ON THE HORIZON: April 2019, Issue 17
Posted by WAFWA on April 1, 2019
![]() The action plan was created by a consortium of invasive species experts, including land managers, biologists, scientists and representatives from state and federal conservation and agricultural agencies. The action plan addresses the pervasive spread of exotic invasive plants across the sagebrush biome in 11 western states in the U.S. Those states are Arizona, California, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, South Dakota Utah, Washington and Wyoming. The expansion of invasive plants like cheatgrass is negatively transforming more than 100 million acres of native sagebrush rangelands across the West. This transformation is having a negative effect on wildlife, recreation, ranching, and water quality, to name but a few impacts. Besides outcompeting native plants, invasives like cheatgrass are also changing the frequency and severity of wildfires. In Nevada alone, over a million acres of rangeland burned in 2018. Major natural resource management organizations, including WAFWA, the Western Association of State Departments of Agriculture and the National Association of State Departments of Agricultures have indicated they are supportive of the plan and are working on supporting resolutions that will underscore their commitment to its implementation. “This action plan is designed to be a blueprint for coordinated collaborative invasive species management efforts across the West,” said Tony Wasley, Director of the Nevada Division of Wildlife and chair of the Sagebrush Executive Oversight Committee. “It’s heartening to see support from all of the stakeholders who are concerned about this invasive species crisis. Now that support for the plan is being manifested across the West, we all need to work together to implement it.” ![]() Along with discussions regarding a potential partnership with Common Ground, WAFWA’s executive committee voted on March 6 to undertake a thorough review and audit of the mitigation framework that is part of the plan. Undertaking a five-year program review was a commitment made by WAFWA when the Range-wide Plan was approved in 2013. As a result of the pending review, new enrollments in the plan will be suspended until the audit is completed, which is estimated to take about 30 to 60 days. WAFWA?s executive committee also voted to take steps to ensure funding is available for critical program operations, which will include providing services to industry partners and landowners currently participating in the program. ![]() ![]() The award winners were selected for their distinguishing contributions to wildlife habitat conservation efforts nationwide, including landscape-level habitat improvements through cooperative partnerships and direct mission delivery of Pheasant Forever and Quail Forever programs focused on upland birds and other wildlife. ?These Conservation Service Awards recognize individuals who have helped impact the mission of our organization through habitat improvements, public access, policy, and R3 initiatives in the United States,? stated Howard Vincent, president and CEO of Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever. ?These folks represent the real foundation of our organization, footings based on input from dedicated and proven wildlife natural resource professionals. We are grateful for their guidance and input.? ![]() |
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