CURRENT ISSUES Study Presentation Created for you by Mrs.Kraushaar 2008

BIODIVERSITY What is Biodiversity? What is Biodiversity? Biodiversity is the variety of life found in PA Biodiversity is the variety of life found in PA Why is Biodiversity Important in PA? Why is Biodiversity Important in PA? Understanding Biodiversity is key in maintaining and sustaining PA’s natural resources Understanding Biodiversity is key in maintaining and sustaining PA’s natural resources

THREATS Habitat Loss: Habitat Loss: Urban Sprawl Urban Sprawl Climate Change Climate Change Land Use Pattern Changes Land Use Pattern Changes Invasive Species Invasive Species

THREATS Pollution Pollution Water Pollution Water Pollution Air Pollution Air Pollution Soil Pollution Soil Pollution

THREATS Human Impact Human Impact Agricultural Practices Agricultural Practices Mining Techniques Mining Techniques Fire Suppression Fire Suppression

Managing Biodiversity in PA Land Protection Land Protection Land Acquisition Land Acquisition Regulations Regulations Incentives Incentives Education Education Good Stewardship by Private Land Owners Good Stewardship by Private Land Owners

Managing Biodiversity in PA Habitat Restoration and Species Reintroduction Habitat Restoration and Species Reintroduction Wetland Restoration Wetland Restoration Fire Management Fire Management Replanting Native Species Replanting Native Species Translocating animals to former ranges Translocating animals to former ranges

Biodiversity Organizations; Law; Policies; Funding Organizations Organizations Federal Federal State State County County Local Municipalities Local Municipalities

Biodiversity Organizations; Law; Policies; Funding Laws and Policies Laws and Policies Environmental Rights Clause of 1971 Environmental Rights Clause of 1971 Govern private and public actions that affect water, air, land, and restoration efforts Govern private and public actions that affect water, air, land, and restoration efforts Govern biological information and what and how collected Govern biological information and what and how collected

Biodiversity Organizations; Law; Policies; Funding Funding Funding Not enough $ to support Pa’s needs Not enough $ to support Pa’s needs Lack of funding hampers conservation efforts Lack of funding hampers conservation efforts

Biodiversity Organizations; Law; Policies; Funding Conclusion and next steps Conclusion and next steps More info is needed to increase conservation More info is needed to increase conservation Sustainable use of Natural Resources is critical Sustainable use of Natural Resources is critical PA still lacks a statewide strategy for Biological Conservation PA still lacks a statewide strategy for Biological Conservation Data collected so far is basis for planning strategies for Biological Conservation in PA Data collected so far is basis for planning strategies for Biological Conservation in PA

RECREATION What is Recreation??? What is Recreation??? Different thing to different people Different thing to different people Influenced by many factors Influenced by many factors

RECREATION History of Recreation in PA History of Recreation in PA Forests in PA were initially intended to protect watersheds from devastating logging practices and fires Forests in PA were initially intended to protect watersheds from devastating logging practices and fires Recreation was not a priority in creating forest areas but forested areas quickly became the ideal place for recreational activities Recreation was not a priority in creating forest areas but forested areas quickly became the ideal place for recreational activities Early focus was Hunting and Fishing activities Early focus was Hunting and Fishing activities By 1995: Forestland Purpose was to “Furnish opportunities for healthy recreation to the public” By 1995: Forestland Purpose was to “Furnish opportunities for healthy recreation to the public”

RECREATION Problems Problems Various activities pose conflict on how to manage forested areas Various activities pose conflict on how to manage forested areas More people using state forest facilities More people using state forest facilities Ecological/Environmental concerns Ecological/Environmental concerns

RECREATION Recreation Inventory Recreation Inventory Existing uses of forest land Existing uses of forest land Non-Motorized Activities Non-Motorized Activities Motorized Activities Motorized Activities Miscellaneous Activities Miscellaneous Activities

RECREATION Criteria and Indicators Criteria and Indicators Environmental: % of protected forest areas Environmental: % of protected forest areas Economic: % of money to be spent on recreational issues Economic: % of money to be spent on recreational issues Social: Various topics Social: Various topics Acreage of forested areas Acreage of forested areas Miles of road access Miles of road access Total number of user days Total number of user days MANY OTHER AREAS MANY OTHER AREAS

RECREATION Economic Impact of Recreation to PA Economic Impact of Recreation to PA Forest Products industry Forest Products industry 90,000 jobs in 2500 firms 90,000 jobs in 2500 firms $4.5 billion to economy $4.5 billion to economy Wildlife Watching Wildlife Watching $1.8 billion to economy $1.8 billion to economy 20% of PA residents hunt/trap/fish = $1 billion 20% of PA residents hunt/trap/fish = $1 billion Thousands of $$ contributed through residents and visitors partaking in recreational activities Thousands of $$ contributed through residents and visitors partaking in recreational activities

RECREATION Trail Responsibilities Trail Responsibilities 76 Do and Don’ts on the list (too many to put in slides) refer to your disk for these items 76 Do and Don’ts on the list (too many to put in slides) refer to your disk for these items Leave No Trail Principles Leave No Trail Principles 7 things you should be mindful of while hiking in PA 7 things you should be mindful of while hiking in PA

RECREATION Important Facts to Know…… Important Facts to Know…… 1 in 4 people in PA participate in Wildlife Watching 1 in 4 people in PA participate in Wildlife Watching In US: Wildlife watching is 2 nd most common activity next to gardening In US: Wildlife watching is 2 nd most common activity next to gardening In 1700s: 80% of PA was forested In 1700s: 80% of PA was forested Now: Approximately 58% of PA is forested Now: Approximately 58% of PA is forested PA is 5 th in the nation for development of open spaces PA is 5 th in the nation for development of open spaces

OTHER FACTS Important Facts to Know…… Important Facts to Know…… 70% of forests in PA are owned by private sector 70% of forests in PA are owned by private sector Know some examples of introduced animals: Starlings, English Sparrows Know some examples of introduced animals: Starlings, English Sparrows Know some invasive species: Tree of Heaven, Purple Loosestrife, Mile-A-Minute Weed Know some invasive species: Tree of Heaven, Purple Loosestrife, Mile-A-Minute Weed Know some reintroduced animals: Know some reintroduced animals: elk, turkey, and American shad, bald eagle, peregrine falcon, river otters