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Biodiversity, Threatened and Imperiled Species

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https://hdl.handle.net/10217/100285
This digital collection includes presentations given at the 8th International Wildlife Ranching Symposium held in 2014 for the symposium theme: Biodiversity, Threatened and Imperiled Species.

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Browsing Biodiversity, Threatened and Imperiled Species by Author "Lemly, Joanna, speaker"

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    Wetland condition assessment on Colorado private lands
    (Colorado State University. Libraries, 2014-09) Lemly, Joanna, speaker; Anderson, David, moderator; International Wildlife Ranching Symposium, producer
    Wetlands are recognized as vital ecosystems to protect at all levels because of their importance in many ecological roles, including wildlife habitat. In Colorado they occupy approximately 2% of the state's area, yet provide habitat for over 75% of species in the state. A vast majority of Colorado's land is privately owned, making wetlands on private lands and collaborations with those private landowners an integral part of the protection and management of wetlands. Recognizing this fact, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) awards up to $1.5 million annually for habitat improvement projects in wetlands, much of which occurs on private lands. To assist with their endeavor, the Colorado Natural Heritage Program (CNHP) has partnered with CPW to assess the condition and habitat value of wetlands in Colorado. The information gathered from these projects helps CPW target locations and wetland types most in need of restoration or habitat enhancement. To date, four major river basins have been assessed: the Rio Grande Headwaters, North Platte Watershed, South Platte Watershed, and the Lower Arkansas River Watershed. CNHP also strives to make the information from these studies available and useful for private landowners. Working with private landowners often necessitates a heightened awareness of data sensitivity, as landowners are concerned about who might have access to information about their land. CNHP takes these issues very seriously and takes several steps to protect private data, which has led to greater access to private lands around the state for data collection.