POW Title: Wildlife and Fisheries Management and Sustainability

Situation Statement

Fish and wildlife are important economic, aesthetic, scientific, ecological, educational, recreational, and cultural resources. In Pennsylvania, 18 percent of the adult population participates in consumptive wildlife activities such as hunting and fishing; and 37 percent participates in non-consumptive activities such as bird-watching, bird-feeding, elk watching, and landscaping for wildlife (USDI, FWS 1997). Almost 3 billion dollars are spent annually in Pennsylvania on wildlife-related recreational activities (USDI, FWS 1997), and this source of income is particularly important for rural communities. Sustaining the health and diversity of fish and wildlife populations throughout the state’s 28 million acres is of vital importance. Management of wildlife resources involves working with a diverse mix of habitats, ownerships, and objectives. Key habitats involve our forests, agricultural lands, riparian zones, and wetlands, as well as the urban and suburban areas of the state.

Wildlife nuisance and damage problems impact residents throughout the state. In agricultural areas, wildlife cause more than 74 million dollars of damage annually (Tzilkowski et al. 1997). As suburban sprawl increases, suburban residents unfamiliar with wildlife come in contact with wildlife often with negative consequences to both. In Pennsylvania forests, an abundant deer population has negative effects on tree regeneration, herbaceous plants, wildlife habitat, and diversity. A key to sustaining fish and wildlife populations within the state is to increase awareness of how development, agriculture, and forestry can affect fish and wildlife populations, and minimize the negative effects. At the same time we must increase awareness of how wildlife can impact homeowners, farmers, and foresters with the ultimate goal of developing ways to minimize conflicts and enhance coexistence.

Pennsylvania youth show a strong interest in natural resource programs yet many have been raised in urban or suburban areas and have lost the link with the land. Natural resource youth programs for 4-H clubs, school groups, home schoolers and other youth groups can help to reconnect our youth with the land. These programs will increase children’s knowledge and awareness about the value of natural resources and the direct and indirect effects their actions have on the health and sustainability of these natural resources.

Fish and wildlife are influenced by changing land use practices with private landowners and homeowners having a major impact. Land managers and decision makers such as county planning commissions, staff of parks and nature centers, landscapers, and private groundskeepers also heavily influence land use decisions for private and public lands. Encouraging individuals and groups to implement sound management practices to enhance wildlife habitat in all areas of the state is essential to the stability of our resources. Extension wildlife and fisheries programs can increase awareness of the importance of natural resources within the state, provide the tools and techniques for minimizing human wildlife conflict, enhance wildlife habitat, provide recreational opportunities, and help sustain rural economies.

SUB POW: 4.E.1. Wildlife and Fisheries Management and Sustainability

Objective: 4.E.1.1. Habitat Management and Enhancement — As a result of agent/specialist programming, clientele will demonstrate an increased understanding of wildlife habitat management and will implement practices to enhance wildlife habitat.

(Strategies may include the following as well as others)

• Planting food/cover plots for wildlife
• Building structures for wildlife food, shelter, cover (e.g. bird-feeders, bird-houses, brush piles, etc)
• Planting trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants for food and cover
• Developing riparian buffer strips
• Requesting extension fact sheets for further understanding
• Landscaping for wildlife

  Output/Outcome Indicators (These indicators will be captured in the database for FY2003):

  1. Number of clientele attending programs on habitat management and enhancement.
  2. Number of clientele that indicate an increased understanding of wildlife habitat enhancement.

Special Indicators (suggested by the POW team):

3. Number of clientele who implement or plan to implement one or more wildlife habitat enhancement practices after attending an extension program on this topic. [Data may be collected on specific practices (e.g., number of bird houses, number of trees planted, etc.).]

Objective: 4.E.1.2. Wildlife Nuisance and Damage Control — As a result of Extension programming, participants will have an increased understanding of wildlife nuisance and damage identifications, prevention, control and mitigation. Individuals contacting extension for advice and/or assistance for a wildlife nuisance or damage problem will be able to solve their problem as a result of input from extension or have a better understanding of the limitations of control methods for the species.

Output/Outcome Indicators (These indicators will be captured in the database for FY2003):

1. Number of participants.
2. Number of participants who understand how to identify, implement, and legally mitigate or control damage for requested species.

Special Indicators (suggested by the POW team):

3. Number of people requesting assistance and percentage of those responding to a follow-up phone call or mail survey that they were able to solve their problem and/or have a better understanding of the limitations of control methods. (Note only a sample of the original contacts needs to be surveyed.)
4. Estimated dollars saved as a result of management of a nuisance or damage problem.

Objective: 4.E.1.3.Youth Programming in Wildlife and Fisheries — All youth participating in 4-H or youth activities in Extension Natural Resources programming will increase their knowledge (age and competency appropriate) about fish and wildlife populations, management practices, and current issues of concern.

• Participating in country, regional, state or national supplemental learning activities such as the Wildlife Habitat Evaluation contest, 4-H camp, Envirothon, Youth Field Days, Environmental Days, etc.
• Presentations/speeches/exhibits about wildlife management issues.
• Participating in a wildlife/fisheries habitat enhancement project.

  Output/Outcome Indicators (These indicators will be captured in the database for FY2003):

  1. Number of participants.
  2. Number of youth demonstrating increased knowledge of wildlife or fisheries habitat management practices, or wildlife and fisheries identification or life history information.

Special Indicators (suggested by the POW team):

3. Number of youth completing one approved wildlife or fisheries project record book, or participating in supplemental learning activities such as Wildlife Habitat Evaluation, 4-H camp, Environmental Days, etc.

Objective: 4.E.1.4.: Human Health Concerns — Increase public awareness of potential human health problems associated directly or indirectly with wildlife populations (e.g., Lyme disease, hantavirus, histoplasmosis, rabies) and ways to minimize the risks.

Output/Outcome Indicators (These indicators will be captured in the database for FY2003):

1. Number of clientele (including health agencies) requesting extension fact sheets and information related to human health problems associated directly or indirectly with wildlife populations (e.g. Lyme disease, hantavirus, histoplasmosis, rabies).
2. Number of news releases, media interviews or radio spots explaining these issues.

Objective: 4.E.1.5. Increase Knowledge and Understanding of Pennsylvania’s Fish and Wildlife Resources. This will include a better understanding of general ecological concepts: inter-relationships between land use practices and wildlife and fisheries resources, the value of these resources to Pennsylvania, and other related issues of concern to the citizens of the Commonwealth.

Output/Outcome Indicators (These indicators will be captured in the database for FY2003):

1. Number of extension presentations requested related to the appreciation and understanding of Pennsylvania's Fish and Wildlife Resources.
2. Number of requests for fact sheets/videos and other information related to the appreciation and understanding of Pennsylvania's Fish and Wildlife Resources.

POW Titles || POW 4E Audiences || POW 4E Resources