitat and ultimately increasing populations of the lesser prairie-chicken across its range," said J.D. Strong, Director of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation and Chairman of the Lesser Prairie-Chicken Initiative Council. "Now comes the real work of executing our action items, and I am confident that we can make a real difference for long-term health of the prairie chicken population and the working landscape where it lives."
Action items included improving reporting, better coordination of conservation efforts, enhanced communication, and developing precise interim measures tied to the long-term goals of the range-wide plan. Ensuring grassland and lesser prairie-chicken conservation funding is included in the Farm Bill that will be before Congress soon was another item highlighted.
“This gathering has really exceeded expectations,” said Amy Lueders, USFWS Regional Director for the Southwest Region. “We all share a passion for this and it’s encouraging to celebrate the conservation successes we’ve had so far and work together to amplify all of the efforts out there. We all need to stay focused on the goals of the range-wide plan and the bigger picture of restoring prairie ecosystems that are at risk, not only for the lesser prairie-chicken, but for all species that depend on healthy habitat.”
The range-wide plan is a collaborative effort of WAFWA; the state wildlife agencies of Kansas, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas; U.S. Department of Agriculture; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; and many non-government conservation organizations. It was developed to conserve the lesser prairie-chicken by providing another voluntary conservation program for landowner and industry, and improving coordination between state and federal conservation agencies. Funding for WAFWA’s conservation efforts comes from voluntary mitigation payments by industry partners that are enrolled in the plan.
Media Contact:
Roger Wolfe, 785-256-3737
roger.wolfe@wafwa.org
Photo Credit: Grant Beauprez
Since 1922, the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA) has advanced conservation in western North America. Representing 23 western states and Canadian provinces, WAFWA’s reach encompasses more than 40 percent of North America, including two-thirds of the United States. Drawing on the knowledge of scientists across the West, WAFWA is recognized as the expert source for information and analysis about western wildlife. WAFWA supports sound resource management and building partnerships at all levels to conserve wildlife for the use and benefit of all citizens, now and in the future
Kansas Conservation Easement Increases Protection for Lesser Prairie-chicken8/21/2017 9:09:00 PM
The Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA) has finalized permanent conservation agreements with a private landowner to conserve 968 acres of high-quality lesser prairie-chicken habitat in south-central Kansas. In addition, a 160-acre tract owned by another private landowner that is fenced and managed with the property will be protected under a 10-year conservation agreement that was finalized this week. These two tracts of land are immediately adjacent to a 1,781-acre tract which was placed under a permanent conservation agreement earlier this year. The conserved acreage is all native rangeland currently being managed for livestock production, and this historical use will continue.
“Thanks to conservation-minded landowners, we now have a complex of 2,909 acres being managed with the needs of the lesser prairie-chicken in mind,” said Roger Wolfe, WAFWA’s Lesser Prairie-Chicken Program Manager. “The ranch is in very good condition due to a long history of good management and there are two active leks on the property.”
The permanent conservation easement on the 968-acre tract was purchased by WAFWA and will be held and monitored by Pheasants Forever. The easement restricts future development and activities that would be detrimental to the habitat for the bird. All other property rights associated with historical use of the land will be retained by the private landowner. WAFWA has also established an endowment that will provide the landowner with sufficient payments to implement a lesser prairie-chicken conservation plan in perpetuity. This transaction not only permanently protects key prairie habitat, but also ensures that this property will remain a working cattle ranch.
"Pheasants Forever is proud to partner with WAFWA and the private landowners to complete this voluntary conservation easement,” said Jordan Martincich, Director of Development for Pheasants Forever. “The conservation values associated with this project will have a positive impact on wildlife habitat for future generations. We hope other landowners will partner with Pheasants Forever and WAFWA to perpetually protect their working lands for the benefit of wildlife and the benefit of the ranching community."
The range-wide plan is a collaborative effort of WAFWA and the state wildlife agencies of Kansas, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. It was developed to ensure conservation of the lesser prairie-chicken by providing a mechanism for voluntary cooperation by landowners and industry and improving coordination between state and federal conservation agencies. Funding for WAFWA’s conservation efforts comes from voluntary mitigation payments by industry partners that are enrolled in the plan. The plan allows agriculture producers and industry to continue operations while reducing impacts to the bird and its grassland habitat. Landowners interested in participating in one of the short-term, long-term or permanent conservation options available under the Lesser Prairie-Chicken Range-wide Plan should contact Roger Wolfe at roger.wolfe@wafwa.org
WAFWA news releases available at http://www.wafwa.org/news/
Lesser Prairie-Chicken Range-wide Conservation Plan can be found HERE
Media Contact: Roger Wolfe (785) 256-3737 roger.wolfe@wafwa.org
Photo Credit: Conservation Media
Since 1922, the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA) has advanced conservation in western North America. Representing 23 western states and Canadian provinces, WAFWA’s reach encompasses more than 40 percent of North America, including two-thirds of the United States. Drawing on the knowledge of scientists across the West, WAFWA is recognized as the expert source for information and analysis about western wildlife. WAFWA supports sound resource management and building partnerships at all levels to conserve wildlife for the use and benefit of all citizens, now and in the future.
New Video Shows how the Lesser Prairie-Chicken Range-wide Plan is working on the Landscape7/26/2017 11:43:00 PM
The Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA) has released a new video demonstrating how the mitigation program in the Lesser Prairie-Chicken Range-wide Conservation Plan is successfully conserving habitat for this iconic grassland bird. The video documents work being done on a West Texas ranch that is being funded by industry participation in the plan. The video was produced through a partnership between WAFWA, the Natural Resources Conservation Service and Pheasants Forever.
The range-wide plan allows industry to continue operations while reducing and mitigating impacts to the bird and its grassland habitat. Industry contributions support conservation actions implemented by participating private landowners. Pioneer Natural Resources is one of more than 160 companies that are enrolled in the plan.
“Pioneer jumped into this program because it gives us the ability to control our own fate,” said Pioneer VP Legal and Chief Compliance Office Ron Schindler, who appears in the video. “We were able to voluntarily jump in and do some things that would allow us to have some predictability with our future. WAFWA’s expertise helps us select places for production that are less impactful to the chicken first, and on places where we just can’t avoid them, WAFWA also helps us with designs and offsets so that if we impact the chicken in a particular place they get double the habitat elsewhere.”
Randy Beasley’s ranch in Yoakum County in West Texas is a textbook example of how the plan is improving lesser prairie-chicken habitat. Beasley’s ranch has been in his family since 1941. He recalls a time before mesquite invaded the landscape, when lesser prairie-chickens abounded. WAFWA entered into a 10-year contract with Beasley to improve habitat on 15,457 acres of his ranch. Beasley is implementing a conservation plan developed by WAFWA to increase native grass production and reduce the proliferation of mesquite and shinnery oak. Mesquite and shinnery oak are native plants but their abundance has increased dramatically since historic times due to fire suppression. Dense stands of these woody plants suppress native grasses which provide important habitat for the bird as well as forage for livestock. Lesser prairie-chickens also avoid mesquite-infested rangelands. Ideal habitat in this region consists of a diverse stand of native grasses, forbs, and shrubs such as shinnery oak. Since the contract was initiated in March 2015, more than 2,800 acres of mesquite have been mechanically removed with another 2,400 acres slated for removal. In addition, more than 7,500 acres of shinnery oak has been chemically suppressed. WAFWA biologists are now working with the landowner to reintroduce fire to portions of the ranch so that the benefits of these restoration practices will be maintained into the future. WAFWA biologists have documented lesser prairie-chickens on the ranch and expect the birds to soon reoccupy areas where recent restoration work has occurred.
“Since we’ve started this wildlife program, we’re starting to see grass grow and we’re seeing chickens again like we did in the past,” Beasley said in the video. “It’s one of those things that is good for us financially, it has been good for the land, for the cattle and it has been a dream come true.”
The Lesser Prairie-Chicken Range-wide Plan is a collaborative effort of WAFWA and the five state wildlife agencies where the birds are found: Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas and Colorado. The plan was developed to ensure long-term viability of the lesser prairie-chicken through voluntary cooperation by landowners and industry. To date, industry partners have committed over $63 million in enrollment and mitigation fees to pay for conservation actions, and landowners across the range have agreed to conserve over 145,000 acres of habitat through 10-year and permanent conservation agreements.
“It is encouraging to see the progress we’ve made in just a few short years,” said J.D. Strong, Director of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation and Chairman of the Lesser Prairie-Chicken Initiative Council. “This new video underscores how private landowners and industry support are making a difference for the long-term survival of the lesser prairie-chicken. Industry and landowner support for conservation efforts are critically important right now as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is moving through the process to determine if the bird warrants being listed again under the Endangered Species Act. We applaud the participation of landowners and industry who care about the future of this species.”
WAFWA video HERE
WAFWA news releases available at www.wafwa.org/news/
Lesser Prairie-Chicken Range-wide Conservation Plan can be found HERE
Contact: Jim Pitman, 620.208.6120
jim.pitman@wafwa.org
Since 1922, the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA) has advanced conservation in western North America. Representing 23 western states and Canadian provinces, WAFWA’s reach encompasses more than 40 percent of North America, including two-thirds of the United States. Drawing on the knowledge of scientists across the West, WAFWA is recognized as the expert source for information and analysis about western wildlife. WAFWA supports sound resource management and building partnerships at all levels to conserve wildlife for the use and benefit of all citizens, now and in the future.
Aerial Surveys Confirm Lesser Prairie-Chicken Population is Holding Steady6/29/2017 2:11:00 AM
The latest lesser prairie-chicken survey shows bird population trends remain stable after six years of aerial survey data collection. The survey indicates an estimated breeding population of 33,269 birds this year, up from 24,648 birds counted last year. Though scientists are encouraged by the numbers, they know that year-to-year fluctuations are the norm with upland birds like the lesser prairie-chicken.
“The survey results indicate a 34% increase in the number of birds, but we don’t read too much into short-term population fluctuations,” explained Roger Wolfe, WAFWA’s Lesser Prairie-chicken Program Manager. “The monitoring technique used for this survey is designed to track trends which more accurately reflect the amount of available habitat and population stability. The bottom line is that the population trend over the last five years indicates a stable population, which is good news for all involved in lesser prairie-chicken conservation efforts.”
Lesser-prairie chickens can be found in four ecoregions in five states: Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. Wildlife biologists note prairie chicken numbers regularly fluctuate up and down from year to year due to changes in habitat conditions mainly influenced by weather patterns. The surveys this year indicated apparent population increases in three of the four ecoregions and range-wide, with an apparent decrease estimated in the fourth ecoregion.
The short-grass prairie ecoregion of northwest Kansas saw the biggest apparent annual increase in birds, followed by the mixed-grass prairie ecoregion of the northeast Panhandle of Texas, northwest Oklahoma and south-central Kansas. The sand sagebrush ecoregion of southeast Colorado and southwest Kansas also registered an apparent annual increase in the number of breeding birds. An apparent annual population decline was noted in the shinnery oak ecoregion of eastern New Mexico and the Texas Panhandle.
“We’d also like to point out that the aerial surveys this year were taken before the late spring snowstorm blasted through much of the bird’s range, just prior to the peak of nest incubation,” said Wolfe. “Like all wildlife, the health of these birds depends on the weather. Rainfall at the right time means healthy habitat for the birds, and heavy wet snow like we saw in late April can have a negative impact on survival and productivity. We’ll know more about the impact of that weather event after aerial surveys are completed next year.”
The Lesser Prairie-Chicken Range-wide Plan is a collaborative effort of WAFWA and state wildlife agencies of Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas and Colorado. It was developed to ensure long-term viability of the lesser prairie-chicken through voluntary cooperation by landowners and industry. The plan allows industry to continue operations while reducing and mitigating impacts to the bird and its grassland habitat. Industry contributions support conservation actions implemented by participating private landowners. To date, industry partners have committed over $63 million in enrollment and mitigation fees to pay for conservation actions, and landowners across the range have agreed to conserve over 145,000 acres of habitat through 10-year and permanent conservation agreements.
Contact: Roger Wolfe, 785.256.3737
roger.wolfe@wafwa.org
WAFWA news releases available at www.wafwa.org/news/
Lesser Prairie-Chicken Range-wide Conservation Plan can be found HERE
Since 1922, the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA) has advanced conservation in western North America. Representing 23 western states and Canadian provinces, WAFWA’s reach encompasses more than 40 percent of North America, including two-thirds of the United States. Drawing on the knowledge of scientists across the West, WAFWA is recognized as the expert source for information and analysis about western wildlife. WAFWA supports sound resource management and building partnerships at all levels to conserve wildlife for the use and benefit of all citizens, now and in the future.
Photo Credit: Grant Beauprez
WAFWA Reports on 2016 Lesser Prairie-Chicken Range-wide Plan Conservation Progress4/2/2017 9:24:00 PM
On March 31, the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA) submitted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service its third annual report detailing achievements under the Lesser Prairie-Chicken Range-wide Conservation Plan. Among other highlights, WAFWA reported on the purchase of an ecologically significant piece of property in Kansas, which permanently protects nearly 30,000 acres of high-quality lesser prairie-chicken habitat.
The range-wide plan is a collaborative effort of the state wildlife agencies of Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas and Colorado and is administered by WAFWA. It was developed to promote conservation by providing a blueprint for lesser prairie-chicken conservation through voluntary cooperation of landowners, land management agencies and industry participants. This plan allows participants to continue operations while restoring and maintaining habitat and reducing development impacts to the bird and its habitat. “As we close out our third year of implementation, we’re really hitting our stride,” said Alexa Sandoval, Director of the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish and Chairman of the Lesser Prairie-Chicken Initiative Council. “We are encouraged that despite an oil and gas industry downturn, support for this collaborative conservation approach remains strong. We commend all of our partners for their participation in the range-wide plan.”
The plan was endorsed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 2013, and as part of the conservation effort, the states agreed to report annually on the overall progress of the plan. Findings for 2016 include:
Land conservation efforts on private land increasing
By the end of 2016, WAFWA was conserving 16 sites totaling 133,703 acres either through fee title ownership or long-term contractual agreements. Three of those sites, totaling 33,053 acres, are permanently conserved through perpetual conservation easements or fee title ownership. The other 13 sites were 10-year contracts with private landowners, covering 100,650 acres across the range, three of which were executed during the past year.
Most significantly, a 29,718-acre land acquisition by WAFWA was finalized in June 2016, permanently protecting high-quality habitat in the sand sagebrush ecoregion. The property was purchased from a willing seller and will continue to be managed as a working cattle ranch using livestock as the primary tool to create optimum habitat for the bird. In addition, 1,781 acres of privately owned native rangeland is now permanently protected in the mixed grass ecoregion. WAFWA purchased a perpetual easement on the property that protects the conservation values of the site. The easement is held by Pheasants Forever.
Lesser prairie-chicken population stable
The annual lesser prairie-chicken aerial survey used to monitor populations was conducted from March through May 2016. The latest survey showed population trends have been stable after five years of data collection. An estimated breeding population of 25,261 birds was documented in 2016, which scientists say is not statistically different from the estimate of 29,162 birds in 2015 given the variability associated with the survey methodology. Aerial surveys for 2017 are underway and will run through mid-May. Results are anticipated in early July.
Industry projects generate mitigation credit, offset by conservation
In 2016, 114 industry related projects were processed and mitigated. There continues to be a surplus of credits available with a range-wide positive value of 71,639 units. This reflects the continued low energy prices that have slowed industry development in the region. WAFWA has focused on committing enrollment and mitigation fees for conservation contracts to benefit the bird and to ensure companies have available mitigation credit to develop as energy prices rebound. In July 2016, WAFWA developed a process to address non-payment of enrollment fees that provides several options to help companies stay enrolled in the program.
Technology enhances conservation decision-making
During 2016, significant progress was made in database development and accessibility. Highlights include the integration of impact and conservation sites into a relational database to ensure all habitat impacts are offset by an appropriate conservation site. In addition, a custom website was developed that provides participating companies a way to submit and approve new projects as well as view past submissions. WAFWA and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service can also use the web interface to obtain site-specific summary statistics, habitat mitigation credit balances and raw data.
Cooperative efforts enhancing conservation
A renewed cooperative effort between Natural Resources Conservation Service, Pheasants Forever and WAFWA will enhance program promotion, monitoring activities, and conservation planning and delivery. There was also continued effort to work with state wildlife agencies to identify and pursue research and management needs. Those activities included lesser prairie-chicken translocation efforts that moved birds from the shortgrass to sand sagebrush ecoregion.
Full details are in the annual report available Here
Contact: Roger Wolfe, 785-256-3737
roger.wolfe@wafwa.org
Since 1922, the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA) has advanced conservation in western North America. Representing 23 western states and Canadian provinces, WAFWA’s reach encompasses more than 40 percent of North America, including two-thirds of the United States. Drawing on the knowledge of scientists across the West, WAFWA is recognized as the expert source for information and analysis about western wildlife. WAFWA supports sound resource management and building partnerships at all levels to conserve wildlife for the use and benefit of all citizens, now and in the future.
Photo Credit: Kelly Adams
Aerial Survey to Document Lesser Prairie-Chicken Population Trends3/6/2017 8:00:00 PM
Aerial Surveys to Document Lesser Prairie-Chicken Population Trends
Aerial surveys will begin March 16 and run through mid-May in five states containing lesser prairie-chicken habitat. The surveys are conducted annually by the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA) to document population trends and how the bird is responding to management strategies identified in the Lesser Prairie-Chicken Range-wide Conservation Plan.
The range-wide plan is a collaborative effort of WAFWA and the state wildlife agencies of Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas and Colorado. It was developed to ensure conservation of the lesser prairie-chicken with voluntary cooperation of landowners and industry. The plan allows agriculture producers and industry to continue operations while reducing impacts to the bird and its grassland habitat.
“We’ve established a consistent methodology for these aerial surveys, working closely with the wildlife agencies of each of the states involved,” explained Roger Wolfe, WAFWA’s Lesser Prairie-chicken Program Manager. “We’re documenting population trends over time that will allow us to see how various management strategies for the bird are working on the ground.”
The surveys will be conducted by helicopter in locations chosen randomly within lesser prairie-chicken range, which is part of the methodology strategy. In previous years, some of the fly paths prompted calls, which is why WAFWA is getting the word out about the start of aerial survey work.
Results from this year’s surveys will be available on July 1.
WAFWA news releases available at http://www.wafwa.org/news/
Lesser Prairie-Chicken Range-wide Conservation Plan can be found HERE
March 7, 2017
Contact: Roger Wolfe, 785.256.3737
roger.wolfe@wafwa.org
Since 1922, the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA) has advanced conservation in western North America. Representing 23 western states and Canadian provinces, WAFWA’s reach encompasses more than 40 percent of North America, including two-thirds of the United States. Drawing on the knowledge of scientists across the West, WAFWA is recognized as the expert source for information and analysis about western wildlife. WAFWA supports sound resource management and building partnerships at all levels to conserve wildlife for the use and benefit of all citizens, now and in the future.
Photo Credit: Grant Beauprex
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Grant to Restore Lesser Prairie-Chicken Habitat2/12/2017 8:08:00 PM
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) has awarded a grant to the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA) to restore habitat to benefit the lesser prairie-chicken. The grant, which totals $197,309.25, is being funded through NFWF’s ConocoPhillips SPIRIT of Conservation and Innovation Program.
“We appreciate our partnership with NFWF and ConocoPhillips and look forward to applying these funds as we continue to implement the Lesser Prairie-Chicken Range-wide Plan,” said Alexa Sandoval, Director of the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish and Chairman of the Lesser Prairie-Chicken Initiative Council. “Restoration work is key to the long-term survival of the bird and this grant will contribute to the combined efforts to keep the bird off the endangered species list.”
The bird was listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act in 2014, but was de-listed in 2016 after a federal judge ruled on a lawsuit and vacated protections for the bird. The judge ruled that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service did not thoroughly consider active conservation efforts in making the listing decision, namely the activities associated with WAFWA’s Lesser Prairie-Chicken Range-Wide Plan. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife is currently reviewing the status of the lesser prairie-chicken across its five-state range to determine whether it should be listed again.
The NFWF grant will fund restoration work on up to 1,000 acres of private land that will connect larger fragmented pieces of prairie-chicken habitat. Contiguous tracts of good habitat create better conditions for the bird.
“The range-wide plan calls for us to focus our efforts as strategically as possible,” said Bill Van Pelt, WAFWA Grassland Coordinator. “By connecting good bird habitat, more acreage will be available for the birds to thrive.”
The range-wide plan is a collaborative effort of WAFWA and the state wildlife agencies of Kansas, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. It was developed to ensure conservation of the lesser prairie-chicken by providing a mechanism for voluntary cooperation by landowners and industry and improving coordination between state and federal conservation agencies. Funding for WAFWA’s conservation efforts comes from voluntary mitigation payments by industry partners that are enrolled in the plan, along with grants from partners like NFWF. The plan allows agriculture producers and industry to continue operations while reducing impacts to the bird and its grassland habitat.
WAFWA news releases available at www.wafwa.org/news/
More info about NFWF’s ConocoPhillips SPIRIT of Conservation and Innovation Program: www.nfwf.org/spirit/Pages/home.aspx
Lesser Prairie-Chicken Range-wide Conservation Plan can be found HERE
Media contact: Bill Van Pelt
602-717-5066
bill.vanpelt@wafwa.org
Photo Credit: Grant Beauprez
Since 1922, the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA) has advanced conservation in western North America. Representing 23 western states and Canadian provinces, WAFWA’s reach encompasses more than 40 percent of North America, including two-thirds of the United States. Drawing on the knowledge of scientists across the West, WAFWA is recognized as the expert source for information and analysis about western wildlife. WAFWA supports sound resource management and building partnerships at all levels to conserve wildlife for the use and benefit of all citizens, now and in the future.
WAFWA Secures First Conservation Easement for Lesser Prairie-Chicken Habitat on Private Land1/4/2017 10:22:00 PM
The Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA) has finalized permanent conservation agreements with a private landowner to conserve 1,781 acres of high-quality lesser prairie-chicken habitat in south-central Kansas. This is the first permanent conservation easement in the mixed-grass prairie region secured as part of the Lesser Prairie-Chicken Range-wide Plan.
The conserved acreage is all native rangeland currently being managed for livestock production, and this historical use will continue. The property is occupied by lesser prairie-chickens and is located within one of the highest priority conservation areas identified in the range-wide plan.
The transactions includes a conservation easement purchased by WAFWA and held by Pheasants Forever that legally restricts future development and activities that would be detrimental to the habitat for the bird. All other property rights associated with historical use of the land will be retained by the private landowner. WAFWA has also established an endowment that will provide the landowner with sufficient payments to implement a lesser prairie-chicken conservation plan in perpetuity. This transaction not only permanently protects key prairie habitat but also ensures that this property will remain a working cattle ranch.
“This conservation easement is another milestone in the successful implementation of the range-wide plan and will permanently secure important habitat that the birds need to thrive,” said Roger Wolfe, WAFWA’s Lesser Prairie-Chicken Program Manager. “We appreciate the collaboration with Pheasants Forever, our industry partners who are funding this effort, and the conservation-minded landowner who has made this possible.”
“It took a lot of work on the part of WAFWA, Pheasants Forever and ourselves to find a balance between the needs of the lesser prairie-chicken and maintaining historical use of the land,” said Tom Hammond, manager of the property. “The result is an innovative approach that acknowledges and rewards landowners for permanently conserving large tracts of habitat, while maintaining the integrity of the land for the long-term benefit of the landowner and the species. There is high quality habitat there now because we have managed the range properly for both grazing and wildlife. These agreements make sure that approach remains in place forever.”
The range-wide plan is a collaborative effort of WAFWA and the state wildlife agencies of Kansas, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. It was developed to ensure conservation of the lesser prairie-chicken by providing a mechanism for voluntary cooperation by landowners and industry and improving coordination between state and federal conservation agencies. Funding for WAFWA’s conservation efforts comes from voluntary mitigation payments by industry partners that are enrolled in the plan. The plan allows agriculture producers and industry to continue operations while reducing impacts to the bird and its grassland habitat. Landowners interested in participating in one of the short-term, long-term or permanent conservation options available under the Lesser Prairie-Chicken Range-wide Plan should contact Roger Wolfe at roger.wolfe@wafwa.org
WAFWA news releases available at http://www.wafwa.org/news/
Lesser Prairie-Chicken Range-wide Plan can be found HERE
Since 1922, the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA) has advanced conservation in western North America. Representing 23 western states and Canadian provinces, WAFWA’s reach encompasses more than 40 percent of North America, including two-thirds of the United States. Drawing on the knowledge of scientists across the West, WAFWA is recognized as the expert source for information and analysis about western wildlife. WAFWA supports sound resource management and building partnerships at all levels to conserve wildlife for the use and benefit of all citizens, now and in the future.
Photo Credit: Grant Beauprez
Conservation Milestone Achieved for Lesser Prairie-Chicken with Wind Energy Partnership1/27/2016 8:25:00 PM
The Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA) has finalized the first new wind energy development under the Lesser Prairie-Chicken Range-wide Conservation Plan. The Bluestem Wind Energy project in western Oklahoma will be operated by Exelon Corporation, which recently purchased the project from Renewable Energy System (RES) Americas Inc. RES developed and is constructing the project. Fees associated with enrollment of this project in the range-wide plan have been deposited with WAFWA, which is partnering with landowners to implement habitat conservation projects across the range of the lesser prairie-chicken. Funding for this non-federal conservation effort now totals over $50 million.
“We commend Exelon and RES for taking part in this innovative and collaborative conservation effort for the lesser prairie-chicken, and we’re excited to see this first wind energy project come on board,” said Alexa Sandoval, Director of the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish and Chairman of the Lesser Prairie-Chicken Initiative Council. “By voluntarily enrolling in the range-wide plan, they are demonstrating how wildlife conservation and energy development can occur on the landscape through proactive planning and by working with WAFWA and state wildlife agencies, regardless of the endangered species status of the bird. We anticipate more wind energy enrollments in the future.”
A Sept. 1, 2015 federal court decision vacated protection of the lesser prairie-chicken under the Endangered Species Act, ruling that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service did not thoroughly consider active conservation efforts in making their listing decision, specifically the Lesser Prairie-Chicken Range-wide Conservation Plan . The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has asked a federal judge to reconsider the Sept. 1 decision and a ruling is expected on that request soon.
The range-wide plan was developed by the five states within the range of the lesser prairie-chicken and is being administered by WAFWA. Those states are Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico. The plan is designed to provide conservation of habitat necessary for the survival of this grassland bird. The groundbreaking partnership between state fish and wildlife agencies and energy companies allows development while minimizing and mitigating impacts to lesser prairie-chickens and the habitat they need to thrive.
Working with over 180 energy companies, WAFWA has created a conservation endowment fund from enrollment and habitat impact fees to support lesser prairie-chicken habitat conservation in the years to come. The interest from the endowment pays farmers and ranchers in perpetuity to conserve and restore habitat on private lands. As of January 2016, WAFWA has used the fees and interest to contract with private landowners for more than 100,000 acres of lesser prairie-chicken habitat conservation and has also purchased over 1,600 acres of habitat for permanent conservation.
“Exelon has a significant portfolio of wind projects across the country, and at each of them we are committed to constructing and operating in an environmentally responsive manner with special attention to minimizing wildlife impacts,” said Ed Tracey, Director of Environmental Project Management for Exelon. “We have the same commitment at Bluestem. We’ve worked closely with WAFWA and will continue to work with them to minimize our development impact on lesser prairie-chickens and their habitat.”
The 198-megawatt Bluestem wind farm project will consist of 60 wind turbine generators. Construction on the project has already begun and is scheduled to be completed at the end of 2016.
WAFWA has been on the leading edge of transforming the way conservation measures are applied on the landscape in the western U.S. Pulling together state and federal agencies and involving landowners, land managers and industry, WAFWA has been the catalyst in developing collaborative conservation efforts across the West, including the range-wide plan.
“The Lesser Prairie-Chicken Range-wide Conservation Plan puts an economic value on prairie-chicken habitat, and companies have an incentive to shift new developments out of the native prairies and into areas either already developed or tilled because it costs less,” said Sean Kyle, WAFWA Industry Services Director. “That’s having a positive impact on how and where energy companies are siting new projects and development. And the bottom line is: that’s good news for the long-term survival of this iconic species.”
Organized in 1922, the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA) represents 23 states and Canadian provinces, an area covering nearly 3.7 million square miles of some of North America's most wild and scenic country. WAFWA supports and promotes the principles of sound resource management and the building of partnerships at the regional, national and international levels in order to enhance wildlife conservation efforts and the protection of associated habitats in the public interest.
Jan. 28, 2016
Media Contact: Sean Kyle, 806-252-2766, sean.kyle@wafwa.org
Photo credit Grant Beauprez (c)
Download the Full Article
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WAFWA Encourages Oil & Gas Company Participation in Lesser Prairie-Chicken Conservation Plan11/10/2015 9:52:00 PM
Recent court decision makes enrollment opportunity available again.--
The Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA) is encouraging oil and gas companies to enroll oil and gas leases and pipelines in a voluntary program to help conserve the lesser prairie-chicken. Because of a Sept. 1, 2015 federal court decision that vacated protection of the lesser prairie-chicken under the Endangered Species Act, WAFWA’s Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances is now open for new enrollments of oil and gas leases and pipelines.
The Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances provides industry with predictability for their operations should the lesser prairie-chicken be listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act again. The bird was listed as threatened in May 2014, but the Sept. 1, 2015 court decision reversed that protection. Because of that decision, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has approved new enrollments by companies operating within the five range states of Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. The companies are required to implement conservation benefits for lesser prairie chickens and pay enrollment and impact fees for unavoidable impacts, which allow the companies to continue oil and gas production, while contributing to conserving lesser prairie-chicken habitat.
“Since this program began in 2014, more than 180 oil, gas, wind, electric and pipeline companies have enrolled about 11 million acres across the five states, and ha ve committed $47.5 million for habitat conservation,” said Sean Kyle, WAFWA’s Industry Services Director. “We’ve had great support for this program and we encourage all companies not currently participating to take advantage of this enrollment opportunity.”
WAFWA officials do not know how long this new opportunity will be available. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has asked a federal judge to reconsider the Sept. 1 decision, and depending on the outcome, the new enrollment period could end. Because of the uncertainty, WAFWA encourages all interested companies to enroll as soon as possible.
WAFWA’s Lesser Prairie Chicken Range-wide Conservation Plan and the Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances were developed by state wildlife agency experts in 2013 with input from a wide variety of stakeholders. The Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances is one piece of a comprehensive range-wide plan designed to conserve the lesser prairie-chicken.
“Our long-term goal is conservation of the lesser prairie-chicken, regardless of its Endangered Species Act status,” said Alexa Sandoval, Director of the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish and Chairman of the Lesser Prairie-Chicken Initiative Council. “Since the Sept. 1 decision to vacate the listing, we have pursued conservation efforts under the range-wide plan with the same vigor as we did before. We’re pleased to report that our landowner and industry partners are equally committed to continued conservation efforts.”
WAFWA has enrolled over 96,000 acres of farm and ranch land to offset industry development over the last year and a half. In addition, WAFWA has acquired 1,600 acres in permanent conservation and contracted for 8,900 acres of habitat restoration, which will create new habitat for the species.
An abundance of spring rainfall, along with ongoing efforts associated with the range-wide plan and other conservation initiatives, has helped increase the population of birds by approximately 25 percent from 2014 to 2015, according to results from the 2015 range-wide aerial survey. Despite this encouraging news, the population is still low compared to historical numbers, and the threats to the lesser prairie-chicken and its habitat still exist. WAFWA is committed to continued successful implementation of the range-wide plan and the long-term recovery of this iconic grassland bird.
Organized in 1922, the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA) represents 23 states and Canadian provinces, an area covering nearly 3.7 million square miles of some of North America's most wild and scenic country. WAFWA supports and promotes the principles of sound resource management and the building of partnerships at the regional, national and international levels in order to enhance wildlife conservation efforts and the protection of associated habitats in the public interest.
Download the PDF
Photo Credit Larry Kruckenberg (c)
WAFWA Statement Regarding the Federal Court Decision about the Lesser Prairie-Chicken9/3/2015 1:30:00 AM
The Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA) is evaluating the recent federal court decision regarding the listing of the lesser prairie-chicken that was handed down in the U.S. District Court Western District of Texas on Sept. 1, 2015. The decision vacates federal protections for the lesser prairiechicken, which was listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act in 2014.
The court ruling states that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service did not thoroughly consider active conservation efforts in making the listing decision, namely the activities associated with the Lesser Prairie-Chicken RangeWide Plan (RWP). The RWP was developed and is being administered by WAFWA.
The court decision underscores the validity of a comprehensive voluntary conservation effort involving state conservation agencies, landowners and industry. The RWP was developed with long term conservation of the lesser prairie-chicken in mind, regardless of its Endangered Species Act status. This plan allows agriculture producers and industry to continue operations while reducing the identified threats considered for listing under the Endangered Species Act. Regardless of the eventual outcome of this latest court decision, continued implementation of the RWP is critical to long-term conservation of the bird and its habitat.
Since the plan went into effect last year, more than 96,000 acres of lesser prairie-chicken habitat is being conserved through ten-year landowner agreements. More than 180 oil, gas, wind, electric and pipeline companies have enrolled about 11 million acres across the five states, and have committed $47.5 million for habitat conservation. Enrollment fees are deposited into an endowment with WAFWA and administered to fund conservation efforts by private landowners to benefit the lesser prairie-chicken within its five-state range. (Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico). Landowners currently enrolled in the conservation plan will receive $14 million dollars in payments over the life of their contracts.
An abundance of spring rainfall, along with ongoing efforts associated with the RWP and other conservation initiatives, has helped increase the population of birds by approximately 25 percent from 2014 to 2015, according to results from a recent range-wide aerial survey. Despite this encouraging news, the population is still low compared to historical numbers and the threats to the lesser prairie-chicken and its habitat still exist.
Organized in 1922, the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA) represents 23 states and Canadian provinces, an area covering nearly 3.7 million square miles of some of North America's most wild and scenic country. WAFWA supports and promotes the principles of sound resource management and the building of partnerships at the regional, national and international levels in order to enhance wildlife conservation efforts and the protection of associated habitats in the public interest.
Download the PDF
Photo Credit Dan Williams, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (c)
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