PHOTOS COURTESY OF NAOMI EDELSON
CONSERVATION
Not only do we need all levels of government in the conservation sphere to work together, but also we need all outdoor enthusiasts to work together to create the political will to support these agencies’ work.
Creating Partnerships for People and Wildlife Why park and wildlife agencies should collaborate By Naomi Edelson
P
ark and recreation professionals maintain 11 million acres of public parks and green spaces across the country, offering important conservation, recreation and education opportunities for people and wildlife. They are working to build a healthy, more resilient and more equitable future for generations to come, ensuring access and enjoyment to the great outdoors. State fish and wildlife agencies have similar conservation, recreation and education goals and are increasingly looking for strong collaborative partnerships to accomplish these goals and to increase engagement with broader audiences. Partnerships with local and regional parks can be a win-win for both entities.
Endangered Species State wildlife agencies are on the frontlines of America’s fish and wildlife conservation. They have a legacy of success in recovering many iconic wildlife species, especially game animals and sport fish. However, according to the 26
Parks & Recreation
Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies’ State Wildlife Action Plans (tinyurl.com/3fw4sewm), more than 12,000 animal and plant species are in need of proactive conservation attention. Many of these species have lacked significant conservation attention over
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the past century. The number of petitions for listing under the Endangered Species Act has gone up by 1,000 percent in less than a decade. In addition, throughout the next 100 years, all fish and wildlife will be at increased risk due to habitat loss and degradation, the spread of invasive species, imperiled water quality and a rapidly changing climate. Our window to act is short before conservation becomes too costly or even impossible — akin to heading to the emergency room, rather than taking early preventative action. Already, more than 150 species have gone extinct and 500 additional species not seen in
