Meetings Will Collect Input from the Public
News Release January 27, 2004
Your opportunity to shape the future of Oklahoma's fish and wildlife conservation is at hand. A series of regional meetings, to be held the first week in March, will allow those attending to voice their opinions on developing a long-term initiative that addresses all fish and wildlife needs in the state.
The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation is spearheading the ambitious effort, called a Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy. A variety of wildlife stakeholders including state and federal agencies, farm and ranch groups, conservation and sportsmen’s groups, academic professionals and other Oklahomans interested in wildlife conservation are collaborating to design the comprehensive strategy. The result will address the needs of all fish and wildlife by using a habitat approach, rather than a species-by-species management approach. Collecting public input is an important part of the planning process.
Meetings will be held in Oklahoma City (March 1), Woodward (March 2), Lawton (March 3), McAlester (March 4), and Tulsa (March 5). Anyone with an interest in wildlife is invited to attend and voice their opinions on a variety of topics.
All 50 states are creating similar comprehensive wildlife strategies. 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.
"Overall, we've made great strides in fish and wildlife conservation over the past few decades," said Greg Duffy, director of the Wildlife Department. "However, some areas of the conservation effort have been historically under funded. We're looking at this as the key to our future success as stewards and caretakers of Oklahoma's wildlife."
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 all state fish and wildlife agencies have been working for 20 years to fill this funding gap.
The new Federal State Wildlife Grants Program, begun three years ago, has highlighted the need for both a comprehensive funding strategy, but also a comprehensive conservation strategy.
"At this point, the State Wildlife Grant funding is not permanent, but it gives us an exciting opportunity to develop long-term conservation goals and to demonstrate the need for long-term funding," said Andrea Crews, project leader and responsive management specialist for the Department.
All of the regional meetings begin at 6:30 p.m. and end at 8:30 p.m. Specific meeting sites are:
March 1: Oklahoma City, Metro Tech Spring Lake Campus, Business Conference Center, 1900 Springlake Drive
March 2: Woodward, City of Woodward Building, Pioneer Room, 1219 Eight St.
March 3: Lawton, Cameron University, Shepler Mezzanine, North of F Street, between the North and South Shepler Towers
March 4: McAlester, Ramada Inn, 1500 South George Nigh Expressway
March 5: Tulsa, OU Tulsa, Schusterman Center, 4502 East 41st Street
Back Wildlife Department Home Page