[MPWG] Fwd: Defining Species and Population Objectives at Landscape Scales: Update on Draft Technical Guidance on Selecting Surrogate Species for Design of Landscape Scale Conservation

[De Angelis, Patricia]

I apologize for cross posting; this subject matter seems relevant to a
couple of the PCA listserves.

For those who are following the Fish and Wildlife Service's progress on
Surrogate Species draft technical
guidance<http://www.fws.gov/landscape-conservation/pdf/DraftTechnicalGuidanceJuly2012.pdf>,
which will establish biological outcomes at defined landscape scales,
please see below for a summary of comments and next steps in the
development of the guidance.

Patricia S. De Angelis, Ph.D.
Botanist, Division of Scientific Authority-US Fish & Wildlife
Service-International Affairs
Chair, Medicinal Plant Working Group-Plant Conservation Alliance
4401 N. Fairfax Dr., Suite 110
Arlington, VA  22203
703-358-1708 x1753
FAX: 703-358-2276

Promoting sustainable use and conservation of our native medicinal plants.
<www.nps.gov/plants/medicinal>

Follow International Affairs
> on Twitter  http://twitter.com/USFWSInternatl
> on Facebook   http://www.facebook.com/USFWS_InternationalAffairs


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Director, FWS <fws_director at fws.gov>
Date: Fri, Sep 27, 2013 at 11:49 AM
Subject: Defining Species and Population Objectives at Landscape Scales:
Update on Draft Technical Guidance on Selecting Surrogate Species for
Design of Landscape Scale Conservation
To:


Memorandum

To:                   U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Employees and State
Partners

From:               Director

Subject:           Defining Species and Population Objectives at Landscape
Scales:  Update on Draft Technical Guidance on Selecting Surrogate Species
for Design of Landscape Scale Conservation


In July 2012, as a practical first step in identifying Species and
Population Objectives at landscape scales using the Strategic Habitat
Conservation (SHC) approach, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released
the Draft Technical Guidance on Selecting Species for Design of Landscape
Scale Conservation and formally requested its review by FWS employees and
our State and other conservation partners. Dozens of workshops that drew an
estimated 1,000 participants were held around the country to introduce the
Draft Technical Guidance and gather comments on its strengths and
weaknesses; and an additional 16 independent workshops, webinars, and
focus-group discussions were conducted. A webpage to submit comments
electronically was created; 2,300 comments were received from 200 sources
through March 29, 2013.

A small but diverse team of FWS experts convened to review and discuss
comments received, and produce this newest version of the Draft Technical
Guidance.

I want to take this opportunity to express my deep appreciation to everyone
who participated in this review process. With these ideas and comments,
we’re finalizing technical guidance to serve as a roadmap for selecting
species. Your engagement represents the meaningful and continuing dialogue
needed by the FWS and our State partners to fully realize our broader
vision to conserve functional landscapes across our nation capable of
supporting self-sustaining fish, wildlife and plant populations for the
continuing benefit of the American public. A special thanks goes to those
champions of SHC implementation: the Draft Technical Guidance “trainers,”
who went to great effort to ensure that the workshops were technically
sound and consistent while still allowing for Regional variability; and the
Review Team, who dedicated many hours reviewing and thoughtfully discussing
comments.

Over the next few months a Revision Team composed of FWS and State agency
staff is working to revise the Draft Technical Guidance and prepare the
document for independent external peer review, as well as final review by
FWS Programs and State Agencies. The team is planning to have the guidance
ready for peer review by Thanksgiving.

A summary of the status of the Draft Technical Guidance, and how your input
is being used as we move forward, is attached. We are committed to
producing an improved document that will be more robust, both in its
scientific foundation and in its ability to communicate how selecting
surrogate species with our State partners fits into the larger goal of
conserving fish and wildlife at landscape scales.  As you will read in the
summary, we are equally committed to addressing the comments and
constructive feedback that speak to the larger issue of workforce
engagement in SHC, albeit through forums other than the Draft Technical
Guidance.

We move forward with the implementation of SHC fully aware that our success
lies in the hands of FWS employees and our State partners.  Together, we
have embarked on a journey that will be full of adventure, new discoveries,
and no doubt some setbacks and adaptations.  Our confidence lies in our
knowledge of why we are undertaking this journey, with all of its
opportunities and challenges:  We are doing it for the sake of the fish,
wildlife and plant resources that have been entrusted to our care; and on
behalf of a nation that is counting on us to meet our stewardship
responsibilities with creativity, vigor and a 21st century, science-driven
conservation approach.

For additional questions or guidance related to the Draft Technical
Guidance or the Surrogate Species approach, please contact one of the
Executive Oversight Team or Core Team Members listed on the attached fact
sheet.



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