Last modified: Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Wildlife planning at the DWR
Introduction
Wildlife conservation in today's world requires a variety of approaches, many of which are supported by a broad array of disciplines beyond biology and ecology. For a state fish and wildlife agency to achieve meaningful outcomes, the leadership must be grounded in the reality of the issues facing wildlife and their habitat and yet be flexible enough to adapt to the changing context of the socio-political, technical, biological, legal and financial aspects of the decision-making space.
Agencies that recognize planning as a vital component to their wildlife management systems embrace their work as interdisciplinary and respect divergent value orientations, attitudes and behavior. They also acknowledge their interdependence on their constituencies as well as citizens by actively nurturing partnerships toward building a conservation community. Thus the role of a planner is one of a facilitator, both as an internal as well as an external liaison. The challenge is to first guide the leaders of the conservation community to pursue a collaboratively defined vision for wildlife within the State of Utah. Then, together we must ensure that all partners are empowered to apply their time, talent and treasure toward enabling the continual functioning of a healthy human ecosystem.
Finding new ways of broaching old issues and their problems is a necessity in today's rapidly evolving wonderful world of wildlife. Please consider sharing your perspective and energies with our agency for only through our attempt to develop your awareness, provoke your interest, and stimulate you to act on behalf of all wild things will wildlife management truly be as successful as it must be to accomplish our collective vision.
For more information on the DWR Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Plan, wildlife program planning and evaluation, social science research (e.g., National Survey of Fishing, Hunting & Wildlife-Associated Recreation), facilitating public involvement, designing citizen participation efforts, and so forth, please contact the DWR Wildlife Planning Manager, Mr. Dana Dolsen.
1594 W. North Temple, Suite 2110, P.O. Box 146301
Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-6301
E-mail: DanaDolsen@utah.gov
Phone: (801) 538-4790
Mobile: (801) 550-9623
Fax: (801) 538-4709
The DWR management system
The DWR approach to wildlife management consists of a continually looping system where every ten years the agency determines its ability to manage effectively. Four phases are involved: conducting a survey and inventory of current agency/resource condition, setting long-term direction, identifying strategies for implementation and evaluating the degree of success. To learn more about wildlife planning and management systems, visit the Organization of Wildlife Planners Web site.
1. Where the DWR is now...
Internal/External Operational Environment Assessment Report — (PDF format)
Comprehensive 1999 inventory of biological, ecological, economic, legal, financial and sociopolitical parameters that govern and guide DWR operations. This report enables DWR to access benchmark data for determining the degree of progress achieved toward the implementation of the strategic plan.
Krannich Report — (PDF format)
Citizen and constituent responses to a public opinion survey on resource conditions and wildlife management issues conducted by Utah State University in 1998.
2. Where the DWR wants to be...
UDWR Strategic Plan, Phase I: Goals and a Summary of an Internal/External Document. — (PDF format)
A seven-year-long range planning vision developed from a public involvement effort that enables citizens and constituents to know how the DWR will respond to their values, needs, and expectations for wildlife management in Utah. Agency mission, goals and objectives are specified under which program management and development will be conducted throughout the state.
3. How the DWR will get to where it wants to be...
View the Highlights from a Public Opinion Survey — (PDF format)
Document details the findings of the Krannich Report (Utah State University contract) through executive summaries and also shares DWR section perspectives on program development needs from an analysis of the public opinion results. These Section perspectives point to where DWR will have to show progress in order to respond to public values, needs and expectations within the constraints and opportunities of the current operational environment.
4. How to tell if the DWR is where it wants to be...
An approximate 6-year assessment cycle is being sought throughout the identification and monitoring of goals, objectives and the strategies developed to achieve the desired end-results (i.e., performance measures called either outcomes or outputs). We typically repeat the public survey on a regular interval basis, and may conduct annual evaluations to determine our progress toward our goals based on the comparison of indicator data over time.
In 2002, the Utah Wildlife Board extended the timeframe for DWR's Strategic Plan for two more years (i.e., 2005). It will be succeeded by the state's Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Plan, which is due to be activated on October 1, 2005.
Division tracks out-of-state fishing, hunting and wildlife-associated recreation economic impacts
In 1996, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issued a national report on the results of a survey done every five years of Participation in and expenditures by non-residents in Utah as well as by Utahns in the state and the nation.
To demonstrate the trend in the growth of the economic contributions of out-of-state visitors who fish, hunt, and watch wildlife in Utah, the 2001 survey data for non-residentss is contrasted to the 1996 data as shown below. Please keep watching for five-year updates; the next is due in 2006.
Get more information about non-residents' fishing, hunting and wildlife-associated recreation economic contributions.
Get more information about in-state expenditures by out-of-state visitors.
In addition:
Please remember that our mission requires us to conserve, manage and enhance all protected wildlife species as our primary responsibility. We welcome your feedback on how well we are doing.
Please share your opinions with our Regional or Salt Lake staff, the Regional Advisory Councils and the Wildlife Board. Tell us what you think are our successes, our areas for improvement and those areas where you feel we have failed to address your values, needs and expectations.
E-mail the five regional supervisors:
Kevin Christopherson, Northeastern
Ron Hodson, Northern
John Fairchild, Central
Doug Messerly, Southern
Rick Larson, Southeastern
Staci Coons, RAC/Board
Wildlife Board and Regional Advisory Council meeting schedule
