Help shape wildlife conservation at Reno/Carson City meetings

By Don Quilici

According to a recent press release by the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW), how would you conserve all the wildlife in Nevada if you had the funding?

NDOW invites your input at open house meetings throughout the state to create a 10-year wildlife conservation plan.

The plan is called the Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy (CWCS) and is commissioned by Congress.

Each state is required to create a CWCS in order to receive federal funds through State Wildlife Grants programs.

Until now, state fish and wildlife agencies have tried to conserve hundreds of species of fish and wildlife on shoestring budgets.

While game species' conservation has fared well, thanks to the sale of fishing and hunting licenses and user fees on gear, the rest of our nation's wildlife has lacked secure and adequate funding for long-term conservation.

Congress passed the State Wildlife Grants program in 2001.

States must complete a CWCS by October 2005 in order to access the millions of dollars in future funding.

The ultimate goals are to: Save taxpayer dollars by saving species before they become endangered; working to prevent conflict over development and critical habitat and wildlife; investing in outdoor recreation and nature tourism (the fastest growing segment of tourism) by taking care of the resource; passing on a healthy wildlife legacy to children.

Public participation is essential for success in developing and carrying out NDOW's plans.

An open house meeting schedule for this general area is listed below.

Reno: March 14, 2005,

1 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Bureau of Land Management

Nevada State Office

1340 Financial Blvd.

Carson City: March 15, 2005,

1 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Bureau of Land Management

Carson City Field Office

5665 Morgan Mill Road

For more information on Nevada's CWCS, visit website www.ndow.org/wild/conservation/cwcs/.