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 www.fws.gov

Employment with USFWS

Variety of employment opportunities Visit www.fws.govwww.fws.gov 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