1. State Wildlife Action Plans
Prevent Endangered Species Listings
Keep Common Species Common
Good Morning/Afternoon -
Thanks for coming. Introductions all around.
We want to give you an update on progress made over the last five years.
State Wildlife Action Plans are in place in every state and territory.
They are congressionally-mandated.
We want to explore ways how your agency can become even more involved in their implementation.
We believe more effective collaboration will make all of our jobs easier.
Mark Humpert, Wildlife Diversity Director, AFWA

2. Mixed Bag of Success
Game Species: Billions $$’s from license fees & excise taxes=Sustainable F&W
Nongame Species: Funding small & variable often voluntary=At-risk F&W
>90% of the funding available for <10% of the species
The principal source of funding for state fish and wildlife agencies is from license fees on hunters and anglers and federal excise taxes on their equipment.
These funds resulted in the recovery and sustainable management of hundreds of games species that are hunted and fished. 2

3. Plan Timeline – Past, Present and Future
Teaming With Wildlife
Plan Timeline – Past, Present and Future
2015
SWAP Revision
2012
Measures & BP’s
2006
6,000+ TWW Coalition
2005
State Wildlife Action Plans
2000
CARA passed HOR; SWG & WCR created
1994
Teaming with Wildlife launched
1980
Fish & Wildlife Conservation Act 3

5. Funding History Millions ($) Fiscal Year
The principal source of funding for state fish and wildlife agencies is from license fees on hunters and anglers and federal excise taxes on their equipment.
These funds resulted in the recovery and sustainable management of hundreds of games species that are hunted and fished.
Fiscal Year 5

6. State Wildlife Action Plans
Congressional Directives Authorizing Legislation
Both the Wildlife Conservation Restoration Program and State Wildlife Grants Program required states to develop a State Wildlife Action plan by October 2005 to be eligible for funding.
The Wildlife Conservation and Restoration Program was the first funded in 2001 for one year.
State Wildlife Grants Program now in its 10th year of funding.
Each program required a plan by October the requirements were specified through the State Wildlife Grants program.
Refer to slide. 6

7. State Wildlife Action Plans
Each State and territory created its own State Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy, otherwise known as State Wildlife Action Plan.
For most states this was the first comprehensive plan of its kind.
Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies 7 7

8. State Wildlife Action Plans The Eight Required Elements
Info on the distribution and abundance of wildlife.
Descriptions of locations and condition of key habitats.
Descriptions of problems and research/survey needs.
Descriptions of the conservation actions proposed.
Plans for monitoring species & habitats (adaptive management).
Descriptions of procedures to revise the Plan.
Plans for coordinating the development, implementation, review and revision of the Plan.
Procedures for gaining public input.
Each state/territory addressed each of the 8 elements in their plans.
They were assessed by a National Advisory and Acceptance Team before being approved by the Director of the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
The NAAT was made up of Assistant Regional Directors in each FWS Region and State Fish and Wildlife Agency Directors.
Revisions to the plans were often required through the review process. 8

9. Element 1 More than 12,000 species identified at SGCN by states
(PA=557)
Funding for species that are not hunted and fished (Non-game) has been more tenuous.
Funding for these species has been largely insufficient to meet their growing needs.
Note: Speak to data and/or explain map as required. 9

10. Element 1 SGCN # range from 90 (SD) to 1251 (SC)
Funding for species that are not hunted and fished (Non-game) has been more tenuous.
Funding for these species has been largely insufficient to meet their growing needs.
Note: Speak to data and/or explain map as required. 10

11. Element 2
State and federal agency partners share the responsibility of managing Species of Greatest Conservation Need.
Increased collaboration will help ensure we are being effective and efficient in meeting common conservation goals at a time of shrinking state and federal budgets.
(Bring in the National Biological Survey “WOW” Information or at least mention it at this juncture – pointing out that we will give them a demonstration of the types of data available in this effort at the end. Re: Species by state, by taxi, population, by ESA designation and location, etc.)
(Access internet for a demonstration or use an interactive CD (to be built)…. (Mark) 11

12. Element 3 Key National Threats/Challenges
Habitat loss from development
Habitat loss from ecosystem modifications (e.g fire)
Habitat conversion from agriculture & other factors
Impaired water quality
Data gaps
Introduction/spread of invasive species
Collection and illegal harvest
Human intrusion and disturbance
Impacts from climate change
Insufficient funding and capacity
Many existing plans, from agencies and conservation organizations were considered and incorporated as appropriate.
The plans are as comprehensive as possible.
This process is ongoing…. 12

13. Element 4 Key National Conservation Actions
Increase and Improve Land Protection
Integrate SWAP’s into Land Use Planning
Increase State Fish & Wildlife Agency Capacity
Private Landowner Technical Service and Incentives
Integrate SWAP’s into Land Mgmt. Plans & Policies
Increase Outreach
National Tracking and Reporting of Habitat Conversion
Many existing plans, from agencies and conservation organizations were considered and incorporated as appropriate.
The plans are as comprehensive as possible.
This process is ongoing…. 13

14. Element 5 Effectiveness Measures Framework
Measuring the Effectiveness of State Wildlife Grants Final Report
April 2011
Effectiveness Measures Framework
Many existing plans, from agencies and conservation organizations were considered and incorporated as appropriate.
The plans are as comprehensive as possible.
This process is ongoing…. 14

15. Element 6
“A State Wildlife Action Plan must be revised at least every 10 years”
No later than 2015
Many existing plans, from agencies and conservation organizations were considered and incorporated as appropriate.
The plans are as comprehensive as possible.
This process is ongoing…. 15

16. Element 7 Seventh Element
“Plans for coordinating the development, implementation, review, and revision of the State Strategy/Plan with appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies and Indian tribes”
Element 7 required that agencies and tribes be in involved in the development and implementation of the plans.
This included your agency at various levels: nationally, regionally, State, and local 16

17. Element 8 Public Participation
Many existing plans, from agencies and conservation organizations were considered and incorporated as appropriate.
The plans are as comprehensive as possible.
This process is ongoing…. 17

18. Successes
The principal source of funding for state fish and wildlife agencies is from license fees on hunters and anglers and federal excise taxes on their equipment.
These funds resulted in the recovery and sustainable management of hundreds of games species that are hunted and fished. 18

19. Regional Efforts Northeast Regional Conservation Needs
Southeast Conservation Adaptation Strategy
Western Governors Association Crucial Habitat Assessment Tool
Landscape Conservation Cooperatives
The principal source of funding for state fish and wildlife agencies is from license fees on hunters and anglers and federal excise taxes on their equipment.
These funds resulted in the recovery and sustainable management of hundreds of games species that are hunted and fished. 19

20. Funding Need
Average of $9.0 million needed to achieve 25% implementation of SWAP
Average of $25.8 million needed to achieve 75% implementation of SWAP
The top funding needs for implementation of State Wildlife Action Plans are for 1) protection of lands through acquisition, easements or leases; 2) management on public and private lands; 3) monitoring and research
The principal source of funding for state fish and wildlife agencies is from license fees on hunters and anglers and federal excise taxes on their equipment.
These funds resulted in the recovery and sustainable management of hundreds of games species that are hunted and fished.
Current SWG apportionment for PA ~$1.5M 20

21. State Funding Successes
With the help of diverse coalitions, a handful of states have secured dedicated wildlife agency funding
Missouri, Arkansas, Minnesota
Conservation sales taxes
Virginia & Texas
Dedicating tax revenues from outdoor gear
Colorado, Arizona & Maine
Dedicated lottery revenues
Florida & South Carolina
Real estate transfer taxes
The Mission of the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies is to:
Protect and support state, provincial and territorial authority for fish and wildlife conservation
Promote sound resource management; and
Strengthen federal, state, provincial, territorial and private cooperation in conserving fish and wildlife and their habitats in the public interest.

22. Funding Need
Speak to bullets 22

23. Funding Need
Speak to bullets 23

24. Funding Need
Speak to bullets 24

25. Funding Need
The principal source of funding for state fish and wildlife agencies is from license fees on hunters and anglers and federal excise taxes on their equipment.
These funds resulted in the recovery and sustainable management of hundreds of games species that are hunted and fished. 25

26. Funding SWAP’s Federal State Local/Private
The principal source of funding for state fish and wildlife agencies is from license fees on hunters and anglers and federal excise taxes on their equipment.
These funds resulted in the recovery and sustainable management of hundreds of games species that are hunted and fished. 26

27. The Future Blue Ribbon Panel on Wildlife Diversity Funding
Directing SWG to WCR
Activating the TWW Coalition
SWAP 2.0
Common conservation goals can be achieved with State Wildlife Action Plans.
We would like to discuss how we can better collaborate. 27

28. AFWA
The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies was started in 1902.
It serves as the collective voice of North America’s fish and wildlife agencies.
These agencies have principal responsibility for the management and conservation of all species of fish and wildlife within their jurisdiction.
The Association provides its member agencies and their senior staff with coordination and policy support on wide range of issues that includes:
- Wildlife diversity
- Invasive species
- Energy development
- Conservation education
- International relations
Representing fish and wildlife agencies to conserve fish and wildlife and their habitats in the public interest.