THE ADMINISTRATION OF WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT Wildlife Management Unit 1 Part 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 role in protecting wildlife resources.

Introduction  Many government agencies affect wildlife but only a few have a direct impact.  US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)  US Department of Agriculture (USDA)  Bureau of Land Management (BLM)  US Forest Service (USFS)  Each state also has agencies that are responsible for wildlife.  See Appendix B for SD’s.

The US Fish and Wildlife Service  Created in 1956 by the Fish and Wildlife Act  Two separate bureaus within the agency  Commercial Fisheries and Sport Fisheries  Wildlife  1970 the Bureau of Commercial fisheries was moved to the Dept. of Commerace leaving the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife in the Dept. of Interior  1974 “Bureau” was dropped and the agency has been called the US Fish and Wildlife Service ever since

The Mission of the USFWS  To conserve, protect and enhance fish and wildlife and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.

Responsabilities of the USFWS  Migratory birds  Endangered species  Freshwater and anadromous fisheries  Certain marine mammals  Go to

Employment with USFWS  Variety of employment opportunities  Visit and explore the different career opportunities available with the FWS.  Which ones interest you???

The US Forest Service  Began with the Forest Reserve Act of 1891  Today manages over 190 million acres of public forest land in the US

Bureau of Land Management (BLM)  Responsible for managing public lands.  Oversees 270 million acres of public land  3,000 + species of plants, birds, reptiles, fish and mammals

US Department of Agriculture (USDA)  No direct responsabilities for wildlife conservation and management  Administers a program that has been beneficial to wildlife—The Conservation Reserve Program

CRP  Most important part of the 1985 farm bill  Removes highly erodible farmland from production and plants them in permanent vegetative cover for a period of time.  It is estimated that the CRP has successfully reduced soil erosion by many millions of tons of soil per year  This has improved water quality and reduced the sediment in waterways.  It also provides additional wildlife habitat.

CREP  Voluntary land retirement program that helps agricultural producers protect environmentally sensitive land, decrease erosion, restore wildlife habitat and safeguard ground and surface water  Seeks to enroll 10,000 acres of eligible cropland or marginal pastureland in 10 to 15 year contracts within the James River Watershed  Administered by the USDA Farm Service Agency  See fact sheet handout for more information