Description

For information on how to apply, please see the attached 'Outreach of Interest Template Instructions' document.

This outreach of interest (OOI) functions as an outreach mechanism to cultivate relationships and connect with potential partners. This OOI is intended to solicit responses to explore future projects meeting the needs and interests of potential partners through partnership agreements within legislative authority with USDA Forest Service.

USDA Forest Service would like to increase capacity to improve wildlife habitat through removal, modification and or addition of wildlife friendly fence by engaging partnerships from local communities who have a vested interest in management outcomes. This OOI seeks to increase their representation -including from diverse and underserved backgrounds. New partnerships will foster co-stewardship between the USDA Forest Service through better representation of the public the agency serves, and with a shared commitment to wildlife conservation on USDA Forest Service lands.

Your submission signals an opportunity for USDA Forest Service to explore with you your ideas/projects/programs and potential partnership opportunities. USDA Forest Service is committed to fostering a strong, collaborative partnership that benefits our fisheries and wildlife resources, and their habitats. Collaborative efforts are vital to wildlife conservation.

Wildlife habitat improvement for terrestrial and aquatic species is a key focus area for the USDA Forest Service. One way this is accomplished is through the addition or removal of fences. Fences can be ecologically beneficial or detrimental depending on site specific conditions, design, project objectives, and affected species. For example, small scale exclosures may be designed to protect sensitive aquatic species or pollinator habitat from ungulate, recreational or other impacts, while removing old livestock fencing that’s no longer in use, can increase connectivity for wide ranging species. Fences that are improperly placed or poorly constructed without current wildlife friendly specifications in mind can also lead to fragmented wildlife populations and habitat, as well as direct mortality to species moving across the landscape.

This project supports the USDA Forest Service’s 2012 Planning Rule which emphasizes an “all lands” approach to managing ecosystems that transcends land ownership boundaries. Cooperation and collaboration among the USDA Forest Service, other agencies, tribes, and private landowners can help to enhance wildlife connectivity and ecologically resilient habitat. It also supports the USDA Forest Service’s National Roadmap for Responding to Climate Change and Secretarial Order 3362 “to improve habitat quality of big game migration corridors and winter range on lands administered by the Department of the Interior in the 11 western states.” The order is intended to improve collaboration with state fish and wildlife agencies and private landowners to identify, conserve, and restore priority winter range and migration corridors. Current workload for wildlife habitat related fencing projects exceeds capacity. The project would engage community members and cultivate a vested interest in long term success and shared ownership in final outcomes; provide opportunities for job training, personal development, conservation service, and natural resource appreciation while cultivating the next generation of natural resource stewards.