WHO'S TAKING THE LEAD?

 The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation is

 charged with completing a conservation strategy for all

 of Oklahoma's wildlife, not just a strategy for the agency.

 That’s why we need you or your organization to help

 us design and carry out the strategy.

 WHO SHOULD PARTICIPATE?

    v Biologists and ecologists

    v Local governments

    v Conservation groups

    v Universities

    v Private landowners

    v State, federal and tribal agencies

 WHY YOU'RE NEEDED:

 A strategy is only as good as its components. We need

 your expertise, your ideas, and your priorities. To be

 effective, the strategy must be shaped by the people who

 know the nooks and crannies of the state, and who

 understand the issues, challenges and threats to our

 precious wildlife.

 WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU?

 This is the one planning effort you don’t want to miss.

 Oklahoma's strategy will guide the future of wildlife

 conservation and associated funding. By participating,

 you will expand networks and coalitions for conserving

 our wildlife resources. This is your chance to make

 history!

 A WIN:WIN APPROACH

 This strategy is not about more regulations, but all about

 positive ways to conserve wildlife and habitats:

    v Saving millions of taxpayer dollars by saving

         species before they become endangered.

    v Working to prevent conflicts over development

         and critical habitat and wildlife.

    v Investing in outdoor recreation and nature tourism

         (the fastest growing segment of tourism) by taking

         care of the resource.

    v Passing on a healthy wildlife legacy to children.

 What will Oklahoma's Wildlife Conservation

 Strategy look like?

 The strategy will serve as the plan of action for state

 wildlife conservation and funding. The primary purpose

 is to target species of greatest conservation need.

 However, the plan will address the full array of wildlife

 and habitats—taking advantage of good work already

 done in the Oklahoma and filling in gaps.

 Think of the strategy as a health check and prescription

 for wellness—a key to preventing life-threatening

 illnesses. Congress requires eight elements be included in

 this prescription for a healthy wildlife future. Those are:

 1. What’s here now?—distribution and abundance of

     wildlife species. Focus on low and declining species

     that are indicators of the health of the state’s wildlife.

 2. Health check—location and condition of habitats that

     are vital to conserving priority species.

 3. Threats—identifying problems that may harm wildlife

     species and habitat, and priority research for

     conservation actions.

 4. Actions—prescriptions and priorities for conserving

     wildlife species and habitats.

 5. Monitoring—how to assess and measure

     effectiveness of conservation actions.

 6. Review—assessment at intervals not to exceed 10

     years.

 7. Coordination—involvement of federal, state, local

     agencies and Indian tribes that manage lands or

     programs affecting wildlife.

 8. Public participation—required by law and essential

     for success in developing and carrying out plans. You

     are needed now–and later too!