The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is accepting public comment on its State Wildlife Action Plan over the next several weeks as part of a federally required comprehensive review. The draft revisions will be released in a series of chapters online at www.iowadnr.gov/Environment/WildlifeStewardship/IowaWildlifeActionPlan.aspx.
The plan – “Securing a Future for Fish and Wildlife: A Conservation Legacy for Iowans” – is a 25-year habitat-based strategy for conservation of all wildlife. It focuses on species of greatest conservation need and aims to keep common species common.
Proposed revisions include changes to the list of species of special conservation need to reflect the current distribution and abundance of fish and wildlife species, said Katy Reeder, with the Iowa DNR’s Wildlife Bureau and manager of the State Wildlife Action Plan.
“Our goal is to keep Iowa’s Wildlife Action Plan updated and clearly reflect conservation priorities so it will serve as a resource to those involved in conservation, land use planning, outdoor recreation or environmental education, as well as those wishing to simply learn more about Iowa’s wildlife, habitats, conservation challenges and strategies in place to achieve long-term visions,” Reeder said.
The plan, first approved in 2006, is a cooperative effort between land managers, fish and wildlife biologists, citizen conservationists and others who share an interest in wildlife conservation. It presents six visions for the future of Iowa’s wildlife developed by Iowans at a large public forum during the plan’s initial creation.
All State Wildlife Action Plans are mandated by Congress to be fully reviewed every 10 years. The deadline for all comments is Aug. 31, 2015. Comments may be sent to by email to Katy.Reeder@dnr.iowa.gov or by mail to Katy Reeder, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, 502 East Ninth St., Des Moines, IA 50319-0034.
