11-14-2004, 05:43 PM
[size 2]PIERRE, S.D. – The Department of Game, Fish and Parks held a series of four open house events at various locations across the state during the month of September.[/size]
[size 2]The agency invited the public to hear about a planning effort called the South Dakota Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Plan, which takes a broad view of landscapes from a fish and wildlife perspective. The plan considers:[/size] [ul] [li][size 2]What are South Dakota’s essential habitats, and where are they?[/size] [li][size 2]What habitats have changed since South Dakota was settled?[/size] [li][size 2]Which animals need special attention to ensure their long-term survival?[/size] [li][size 2]How can this state be more proactive in wildlife and habitat management?[/size] [/li][/ul]
[size 2]The meetings were facilitated by Bruce Hawkinson of Dynamic Solutions Group, a firm that specializes in gathering public input.[/size]
[size 2]"South Dakotans have a tremendous amount of interest in wildlife, and many see the state’s natural attributes as an important reason people visit and live in the state," Hawkinson said. "But there is some skepticism that ideas shared with Game, Fish and Parks will be taken seriously."[/size]
[size 2]Hawkinson said that it was apparent from the meetings that South Dakotans have a good understanding of what some of the threats are to wildlife. "Without fire, prairies revert to forests. Tilled prairies are less drought resistant. Drained wetlands make the landscape more fragile and more affected by drought. The Missouri River is impounded and no longer functions as a free-flowing river. Many of the threats in South Dakota are similar to those in other states, but at a smaller scale."[/size]
[size 2]The Department of Game, Fish and Parks is working with federal agencies and interested tribes, organizations and individuals to identify conservation threats to wildlife, conservation actions needed to alleviate those threats, management goals, and partnerships to improve resource management in South Dakota. [/size]
[size 2]"The state’s economy depends on the wise use of natural resources and the sustainability of those resources for our children and grandchildren," Hawkinson said.[/size]
[size 2]Game, Fish and Parks is seeking the assistance of all South Dakotans to be part of the Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Plan. The plan is part of a process that is bringing new funding for fish and wildlife management into the state.[/size]
[size 2]South Dakota’s approach will help in the effort to avoid future endangered species issues, and offers the potential to energize diverse groups into partnerships that will help with land and resource stewardship to benefit fish and wildlife.[/size]
[size 2]To help with this important effort, citizens can find more information and volunteer by going to the GFP website at [/size][size 2][url "http://www.sdgfp.info/"][font "Arial"]www.sdgfp.info[/font][/url][/size][font "Arial"][size 2]. Once there, visitors should hold their cursor over the subheading "Wildlife, Hunting, and Fishing," click on the link to "Wildlife Diversity," then click on the link "South Dakota Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Plan."[/size][/font]
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[size 2]The agency invited the public to hear about a planning effort called the South Dakota Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Plan, which takes a broad view of landscapes from a fish and wildlife perspective. The plan considers:[/size] [ul] [li][size 2]What are South Dakota’s essential habitats, and where are they?[/size] [li][size 2]What habitats have changed since South Dakota was settled?[/size] [li][size 2]Which animals need special attention to ensure their long-term survival?[/size] [li][size 2]How can this state be more proactive in wildlife and habitat management?[/size] [/li][/ul]
[size 2]The meetings were facilitated by Bruce Hawkinson of Dynamic Solutions Group, a firm that specializes in gathering public input.[/size]
[size 2]"South Dakotans have a tremendous amount of interest in wildlife, and many see the state’s natural attributes as an important reason people visit and live in the state," Hawkinson said. "But there is some skepticism that ideas shared with Game, Fish and Parks will be taken seriously."[/size]
[size 2]Hawkinson said that it was apparent from the meetings that South Dakotans have a good understanding of what some of the threats are to wildlife. "Without fire, prairies revert to forests. Tilled prairies are less drought resistant. Drained wetlands make the landscape more fragile and more affected by drought. The Missouri River is impounded and no longer functions as a free-flowing river. Many of the threats in South Dakota are similar to those in other states, but at a smaller scale."[/size]
[size 2]The Department of Game, Fish and Parks is working with federal agencies and interested tribes, organizations and individuals to identify conservation threats to wildlife, conservation actions needed to alleviate those threats, management goals, and partnerships to improve resource management in South Dakota. [/size]
[size 2]"The state’s economy depends on the wise use of natural resources and the sustainability of those resources for our children and grandchildren," Hawkinson said.[/size]
[size 2]Game, Fish and Parks is seeking the assistance of all South Dakotans to be part of the Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Plan. The plan is part of a process that is bringing new funding for fish and wildlife management into the state.[/size]
[size 2]South Dakota’s approach will help in the effort to avoid future endangered species issues, and offers the potential to energize diverse groups into partnerships that will help with land and resource stewardship to benefit fish and wildlife.[/size]
[size 2]To help with this important effort, citizens can find more information and volunteer by going to the GFP website at [/size][size 2][url "http://www.sdgfp.info/"][font "Arial"]www.sdgfp.info[/font][/url][/size][font "Arial"][size 2]. Once there, visitors should hold their cursor over the subheading "Wildlife, Hunting, and Fishing," click on the link to "Wildlife Diversity," then click on the link "South Dakota Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Plan."[/size][/font]
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