USDA Announces Effort to Support Terrestrial Wildlife Habitat Connectivity – Daily Leader

WASHINGTON DC – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced a Department-wide effort to support wildlife habitat connectivity on working landscapes through management of National Forests and voluntary conservation assistance on private farmlands. In a memo released this week, Vilsack detailed the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) plans to drive coordination and action within the Department to improve connectivity and habitat corridors for terrestrial wildlife in a way that recognizes and takes advantage of the State and tribal authorities, capitalize on public land management and respect private property rights through voluntary, locally led conservation.

In this memo, Vilsack directs USDA to organize a network of programs across USDA, including those of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Farm Service Agency (FSA), Forest Service (FS), and Health Inspection Service Animal and Plant (APHIS) for:

• Incorporate consideration of connectivity and terrestrial wildlife habitat corridors into relevant planning processes, programs and assessments.
• Improve coordination, compatibility, and execution of USDA planning processes and programs to improve terrestrial wildlife connectivity outcomes.
• Increase interjurisdictional coordination with states, tribes, and other federal departments.
• Coordinate within USDA the implementation of the actions described in this memorandum, with the goal of improving the delivery of USDA programs and results for terrestrial connectivity.

“Most of America’s wildlife, from sage grouse to bobwhites and from elk to waterfowl, depends on vast areas of connected habitat, much of which is provided thanks to stewardship by farmers, ranchers and forest owners of the USA,” said Robert Bonnie, USDA Undersecretary. for Agricultural Production and Conservation. “At USDA, we are partnering with farmers, ranchers and forest owners to help conserve a connected mosaic of wildlife habitats on America’s public and private lands through incentives that reward them for their stewardship activities. The USDA has had tremendous success working with those who voluntarily conserve wildlife habitat and integrate wildlife-friendly measures on their farmlands, which has benefited so many species, from the sage grouse to the black bear. Louisiana. By leveraging the Department’s existing efforts and leveraging our partners, we hope to make meaningful impacts for wildlife, agriculture and communities.”

“Coordination between agencies and with our state, private and tribal partners is critical to all of our work,” said USDA Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment Dr. “Our national forests and grasslands provide critical habitat for wildlife. across the country and this collaboration will build on the crucial connection between public lands and the private lands around them.”

“Today’s announcement builds on the Department’s work to support wildlife habitat connectivity to ensure the sustainability of large-scale conservation and restoration efforts,” said USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Jenny Lester Moffitt. “APHIS prioritizes solutions for wildlife management, conservation and restoration that take into account animal habitats, economic considerations and human health and safety, while using new available technologies. Additionally, through programs such as the Bison Conservation Transfer Program and the Interagency Bison Management Plan, APHIS uses its animal health expertise to support Tribal conservation programs.”

The U.S. is home to an abundance of wildlife species that require large, environmentally diverse areas of habitat to survive and reproduce. American wildlife species represent immense ecological value, cultural heritage, recreational enjoyment, and economic opportunity for the American people. USDA’s efforts will help address habitat loss, barriers to animal movement, and the impacts of natural disasters and invasive species.

These efforts will include:

• NRCS and FSA conservation programs that provide technical and financial assistance to improve and conserve wildlife habitat on working lands.
• Planning and implementing FS land management projects, including fuel reduction and wildfire crisis planning and implementation.
• APHIS programs have focused on wildlife damage, wildlife disease, and invasive species management.
• Close coordination with state agencies, federal agencies, tribes, and non-governmental organizations.
• Integrating Indigenous Knowledge into conservation efforts.
• Establishment of the USDA Terrestrial Wildlife Habitat Corridors and Connectivity Committee.