WLFW Gopher Tortoise Update

1. Galon Hall NRCS Working Lands for Wildlife Coordinator 202-690-1588 galon.hall@wdc.usda.gov WLFW Gopher Tortoise Update

2. Working Lands for Wildlife • Eight species identified through a collaborative process with partners • Selection criteria: • Conservation on private land can influence species’ outcomes • Species’ needs are compatible with agricultural practices and rural land management • Viable core habitat areas can be protected and habitat recovery opportunities exist • Partnership opportunities exist • Endangered Species Act tools are in place to provide regulatory certainty • Habitat improvements benefit other species

3. WLFW Partnership Update • Strategic Plan • priority species framework • secondary species adoption guidelines • Implementation Plan • Evaluation process/opportunities for input • Predictability delivery mechanism

4. ESA Predictability • Tied to the conservation plan • Applies to CTA once practice is implemented • Letters (USFWS and NRCS) • FAQ’s • Conservation plan • Voluntary self-verification process

7. Self-verification

8. FY12 Progress

9. FY12 Progress

10. Evaluation of Initiatives: Internal Review • assess the status and performance • collect lessons learned • develop recommendations for WLFW • develop recommendations for the enhancement of the initiative concept • Focus Group

11. More than 77 Years of Helping People Help the Land Questions?