Colorado Wildlife Federation Colorado’s Revised State Wildlife Action Plan was approved by the US Fish and Wildlife Service on March 30, 2016.
cpw.state.co.us/aboutus/Pages/StateWildlifeActionPlan.aspx
Here is Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s press release:
April 6, 2016
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
http://cpw.state.co.us/aboutus/Pages/StateWildlifeActionPlan.aspx
Manda Walters
CPW Communications
303-866-3203 x4608
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Colorado’s Revised State Wildlife Action Plan approved by USFWS
DENVER – The ** State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP) Comprehensive Revision
(http://cpw.state.co.us/aboutus/Pages/StateWildlifeActionPlan.aspx) was approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in a March 30, 2016 memo to
Colorado Parks and Wildlife Director, Bob Broscheid. The action follows an effort that spanned nearly two years and involved conservation groups, federal, state and
municipal agencies, private landowners and other stakeholders. “The State Wildlife Action Plan is an important conservation planning tool for resource and land managers,” said Broscheid. “This revision ensures we are working with the most up-to-date and scientifically-sound information regarding Coloradohabitats and wildlife.”
The action plan identifies and prioritizes ** at-risk species
(http://cpw.state.co.us/Documents/WildlifeSpecies/SWAP/CO_SWAP_Chapter2.pdf) and ** habitats
(http://cpw.state.co.us/Documents/WildlifeSpecies/SWAP/CO_SWAP_Chapter3.pdf) while outlining ** conservation actions
(http://cpw.state.co.us/Documents/WildlifeSpecies/SWAP/CO_SWAP_Chapter5.pdf) that help protect and conserve the species of concern. The plan is intended to build consensus and collaboration by identifying the best conservation management practices for federal, state, municipal agencies, as well as conservation-minded non-governmental organizations and others, dedicated to conserving the state’s most vulnerable wildlife.
Approval of the SWAP by USFWS provides CPW access to $1 million in USFWS State Wildlife Grants for programs that benefit at-risk species, such as Gunnison sage-grouse, black-footed ferrets, Colorado river cutthroat trout and many others. Grant eligibility is determined based upon having an approved SWAP.
“The revised SWAP is more strategic and precise than the previous document,” said Broscheid. “Partner agencies, nonprofit groups and interested publics have, and continue to be, important contributors to this effort.”
CPW revises the State Wildlife Action Plan every 10 years, as mandated by USFWS. The action plan employs a regional approach to conservation, one that takes into
consideration the complexity inherent to unique landscapes and ecosystems. In addition to the conservation strategies for priority habitats and wildlife species, the comprehensive review also addresses climate change vulnerability and an assessment on conservation of plants, two components that were not addressed in the original 2006 SWAP version.
While the SWAP is not a regulatory document, it does inform conservation priorities. The SWAP is available online at **
http://cpw.state.co.us/aboutus/Pages/StateWildlifeActionPlan.aspx
(http://cpw.state.co.us/aboutus/Pages/StateWildlifeActionPlan.aspx)