U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Approves N.C. Wildlife Action Plan
RALEIGH, N.C. (Aug. 12)  The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission last week
became the first state fish and wildlife agency in the nation to receive
approval for its Wildlife Action Plan  a long-term strategy to conserve
fish, wildlife and natural areas across the state to enhance wildlife
populations and the quality of life for North Carolinians.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service approved the N.C. Wildlife Action Plan,
which makes North Carolina eligible to receive federal funds beginning in
fiscal year 2006 through the State Wildlife Grants program. From 2001-2005,
the Fish and Wildlife Service gave North Carolina more than $6.1 million
under this grant program.
“Fish and wildlife resources in North Carolina will benefit greatly from
the strategic thinking and science-based planning that went into this
wildlife action plan,” said acting Service Director Matt Hogan. “The U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service is proud to work in partnership with the N.C.
Wildlife Resources Commission as it implements its plan and works to keep
species from requiring Endangered Species Act protection.”
North Carolina is the first state in this national historic effort. State
fish and wildlife agencies across the country are developing similar
rigorous, science-based plans to prevent wildlife from becoming endangered.
Wildlife Commission biologists will use money from State Wildlife Grants to
support research and management that benefit fish, wildlife and their
habitats. The funds primarily will be dedicated to the conservation of a
wide variety of non-game animals, including:
· robust redhorse, a rare fish found in North Carolina only in
the Yadkin/Pee Dee River system,
· northern flying squirrels, which inhabit high-elevation forests
in the southern Appalachians,
· peregrine falcons, which nest on rocky cliffs and outcroppings,
· Northern pine snakes, which live only in three small,
disconnected areas of the state due to habitat loss,
· Eastern box turtles, North Carolina’s state reptile, which can
be found statewide for now, and
· gopher frogs, which breed in temporary ponds that can be found
in longleaf pine forests.
Congress in May 2002 required each state fish and game agency in the United
States to develop its own wildlife action plan by October 2005 to remain
eligible for federal funding through the State Wildlife Grants program.
The N.C. Wildlife Action Plan exceeds 600 pages and took three years to
produce. It has been posted on the Wildlife Commission’s Web site,
files. The Wildlife Commission developed its plan in collaboration with
scientists, sportsmen and other conservation partners across the state,
including the N.C. Natural Heritage Program, the Audubon Society and The
Nature Conservancy.
“If we invest in conserving wildlife and natural areas now, we can protect
these areas for future generations,” said Salinda Daley, who coordinated
the N.C. Wildlife Action Plan. “The proactive nature of the plan will
benefit the health of wildlife and people, and conserve wildlife before
they become more rare and more costly to protect.”
For more information about wildlife in North Carolina or its action plan,
visit the Web sites of the Wildlife Commission (www.ncwildlife.org), U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service (www.fws.gov), International Association of Fish
and Wildlife Agencies (www.iafwa.org) or Teaming with Wildlife Initiative
(www.teaming.com).Cleaner air and water. Healthier wildlife and people.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Approves N.C. Wildlife Action Plan
RALEIGH, N.C. (Aug. 12)  The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission last week
became the first state fish and wildlife agency in the nation to receive
approval for its Wildlife Action Plan  a long-term strategy to conserve
fish, wildlife and natural areas across the state to enhance wildlife
populations and the quality of life for North Carolinians.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service approved the N.C. Wildlife Action Plan,
which makes North Carolina eligible to receive federal funds beginning in
fiscal year 2006 through the State Wildlife Grants program. From 2001-2005,
the Fish and Wildlife Service gave North Carolina more than $6.1 million
under this grant program.
“Fish and wildlife resources in North Carolina will benefit greatly from
the strategic thinking and science-based planning that went into this
wildlife action plan,” said acting Service Director Matt Hogan. “The U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service is proud to work in partnership with the N.C.
Wildlife Resources Commission as it implements its plan and works to keep
species from requiring Endangered Species Act protection.”
North Carolina is the first state in this national historic effort. State
fish and wildlife agencies across the country are developing similar
rigorous, science-based plans to prevent wildlife from becoming endangered.
Wildlife Commission biologists will use money from State Wildlife Grants to
support research and management that benefit fish, wildlife and their
habitats. The funds primarily will be dedicated to the conservation of a
wide variety of non-game animals, including:
· robust redhorse, a rare fish found in North Carolina only in
the Yadkin/Pee Dee River system,
· northern flying squirrels, which inhabit high-elevation forests
in the southern Appalachians,
· peregrine falcons, which nest on rocky cliffs and outcroppings,
· Northern pine snakes, which live only in three small,
disconnected areas of the state due to habitat loss,
· Eastern box turtles, North Carolina’s state reptile, which can
be found statewide for now, and
· gopher frogs, which breed in temporary ponds that can be found
in longleaf pine forests.
Congress in May 2002 required each state fish and game agency in the United
States to develop its own wildlife action plan by October 2005 to remain
eligible for federal funding through the State Wildlife Grants program.
The N.C. Wildlife Action Plan exceeds 600 pages and took three years to
produce. It has been posted on the Wildlife Commission’s Web site,
files. The Wildlife Commission developed its plan in collaboration with
scientists, sportsmen and other conservation partners across the state,
including the N.C. Natural Heritage Program, the Audubon Society and The
Nature Conservancy.
“If we invest in conserving wildlife and natural areas now, we can protect
these areas for future generations,” said Salinda Daley, who coordinated
the N.C. Wildlife Action Plan. “The proactive nature of the plan will
benefit the health of wildlife and people, and conserve wildlife before
they become more rare and more costly to protect.”
For more information about wildlife in North Carolina or its action plan,
visit the Web sites of the Wildlife Commission (www.ncwildlife.org), U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service (www.fws.gov), International Association of Fish
and Wildlife Agencies (www.iafwa.org) or Teaming with Wildlife Initiative
(www.teaming.com).Cleaner air and water. Healthier wildlife and people.