1. THE ADMINISTRATION OF WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT Methods that Agencies Use to Protect Wildlife

2. Objectives  Identify the major federal agencies directly involved in wildlife management.  Describe the methods these agencies use to protect wildlife resources.  Understand the need for these agencies.  Discuss these agencies and their roles in protecting wildlife resources.

3. Endangered Species  FWS in charge  Animals that meet the criteria are placed on the official List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants that is maintained by the Dept. of the Interior  FWS biologists work with universities, other federal and state agencies and private organizations to develop a plan to save the species.

4. Endangered Species Recovery Plans  Habitat preservation  Habitat management  Captive breeding  Research  Law enforcement  Reintroduction of a species

5. National Wildlife Refuges  Supervised by the FWS  Established by President Teddy Roosevelt  First was when he designated Pelican Island, Florida as a bird sanctuary  Now 90 million acres located in more than 450 parcels from Maine to the Caribbean and from the Arctic Ocean to the South Pacific  Alaska contains the bulk of the acreage but they can be found in all 50 states

6. Migratory Birds  USFWS has international responsibility for migratory bird conservation—more than 800 species!!  The US has treaties for the protection of migratory birds with  Canada  Mexico  Japan  Russia  These agreements are vital to the welfare of migratory birds, especially waterfowl

7. Migratory Birds  Satellite imagery, air and ground surveys and bird banding help the FWS assess habitat conditions and estimate population trends

8. Migratory Birds  Hunters also play a vital role in the information gathering process.  Questionnaires are sent to selected hunters that ask for information on the number of waterfowl taken  Hunters are also asked to submit the wings of ducks and tail feathers of geese This helps the service identify the age, species and sex of the birds taken

9. Migratory Birds—Bird Banding  Since 1920  4,000 certified banders band more than 1 million birds each year  FWS has a bird banding laboratory in Laurel, Maryland that maintains records on more than 45 million birds  50,000 bands are recovered each year  The data gathered from the bands proves to be an invaluable source of information for researchers regarding migratory routes, distribution, breeding age and other life history

10. Migratory Birds  FWS also conducts an annual Breeding Bird Survey to obtain information about songbirds and many nongame species.

11. Fisheries  FWS also manages the nations fisheries.  They work to restore fisheries that have been depleted.  Fisheries become depleted in many ways but the most common ones are  Pollution  Overfishing  Other habitat damage

12. Fisheries  The FWS is currently focusing on four important species  The major salmonid species of the Pacific Northwest (coho, chinook, steelhead)  Striped bass of the Chesapeake Bay Region and Gulf Coast  Atlantic salmon of New England  Lake trout of the upper Great Lakes

13. Fisheries  The FWS maintains research labs to help in these efforts  There they study fish genetics, health, nutrition, and other aspects of fish ecology  These labs provide vital information needed to restore wild fish populations  The information is also important to over 70 fish hatcheries that the FWS utilizes  These hatcheries produce more than 160 million fish of 50 different species that are stocked in our nations waters!!  The goal of FWS biologist is to once again make these fish populations self sustaining.

14. Habitat Protection  FWS works with other agencies, industry, the states and members of public to provide vital biological advice concerning the affect development activities have on wildlife.  Projects that require federal funding are studied by the FWS to asses their potential affect on wildlife.  FWS biologists make recommendations on ways to minimize, avoid, or compensate for projects with harmful affects to fish and wildlife.  FWS also works with the USDA and farmers to restore damaged or drained wetlands and to conserve the remaining acres of wetlands.

15. Research  Most important job of FWS.  Research is vital to conserving fish and wildlife.  FWS maintains large research labs and field operations and works with universities across the country.  FWS also provides funding to many state universities (like SDSU) to train graduate students in fish and wildlife biology.

16. Law Enforcement  Enforce federal wildlife laws.  FWS is also responsible for enforcing wildlife laws that arise from international agreements.  200+ special agents and inspectors are employed by the Service to help enforce permit requirements and wildlife laws.  Inspectors are stationed at major points of entry.

17. Law Enforcement  Inspectors are responsible for:  Investigating large scale poaching and commercial trade in protected wildlife  Handling individual violations of migratory bird hunting  Inspecting shipments of live animals and wildlife products.

18. Administering Federal Aid  Federal aid comes from 2 laws  The Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act  Federal Aid in Sports Fisheries Restoration Act

19. Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act  Commonly known as the Pittman-Robertson Act  Provides money to support a variety of wildlife projects  Monies come from federal excise taxes on sporting arms, ammunition and archery equipment.  Funding began in 1939

20. Federal Aid in Sport Fisheries Act  Commonly called the Dingell-Johnson Act  Comes from an excise tax on sport fishing tackle  First allotted to the states in 1952  1984 it was supplemented by the Wallop-Breaux amendments

21. Federal Aid in Sport Fisheries Act  Wallop-Breaux amendment extended the excise tax to include sporting equipment that had not been previously taxed.  It also designated a portion of the existing federal tax on motorboat fuels and import duties on pleasure boats and fishing tackle to fish restoration.

22. Federal Aid in Sport Fisheries Act  Monies are used for  Fisheries research,  Access to fishing and boating areas,  Managing and maintaining fish habitat,  Restoring depleted fisheries  Carrying out aquatic education  Funds are distributed using a formula that considers the number of fishing and hunting license holders within a state or territory and the state’s or territories' area.

23. Funding  Sportsmen and sportswomen have provided in excess of $2 billion dollars for fish and wildlife conservation programs since the laws were enacted.

24. Summary  America has an effective and efficient wildlife and fisheries management system.  We have an abundance of wildlife and fish resources—resources that will be available to our children and grandchildren if we continue to properly care for them through the support these agencies.  Agencies that work against our greatest challenge in conserving fish and wildlife—habitat loss!

25. Assignment  Complete Learning Activity #1- Using additional references make a chronological list of dates and events that were important to the development of wildlife conservation and management in America.  Group 1- 1900-1950—earliest were 1871 and may be included  Group 2- 1950-Present  Group 1-Tyler, Alyssa, Tessa, Erika  Group 2- Kyle, Ellie, Hannah, Tyler C.

26. Reference Website  http://www.animallaw.info/articles/arusfedwildhist ory.htm#_Early_1900s:_First http://www.animallaw.info/articles/arusfedwildhist ory.htm#_Early_1900s:_First  http://training.fws.gov/History/TimelinesOrigins.htm l http://training.fws.gov/History/TimelinesOrigins.htm l