From the Duluth News Tribune, by John Meyers
Wisconsin and Minnesota wild animals that are facing tough times, but not yet officially threatened, are getting on lists of their own this summer.
They're targeted for intervention programs that keep at-risk critters off endangered-species lists. The new approach to wildlife management funnels more money and effort toward species most in need of conservation.
The programs were launched with federal money matched with state and private money. For states to continue receiving federal wildlife aid, they must participate in the conservation effort.
"Congress told us to put the money where it would do the most good to keep species from falling onto the endangered- or threatened-species lists," said Signe Holtz, director of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources' Bureau of Endangered Resources.
Not all of the species on the new lists are in crisis. But27 percent of all of Wisconsin's native birds, animals and reptiles -- 152 of 556 native species -- are in some stage of decline.
"We are aiming at those27 percent," Holtz said. "It's a new concept. But it's exciting to be on the front end of something like this."
Insects, mollusks and other invertebrates may be in even worse shape. Of the invertebrate species scientists have documented, 490 in Wisconsin are declining.
Most of Wisconsin's and Minnesota's species fall somewhere between the abundance of deer, bear and wild turkey and the endangered status of wolves and piping plovers. Yet the majority of those species don't get much attention.
In Wisconsin, those "in-between" species include the Hines' emerald dragonfly, the white-tailed jack rabbit, Kirtland's warbler, long-eared bat, whip-poor-wills, flying squirrels and even moose.
In Minnesota, 294 species already have made the developing list, including American bitterns, boreal owls and badgers.
The Wisconsin DNR effort brought wildlife, bird, fish, reptile and insect experts together during the past two years to develop the list of at-risk animals. They then listed the biggest threats facing those animals and, lastly, developed plans to turn around those animals' declining conditions.
"Wisconsin's Strategy for Wildlife Species of Greatest Concern" is available for public comment through July 1. Minnesota's project will be available for public review in July.
"We want people to look at the species they are most concerned about, or they can look at a geographic area, an ecosystem, and tell us what they think of our plan," Holtz said.
Many of the plans deal with habitat, and wildlife experts already see many trends. For example, meadowlarks and bobolinks are grassland birds in sharp decline, and they are found in the same areas as declining grasshoppers and butterfly species. It's not a coincidence that those species once thrived in native prairie and farm fields where housing and business developments now sprawl, experts say.
Some of Wisconsin's at-risk animals, such as moose, may only be monitored for the time being. Others may have land purchased and set aside for key habitat, or may receive more habitat help, such as controlled fires to remove brush and restore prairie.
"We're looking for opportunities where we can work for multiple species and do the most good. We're already looking to find those grassland areas and protect them," Holtz said.
In the past, money and staff usually have been available to bolster game species thanks to hunting and fishing license sales, habitat stamp sales and federal grants from sporting goods taxes. At the other extreme, endangered species often get federal recognition and grants and state money from the Bureau of Endangered Resources.
Taxpayers have spent millions of dollars restoring and protecting depleted animal populations, such as eagles, wolves, swans and falcons. In Minnesota, lynx are recovering but still federally protected. It would have been far cheaper and easier to have intervened before those species became endangered, Holtz said.
Keeping animals off endangered lists also could reduce the chances of conflicts with industry and recreation, activities that could be stifled by the restrictions that accompany endangered status.
