USDA launches new big game habitat framework
On June 2, during the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA) Summer Meeting in Boise, Idaho, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released “Migratory Big Game: A Framework for Conservation Action,” a new blueprint aimed at conserving habitat and migration corridors for elk, mule deer and pronghorn across the West.
According to the department, the framework outlines a coordinated strategy between federal, state and Tribal partners to address habitat fragmentation, movement barriers and declining habitat quality of big game species, while simultaneously keeping America’s farms and ranches in production.
Described by officials as “the most unified landscape-scale effort undertaken by USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Farm Service Agency (FSA) to support migratory big game conservation,” this is the agency’s fifth Framework for Conservation Action and represents the third framework developed for western landscapes through USDA’s Working Lands for Wildlife initiative.
The effort builds on previous conservation frameworks which focus on sagebrush ecosystems and Great Plains grasslands and “incorporates lessons learned from 15 years of Working Lands for Wildlife implementation, along with new migration science, mapping technologies and habitat research.”
A collaborative effort
In pursuit of the highest quality forage available in each passing season, migratory big game animals rely on vast, connected and diverse landscapes to meet their individual needs.
Recently, however, state fish and wildlife agencies have identified declines in habitat quality and connectivity as two of the greatest threats facing big game populations across the West and believe improvements need to be made to native plant communities, forest health, invasive species, physical barriers and landscape fragmentation.
Because big game animals’ range is so wide and frequently crosses private ag lands and working ranches, USDA officials have emphasized conservation efforts require collaboration and must be compatible with livestock production.
“Across the West, the future of iconic big game herds – elk, mule deer and pronghorn – depends on the health of our working lands,” states USDA NRCS Chief Colton Buckley in the department’s June 2 press release. “Privately owned lands provide the vital seasonal habitats and connectivity required to sustain these healthy, resilient herds.”
USDA Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation Richard Fordyce further comments, “We know migratory big game rely on large and connected landscapes to meet their daily, seasonal and annual needs. This new framework helps us better target our resources and align our efforts, which benefit wildlife as well as ranching operations.”
Protecting habitat and connectivity
According to the department, the new framework will guide conservation investments through existing farm bill programs like the Environmental Quality Incentives Program Conservation Stewardship Program, Agricultural Conservation Easement Program, Regional Conservation Partnership Program and Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and will cover 17 states including Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.
Under these programs, USDA will provide assistance through three primary conservation strategies.
First, the department will focus on protecting big game habitat and maintaining landscape connectivity by utilizing voluntary conservation easements and CRP contracts to help keep working lands intact and reduce habitat fragmentation caused by development.
The framework notes preserving large, connected landscapes is critical to maintaining migration corridors and seasonal habitats used by big game herds, and rather than removing land from production, the agency’s new approach is intended to support ranching operations while ensuring habitat remains available for wildlife.
“We’re supporting migratory big game conservation by offering farmers and ranchers program opportunities to benefit big game and strengthen agricultural operations,” states FSA Administrator William “Bill” Beam. “Like the ranchers who are stewards of our western grasslands, USDA recognizes agriculture and conservation are most effective when they work together to strengthen working lands and protect wildlife such as big game species for future generations.”
Reducing barriers to movement
The department’s second priority is to reduce any barriers that impede wildlife movement, such as fencing.
Because fencing is one of the most widespread obstacles affecting migration corridors throughout the West, USDA says wildlife-friendly fence modifications are central to the new framework, and the agency recommends replacing fence designs with more wildlife-friendly options, modifying existing fences to improve wildlife passage and/or removing fencing where appropriate.
The framework also highlights virtual fencing technology as an efficient management tool.
“As a modern alternative to physical fences, this framework supports the adoption of virtual fencing,” the document reads. “This technology allows producers to manage livestock distribution and grazing patterns with high precision through GPS collars on livestock, reducing the need for internal physical fences while maintaining the open landscapes required for migratory big game.”
The department points to road crossings and other physical barriers as additional challenges affecting habitat connectivity.
Improving habitat quality
The third conservation strategy USDA highlights is to make improvements to habitat quality on both summer and winter ranges used by big game species.
The agency notes invasive annual grasses, conifer encroachment, degradation of wetlands and declining forest health are significant threats to forage production and wildlife habitat.
To address these concerns, the framework promotes practices such as invasive species control, conifer removal, restoration of mesic habitats and forest health treatments.
Agency officials note these practices can also improve rangeland resilience, reduce wildfire risk and maintain reliable forage and water resources for both livestock and wildlife.
“This framework represents a historic alignment, ensuring the management authority of states is backed by the full strength and resources of the USDA to collaboratively conserve the West’s iconic migrations,” says WAFWA Executive Director Zach Lowe. “By investing in sustainable ranching practices, we are improving habitat quality, boosting rangeland resilience and ensuring these iconic herds can continue to move safely across vast and open grazing lands.”
Hannah Bugas is the managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
