Planning Tools
Area Implementation Plans (AIPs)
The ultimate product of the PLJV planning process are Area Implementation Plans. AIPs provide guidance on recommended habitat management actions that, if implemented, should result in all priority birds reaching population goals. There are nine AIPs – one for each portion of Bird Conservation Regions 18 and 19 in our six states. (Oklahoma coming soon.)
PLJV Geographic Information System (GIS)
The PLJV has developed a complete GIS land cover of the PLJV region, including its bird habitats, other resources and land uses. The GIS is used to help partners to identify, categorize and prioritize areas for bird conservation action. The system is housed at the Great Plains GIS Partnership in Grand Island, NE, which is a collaborative effort between the PLJV, Rainwater Basin Joint Venture, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Central Platte Natural Resources District to improve cooperation, reduce redundancy, and accelerate the application of GIS technology towards landscape level planning for wildlife conservation.
Hierarchical All-Bird Conservation System (HABS) Database
The HABS database was created to determine the current carrying capacity of the PLJV landscape for birds. The database is used to compare carrying capacity to stepped-down national and international bird plan objectives to determine where, what kind and how much habitat work needs to be done. This system is also used to evaluate habitat programs and their likely affect on bird species. Further, results of completed habitat programs can be evaluated with HABS to determine which species and numbers of birds benefited, and to answer the question "are we being efficient?"
Species for Management Action (SMA) Database
The Species for Management Action database provides information on all birds that have occurred within the PLJV boundaries. Information includes bird population estimates for North America and the shortgrass and mixed grass Bird Conservation Regions and the various statuses (e.g. “Continental Concern,” Partners in Flight Landbird Conservation Plan) of birds from national bird conservation plans and government entities. The database also includes population trends provided principally by the Breeding Bird Survey and other sources. The PLJV uses all this information to help prioritize species for different conservation actions such as monitoring or habitat work. A draft of proposed species for habitat action can be found in the Access reports in the SMA database.