CNTSC Wildlife Team

1. CNTSC Wildlife Team

2. WHMI Investment - $17,978,600

3. Accomplishments and Workload 1997-2004 Jobsheets Training tools Tech notes Videos Handbooks E-tools Projects funded: 84 Products produced: 63 Anticipated Products: 140

4. Conferences & Workshops Sponsorships: 29 Presentations: 36 Participation: 54 Scientific Publications/Technical Papers:41 Involvement with Regional groups

5. Wildlife Team Established With 2005 Reorganization Staff: Team Leader, Ft. Worth, TX (Billy Teels) Wildlife Biologist, Ft. Worth, TX (Bill Hohman) Wildlife Biologist, Madison, MS (Pete Heard) Wildlife Biologist, Madison, MS (Ed Hackett) Office Assistant, Madison, MS (Nancy Magee) Function: Lead NRCS’ acquisition and/or development of science-based technology for fish and wildlife conservation.

6. What do we do? • Manage past WHMI projects: • $18 million spent 1997-2004 • 60+ projects in need of management • 140 anticipated products • Manage new projects/activities under the current NRCS Science and Technology structure: • Approximately $3 million line item for wildlife in FY05 NRCS budget • In context with the Fish, Wildlife, and Wetlands Action Plan developed in response to the Chief’s request to address wildlife technology needs

7. Operate off of an annual plan and budget that identifies projects/activities and funding levels that includes: • salary and benefits for Wildlife Team • office space and utilities for Madison staff • travel, training, and awards • NHQ identified priorities, e.g., IPAs, national workshops, salaries • sponsorships for professional meetings, e.g., TWS, AFS, SWS, International Grassland Conference • projects to develop fish and wildlife technology • printing and duplication

8. NRCS BOOT CAMP • 5 Segments: • Policy and Programs • Habitats • Wetlands • Upland Habitat • Fish and Aquatic Habitat Fish, Wildlife and Wetlands Main Theme: Everything we do on the land affects Fish and Wildlife!

9. Developed National Guidance to Assess CSP Minimum Wildlife Eligibility and Participated in CSP Training

10. From Oct. 2004 St. Louis CSP debriefing we learned that: • Wildlife habitat assessment procedures varied dramatically across watersheds (targeted species models vs. general wildlife assessment procedures) • Different assessment procedures contributed significantly to differences in the rate of CSP participation at the Tier III level • Results from general assessment procedures were also extremely variable, and this also led to inconsistencies across watersheds

11. General Wildlife Habitat Assessment Procedure Set of Key Questions Based on 0.5 Criteria Landowner questionnaires Simplified field surveys Landowner interviews

12. Using Targeted and General Wildlife Habitat Assessment Scores in Selected Watersheds to Define Payments Establish field borders Maintain 30% residue Establish IPM Manipulate field borders Leave fields fallow Introduce forbs into pasture Delay haying until after July 1 Develop connectivity Establish riparian corridors Enhancements Minimum eligibility 0 HABITAT ASSESSMENT SCORE .25 .75 .5 1.0 Enhancements above the 0.5 level Ways to receive a payment based on habitat assessments: 1) Meets minimal wildlife eligibility criteria of 0.5 2) Enhancement payments for management that results in HAS values > 0.5

13. New NEDC course on Fish, Wildlife and Wetlands To be piloted 8/22-26/05 in Chattanooga, TN

14. Sage Grouse Workshops: • Elko, NV – 3/28-4/1/05 • Casper, WY – 4/11-15/05 • Billings, MT – 4/25-29/05 Focus on those NRCS employees and partners within the geographic range of the sage grouse (11 western states)

15. National Environmental Policy Meeting and Biology Workshop, 6/13-17/05, Sacramento, CA Opportunity to showcase some of our products and technology; e.g., bobwhite quail study Northern bobwhite breeding densities

16. Field trip focused on latest wetland restoration techniques that we have been advocating through training and program emphasis

17. Three new ECS - Biology Technical Notes

18. Nine new Fish and Wildlife Habitat Management Leaflets