USFWS agreement advances conservation on working forests

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has formalized a partnership to advance the conservation of at-risk species on private working forests. The memorandum of understanding with the National Alliance of Forest Owners and the National Council for Air and Stream Improvement, Inc., formalizes the Wildlife Conservation Initiative, a collaborative effort between industry and federal officials to conserve imperiled species, including those protected under the Endangered Species Act.

“This agreement strengthens an already impactful partnership leveraging the strengths of the Service, NAFO and NCASI. It underscores the importance of the contributions private forest owners make to wildlife and natural resource conservation,” said Service Director Martha Williams.

The initiative seeks to advance conservation through open dialogue, including determining the presence of at-risk species on private forests, assessing forest conditions and gauging the impacts of forest management on wildlife and habitats.

As part of the WCI, private forest owners provide access to researchers to conduct on-the-ground studies to inform natural resources management. The Service supports 10 WCI field research projects nationwide on a range of wildlife, including pollinators, turtles, mussels and songbirds.

The agreement “is a testament to the power of collaboration in conservation,” said NCASI President Dirk Krouskop. “By coordinating our resources and expertise, we can make a real and meaningful impact on the conservation of our nation’s most at-risk wildlife.”

Read more from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.