Planning for Conservation

The Wisconsin Association of Lakes served on the DNR Advisory Team that developed Wisconsin's Strategy for Wildlife Species of Greatest Conservation Need. The Strategy identifies native Wisconsin species that are most at risk of declining to the point where they are no longer a viable part of Wisconsin's fauna, and the conservation actions that will "get them off and keep them off" and Endangered or Threatened species lists in the future.

The Strategy began with a comprehensive assessment of all native Wisconsin wildlife species, what habitats these species are associated with, and where these species occur across the state. A key feature of the Strategy is a focus on protecting habitats that support multiple species in need, not just individual species. A total of 152 invertebrates (birds, fish, reptiles, mammals) and over 500 invertebrate species (insects, mollusks, spiders) were identified as Species of Greatest Conservation Need.

Key benefits of Wisconsin's strategy for species of greatest conservation need

• Helps Wisconsin to proactively conserve wildlife, especially those species which have often "fallen between the cracks" for funding and conservation attention in the past
• Encourages partnerships and creative approaches so that the plan's broad perspective is implemented through local actions
• Builds on past efforts for the benefit of all wildlife without introducing new regulations or constraints
• Provides Guidance and information, including a reference database, for government agencies, tribes, and the full range of public and private partners to use to support their conservation efforts
• Ensures that Wisconsin remains eligible for federal funding from the State Wildlife Grants Program and benefits from any future federal funding increases
• Sets priorities for allocation of State Wildlife Grants funds in Wisconsin.

The Natural Resources Board approved the plan in August 2005.

More information about the plan as well as a full draft is available on the Department of Natural Resources website.