May 2021

No one plans to fail, but many of us are guilty of failing to plan. In business, companies that establish and follow actionable strategic plans that clearly define and quantify expectations are able to properly position themselves to achieve their desired outcomes. Sound planning principles also apply to state and federal government agencies, including state fish and wildlife agencies. In fact, the autonomy provided to many fish and wildlife agencies as the result of dedicated funding streams means that agencies can, and should, operate within the roadmap of a well-constructed strategic plan. As a part of its service to conservation, the Wildlife Management Institute (WMI) works with our state, federal, and NGO partners to produce actionable strategic plans that are comprehensive, collaborative, transparent, and accountable. Working at multiple levels (Agency, Division, Branch, Work Unit) our strategic planning process incorporates extensive staff input, a review of current strategic planning literature, public involvement, our professional experience and judgment, the knowledge derived from other state conservation programs, and the complexity of managing natural resources in a rapidly changing world.

Restoration of plains bison as wildlife in Montana faces an uncertain future after settlement of litigation between the United Property Owners of Montana (UPOM) and Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks (FWP) and recent action of the Montana legislature. A settlement agreement signed on March 22nd to end a lawsuit filed by UPOM voided a 2020 bison management plan and stipulates that FWP will not undertake any similar planning process for a period of 10 years. In April, the Montana legislature approved a bill giving county commissioners authority to approve or deny any future proposal to translocate bison as wildlife into their county. Both the litigation and legislation reflect continued opposition to establishment of free-ranging bison in Montana by ranching interests based on concerns related to disease transmission, property damage, and competition for forage. The settlement and legislation preclude FWP from undertaking any efforts to restore bison as a state-managed wildlife species for the foreseeable future. In response, bison advocates are looking to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge as a way to get wild bison back on the landscape.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, we observed an influx of new and returning nature-based, outdoor recreationists. This influx was measured by increased hunting and fishing license sales, increased visitation to parks and other public lands (or recreational areas), and increased outdoor clothing and equipment purchases, among others. The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies and the Wildlife Management Institute hosted a discussion of this phenomenon during the North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference on Tuesday, March 9, 2021. Several state agency, conservation, and industry leaders participated in a Zoom conference call to discuss “Outdoor Recreation in a Post-Pandemic World”.

The 87th North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference Steering Committee is seeking ideas and participation from professional conservation interests to help develop the conference agenda. In particular, proposals for the four conference Special Sessions are invited. Suggestions for prospective plenary keynote speakers are also welcome and encouraged.

The Florida Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit (Florida CRU), a program in the Ecosystems Mission Area at the U.S. Geological Survey, is collaborating with state and federal agencies to assess the success of translocating Florida scrub-jays to bolster the threatened species’ population. When a bird species does not travel long distances and depends upon a particular—and disappearing—habitat, population decline is expected. The Florida scrub-jay, which is known as the most sedentary bird in North America, is experiencing this exact dilemma. Yet, new findings uncovered at the Florida CRU have shed light on the sustainability of current and innovative conservation methods for the threatened bird.