EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 5
rather to take a meaningful look at the landscapes and habitats as they exist today and to develop plans
on how best to make improvements that benefit fish and wildlife, particularly the SGCN. MDWFP
recognizes that many problems or threats defined herein are based on legal and accepted practices. Thus,
the 23 threats identified are meant to include those practices harmful to wildlife, and it should be
understood that the manner in which a human activity or practice is conducted determines if it has a
negative, neutral or positive effect on wildlife populations. The threats may be historic, current or
potential.
Survey and research needs were developed from the survey as well and include recommendations
focused on both individual species, groups and habitats.
- Descriptions of conservation actions proposed to conserve the identified species and habitats
and priorities for implementing such actions.
For each threat identified as important to habitat types and subtypes for SGCN, we developed a
comprehensive list of conservation actions that would reduce the effect of the threat. A master list of 30
recommended conservation actions was divided into four categories that were adapted from the
Conservation Measures Partnership Proposed Taxonomy of Conservation Actions. Those categories are:
Education and Awareness
Habitat and Species Management
Planning and Policy
Research and SurveyAs additional planning and analysis of priority conservation areas are developed for the state of
Mississippi in the future, a more detailed list of conservation actions is needed that also defines potential
partners for implementation and allows for quantitative measurement of results. This detail will be
developed with the assistance of our stakeholder group over the next three to five years.
- Proposed plans for monitoring species identified in (1) and their habitats, for monitoring the
effectiveness of the conservation actions proposed in (4), and for adapting these conservation
actions to respond appropriately to new information or changing conditions.
Evaluating the effectiveness of the CWCS will be accomplished through an approach which incorporates
short-term performance measures of actions implemented, progress toward goals and additional
planning, and long-term monitoring status of SGCN populations, their habitats and key biological
communities. The extent to which the strategy is implemented and actions performed should provide
initial indications of effectiveness of the CWCS. Examples of initial indicators may include acres or
stream miles enhanced or protected, conservation plans completed and basic research and survey