Monthly Archives: April 2016

Lesser Prairie-chicken range-wide plan reports successful second year

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On March 31, 2016, the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA) submitted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) its second annual report, detailing achievements of the Lesser Prairie-chicken Range-wide Conservation Plan (LPRCP). Highlights include the estimated 25 percent increase in the range-wide lesser prairie-chicken  population to just over 29,000 birds, the nearly $51 million in fees committed by industry partners to pay for mitigation actions, and the more than 67,000 acres of habitat landowners across the range have agreed to conserve.

The range-wide plan is a collaborative effort of WAFWA and the state wildlife agencies of Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas and Colorado. It was developed to ensure conservation of the lesser prairie-chicken with voluntary cooperation from landowners and industry. This plan allows agriculture producers and industry to continue operations while reducing impacts to the bird and its grassland habitat.

“Conservation of the lesser Prairie-chicken is a long-haul proposition,” said Alexa Sandoval, director of the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish and chairman of the Lesser Prairie-chicken Initiative (LCPI) Council. “We’re encouraged that after just two years of implementation, we have so many positive indicators that the range-wide plan is working. We commend all of our partners for their commitment to conservation of this iconic grassland species.”

The plan was endorsed by the USFWS, and as part of the conservation agreement, the states agreed to report progress annually. The findings for 2015 are summarized below.

Lesser Prairie-chicken Population Up

The 2015 range-wide aerial survey documented a 25 percent increase in the lesser prairie-chicken population to an estimated total of 29,162 birds. This increase is attributed to an abundance of rainfall in spring 2015, along with ongoing range-wide plan conservation initiatives. Aerial surveys for 2016 are underway and will run through mid-May. Results are anticipated in early July.

Land Conservation Efforts Increasing

Substantial progress was made on private land conservation across the lesser prairie-chicken’s range. Eight landowner contracts were finalized, encompassing 67,512 acres. Conservation measures are being implemented range-wide, including habitat restoration on 8,214 of 15,911 prescribed acres. And a total of $1,821,737 was paid to landowners managing their lands to generate credits for lesser prairie-chicken conservation. In addition, WAFWA acquired title to a 1,604-acre tract of native rangeland in west Texas, near the Yoakum Dunes Wildlife Management Area last June.

Technology Enhances Conservation Decision Making

Scientists are using the latest technology to designate where and how conservation actions should be implemented for the greatest benefit. The Southern Great Plains Crucial Habitat Assessment Tool enhances the existing Crucial Habitat Assessment Tool (CHAT) program administered by WAFWA. It identifies focal areas and connectivity zones where lesser prairie-chicken conservation actions will be emphasized. A project estimator tool unique to CHAT was designed to encourage companies to implement more effective pre-planning development efforts and it worked. These enhancements have resulted in 5,066 instances of access to CHAT, with an average of 145 users per week.

Cooperative Efforts Enhancing Conservation

Working with conservation partners, programs and cooperative efforts are expanding voluntary landowner incentives and practices to benefit the birds. For example, the Natural Resource Conservation Service has incorporated CHAT elements into the ranking criteria for projects being considered under the Lesser Prairie-chicken Initiative. Using CHAT, prescribed grazing practices were applied on 179,805 acres through the Lesser Prairie-chicken Initiative in 2015. These combined efforts have resulted in nearly 250,000 acres being conserved for the benefit of the lesser prairie-chicken.

Mitigation Efforts Positively Impact Development Decisions

One of the major components of the range-wide plan involves working with industry to avoid and minimize impacts of development activities. The WAFWA mitigation framework can be used by any entity. In 2015, there were several industries participating, including oil and gas, pipeline, electric, wind energy and telecommunications. During this past year, 177 companies enrolled in WAFWA conservation agreements. WAFWA collected $11,843,403 in fees in 2015, bringing the program total to $50,800,884, which will offset unavoidable impacts at off-site mitigation locations. In 2015, 409 project agreements were authorized, assessing development costs tied to the quality of habitat being impacted. After two years of implementation, a review of all the projects assessed shows that the mean cost was $11,936 per project, varying by ecoregion. WAFWA has documented that these mitigation costs are positively impacting development decisions and participants are actively selecting areas with low quality habitat.

Listening and Learning Informs All Conservation Decisions

Successful collaborative efforts require vigilance and commitment to considering all input. Through the Lesser Prairie-chicken  Advisory Committee, WAFWA has been receptive to input from all stakeholders, including industry, non-governmental organizations, state and federal agencies, landowners and the general public. The LPCI Council has developed an adaptive management framework incorporating monitoring and new information to make adjustments as needed, maximizing conservation benefits to the lesser prairie-chicken.

Full details are available in the WAFWA annual report at www.wafwa.org

Back-to-back birding events coming up

Kansas bird enthusiasts, get your pens and keyboards ready because two exciting events in April and May should be on your calendars. The 2016 Kansas Birding Festival will be held April 29-30 at the United Methodist Church, Wakefield, at the north end of Milford Lake. Highlights of this event include guided field trips to the lake area marshes, parks and woodlands; finger food, wine and cheese reception at Tom’s Taxidermy in Wakefield; early morning field trips to see and hear the booming of greater prairie chickens on Saturday; and a banquet, featuring Dr. David Rintoul of Kansas State University, giving festival attendees an insight on birdlife and bird conservation efforts in New Zealand.

Local experts will also give attendees advice on best locations for those who wish to explore the area on their own.

The second organized birding event that is a must-do is the Kansas Ornithological Society’s (KOS) spring meeting, May 6-8 at Camp Horizon, just east of Arkansas City. This traveling annual spring event provides opportunities for birders to experience Kansas birding during one of the best bird watching weekends of the year. The event will kick off with a welcome reception at Camp Horizon Friday evening and include all-day fieldtrips on Saturday, and half-day trips on Sunday led by enthusiastic experts.

The Saturday evening program, “Wildlife Down Under,” will feature a presentation from Bob Gress, retired director of the Wichita Great Plains Nature Center, who will share his recent experiences observing and photographing wildlife in Australia.

If you’re excited about Kansas birds, don’t miss out on these opportunities to meet folks with a shared passion, and experience some great birding!

For more information on the 2016 Kansas Birding Festival and to register, visit http://ksbirds.org/KBF2016.htm

For more information on the KOS spring meeting and to register, visit http://ksbirds.org/kos/KOS_Spring_2016.html

Paddle party on the Kaw April 16-17

Does the warmer weather have you anxious to hit the water? Join in on the fun of The Little Apple Paddle on Saturday, April 16, when water-lovers of all kinds will quench their thirst for adventure paddling on the Kansas River! The route begins at Junction City and travels 10 miles to Ogden. The cost is just $10 per paddler and everyone is welcome to attend. Please RSVP to Marcia Rozell ([email protected]).

Paddlers can enjoy just the Saturday paddle or stick around for more fun. Space will be available to campout on a sandbar in Ogden, or stay the night at one of several hotel rooms reserved in Manhattan. On Sunday, the group will then continue down the Kansas River from Ogden to Manhattan (14 miles).

Participants are asked to meet at the Fairmont Boat Ramp in Manhattan on Saturday, April 16 at 8 a.m. A shuttle car will be available to help transport items, and Tuttle Creek State Park will have kayaks for rent. Cost per kayak rental is $25 for one day, or $35 for the weekend.

What you need to bring:

-Kayak or canoe

-PFD with whistle

-Paddle

-Bottled water

-Food for the day

-Tent/sleeping bag

-Flashlight

-Sun protection and a hat

-Change of clothes

-Water shoes

For more information, contact Rozell at (785) 537-3030 or [email protected].

Wild about Kansas photo contest kicks off April 11

Kansas Wildlife and Parks magazine staff invite you to enter your favorite outdoor photographs in the 4th annual Wild About Kansas photo contest beginning April 11. Participants can submit up to three photos in select categories including wildlife, other species, hunting and fishing, outdoor recreation, or landscapes. There is no fee to enter, and the contest is open to both residents and nonresidents.

CATEGORY DESCRIPTIONS

Wildlife: game and nongame animals, primarily mammals, migratory birds, furbearers, etc.

Other Species: insects, reptiles, and amphibians.

Hunting and Fishing: hunters and anglers; set-up shots following a hunt or fishing trip will be accepted. However, “action” shots, or photos taken during the activity will be given preference.

Outdoor Recreation: people participating in recreational activities outdoors, not hunting or fishing.

Landscapes: scenery; wildlife may be present, but should not be the sole focus of the image.

Photographers can submit up to three photos. Photos must be taken within the state of Kansas and must be the entrant’s original work.

Each photo will be judged on creativity, composition, subject matter, lighting, and the overall sharpness. Winners will be featured in the 2017 Special Photo Issue of Kansas Wildlife and Parks magazine.

Only electronic images will be accepted and must be e-mailed to Kansas Wildlife and Parks magazine managing editor, Nadia Marji, at [email protected] no later than 5 p.m. on Nov. 4, 2016. Photos must be in JPEG or TIFF format and file size should be not less than 1mb and not more than 5mb.

Additional information and entry forms will be available on the April 11 contest start date at

www.ksoutdoors.com/Services/Publications/Magazine/Wild-About-Kansas

Apply for 2016 nonresident deer permits online April 1-29

 

Beginning April 1, hunters interested in obtaining a nonresident deer permit may begin the online application process by visiting www.ks.wildlifelicense.com/start.php. The cost to apply is $454.59 for hunters 16 and older and $121.46 for hunters 15 and younger, including all processing fees. Deadline to apply is April 29. Applying early will not give hunters preference in the lottery draw.

Hunters interested in purchasing a preference point in lieu of applying may do so for $28.19, including all processing fees.

A total of 21,816 nonresident deer permits will be made available for the 2016-2017 season and will be distributed among the Deer Management Units as follows:

Unit 1- 850

Unit 2- 466

Unit 3- 1,002

Unit 4- 492

Unit 5- 656

Unit 6- 538

Unit 7- 1,603

Unit 8- 1,940

Unit 9- 981

Unit 10- 1,252

Unit 11- 3,109

Unit 12- 2,076

Unit 13- 621

Unit 14- 1,856

Unit 15- 1,405

Unit 16- 2,103

Unit 17- 562

Unit 18- 304

The 2016 deer season will be open Sept. 3-11 for youth and disabled hunters; Sept. 12-25 for muzzleloader season; Sept. 12-Dec. 31 for archery season; Oct. 8-9 for the pre-rut white-tailed deer antlerless-only season; and Nov. 30-Dec. 11 for firearms seasons.

Extended firearms seasons will be open Jan.1-2 in Units 6, 8, 9, 10, 16, or 17; Jan. 1-8 in Units 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 11, 12, 13, or 14; and Jan. 1-15 in Units 10A, 15, or 19.

For more information on deer hunting in Kansas, visit www.ksoutdoors.com and click “Hunting,” “Big Game Information,” then “Deer.”