ON THE HORIZON: August 2017, Issue 7
Posted by WAFWA on August 1, 2017
![]() Of particular note was approval of several white papers related to sage-grouse management that will help inform the Department of the Interior review of current conservation efforts called for by Secretarial Order 3353. The Sagebrush Executive Oversight Committee approved four white papers on sage-grouse captive breeding, hunting, predator control and population and habitat management. “The white papers were intended to convey to the Department of the Interior the current state of the science and state experiences with these topics,” said Virgil Moore, Director of Idaho Fish and Game and Chairman of the Sagebrush Executive Oversight Committee. ?WAFWA appreciates the opportunity to bring our technical expertise to the table.? During the business meeting, directors also approved several resolutions, including one related to wild horse and burro management on Bureau of Land Management lands, and one related to federal block grant support for black-footed ferret recovery efforts.READ WHITE PAPERSREAD WAFWA RESOLUTIONS ![]() ![]() “I’ve been fortunate to see some important conservation successes during my 30 year career,” said Melcher. “These successes are largely driven by decisions made decades ago, many of them by WAFWA agencies. I’m hopeful we can build on that legacy and lay the foundation for future conservation successes.” Other board members elected for a year’s term are: First vice-president: Keith Sexson, Asst. Secty., Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Second vice-president: Mike Fowlks, Director Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Third vice-president: Alexandra Sandoval, Director, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Secretary: Larry Kruckenberg, WAFWA Treasurer: Deb VonDeBur, WAFWA Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife has already begun planning next year’s summer conference, to be held in Eugene, July 12-17, 2018. ![]() Another highlight of the meeting was the election of a new chair and vice chair. J.D. Strong, Director of Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation was elected chair, and Bob Broscheid, Director of Colorado Parks and Wildlife will serve as vice chair.SEE VIDEO ![]() Lesser Prairie-chicken Initiative Council members took to the field in southwest Kansas in June to view first-hand conservation efforts on a ranch purchased by WAFWA in 2016. The 30,000-acre ranch permanently protects high-quality lesser prairie-chicken habitat, an important goal of the range-wide plan. Staff gave overviews of the conservation plan for the ranch as well as the newly completed conservation easement that has been placed on the ranch. ![]() “From the moment I saw the CHAT interface, I was impressed,” said Sproles. “To distill that much information into a single web-based map is impressive. There is also a lot of room for the analysis component of CHAT to expand. But what I find most exciting is the opportunity to work with the range of professionals that make up WAFWA. I look forward to the challenges and collaborations that await.” Sproles invites stakeholders to get in touch with him for a chat about CHAT anytime. If you have a question or idea you can find him at eric.sproles@wafwa.org |
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