C omprehensive W ildlife C onservation S trategy

1. Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy

2. Purpose • To address a gap in management that focused solely on managed game or t & e species. Most species are not managed game or t & e. New Mexico’s plan includes game, non-game and t & e species. • Consolidate information in an ecologically based approach to provide a blueprint for collaborative and coordinated wildlife conservation initiatives at the state and regional level. • Nutshell: Keep common species common and prevent vulnerable species from becoming listed. Sandhill Crane, Grus canadensis Chapter 1, Pgs. 1-4

3. History • 5/03 Partnering process began • Core planning team- technical committees. • 9/26/05 Governor and Chairman of State Game Commission submitted a draft CWCS for review and acceptance by the USFWS. • 12/15/05 National Advisory Acceptance Team (13 members) reviewed and approved draft. • 2/14/06 Director of USFWS sent NMDGF Director a letter officially approving of the State’s plan. • 2007-9 Outreach Project • 11/08 NMDGF hired a Conservation Strategy Coordinator to assist with implementation of CWCS. Black bear, Ursus americanus amblyceps Chapter 1, Pgs. 1-4

4. 8 Required Elements • Information on distribution and abundance of species that are indicative of the diversity and health of the State’s wildlife (SGCN). • Location and condition of habitat essential to identified species (HGCN). • Threats to elements 1 and 2 and data needs. • Prioritized conservation actions for elements 1 and 2. • Monitoring plans for elements 1,2, and 4, adaptation of plans for new information or changing conditions. • Formally review CWCS every 10 years or less. • Coordination of Development, Implementation, Review and Revision of CWCS w/other entities (Tribal, Federal, State, Public, Private, NGO, etc.). • Public participation component. Chapter 2, Pgs. 6-22

5. Objectives • Develop conservation actions based upon- SGCN, condition of HGCN, threats facing HGCN or SGN, information gaps, decision making needs, and desired future outcomes to strategically, holistically and pro-actively conserve these species and habitats. All in one document! White-Sided Jack Rabbit, Lepus callotis gailardi Chapter 1, Pgs. 1-4

6. Element 2- Habitats of Greatest Conservation Need (HGCN) • HGCN divided into 2 categories: Ecoregions and Watersheds 7 8 Which are further divided into Key Habitats: EcoregionsWatersheds 8 5 Key Terrestrial Key Perennial Aquatic Habitats Habitats Chapter 3, Pgs. 25-52

7. ~ 7 Ecoregions ~ • Southern Rocky Mtn Colorado Plateau Central Shortgrass Prairie • Southern Shortgrass Prairie AZ-NM Mtns • Chihuahuan Desert Apache Highlands Chapter 3, Pg. 32

8. ~ 8 Watersheds ~ San Juan • Canadian Zuni Rio Grande Pecos Gila Tularosa Mimbres Chapter 3, pg. 32

9. Element 1- Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) Taxa Other Arthropods Birds Molluscs Mammals Fish Reptiles Crustaceans Amphibians Total Number of SGCN= # of Species • 154 • 74 • 66 • 42 • 37 • 32 • 32 • 15 452 Chapter 4, Pgs. 53-89

10. Other Arthropods Sandia Hairstreak, Sandia mcfarlandi Bleached Skimmer Dragonfly, Libellula composita Sacramento Mtns. Checkerspot,

11. Painted Redstart, Myioborus pictus pictus Hooded Oriole, Icterus cucullatus Birds Lewis’s Woodpecker, Melanerpes lewis Costa’s Hummingbird, Calypte costae

12. Molluscs Animas Talussnail, Sonorella animasensis Pecos Assiminea Snail, Assiminea pecos Texas Hornshell, Popenaias popeii Hacheta Grande Woodlandsnail, Ashmunella hebardi

13. Rocky Mtn. Bighorn Sheep, Ovis canadensis canadensis Mammals Swift Fox, Vulpes velox Abert’s Squirrel, Sciurus aberti aberti Spotted Bat, Euderma maculatum

14. Fish White Sands Pupfish, Cyprinodon tularosa Smallmouth Buffalo, Ictiobus bubalus Gila Chub, Gila intermedia Pecos bluntnose Shiner, Notropis simus pecosensis

15. California Kingsnake, Lampropeltis getula californiae Texas Banded Gecko, Coleonyx brevis Reptiles Ornate Box Turtle, Terrapene ornata Reticulate Gila Monster, Heloderma suspectum suspectum

16. Crustaceans Noel’s Amphipod, Gammarus desperatus Socorro Isopod, Thermosphaeroma thermophilum

17. Tiger Salamander, Ambystoma tigrinum Mountain Tree Frog, Hyla eximia Amphibians Great Plains Narrowmouth Toad, Gastrophryne olivacea Rio Grande Leopard Frog, Rana berlandieri

18. Prioritized Conservation Action Areas The darker the color, the greater the need for action. Chapter 4, Pg. 62

19. Of the 867 species of vertebrates known to occur NM, approximately 479 (55%) rely wholly or in part on aquatic, riparian or wetland habitat for their survival. CWCS provides watershed and multi-species specific guidance for implementing conservation measures for both habitats and species in relation to their associated threats (water loss, habitat conversion, aquatic invasive species, etc.). Via SWG, CWCS can provide a source of federal match to conservation related projects. Importance to Watersheds American Beaver, Castor canadensis Chapter 5, Pgs. 219-416

20. A coalition of more than 5,700 organizations supporting increased public funding for wildlife conservation and related education and recreation. State Wildlife Grants • In 2001 with the support of the Teaming With Wildlife coalition, US Congress passed SWG as a proactive source of funding for taking conservation action before a species needs the protection of listing. • In 2003 Congress required that in order for the states to continue to receive their funding, they needed to create a strategic, holistic, and pro-active conservation plan (CWCS) and which SWG would be solely tied to. • Requires a 50% Non-Federal match. • Based upon a formula of total land mass and population, New Mexico gets a little over $1 million every year.

21. Partners • Federal • Tribal • State • County • Municipal • Private • Non-Profit • Everyone! Jaguar, Panthera onca

22. 6th Element- Formally review CWCS every 10 years of less. NMDGF selected a 7 year review (2013), followed by 5 year review cycles. Revision Objectives- Assess progress Evaluate effectiveness Incorporate new information Identify future needs for revision Produce a revised document Revision will occur in collaboration w/partners and interested parties. Plans to Update Chapter 7, Pgs. 444-449

23. Questions? Mule Deer, Odocoileus hemionus