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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
 Why
did Indiana develop a CWS?
What are
the benefits of Indiana’s strategic process?
How did Indiana focus its strategy?
How are wildlife
and habitats defined for the purposes of this strategy?
What is the
current status of the strategy?
Is this the same
as the strategic plans that the Division produces?
What
conservation efforts have already been funded in Indiana?
What kind of role did the public have in developing the CWS
document?
Will the strategy be used to expand government regulations
or authority over private property?
Will funding under the CWS force DFW
to spend less time and money on game animals?
What was the
deadline for strategy development?
What happens
after October 2005?
Who pays?
How much money
will Indiana receive? Is a state match required?
How is the state tax Indiana Nongame
and Endangered Wildlife Fund check-off related to this
project?
How much
federal funding are we talking about?
Where does the federal money come from?
What is the relationship between this funding and the
Teaming with Wildlife coalition?
Why is Indiana
developing a CWS?
>>back to FAQ index
A CWS provides natural resources agencies in Indiana and
their partners an over-arching guide to conservation efforts
statewide. It can help identify species, habitats, and
management priorities where limited time and money can be
most effectively used.
In addition, federal law required all states
to develop a Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy to
be eligible for federal funding through the State Wildlife
Grants (SWG) program and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS).
What are the benefits of Indiana’s strategic process?
>>back to FAQ index
Because the vast majority of Indiana’s land and water
resources are in private ownership, wildlife conservation in
Indiana is truly a joint effort between public agencies and
private land managers. Fish and wildlife depend on
protection and conservation of a wide variety of habitats
across the state. State Fish and Wildlife Area managers,
farmers, developers, land trusts, industries, and hunting,
trapping, and fishing clubs are among the many stewards in
Indiana who are taking steps to ensure that these resources
will be around for the use and enjoyment of future
generations. The Division of Fish and Wildlife is leading
the effort to provide an effective forum to develop a
strategic approach to wildlife conservation in the state.
Because there are limited resources for all
of our efforts, we need to make sure that we’re working
together in partnerships, where our interests overlap and
our efforts can be mutually beneficial. Indiana is taking
advantage of a nationwide opportunity to acquire federal
funds for development of a comprehensive state strategy for
wildlife conservation. We’re taking advantage of this
opportunity to identify and integrate the broad range of
efforts that protect nongame and endangered wildlife and the
habitats upon which they depend. This strategy will prepare
a framework for launching joint partnerships and funding
initiatives into the future.
How did
Indiana focus its strategy?
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There are hundreds of terrestrial and aquatic wildlife
species in Indiana. The vast majority of them are located on
private land and some are in very inaccessible places like
caves, wetlands, and large rivers. Often we don’t know
everything about the distribution, life history, and
conservation needs of these species.
Therefore, the DNR Division of Fish and
Wildlife (DFW) developed a strategy that focuses on
habitats and communities that sustain all wildlife species.
Technical experts identified the species with the
greatest need of conservation efforts, grouping them by the
habitats upon which they depend, and identifying
representative species that we can most efficiently monitor.
Habitat management, in the context of this
discussion, is a common and widely used wildlife management
tool in Indiana. Any species-specific habitat management
technique can have impacts ranging from strongly positive
for the target species to strongly negative for other
species that inhabit the same habitats. Access to
information about the potential for these impacts is
critical.
Population management can be a more precise
tool and can allow management of specific populations with
minimal negative impacts on adjacent species. Both
techniques are important in Indiana, but habitat management
is more commonly used and more practical on a landscape
scale.
The strategy identifies the management
needs of those species and their habitats for which the
state doesn’t have adequate funding and will help prevent
more species that rely on these areas from becoming
threatened or endangered in the future. By focusing on
habitats and communities, the strategy ensures, in the
most practical and cost-effective manner, that all species
will be conserved.
Because we know that the future always
brings change in human perspectives and technology, the
strategy prepares for an adaptive approach. The strategy
anticipates the need to monitor the impact of our
decisions and alter our management strategies to reflect the
results of our evaluations. Subsequent iterations of the
plan will improve habitat associations and more completely
integrate population management techniques.
How are wildlife and habitats defined for the purposes of
this strategy?
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For purposes of the CWS, the term
wildlife means "any species of wild, free-ranging
animal, including fish, and also animals in captive breeding
programs the object of which is to reintroduce individuals
of a depleted indigenous species in a previously occupied
range."
DFW biologists worked together to identify a
set of habitats that describe the characteristics of the
Indiana landscape. Habitats are defined according to the
categories selected by the DFW Habitat Committee. Major
categories of habitats included: 1) agricultural; 2) aquatic
systems; 3) barren lands; 4) developed land; 5) forest
lands; 6) grasslands; 7) subterranean systems; and 8)
wetlands/ephemeral. These habitats were subdivided into over
100 different classifications.
Teams of specialists within the agency then
identified a set of species (guild) that is typical of the
wildlife community found in those habitats. Guilds are
groups of species which share a common habitat. These groups
of species did not need to be taxonomically related. The
selection of habitat type included consideration of the
level of habitat management and measurement that reflected
best management practice in Indiana at this time. The goal
was to provide a snapshot of the needs, threats, and
opportunities for groups of species using habitat categories
as the common denominator. The habitat categories were
defined at levels that are commonly understood by
environmental organizations of all types throughout the
state. In some cases, guilds emerged composed of species for
which little knowledge about critical (limiting) habitat
components is available, yielding a useful indicator of
future research needs.
One or a few representative species were
selected from each guild. It will not be possible to craft a
strategy for each individual species in Indiana. It is,
however, critical that all species have adequate habitat.
The representative species was the species used to focus the
CWS on the needs of the guild. Typically, this was one of
the more sensitive species in the guild, but reasonable
consideration were given to guild members with population
characteristics that we know how to detect and measure with
existing techniques.
Biological experts who have served the DFW
on Technical Advisory Committees will be asked to provide
scientific information and additional references on the life
history and conservation requirements and best management
practices for each of these representative species. This
information will then be used to identify or develop agency
initiatives and partners that are positioned to address
these conservation needs.
What
is the current status of the strategy?
>>back to FAQ index
Teams within the DNR DFW have generated a great deal of
background information over years of research and management
experience. The division contracted with Indiana State
University to develop a comprehensive overview of habitats
within Indiana. The Division also has contracted with D.J.
Case & Associates (DJ Case), a natural resources communications
consulting firm in Mishawaka, to contact technical experts
and conservation organizations across the state as they
develop the text for the strategy. View the
timeline to view the process that
was followed.
Is this the
same as the strategic plans that the Division produces?
>>back to FAQ index
No. The Division of Fish & Wildlife has produced
strategic plans for a number of years to guide agency
biologists in managing fish, wildlife, and nongame
resources. These strategic plans are used to guide annual or
multi-year work plans and explain to the FWS how the state
intends to use federal funds. The CWS will operate as an
umbrella structure that incorporates these strategic plans
so that they are consistent with the strategy and with each
other.
What
conservation efforts have already been funded in Indiana?
>>back to FAQ index
The IDNR Wildlife Diversity Section (“nongame program”)
has managed projects for reintroduction or conservation of
peregrine falcons, river otters, osprey, bald eagles, and
other species.
The public may recognize these restoration projects as high
profile efforts of the program. However, many other actions
are undertaken to support wildlife conservation and avoid
the need for restoration where possible. These include:
survey and monitoring of populations and habitats; research
into the life history of species; acquisition of land
uniquely critical for conservation; direct management, such
as placement of nest boxes; and education. The Division of
Fish and Wildlife employed over $2.3 million in federal
funding received under the State Wildlife Grants to support
these ongoing efforts. For additional information please
visit:
http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/endangered/history.htm
What kind of
role did the public have in developing the CWS document?
>>back to FAQ index
The Division of Fish and Wildlife solicited the
help, advice, and expertise of state and federal agencies,
private organizations, and the general public during the
planning process.
The public had the opportunity to
participate at different phases and levels of CWS
development.
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Taxonomic experts: researchers from
universities, agencies, and other organizations provided
scientific advice about the needs of representative species.
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Conservation organizations: groups
that develop conservation policies and practices were
asked to provide descriptions of their resource management
missions and activities to start exploring the potential for
future partnerships, both between private entities and in
public-private partnerships.
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Land management entities: agencies
and organizations that manage significant tracts of land
were asked to provide current information on their
recommendations for conservation strategies targeted to key
habitat types, such as wetlands or prairies.
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General public: Throughout CWS
development, current drafts of the strategy were posted
to the project website for external review and comment.
Will the strategy be used to expand government regulations
or authority over private property?
>>back to FAQ index
No. The CWS will be available to guide all citizens
interested in promoting voluntary species and habitats
conservation.
Will funding under the CWS force DFW to spend less time and
money on game animals?
>>back to FAQ index
No. Indiana’s hunters and anglers have funded traditional
fish and wildlife conservation through license revenues and
special taxes for decades. DFW will not shift its focus off
of game animals, but will broaden its scope to include all
wildlife that need our help to survive. The CWS presents a
foundation for acquiring additional funding to fill current
gaps in addressing nongame and endangered wildlife and the
habitats upon which they depend.
What was the deadline for strategy
development?
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The federal legislation set a date of October 1, 2005,
for completion of strategies from all 50 states and 6
territories. Prior to submitting the strategy for federal
approval, it passed reviews by the Division of Fish and
Wildlife and public reviewers.
What happens after October 2005?
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In the short timeframe allowed for
strategy development, DNR was only be able to scratch the
surface of identifying and developing potential partnerships
for conservation. DNR will use the strategy as groundwork
for enhancing existing partnerships and developing new ones
to address wildlife conservation needs in our state in the
future.
Who pays?
>>back to FAQ index
Funds for conserving these resources—especially in tough
budget times—are very scarce. It’s true that hunters and
anglers pay for a lot of wildlife conservation efforts
through their license fees and special taxes on their
equipment, but the majority of
wildlife species in Indiana—including threatened and
endangered species—have no source of dedicated national
funding.
In 1937, landmark conservation laws created
a partnership between the states and federal government to
fund fish and wildlife conservation. These laws provided
federal funding to the states in the form of excise taxes on
sporting arms and ammunition (Pittman-Robertson Federal Aid
to Wildlife Restoration Act of 1937) and fishing equipment
(Dingell-Johnson Federal Aid to State Fisheries Act of 1950
and Wallop-Breaux Act of 1984). These funds were
dedicated to conservation of species that are valuable to
hunters and anglers. Since that time, Hoosier sportsmen and
women have provided the necessary state matching funds by
purchasing hunting and fishing licenses.
Indiana has relied almost exclusively on
private contributions to piece together financial support
for research and management of over 550 nongame and
endangered species (“Nongame” means animals that are not
hunted, trapped, or fished). Many individual citizens have
contributed to this work by checking the Indiana Nongame and
Endangered Wildlife Fund box on their annual Indiana state
tax return. Others have provided direct donations to the
program. Now, Hoosiers have the opportunity to double or
triple these funds by matching them with dollars from the
federal government.
How much money will Indiana receive? Is a state match
required?
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Indiana has the potential to receive $1 million under
current proposed appropriations. There may be opportunities for
enhanced funding in the future. Current law requires a 25%
non-federal match for conservation planning projects and a
50% match for implementation projects. The local match can
come from state government or private sources. To receive
the federal funds that are committed for Indiana’s use, DNR
has to find at least $500,000 from state sources.
Traditionally, the contribution level has been around
$400,000 per year. To take full advantage of the additional
federal funds as they become available, DNR must work with
its partners to pursue new avenues for expanding financial
support for fish and wildlife conservation. The total cost
of projects receiving a federal match must be paid up front
with state monies and will only be reimbursed with federal
funding in arrears. In addition, all federal compliance laws
are strictly enforced in these projects.
How is the state tax Indiana Nongame and Endangered Wildlife
Fund check-off related to this project?
>>back to FAQ index
The Indiana state income tax check-off
provides funding to the DNR’s Wildlife Diversity Section for
use on projects that provide management, research, and
conservation for nongame species. This voluntary
contributions from Hoosiers are critical as a part of the
state match that is required to receive federal funds.
How
much federal funding are we talking about?
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Over the past three years, state fish and wildlife agencies
received a total of $195 million in federal funds to address
the management of species with the greatest conservation
needs. Indiana has received more than $2.3 million in SWG
funds since 2001. Congress recently approved an additional
$75 million for the states in 2004, with Indiana’s share
estimated to be about $1 million. Future appropriations are
unknown, and likely will fluctuate from year to year.
Where does
the federal money come from?
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Federal funding for wildlife conservation has come from a
variety of sources. For example, general tax dollars have
been distributed to states through Department of Interior
appropriations. the U.S. Congress appropriated funds for
several recent projects from the Land and Water Conservation
Fund (LWCF), which was originally established in 1964. LWCF
is a "trust fund" that accumulates revenues from federal
outdoor recreation user fees, the federal motorboat fuel
tax, surplus property sales, and oil and gas leases on the
Outer Continental Shelf.
What is the relationship between this funding and the
Teaming with Wildlife coalition?
>>back to FAQ index
The International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies
(IAFWA) developed an initiative known as Teaming with
Wildlife to demonstrate the support for federal SWG funding
for nationwide programs for the conservation of wildlife
diversity, wildlife-related recreation, and public outdoor
education.
Nationwide, more than 3,000 groups belong to
the Teaming with Wildlife Coalition, and support
conservation legislation that includes federal funding for
the SWG program. There are now over 100 groups in the
Indiana Coalition. Environmental groups, conservation clubs,
tourism groups and businesses are included in the coalition.
To join the coalition, go to:
http://www.teaming.com
The completion of the Indiana CWS
provides state access to SWG funds specifically for wildlife
conservation, but not for wildlife-related recreation or
public outdoor education (these are excluded in the federal
enabling legislation).
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