08-12-2004, 01:22 AM
[size 2]PIERRE, S.D. – The Department of Game, Fish and Parks is involved in an important process that will help shape the future of fish and wildlife for South Dakota.[/size]
[size 2]The agency is working in cooperation with wildlife enthusiasts to create a Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Plan for the future. The plan will address the needs of fish and wildlife species in the state based on habitat. The plan will also identify the needs of South Dakota’s rarest species.[/size]
[size 2]All 50 states are creating similar plans. When fit together, they will show the current state of America’s wildlife and will identify critical conservation actions needed to keep fish and wildlife populations healthy.[/size]
[size 2]"This plan will allow South Dakota to be proactive in identifying voluntary conservation actions and identify partnership roles for citizens and groups," said Doug Hansen, director of the Division of Wildlife. "Full funding for all wildlife has been a critical need for us. Hunters and anglers have traditionally provided generous funding for species that are hunted and fished, but this new congressional funding will address the hundreds of species in South Dakota that fall outside traditional funding sources. Many conservation interests have been working for 20 years to identify stable funding for all species. Our planning for the new State Wildlife Grants Program is the core of a state and national program for keeping America’s wildlife healthy."[/size]
[size 2]Eileen Dowd Stukel, Wildlife Diversity Coordinator for GFP added that, "At this point State Wildlife Grants funding is not permanent, but it gives us an exciting opportunity to identify strategic conservation needs and to justify long-term funding for South Dakota and across the country."[/size]
[size 2]Game, Fish and Parks will seek assistance from citizens and organizations as it develops this plan for South Dakota. "We’re going to need everyone’s input, including sportsmen and women, bird watchers, conservationists, tribes, farmers, ranchers and other agriculture producers," said John Cooper, secretary of the department.[/size]
[size 2]Public meetings will be held across the state during September. This will be South Dakotans’ opportunity to voice their conservation concerns and help shape the comprehensive plan.[/size]
[size 2]Details about the meetings, including dates and locations, will be made available soon. For more information on the process and meetings, access the web site at [/size][size 2][url "http://www.dynamicsolutionsgroup.com/SD"][font "Arial"]www.dynamicsolutionsgroup.com/SD[/font][/url][/size][font "Arial"][size 2].[/size] [center][size 2][/size] [/center][/font]
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[size 2]The agency is working in cooperation with wildlife enthusiasts to create a Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Plan for the future. The plan will address the needs of fish and wildlife species in the state based on habitat. The plan will also identify the needs of South Dakota’s rarest species.[/size]
[size 2]All 50 states are creating similar plans. When fit together, they will show the current state of America’s wildlife and will identify critical conservation actions needed to keep fish and wildlife populations healthy.[/size]
[size 2]"This plan will allow South Dakota to be proactive in identifying voluntary conservation actions and identify partnership roles for citizens and groups," said Doug Hansen, director of the Division of Wildlife. "Full funding for all wildlife has been a critical need for us. Hunters and anglers have traditionally provided generous funding for species that are hunted and fished, but this new congressional funding will address the hundreds of species in South Dakota that fall outside traditional funding sources. Many conservation interests have been working for 20 years to identify stable funding for all species. Our planning for the new State Wildlife Grants Program is the core of a state and national program for keeping America’s wildlife healthy."[/size]
[size 2]Eileen Dowd Stukel, Wildlife Diversity Coordinator for GFP added that, "At this point State Wildlife Grants funding is not permanent, but it gives us an exciting opportunity to identify strategic conservation needs and to justify long-term funding for South Dakota and across the country."[/size]
[size 2]Game, Fish and Parks will seek assistance from citizens and organizations as it develops this plan for South Dakota. "We’re going to need everyone’s input, including sportsmen and women, bird watchers, conservationists, tribes, farmers, ranchers and other agriculture producers," said John Cooper, secretary of the department.[/size]
[size 2]Public meetings will be held across the state during September. This will be South Dakotans’ opportunity to voice their conservation concerns and help shape the comprehensive plan.[/size]
[size 2]Details about the meetings, including dates and locations, will be made available soon. For more information on the process and meetings, access the web site at [/size][size 2][url "http://www.dynamicsolutionsgroup.com/SD"][font "Arial"]www.dynamicsolutionsgroup.com/SD[/font][/url][/size][font "Arial"][size 2].[/size] [center][size 2][/size] [/center][/font]
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