News Release 06/19/06

FIFTY-SIX NEW PLANS TO CONSERVE WILDLIFE, NATURAL AREAS APPROVED

FUNDING CUTS THREATEN THEIR SUCCESSFUL IMPLEMENTATION

LAKE CHARLES, LA — Today federal, state and private representatives of “Teaming with Wildlife” a national coalition of more than 3,500 organizations and businesses gathered to announce the completion and approval of 56 state and territorial wildlife action plans, together establishing a nationwide blueprint to conserve wildlife and prevent more endangered species listings. However, just as these group s mark the beginning of a new era in wildlife conservation, cuts to their main funding mechanism, the State Wildlife Grants Program, now threatens their full implementation.

“Now that we have a better road map for conservation, it's essential that we ensure the wildlife action plans don't just sit on a shelf and gather dust,” said Paula Del Giudice of the National Wildlife Federation, one of Teaming with Wildlife's leading organizations. "We need to invest in these action plans now to conserve wildlife for our children's future.”

On March 1, the Teaming with Wildlife Coalition announced a new campaign to boost state and federal funding for wildlife conservation and related recreation and education in every state. Increased funding of the State Wildlife Grants Program is an important component of this campaign, which supports the full implementation of the state wildlife action plans. However, in May, the House of Representatives recommended that next year the State Wildlife Grants Program be funded at $50 million, an $18.5 million cut from 2006, much lower than the $74.7 million requested in the President's 2007 Budget. A final decision about the State Wildlife Grants Program budget will follow recommendations from Senate appropriators at the end of June.

The State Wildlife Action Plans (e.g. Michigan Wildlife Action Plan, Utah Wildlife Action Plan, Texas Wildlife Action Plan, etc.) are the first of their kind— a thorough state-by-state look at wildlife and the actions needed to ensure their survival. The action plans are a result of a collaborative effort by scientists, sportsmen, conservationists, state fish and wildlife agencies, and the general public. Each states' or territories' plan contains information on low and declining populations of wildlife and the habitats they require, identifies problems that affect these populations, identifies research and survey efforts to improve their conservation efforts, and determines actions and priorities for the next 10 years and beyond.

The Louisiana Wildlife Action Plan for example, looks at the conservation needs of 240 rare or declining wildlife species and identifies what actions the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) and their conservation partners can take to conserve them for future generations. By combining habitat and wildlife-specific approaches, and considering multiple scales, Louisiana 's Wildlife Action Plan will help to guide the conservation of the state's full wildlife diversity until 2015.

In Louisiana , there are many species dependent on the success of the Louisiana Wildlife Action Plan. For instance, the swallow-tailed kite experienced a dramatic decline in numbers and reduction in range around the turn of the 20th Century. Populations now survive in only six southern states, one of which is Louisiana . The action plan includes aerial surveying and monitoring of swallow-tailed kite activity, search for nests. The information obtained from this study will ultimately be used to answer questions about how to best maintain and manage the swallowed-tail kite population, prevent this bird from becoming even more rare and costly to protect.

“The wildlife action plans are incredible tools for conserving wildlife and natural areas in Louisiana and across the nation. I firmly believe that if we invest in the wildlife action plans now, we will be able to prevent endangered species listings, protect clean water and air, and ensure that the places we go to find peace and relaxation are there for our children,” said Parke Moore, assistant secretary of LDWF's Office of Wildlife.

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Teaming with Wildlife is spearheaded by the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, which represents North America 's fish and wildlife agencies. Teaming with Wildlife is driven by a steering committee of 13 organizations. They are: The Nature Conservancy; American Fisheries Society; American Zoo and Aquarium Association; Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation; National Wild Turkey Federation; National Wildlife Federation; Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership; Wildlife Conservation Society; The Wildlife Society, and; the Wildlife Management Institute. Additional information on the State Wildlife Grants program and the Teaming with Wildlife campaign is available at www.teaming.com .