Oklahoma’s Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy Draft Plan Available
News Release December 16, 2004
The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation has released the first draft of Oklahoma’s Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy.
The Strategy, which is being created by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation in collaboration with wildlife stakeholders, will address the needs of fish and wildlife species in the state that are rare or declining. It will use a habitat approach rather than a species-by-species management approach. All 50 states are creating similar Strategies such that when fit together like a puzzle, they will show the current state of America’s wildlife and identify actions needed to keep fish and wildlife populations healthy.
A wide variety of stakeholders have provided information for Oklahoma’s Strategy, including technical experts from Federal and State agencies, conservation organizations, landowner interests, sportsmen and other stakeholders interested in wildlife conservation. This draft is the next step in the development of the Strategy.
Hunters, anglers and boaters, and participants in outdoor recreation have traditionally funded the majority of fish and wildlife conservation. This funding has not been enough to address the needs of all 800 plus wildlife species in Oklahoma. That is the case nationwide, and state fish and wildlife agencies have been working for 20 years to fill this funding gap. This Strategy is a component of the new federal State Wildlife Grants Program - the nation’s core program for keeping America’s wildlife populations healthy.
This draft review period is one vitally important step - and opportunity - in the process of preparing Oklahoma’s Strategy. Anyone with an interest in wildlife in Oklahoma is encouraged to review the draft and provide their comments by January 31, 2005. Draft Strategy chapters can be downloaded from the planning contractor’s Web site in PDF format: http://www.dynamicsolutionsgroup.com/OK/.
Those with comments should use the form provided and send email to bruce.h@dynamicsolutionsgroup.com.