indiana's wildlife - sustainable natural resources task force 11/10/11
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Barb Simpson
Executive Director
INDIANA WILDLIFE FEDERATION
Common Sense Conservation Since 1938
Presentation to the
Sustainable Natural Resources Task ForceNovember 10, 2011
Indiana Wildlife Federation Mission
To promote the conservation, sound management,
and sustainable use of Indiana's wildlife and wildlife habitat through education, advocacy, and
action.
www.indianawildlife.org
Indiana Wildlife Federation
Common Sense Conservation since 1938
Diverse state-wide membership of individuals, conservation organizations and businesses
Non profit 501(c)(3)
Independent affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation
Advocacy
Indiana Heritage Trust
Sustainable Natural Resources Task Force
Phosphorus-free lawn fertilizer program
IDNR rule-making and legislation to ensure fish and wildlife protection
Sound sustainable energy policy
Regional and federal natural resources issues, e.g. Farm Bill, Great Lakes Compact, Clean Water Act
www.indianawildlife.org
Education
Private lands conservation programs Partner with NRCS, IDNR, SWCD
Wildlife Friendly Habitat projects: Backyard, Schoolyard, Neighborhoods, Businesses
Environmental education in our schools Indiana Environmental Literacy Plan
Clean energy, sustainable strategies Electric vehicles public forum
Water quality workshops
Landscaping the Sustainable Campus
Campuses using P-free fertilizer :
Universities or colleges
interested in sustainable
lawn care, reducing lawn
size, and certifying natural
areas as wildlife friendly
habitats
Working with
administration, staff, faculty,
& students
10 Indiana universities
The Health of Indiana’s Water
What nutrient problems
threaten fish and wildlife?
How can clean water &
healthy habitats be restored?
6 workshops statewide: Lafayette
Hanover
Portage
Evansville
Terre Haute
Muncie
Support Phosphorus-free Initiatives
Increased availability of P-free fertilizer in stores and from lawn service companies:
Scotts Miracle-Gro Company will have P-free Turf Builder line by 2012
TruGreen and Engledow Group are already P-free
Conservation Outreach and EducationIWF partners with NRCS, IDNR, SWCS
Private landowners
Little Calumet-Galien watershed
Healthy Rivers Initiative-Wabash and Muscatatuck River watersheds
Conservation practices, landowner assistance programs, and technical assistance
Emphasis on WRP, WHIP, EQIP, and invasive speciesWabash Corridor
Wildlife Friendly
Certification Program
Provided technical assistance,
coordination, and follow-up for 22
projects (~530 ac.) in 2010.
Included restoration (new habitat) and
management (improve existing habitat)
projects.
Grassland plantings, tree/shrub plantings,
wetland construction, and invasive
species control.
Wildlife in Indiana The Indiana setting and state comparisons
Wildlife - health of the resource and challenges
Game species
Non-game species
Habitat threats
Wildlife associated recreation
Hunting, fishing, trapping, wildlife watching participation
Economics
Strengths-Weaknesses-Opportunities-Threats: One
perspective
An Indiana Success Story – Sneak Peak
The Indiana Setting
Smallest state west of the Appalachian Mountains
11 natural regions
Land cover
72% agriculture
19% forest
4.3% urban/suburban
4% wetlands and water
Great diversity due to Lake Michigan to the north, Ohio
River to the south, and the Wabash River to the west.
Sources: Wilson, J., Indiana in Maps-Geographic Perspectives of the Hoosier State, 2003.
Simon, T., Fishes of Indiana, A Field Guide, 2011
Indiana has diverse
natural regions that
provide unique
habitats.
Lake Michigan
NW Moraines
Northern Lakes
Grand Prairie
Central Till Plane
Southern Bottomlands
SW Lowlands
Shawnee Hills
Highland Rim
Bluegrass
Indiana state-owned public land
http://www.in.gov/dnr/3233.htm
Less than 5% of Indiana
lands are publically owned.
State Comparisons: Population, Parks, Visitors
State Population
(millions)
Size
(sq. miles)
State Parks Visits
(millions)
Visits per
park
Illinois 12.9 55,600 44 30.0 682,000
Ohio 11.54 41,000 75 54.3 724,000
Michigan 9.88 96,810 100 21.2 212,000
Indiana 6.48 35,900 25 15.4 616,000
Missouri 6.00 69,700 85 15.9 187,000
Wisconsin 5.69 54,300 106 14.5 137,000
Minnesota 5.30 86,900 66 9.5 144,000
Iowa 3.05 55,900 69 14.0 203,000
Source: TNC data summary distributed to SNRTF
Wildlife in Indiana
Their Basic Needs
Food
Shelter
Water
Space-privacy
>700 Vertebrate Species in Indiana
Vertebrates >700
Birds 390+
Fish 190+
Reptiles 50+
Mammals 50+
Amphibians 30+
Invertebrates >2000
Insects
Crustaceans
Arachnids
Mollusks
Worms
Sponges
Wildlife - Hunting and Trapping
Woodland game
Deer
Ruffed Grouse
Squirrel
Wild Turkey
Upland game
Pheasant
Quail
Rabbit
Fur bearing game Beaver
Coyotes
Mink
Muskrats
Opossum
Raccoons
Red Fox
White-tailed Deer Reintroduced in 1934, now overabundant
Est. 34,000+ deer-vehicle collisions 2009-2010
Populations are controlled primarily by hunters
Future management will require a much more
proactive approach to increasing annual deer
harvests
80% of counties
(red and orange)
above target
densityOver browsing has negative
ecological impact
Ruffed Grouse
1 of only 3 native game birds
Requires young forest habitat
90% of IN forests are between
20 and 99 years of age
Need increased timber harvests
where remnant populations are
found or this species will not
be in Indiana
Need forest age diversity for
numerous species, not just
grouse.
Northern Bobwhite Quail Facing consistent long-term population declines
Requires early successional grassland and shrubland habitat
High grain prices and intensive farming are rapidly
increasing threats
Small habitat changes at a broad scale could result in
tremendous rebounds
Funding and outreach for landowner assistance programs is
vitalIndiana Quail Population Trends
Game fish in Indiana Native
Black bass
Bluegill
Crappies
Catfish
Other pan fish
Trout and salmon
Introduced sport fish
Walleye
Striped bass
Hybrid striped bass
Muskellunge
Black Bass Includes largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass
Abundance and individual health varies greatly across
their distribution, but generally stable statewide
Major threats are primarily
Sedimentation of streams
Eutrophication of lakes
Other habitat concerns
Not necessarily pressure from harvest
Game Species for Trapping
Species Total Sold
2011 YTD
Avg. Price
Muskrats 551 6.30
Raccoons 467 11.25
Red Fox 3 28.00
Mink 33 16.00
Coyotes 13 7.00
Beaver 2 15.00
Opossum 25 1.35
Grey Fox 0 0
Skunks 0 0
Weasels 1 1.00
http://www.indianatrappers.org/
Source: Report 2006-8 Trends in Hunting and Fishing 1999-2006, US Fish and Wildlife Service
US Hunters and Anglers DecliningIndiana trend is similar
2006 participation rate in Indiana: 5.5% hunters, 13.1% anglers
Source: Report 2006-8 Trends in Hunting and Fishing 1999-2006, US Fish and Wildlife Service
IN Deer Hunters above the national average
Deer Harvest in IndianaRise indicates growth in deer population
Source: Report 2006-8 Trends in Hunting and Fishing 1999-2006, US Fish and Wildlife Service
IN Turkey Hunters above the national average
IN Black bass anglers >
US participation rate
Source: Report 2006-8 Trends in Hunting and Fishing 1999-2006, US Fish and Wildlife Service
Hunter and angler access issues
Anglers:
Good access sites around lakes are gone
Expensive to get new access sites
Stream access limited if not “navigable”
Must be in a boat. Cannot wade “non-navigable” streams
Hunters:
Less than 5% of Indiana is public land
Access to private lands is limited
Liability issues
Some states pay a fee to landowner for access to hunt.
Less land to hunt - land use changes
More people hunt on private landsAccess is key to preserving hunting tradition
Source: Trends in Hunting on Public and Private Land, USFWA, 2006
Whooping cranes use Indiana habitat
on their migration route
Photos taken at Goose Pond FWA
Wildlife Diversity >90% of Indiana mammals, birds, fish, mussels,
reptiles and amphibians are non-game species
IC 14-22-34 requires: “The development of
programs designed to ensure the continued
ability of nongame species in need of
management to self perpetuate successfully.
Funded only through the voluntary tax check off
Nongame Fund and State Wildlife Grants
No state tax appropriations.
>700 Vertebrate Species in Indiana124 are State Endangered (63) or Special Concern (61)
Birds 390+ 47
Fish 190+ 25
Reptiles 50+ 19
Mammals 50+ 22
Amphibians 30+ 11
Total SE or SC
www.endangeredwildlife.in.gov
Success stories: Bald eagle, River otter, Bobcat
“All the easy ones have been done”
>2000 Invertebrate Species in Indiana
Invertebrates >2000
Insects
Crustaceans
Arachnids
Mollusks
Worms
Sponges
Only mollusks tracked for
Endangered or Special concern
status
Mollusks:
State endangered 15
Special concern 11
Federal endangered 10
Mollusks are the “canary in the coal mine” for water quality.
FanshellWhite Cat’s Paw
Indiana’s 16 Federally Endangered Species
Mammals Gray Myotis
Indiana Myotis
Birds Whooping Crane
Piping Plover
Least Tern
Kirtland’s Warbler
Mollusks Fanshell
White Cat’s Paw
Northern Riffleshell
Tubercled Blossom
Pink Mucket
White Wartyback
Orangefoot Pimpleback
Clubshell
Rough Pigtoe
Fat Pocketbook
~75% of all animal species are insects
Insects provide critically important services: pollination, pest
control, a food source for wildlife.
We must understand the role of insects in the food chain.
“IDNR does not have statutory responsibility or expertise to
direct conservation and management practices for most
groups of invertebrate wildlife.” from ICWS, pg.28
Div. of Entomology and Plant Pathology is a small group
with broad responsibilities focused on the commercial nursery
and pollinator industries, e.g. commercial bees, emerald ash
borer, gypsy moth.
Non-game Species on the Rise Bobcat, river otter, osprey, bald eagle,
others rebounding statewide
Due to successful reintroductions &
intensive management
IDNR Division of Fish & Wildlife’s
Wildlife Diversity Section has been a
tremendous success
Non-game Species in Trouble Declines due to complex issues
Indiana Bat – disease and habitat loss
Box turtles, whip-poor-wills, freshwater
mussels – habitat loss
Several species require rare and
declining habitat
Young forests, large forest blocks,
wetlands, grasslands, and clean water
Threats to Wildlife
Habitat
Loss for breeding
Loss for feeding
Fragmentation
Impedes movement
and migration
Size-scale is critical
Invasive species
Diseases
Pollution - sediment,
excess nutrients
Agriculture/forestry
practices
Climate change
Counter economic or
policy incentives
Commodity prices
Farm bill cutbacks
Energy strategiesSource: Indiana Comprehensive Wildlife Strategy
Invasive species threaten
Indiana’s Ecology and Economy
Zebra mussels-established Emerald ash borer-spreading
Feral hogs-growing issue
Sea lamprey attached to trout-
ongoing control and expense
Asian carp are in Indiana rivers and are
threatening the Great Lakes
Eagle Marsh fence
Forest-Japanese Stilt grass
Farmlands/open space-Canada Thistle Wetlands-Phragmites australis
Invasive plants
threaten
wildlife habitat
and
working lands
Wildlife Corridors-An Approach“Green Infrastructure” to reduce habitat fragmentation
Networks of:
Natural lands
Working lands
Other open spaces
http://www.greeninfrastructure.net/content/definition-green-infrastructure
Connecting public lands via wildlife corridors
Indiana’s restored wetlands play an important
role in migratory bird patterns.
North American Flyways Mississippi Flyway
American White PelicanFirst observed 1892 - Next observed in 2009
State record high count 359 in 2010
Migratory pattern is shifting
eastward due to wetlands in Indiana
32 Species of Shorebirds migrate thru Indiana-
from the Arctic to South America
Stilt Sandpiper, 70 in 2010.
State Record High Count at
Goose Pond FWA
Source: Lee Sterrenburg
Wildlife Watching
How many Hoosiers
hunt, fish, and watch wildlife?
000’s
Bass 324
Catfish 223
Deer 231
Turkey 35
Waterfowl ---
Watchers 2,042
How does Indiana compare: hunters,
anglers, and wildlife watchers?
State Bass
000’s
Catfish
000’s
Deer
000’s
Turkey
000’s
Waterfowl
000’s
Watchers
000’s
Indiana 324 223 231 35 --- 2,042
Kentucky 344 275 238 76 --- 1,475
Illinois 378 335 204 61 65 2,566
Ohio 457 288 426 96 --- 3,489
Michigan 531 64 713 81 --- 3,227
Sources: Report 2006-8 Trends in Hunting and Fishing 1999-2006, US Fish and Wildlife Service
Report 2006-1 Wildlife Watching in the US: The Economic Impacts on National and State
Economics in 2006, US Fish and Wildlife Service
Participation and expenditures-2006Hunting, fishing, wildlife watching in Indiana
Activity Participants Expenditures
Retail sales
Avg. /Person
Fishing 768,000 $627 mil $773
Hunting 272,000 $223 mil $791
Wildlife
watching
2,042,000 $933 mil $453
Bird-watching is the fastest growing
outdoor pastime
Source:“America’s Wildlife: The Challenge Ahead International Assoc. of Fish & Wildlife Agencies
Economic Value of
Wildlife Watching
in Indiana
$Millions
Retail sales $934
Ripple effect $1,593
Salaries and owner
income
$535
Jobs 18,380
State/Local Tax
Revenue
$128
Federal Tax
Revenue
$117
Source: Report 2006-1 Wildlife Watching in the US: The Economic Impacts on National and State Economics,
US Fish and Wildife Service
State Budget 2011-2013“Conservation and Environmental” = 1.1%
http://www.in.gov/sba/files/ap_2011_b_x.pdf
Funding Natural Resources?
State budget funds?
Payment in lieu of taxes (PILT)? A municipality receives a payment in lieu of property
or sales tax revenue from another government entity
that owns a real asset, such as land, or a valuable
right-of-way.
Federal to state PILT
Other new funding mechanisms?
One perspective….
stS
Strengths Weaknesses
Collaboration among
conservation community
Lack of overarching strategic alignment
among all conservation entities
Major Rivers and Lake
Michigan
Inadequate funding for management and
conservation of wildlife and habitat;
maintenance of equipment and facilities,
wildlife monitoring and research
Committed people Inadequate people resources
Diverse habitats Outreach and education activities limited
Proven success stories Hunter/angler fees pay for all who use public
wildlife areas
Indiana has 2nd highest prime
farm acreage
Conservation best management practices on
working lands not fully utilized to benefit
wildlife and habitat
Strong hardwoods market Too many programs depend on grants
One perspective…
stS
Opportunities Threats
SNRTF-can be a turning point in
Indiana’s approach to conservation
Habitat loss, fragmentation,
degradation
Healthy Rivers Initiative and Wildlife
Corridors approach
Invasive species
Outdoor recreation has economic impact Water quality and quantity
Migratory waterfowl returning Children losing their connection to
nature
Wildlife watching growing Federal and state cuts in
conservation funding
Find a way to get non-consumptive users
to financially support natural resources
Loss of hunters/anglers
Need energy strategy that includes
stewardship of natural resources.
Energy strategies can conflict with
conservation objectives
A Success Story……
Goose Pond
Fish and Wildlife Area
Greene County
Circa 1869
Drainage began in earnest at the turn of the last century. Farmed for 100 years.
Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area
8000 acres wetland restoration under the NRCS Wetland Reserve Program
Diverse habitat:
1380 acres prairie
400 acres hardwood trees
>4000 acres open water
Funding through complex partnerships:
The Nature Conservancy
Ducks Unlimited
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
Federal Highway Administration
US Fish and Wildlife Service
State of Indiana agencies
Other conservation groups, communities, individuals
www.friendsofgoosepond.org
Lee Sterrenburg
Goose Pond….the Story of a Wetland and its Neighbors
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