The Next Step for Idaho’s CWCSThe Next Step

for Idaho’s CWCS

10:00 Welcome, overview, and what is expected

11:00 Identifying focal areas

12:00 Lunch - Open discussion

1:00 Identifying focal areas

3:00 Wrap-up

3:30 Adjourn

Today’s AgendaToday’s Agenda

ComprehensiveWildlifeConservationStrategy

“…provide a framework for conserving

‘species of greatest conservation need’

and the habitats upon which they depend.”

• State Wildlife Grant Program in 2001

• CWCS required by 2005

• Strategic document, not prescriptive

• Dynamic and adaptive

“…enable agency and private partners

to individually or cooperatively

implement conservation actions

that will benefit priority species and habitats.”

• 229 Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN)

• 18 priority habitats

• 14 ecological sections

Current Implementation

Current Implementation

• BLM: Challenge Cost Share funding and Resource Management Plans specify SGCN

• USFS: Forest Plan updates incorporate SGCN

• NRCS: Farm Bill programs target SGCN

• USFWS: LIP targets SGCN

• Doris Duke Charitable Foundation: specifies implementation of CWCS

From the Strategy…From the

Strategy…

…to the ground…to the ground

… … to Action to Action Plans…Plans…

… … to Action to Action Plans…Plans…

SGCN Prioritizing ToolSGCN Prioritizing Tool

• Species by section

filters

• Based on user interests

NatureServe Conservation Status Ranks

NatureServe Conservation Status Ranks

Assessment of the species condition statewide (S) and rangewide (G).

G1 or S1 Critically imperiledG2 or S2 ImperiledG3 or S3 VulnerableG4 or S4 Apparently secureG5 or S5 Secure

A Vision for Focal Areas

A Vision for Focal Areas

1. Select Species1. Select Species

Species A

Species B

Species C

Species D

+

+

+

2. Overlay Known Distributions

2. Overlay Known Distributions

Richness=

High

Low

A Vision for Focal Areas

A Vision for Focal Areas

3. Compare with other priorities

3. Compare with other priorities

Winter Range

Focus Streams

Unique Habitat

Richness

4. Your Focal Areas

4. Your Focal Areas

High

Low

Resource Focal Area:a geographical area necessary for the long-term persistence of SGCNs and their habitats (aka High Resource Value Areas or Biologically Important Areas) 

Management Focal Area:a general geographical area that targets resources and efforts where they can benefit the largest number of species and habitats in need of conservation (likely includes species/habitats other than SGCN and may incorporate factors such as ownership, urgency of threat, etc.). 

What are Focal Areas?

What are Focal Areas?

Resource Focal Area:a geographical area necessary for the long-term persistence of SGCNs and their habitats (aka High Resource Value Areas or Biologically Important Areas) 

Management Focal Area:a general geographical area that targets resources and efforts where they can benefit the largest number of species and habitats in need of conservation (likely includes species/habitats other than SGCN and may incorporate factors such as ownership, urgency of threat, etc.). 

Hypothetical Example

SGCN Richness

Harlequin breedingImportant Corridors…

Focal Areas

In or Out?In or Out?

General areas important for SGCN but by no means are

intended to imply that conservation actions should be

restricted to these areas.

Regional WorkshopsRegional

WorkshopsSGCN

Richness Maps SGCN

Richness Maps

Final Focal Area MapsFinal Focal Area Maps

Partner Input

Idaho Falls(Apr 11, 25)

Boise(Mar 19, Apr 3)

Coeur d’Alene(Feb 11, 22)

IDFG Input

IDFG Focal Area Maps

IDFG Focal Area Maps

Workshop ObjectivesWorkshop Objectives

1. Capture regional expertise and local knowledge.

2. Create ecological section-level focal area maps identifying areas of high conservation value.

3. Enable use of maps and action plans as a conservation tool for on the ground implementation and prioritization.

1. Are there specific areas that need to be included as focal areas for SGCNs and their habitat (e.g., waterfalls for black swift)? Are there areas we currently have identified that should not be (e.g., errors in the models)?

2. Do these focal areas also include species or habitat significant to conservation for other reasons (e.g., migration corridors, big game winter range).

3. What conservation actions are necessary in each area?

Specific QuestionsSpecific Questions

North & Southwest Idaho Draft

• 1 Amphibian

• 38 Birds

• 16 Fishes (1)

• 31 Invertebrates (17)

• 14 Mammals (3)

• 1 Reptiles

101 Species of Greatest Conservation Need

Southeast Idaho Species

Southeast Idaho Species

(#) = Number of species lacking essential information pertaining to their status in Idaho.

• Dry conifer forest• Dune, canyon, and rockland

RM Alpine Bedrock and Scree, RM Dry Tundra

• Subalpine forestNRM Subalpine Dry Parkland

• Mesic deciduous shrubland• Upland deciduous forest

RM Aspen Forest and Woodland, RM Bigtooth Maple Ravine Woodland

• Southern xeric shrubland and steppeIMB Montane Sagebrush Steppe, IMB Mountain Mahogany Woodland

and Shrubland, IMB Greasewood Flat

• Arableland (Herbaceous Planted and Cultivated)

• Non-native herbaceous (Seeded Perennial Grassland)

• Southern wetland• Riparian woodland• Open water

Priority Habitats & Systems

Priority Habitats & Systems

• Edit, embellish focal area boundaries• Define criteria• Identify actions

The Maps…

What’s Expected?What’s Expected?