PLJV Creates New Tools for All-Bird Planning
The PLJV is committed to biological planning for all birds, and has created unique and integrated tools to get the job done. Among these tools are the Species for Management Action (SMA) Database and PLJV Geographic Information System (GIS). The SMA Database is an integrated clearing house of information on birds that occur in the PLJV region. It includes information from national and continental bird plans and regional literature and experts, and identifies specific management actions appropriate for each species. The PLJV will soon also complete the first phase of a new GIS that identifies wetlands and other habitats in the region. The GIS will be made available to partners who will be able to use it to identify, categorize and prioritize areas of special significance to the Joint Venture's conservation mission and track projects on a spatially-explicit level.
The SMA Database and GIS are only two of many unique tools and processes the PLJV is developing for all-bird conservation planning. Find out more on the PLJV's new online science section. The PLJV is also launching a new electronic publication, the Science Circular, intended for resource managers, technicians and biologists involved or interested in PLJV biological planning.
Ducks Unlimited Leads Coalition to Back NAWCA Funding
Every year, Ducks Unlimited (DU) campaigns diligently to bring the organization's constituents together to support the maximum funding for the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA). NAWCA is a federal grant program that supports many North American Joint Venture projects, and has awarded more than $540 million in matching funds since its inception in 1989. This year DU is forced to campaign even harder as the House and Senate are haggling over whether to fund NAWCA at $24.6 million (House offer) or $42.9 million (Senate). DU partners are pushing for the Senate figure, although both figures fall below the $50 million recommended by President Bush. Although NAWCA was recently reauthorized for five more years in 2002, that doesn't mean funding levels are guaranteed, says DU's Ross Melinchuk and PLJV management board member. "DU and partners have to lobby each and every year to maintain and increase funding. This recent blow tells us one thing - that we can't rest on our laurels."
New Wildlife Trail Highlights Texas Playas
Winding through 60 Texas counties, stretching from south of Abilene and up through the Rolling Plains and Panhandle to the Oklahoma border, the Texas Panhandle Plains Wildlife Trail offers numerous opportunities (97 sites, to be exact) for wildlife watching. The trail, created by the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife (TPW), is organized into 13 regional loops, including the Rita Blanca, Miami and Salt Fork loops where one can view wildlife on playa lakes. Some of the loop itineraries include sites on private properties, from small bed and breakfasts to large guest ranches offering other outdoor recreational opportunities such as hunting, hiking and nature photography. The Texas Panhandle Plains Wildlife Trail is one of four wildlife viewing trails established by TPW throughout the state.
Playa Post ©2003 Playa Lakes Joint Venture. Submission deadlines are the 15th of each month for publication the following month. Send press releases, comments and subscription inquiries to Debbie F. Slobe.
The PLJV is committed to biological planning for all birds, and has created unique and integrated tools to get the job done. Among these tools are the Species for Management Action (SMA) Database and PLJV Geographic Information System (GIS). The SMA Database is an integrated clearing house of information on birds that occur in the PLJV region. It includes information from national and continental bird plans and regional literature and experts, and identifies specific management actions appropriate for each species. The PLJV will soon also complete the first phase of a new GIS that identifies wetlands and other habitats in the region. The GIS will be made available to partners who will be able to use it to identify, categorize and prioritize areas of special significance to the Joint Venture's conservation mission and track projects on a spatially-explicit level.
The SMA Database and GIS are only two of many unique tools and processes the PLJV is developing for all-bird conservation planning. Find out more on the PLJV's new online science section. The PLJV is also launching a new electronic publication, the Science Circular, intended for resource managers, technicians and biologists involved or interested in PLJV biological planning.
Ducks Unlimited Leads Coalition to Back NAWCA Funding
Every year, Ducks Unlimited (DU) campaigns diligently to bring the organization's constituents together to support the maximum funding for the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA). NAWCA is a federal grant program that supports many North American Joint Venture projects, and has awarded more than $540 million in matching funds since its inception in 1989. This year DU is forced to campaign even harder as the House and Senate are haggling over whether to fund NAWCA at $24.6 million (House offer) or $42.9 million (Senate). DU partners are pushing for the Senate figure, although both figures fall below the $50 million recommended by President Bush. Although NAWCA was recently reauthorized for five more years in 2002, that doesn't mean funding levels are guaranteed, says DU's Ross Melinchuk and PLJV management board member. "DU and partners have to lobby each and every year to maintain and increase funding. This recent blow tells us one thing - that we can't rest on our laurels."
New Wildlife Trail Highlights Texas Playas
Winding through 60 Texas counties, stretching from south of Abilene and up through the Rolling Plains and Panhandle to the Oklahoma border, the Texas Panhandle Plains Wildlife Trail offers numerous opportunities (97 sites, to be exact) for wildlife watching. The trail, created by the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife (TPW), is organized into 13 regional loops, including the Rita Blanca, Miami and Salt Fork loops where one can view wildlife on playa lakes. Some of the loop itineraries include sites on private properties, from small bed and breakfasts to large guest ranches offering other outdoor recreational opportunities such as hunting, hiking and nature photography. The Texas Panhandle Plains Wildlife Trail is one of four wildlife viewing trails established by TPW throughout the state.
Playa Post ©2003 Playa Lakes Joint Venture. Submission deadlines are the 15th of each month for publication the following month. Send press releases, comments and subscription inquiries to Debbie F. Slobe.
New Mexico Proactive on Protecting Prairie-Chickens
Since the 1930s, the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has been working to protect Lesser Prairie-Chickens. Back then, the Department started purchasing tracts of land containing leks, and currently the NMDGF owns 29 parcels totaling more than 20,000 acres of prime prairie-chicken habitat. Today, the NMDGF and partners are still leading the way to protect Lessers, and is involving landowners and corporations in the process.
"About 60 percent of Lesser Prairie-Chicken habitat is on private land," said Bill Dunn, Supervising Biologist for Predator and Gamebird Management for the NMDGF and PLJV board member. "The most effective means of recovering prairie-chickens is to work cooperatively with private landowners." To that end, the NMDGF in cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), has created the Southeast New Mexico Lesser Prairie-Chicken Working Group, made up of local landowners, conservation groups, Department biologists and oil and gas developers, that has been meeting for the past seven months to discuss approaches to conserving habitat on private land.
Since 1996, the Department has documented increased numbers of Lesser Prairie-Chickens from 11 to 102 leks on or near the NMDGF parcels, and the average size of each lek has grown from 3.4 birds to 10.5. On parts of BLM land, leks have increased from 16 to 37 and average group size rose from 6 to 12 since 1999. Biologists say the increase may be due to more intensive survey efforts, and does not necessarily mean that Prairie-Chicken populations are on the rise. "We're still not at the numbers from 30 to 40 years ago, so there's still a lot left to do," said Dunn. In addition to surveys, the Department is partnering with the Sutton Avian Research Group and Weaver Ranch on a major 10-year research project studying shrub control and short-term intensive grazing effects on prairie-chicken habitat. Also, for the past two years the NMDGF, Grasslans Charitable Foundation and the BLM have hosted the High Plains Prairie-Chicken Festival in April, a weekend of lek viewing, expert field programs and education that has attracted a sold-out audience each year. For more information about the NMDGF's Lesser Prairie-Chicken conservation efforts contact Bill Dunn or Dawn Davis, or download the Department's Lesser Prairie-Chicken Long Range Management Plan.
"About 60 percent of Lesser Prairie-Chicken habitat is on private land," said Bill Dunn, Supervising Biologist for Predator and Gamebird Management for the NMDGF and PLJV board member. "The most effective means of recovering prairie-chickens is to work cooperatively with private landowners." To that end, the NMDGF in cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), has created the Southeast New Mexico Lesser Prairie-Chicken Working Group, made up of local landowners, conservation groups, Department biologists and oil and gas developers, that has been meeting for the past seven months to discuss approaches to conserving habitat on private land.
Since 1996, the Department has documented increased numbers of Lesser Prairie-Chickens from 11 to 102 leks on or near the NMDGF parcels, and the average size of each lek has grown from 3.4 birds to 10.5. On parts of BLM land, leks have increased from 16 to 37 and average group size rose from 6 to 12 since 1999. Biologists say the increase may be due to more intensive survey efforts, and does not necessarily mean that Prairie-Chicken populations are on the rise. "We're still not at the numbers from 30 to 40 years ago, so there's still a lot left to do," said Dunn. In addition to surveys, the Department is partnering with the Sutton Avian Research Group and Weaver Ranch on a major 10-year research project studying shrub control and short-term intensive grazing effects on prairie-chicken habitat. Also, for the past two years the NMDGF, Grasslans Charitable Foundation and the BLM have hosted the High Plains Prairie-Chicken Festival in April, a weekend of lek viewing, expert field programs and education that has attracted a sold-out audience each year. For more information about the NMDGF's Lesser Prairie-Chicken conservation efforts contact Bill Dunn or Dawn Davis, or download the Department's Lesser Prairie-Chicken Long Range Management Plan.
And on the lighter side...
Top Ten "Other" Names for Playa Lakes
Submitted by the PLJV Staff
10. Goose roost
9. Swimming hole
8. Frog pit
7. Dip in the road
6. Lagoon
5. Mud pit
4. Evaporation pan
3. Sinkhole
2. Buffalo wallow
Top Ten "Other" Names for Playa Lakes
Submitted by the PLJV Staff
10. Goose roost
9. Swimming hole
8. Frog pit
7. Dip in the road
6. Lagoon
5. Mud pit
4. Evaporation pan
3. Sinkhole
2. Buffalo wallow
And the No. 1 other name for a playa lake is...
"That &@*!% wet spot I can't plow through!"