CP 2015 Annual Accomplishment Report - 2015-11-09

8/18/2019 CP 2015 Annual Accomplishment Report - 2015-11-09

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Coastal Program2015 Annual Accomplishment Report

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service


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Message from the Refuge Chief

Background photograph: James River National Wildlife Refuge, VA: USFWS

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) has the responsibility to conserve, protect and

enhance fish, wildlife, and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American

people. The environmental legacy that we pass on to future generations largely depends on ourability to protect and restore habitat on which plants and animals depend for their survival.

Coastal habitats support 40% of the Service’s National Wildlife Refuges and are vital to fish

and wildlife because 40% of our federally listed species, 25% of our wetlands, and over 30% of

North American wintering waterfowl occur in our nation’s coastal areas. Coastal wetlands

also provide important spawning grounds and nurseries for commercial and sport fish.

The Coastal Program is the Service’s primary conservation tool for voluntary, citizen, and community -based fish

and wildlife habitat conservation on both public and privately-owned coastal lands. Coastal counties make up only

10% of the lower 48 states but are home to more than half of the population and are among the most rapidlydeveloping areas. These stressors present a significant challenge to habitat conservation and require innovative

approaches to conservation such as those provided by the Coastal Program.

Coastal Program staff provide technical and financial assistance to land managers and a diversity of conservation

partners for the restoration and protection of coastal habitats throughout the nation and U.S. territories. With staff

located in 24 priority areas along the coasts of the Atlantic, Pacific, Gulf of Mexico, Great Lakes and the Caribbean,

the Coastal Program provides valuable technical expertise and delivers vital habitat restoration projects to help

the Service achieve its conservation mission.

This annual report showcases examples of the Service's accomplishments working with our conservation partners,including other federal, tribal, state, and local agencies, nonprofit organizations, universities, corporations, and

private landowners. Through the Coastal Program, the Service has restored 546,390 acres of wetland and upland

habitat, more than 2,590 miles of stream habitat, and helped protect 2,110,755 acres of important wildlife habitat.

We will continue to build a strong legacy of wildlife stewardship through strategic habitat conservation and

effective partnerships.

Cynthia Martinez

Chief

National Wildlife Refuge System


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Our approach is straightforward: engage willing partners and landowners, and provide technical

and financial assistance to conserve fish and wildlife resources in priority coastal landscapes.

Where We Work...The Service maintains Coastal Program offices in 24 priority coastal areas.

What We Did…

In 2015, working with 455 partnersand landowners, the CoastalProgram assessed, improved, andprotected over...

266 projects 64,440 acres of wetlands 29,910 acres of upland 194 miles of stream habitat

In 2015, Coastal

Program projects

leveraged $34 for

every Coastal

Program dollar.


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Region 1: Pacific Northwest and Pacific Islands

2015 REGIONALSUMMARY

Accomplishments:

(Restored and Protected)

24 projects 298 upland acres 4,144 wetland acres 30 stream miles 1 fish barrier removal

Project Contributions: Coastal Program: $338,700 Partners: $6,374,664

2015 Project Locations Points may represent multiple accomplishments

Background photograph: School of manini: Kydd Pollock (USFWS)Inset photographs (clockwise from top left): Ha’ena coast, Hawai’i: Sheldon Plentovich (USFWS); Hawai’ian monk seal: Mark Sullivan; and Blue Trevally: James Watt (USFWS)

Washington

Oregon

Hawai’i


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Community-Based Subsistence Fishing AreaKaua′i, Hawai'i

PROJECT-AT-A-GLANCE

Funding Contribution: Coastal Program: $26,100 Partner: $18,300 Total project cost: $44,400

Partners: Community Links Hawai′i Hawai′i Department of Land and Natural

Resources Hui Maka′āinana o Makana

Landscape Conservation Cooperative: Pacific Islands

The Coastal Program helped establish asix-square-mile community-basedmarine protected area on the north

shore of Kaua′i. Starting in 2008, theCoastal Program partnered with theKaua′i north shore community ofHā'ena, Hawai'i Department of Landand Natural Resources, non-governmental organizations, and othersto develop a management plan andtrain community members to overseeHā'ena's 3,583-acre near -shore coralreef ecosystem.

The goals of the marine protected area are to protect an important marine habitat, andsupport sustainable subsistence fisheries and cultural traditions. The local communitywill be actively involved in overseeing the Hā′ena area, including monitoring marineresources and reporting violations (e.g., coral poaching and exceeding bag limits). Thisis the first such area in Hawai′i, and is a model for other communities to co-manage theirmarine resources with the state. In August 2015, Governor Ige approved the Hā′enaCommunity-Based Subsistence Fishing Area Management Plan.

Hā'ena coast

THE IMPORTANCE OF CORAL REEFS

In addition to providing fish and wildlife habitat,

coral reefs sustain marine biodiversity, protect

coastlines, source new medicines, and support

recreational opportunities and local economies. One

study estimates that Hawai′i's coral reefs provide

$360 million for economic benefits per year. [a]

The Hā′ena Community -Based Subsistence

Fishing Area will also benefit the Hawaiian

monk seal.

[a] Cesar, H., P. van Beukering, S. Pintz, and J.Dierking, 2002. Economic valuation of Hawaiian reefs. Arnham, The Netherlands: Cesar Environment Economics Consulting.


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2015 Project Locations

2015 REGIONAL SUMMARY

Accomplishments:

(Restored and Protected):

12 projects 4,359 upland acres 277 wetland acres

Project Contributions: Coastal Program:

$211,900 Partners: $6,441,880

Points may represent more than one accomplishment.

Background photograph: Wood storks: Mary Ellen Urbanski Inset photographs (left to right): Black Skimmers: Greg Thompson and Lisa Cox (USFWS); Herons: Mike Norkum (Flickr); California least tern: Rinus Baak (USFWS); and Greategret: Matthew Paulson (Flickr)

Texas

Region 2: Southwest


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PROJECT-AT-A-GLANCE

Funding Contribution:

Coastal Program: $9,500 Partner: $12,500

Total project cost: $22,000

Partners: National Audubon Society

Landscape Conservation Cooperative: Gulf Coast Prairie

In an effort to reverse population declines, the Coastal Program is working with theNational Audubon Society to enhance colonial waterbird rookeries. More thantwenty species of colonial waterbirds nest on islands along the Texas coast.

Habitat loss is the main cause of the declines. The loss of open ground fromerosion is impacting ground-nesting birds, while the loss of trees and vegetationstructure are effecting the shrub-nesting birds. Other contributing factors includepredators and human disturbance.

The Coastal Program conducted rookery surveys and provided managementrecommendations, which resulted in the enhancement of over 50 acres of habitat.The Coastal Program also assessed the nesting success of black skimmer andcoordinated the annual Rookery Island Trash Cleanup. The National AudubonSociety implemented the management recommendations, including installingnesting platforms, managing vegetation to increase ground nesting, controlling

predators, and promoting public awareness of waterbird habitat. Restorationprojects like this one support the goals and objectives identified by the Gulf CoastJoint Venture for reddish egrets, black skimmer and gull-billed tern.

By gathering in rookeries, colonial

waterbirds increase the survival of

their chicks. The colony shares the

responsibility of guarding against

predators and finding food.

Habitat Planting

Colonial Waterbird Rookery Enhancement

Gulf of Mexico, Texas

The Coastal Program was instrumental in the

development of the Service’s Vision for a Healthy Gulf of

Mexico Watershed. The Coastal Program is also

substantially involved in the implementation of this

Vision. For example, this project is located in the Vision’s

Coastal Wetlands and Barrier Islands focal area and

supports several goals, including Restoring Wetland and

Aquatic Ecosystems.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF NESTS

There are two types of colonial waterbirds. Ground-

nesting birds, such as black skimmers and terns,

prefer open ground or grass, where they can create

depressions or grass nests to lay their eggs. Shrub-

nesting birds, such as herons and egrets, build their

nests in shrubs and trees.

California Least Tern Great Egret


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Background photograph: Seney National Wildlife Refuge, MI: Courtney Celley (USFWS) Inset photographs (left to right): Camp Amnicon: Ted Koehler (USFWS); Piping plover: Kaiti Titherington (USFWS); Brook trout: NPS; and Lake Superior: Joanna Gilkeson (USFWS)

Wisconsin

Michigan

Michigan

Illinois


Accomplishments: (Restored and Protected)

15 projects 324 upland acres 5,231 wetland acres


Region 3: Midwest

Camp Amnicon


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Migratory Bird and Brook Trout Habitat ProtectionMigratory Bird and Brook Trout Habitat Protection South Range, WisconsinSouth Range, Wisconsin

PROJECT-AT-A-GLANCE

Funding Contribution: Coastal Program: $8,000

Partner: $751,000

Total project cost: $759,000

Partners: Camp Amnicon West Wisconsin Land Trust

Landscape Conservation Cooperative: Upper Midwest and Great Lakes

The Mississippi Flyway runs from central

Canada to the Gulf of Mexico region,

following the Mackenzie River in Canada

and the Mississippi River in the United

States. Nearly half the North American

bird species and 40% of the migrating

waterfowl and shorebirds use the

Mississippi Flyway.

The Coastal Program has a long-term commitment to strategically protecting important wildlifehabitat along Lake Superior. For the last five years, the Coastal Program has worked with the

West Wisconsin Land Trust to permanently protect 4,911 acres in the Lake Superiorwatershed, including 503 acres on Camp Amnicon in Wisconsin.

The Camp Amnicon project protects forests and wetlandsthat benefit a diversity of wildlife, including the Canadawarbler and wood duck. The project also protects twomiles of riparian buffer along the Amnicon River and a half -mile of shoreline along Lake Superior, which will benefitbrook trout and the federally endangered piping plover. Inthe future, the Coastal Program may work with partners toimprove habitat on the property for federal trust species.

The site is also a migratory bird research area for the Wisconsin Stopover Initiative – apartnership among federal, state and local agencies, non-profit organizations, businesses,and individuals working together to protect and conserve habitat for migratory birds in theGreat Lakes. Experts believethat the site’s forests may beespecially important migratorybird stop-over habitat along theMississippi Flyway. The site isalso used as an outdoorclassroom to educate youth

about the importance of habitatconservation.

Brook Trout

Piping Plover

The Coastal Program directly supports the

Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI),

which aims to protect and restore the

largest system of fresh surface water in the

world.

Although this project did not receive GLRI funding, it addresses several objectives

identified in the GLRI’s Action Plan, including protecting, restoring and enhancing

habitats to help sustain healthy populations of native species, and educate the next

generation about the Great Lakes ecosystem.


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70 projects 9,233 upland acres 13,037 wetland acres 19 stream miles 1 fish barrier removal


Points may represent more than one accomplishment

2015 Project Locations NorthCarolina

Alabama Georgia

Puerto Rico

Florida

South

Carolina

Background photograph: Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge, NC: Allie Stewart (USFWS)

Region 4: Southeast

Mississippi

Louisiana


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Inset photographs (clockwise from top left): Restored sand dunes: Vida Marina Center; Sand dune: USFWS; Green turtle: Julie S uess; and Project photographs: Vida Marina Center

The Coastal Program is leading the Service's

effort to increase coastal resiliency by protecting

and restoring coastal ecosystems. The Coastal

Program is working with communities to

implement conservation projects that provide

important wildlife habitat, plan for climate

change impacts, and address public safety

concerns.

Sand Dune Restoration Camuy, Puerto Rico

For decades, sand dunes have been destroyed and/or depleted by hurricanesand sand mining operations along coast of Puerto Rico. Working with Vida MarinaCenter for Coastal Restoration and Conservation at the University of Puerto Rico,the Coastal Program restored 120 acres of sand dune habitat and promotecoastal resiliency in Camuy, Puerto Rico.

Located in the Finca Nolla Reserve, theproject restored dune habitat byinstalling sand accumulation barriers.Dune erosion was reduced by plantingnative vegetation, and installingboardwalks and signage to protectsensitive areas. The project will benefitfederally endangered sea turtles byrestoring and protecting nesting habitat,along with other federal trust species.

The Vida Marina Center uses the restoration site to train students and teachersfrom local schools and universities about conservation biology and habitatrestoration.

Public

BoardwalkEducation

Program

Sand Accumulation

Barriers

Restored sand dunes

PROJECT-AT-A-GLANCE

Funding Contribution: Coastal Program: $72,800 Partner: $132,000 Total project cost: $204,800

Partners: Puerto Rico Department of Natural and

Environmental Resources University of Puerto Rico Municipality of Camuy

Landscape Conservation Cooperative: Caribbean


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Background photograph: Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, MD: USFWS Inset photographs (top to bottom): Phragmites australis: Nell Cornwall (Flickr); and Nanticoke River: USFWS


New York

Maryland

New

Hampshire

Virginia

Pennsylvania

Massachusetts

Maine

Connecticut

New

Jersey

Delaware

Rhode

Island



53 projects 14,761 upland acres

965 wetland acres 43 stream miles 23 fish barrier removals


Region 5: Northeast


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Background photograph: Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge: John Martin (USFWS) Inset photograph (left to right): Short-eared owl: Nathan Rupert (Flickr); Pacific loon: Linda Tanner (Flickr); Blackpoll warbler: Dave Inman (Flickr); and Sandhill crane: USFWS Opposite page inset photographs (left to right): Wasilla Creek, AK: Carl Johnson; and Elementary student: USFWS

2015 Project Locations Alaska



30 projects

152 upland acres 1,018 wetland acres 6 stream miles


Region 7: Alaska The Palmer Hay Flats State

Game Refuge’s estuary is a very

productive migratory bird

stopover and nesting area, with

large numbers of songbirds,

waterfowl, shorebirds, and

raptors, including blackpoll

warbler, Pacific loon, Sandhillcranes, and short-eared owls.

Points may represent multiple accomplishments


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PROJECT-AT-A-GLANCE

Funding Contribution: Coastal Program: $18,500 National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grants:$804,000 Partners: $677,500 Total project cost: $1,500,000

Partners: The Great Land Trust State of Alaska Pacific Joint Venture Mat

-Su Borough

Mat-Su Basin Salmon Habitat Partnership The Conservation Fund Murdoch and Rasmuson Foundations ConocoPhillips Machetanz Elementary School Private landowners and many others

Landscape Conservation Cooperative: Northwest Boreal Forest

Service Cross-Program Collaboration: Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program

For several years, the Coastal Program has been working with partners toprotect quality habitat in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough (Borough), locatednortheast of Anchorage, Alaska. The Borough is one of the most populousand rapidly growing regions of Alaska. As such, it is critically important to

conserve fish and wildlife habitats vulnerable to development and other landuse changes. The Borough provides economically-important recreationalfishing opportunities. The effects of these land use changes have caused the

State to designateseveral salmon stocksof managementconcern.

One recent projectpermanently protectedapproximately 917

acres of habitat,including over threemiles of streamhabitat. In 2015, theState of Alaskaformally incorporatedthis property into the28,000-acre PalmerHay Flats State GameRefuge (Refuge) - one

of the most important

year -round wildlife and

outdoor recreationalareas in Alaska.

The Refuge is home to wolves, bears, moose, and river otters, as well as allfive species of Pacific salmon (i.e., chinook, sockeye, coho, pink, and chum).This project completes one of the largest voluntary land conservation projectsin southcentral Alaska and establishes a permanently protected habitatcorridor between the Refuge and other protected areas in the region. TheCoastal Program anticipates an additional 58 acres of wetland and forest willbe protected in the future.

Three miles of Wasilla Creek and its

surrounding habitat are protected with the

largest subdivision in the Mat-Su Borough inthe background.

Whether in uplands, wetlands, or rivers, habitat

fragmentation is a serious threat to plants and

wildlife. Preserving corridors between protected

habitats is important for sustaining a heathy

ecosystem, because these corridors support speciesmigration and biological diversity. The Upper Knik

conservation project, coupled with Coastal Program

projects from previous years, enhance habitat

connectivity between Palmer Hayflats State Game

Refuge and the 780 square-mile Chugach State Park.

Upper Knik Conservation Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska


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Accomplishments:(Restored/Protected) 18 projects 642 upland acres 2,280 wetland acres 8 stream miles

Project Contributions: Coastal Program: $154,400 Project Partners: $4,555,200

2015 Project Locations Points may represent multiple accomplishments.

Background photograph: Humboldt County, CA: Maggie Bourque Inset photographs: Schoolyard habitat planting day: USFWS Opposite page inset photographs (clockwise from top left): Emerging monarch: USFWS; Monarch catapillar: Beatrice Murch (Flick r); Anna’s hummingbird: Robert McMorran (USFWS);and Simi Valley: dailymatador (Flickr)

California

Nevada

Student Planting Day

Region 8: Pacific Southwest


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Monarch Schoolyard Habitat Simi Valley, California

The Schoolyard Habitat Program connects kids with

nature by helping schools to create native wildlife

habitat and sustainable outdoor classroom. TheCoastal Program provides technical and financial

assistance to administrators, teachers, and students to

create effective schoolyard habitat projects.

PROJECT-AT-A-GLANCE

Funding Contribution: Coastal Program: $5,624 Total project cost: $5,624

Partners: Valley Adventist Church School

Landscape Conservation Cooperative: California

Service Cross-Program Collaboration: Schoolyard Habitat Program

The Coastal Program worked with the Simi Valley AdventistChurch School to enhance 1.3 acres of upland habitat in VenturaCounty, California. The project is located in Simi Valley, which is

part of the Greater Los Angeles Area. Simi Valley is surrounded bythe Simi Hills, which are an important wildlife corridor between theSanta Monica Mountains to the Santa Susana Mountains.

Working with the Coastal Program, the students decided to providehabitat for a number of native species, including monarch butterfly,western fence lizard, Anna's hummingbird, sphinx moth, Californiafuchsia, white sage, and coyote bush. The Coastal Programworked with teachers and students to develop an enhancement

plan and to plant the habitat. The Coastal Program also provided presentations tostudents on native habitats and wildlife. The students are maintaining the schoolyard

habitat and monitoring wildlife use.

Simi Valley

The Department of the

Interior’s Youth Initiative

aims to inspire millions of

young people to play,learn, serve, and work in

the outdoors.

The Coastal Program has supported this

priority through our involvement in the

Schoolyard Habitat Program and other

educational projects.


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Technical Assistance

The Coastal Program provides technical assistance to support landscape-scale habitat conservation ranging from habitat

assessments, adaptive habitat management, conservation design and monitoring, grant administration, and national policy

development. Our staff possess diverse skills and expertise to provide assistance to other Service programs, federal, state and

local agencies, tribes, conservation groups, universities, corporations, and private landowners. Our technical assistance provides

broader benefits to federal trust species by helping partners develop policies and conduct landscape-scale conservation planning.It also enables us to enlist the support of diverse partners to achieve the Service's conservation priorities.

The Coastal Program encourages community stewardship through outreach and training. By developing conservation tools and

protocols, we promote ecologically sound decision making and improve the delivery of successful habitat conservation. These

efforts improve the science of restoration and reduce the overall cost of habitat conservation.

Background photograph: Palmyra Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, U.S. Minor Outlying Islands: Erik Oberg (Island Conservation) Inset photographs (clockwise from top left): Christopher Eng (USFWS); Christopher Darnell (USFWS); Laurie Hewitt (USFWS); Ste ve Kendrot (APHIS); and Joe Milmoe (USFWS)

Technical Training

Coastal Wetland Conservation

Grant Assistance

Youth Outreach

Academic Instruction

Invasive Species Coordination


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MONARCH BUTTERFLY INTIATIVE

The Coastal Program continues to support the Service’s Monarch Conservation Initiative, which plans to restore more than 200,000 acres of monarchhabitat. Within the Service, the Coastal Program is collaborating with other programs to develop conservation capacity and to prioritize and planconservation activities. The Coastal Program is also working with State agencies, non-profit organizations, and others to develop regional monarchmanagement plans and to implement on-the-ground habitat improvement projects. Working with partners, the Coastal Program has restored andprotected over 5,400 acres of monarch habitat.

Inset photographs (top to bottom): Monarch butterfly: Ken Slade (Flickr); Monarch chrysalis:USFWS; Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill: NOAA

GULF OF MEXICO RESTORATION

The restoration of the Gulf of Mexico due to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill is one of the most complex and comprehensive conservation efforts everundertaken. It requires coordination among the 5 Gulf States (i.e., Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas), multiple Federal agencies,and hundreds of local governments, non-governmental organizations, and citizens. The Coastal Program is delivering landscape-scale conservation

by providing critical links between partners who are implementing conservation projects.The Coastal Program serves as an advisor for projects funded by the National Fish andWildlife Foundation Gulf Environmental Benefit Fund, National Resources Damage

Assessment Program, the Restore Council, North American Wetlands Conservation Act,and other sources.

In 2015, over $350 million was spent on restoration projects bringing the overall investmentfollowing the Deepwater Horizon oil spill to over $1.5 billion. The Coastal Program alsoprovided funding and/or was involved in the delivery of many of these projects thatbenefited Service trust resources (e.g., migratory birds, endangered species,interjurisdictional fisheries, and federal lands).


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Background photograph: Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge, NC: Allie Stewart (USFWS) Inset photographs (clockwise from top left): Abbaye Peninsula, Michigan: Keweenaw Land Trust; Marsh grass: Eric Drost (Flickr ); Breaching Humpback Whales: Anna (Flickr);and Tijuana National Wildlife Refuge, California: Ralph Lee Hopkins with aerial support by LightHawk

NATIONAL COASTAL WETLANDS CONSERVATION GRANT PROGRAM

The Coastal Program and the Wildlife Restoration and Sport Fish Restoration Program collaborate to administer the National Coastal Wetlands

Conservation Grant (NCWCG) Program. Annually, the NCWCG Program distributes $18-

20 million to restore and/or protect coastal wetlands anduplands that provide valuable habitat for fish and wildlife. On average, the NCWCG Program leverages about 120% of its grant funds, which is derivedfrom the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust.

The Coastal Program works with state agencies to identify and develop highquality conservation projects in priority coastal areas. Since 1992, the NCWCGProgram has helped restore and/or protect over 360,000 acres of the coastalhabitat.

Protected 1,374 acres adjacent

to Lake Superior, Michigan

LANDSCAPE CONSERVATION PLANNING

As chair of the Wetlands Managers Group (WMG) for the Southern California WetlandsRecovery Project (WRP), the Coastal Program is leading a diverse partnership of federal, state

and local agencies, elected officials, academics, non-profit organizations, businesses, andcitizens. The goal of the partnership is to improve wetland conservation through strategic

landscape planning from Santa Barbara to the border of Mexico.

The Coastal Program’s involvement maintains the Service’s relationship with leading conservation partners, and provides an excellent opportunity toimplement Strategic Habitat Conservation in southern California. The WRP has begun to update its strategic plan, with financial assistance from aLandscape Conservation Cooperative grant and a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant. As part of the update, WRP is collaborativelydeveloping a science-based management framework that will set recovery objectives synthesized from historic and existing data, and future recoverygoals.

Tijuana National Wildlife

Refuge, California


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MARINE NATIONAL MONUMENTS

Presidents George W. Bush and Barrack Obama have designated large areas of the Pacific Ocean asMarine National Monuments - pristine ocean ecosystems that contain unique biodiversity (e.g., whales,

tuna, sea turtles, and seabirds), natural features (e.g., hydrothermal vents, cold seeps, underwatermountain systems, and ancient corals), and cultural resources. These marine areas also play animportant role in commercial fisheries and climate change resiliency.

The U.S. Department of Interior and the Service, in coordination with the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, share the responsibility for managing these monuments and regulatingfisheries-related activities. Under the National Wildlife Refuge System, the Coastal Program isdeveloping policies and providing outreach that supports for the Service’s role in managing the MarineNational Monuments.

LIVING SHORELINES

An alternative to hardened shorelines, living shorelines use materials like oyster reefs, sandand stone, and aquatic and wetland plants, instead of rip-rap, bulkheads or concrete walls.Unlike more structural approaches, living shorelines maintain shoreline processes andprovide habitat for aquatic and riparian species. Living shorelines also improve water qualityand are generally more cost effective.

To promote living shorelines, the Coastal Program worked with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, The NatureConservancy, and others to develop the website - FloridaLivingShorelines.com. The purposeof the website is to inform coastal property owners about the benefits of living shorelines,restoration techniques, and resources available to help them create a living shoreline.


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Background photograph: Widgeon grass in Chesapeake Bay, MD: Peter McGowan (USFWS) Inset photographs (clockwise from top left): New England cottontail: USFWS; Restoring Island Ecosystems brochure: USFWS; Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Ref-

uge , CO: USFWS, and Farm field, PA: Fishhawk (Flickr)

NEW ENGLAND COTTONTAIL

The Service recently announced that the New England cottontail, the only rabbit native to New Englandand parts of New York, does not require protection under the Endangered Species Act. Over the last halfcentury, development and forest succession has reduced the population to 14% of its historic range.

Working with Natural Resources Conservation Service, Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlifeand the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge, the Coastal Program conducted surveys to determine thepresence and range of the rabbits in Maine. The Coastal Program also maintained the GIS databasecontaining the survey data. This information helped to inform the New England cottontail decision;however, partner commitments to conserve habitat and recover the population to 13,500 individuals by2030 was the main reason to not list the rabbits. As a result of the partners’ conservation efforts, it isestimated that the New England Cottontail population has already increased to three-quarters of the way tothe goal.

FARM BILL CONSERVATION PROGRAMS

Through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Bill conservation programs,

agricultural producers and other private landowners recieve billions of dollars to apply habitatconservation practices on millions of acres of land. The Coastal Program helps the USDA todevelop and deliver these conservation programs by providing habitat and wildlifeconsiderations that are incorporated into the programs, and working with landowners tocarryout on-the-ground conservation projects.

For example, Coastal Program staff is serving as the Chair of the Forestry, Wildlife and Wetland Subcommittee under the USDA’s State TechnicalCommittee in the Caribbean. The State Technical Committee supports the USDA by recommending conservation priorities, identifying focal areas,evaluating conservation practice standards and specifications, and assisting with public outreach.


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Background photograph: Kilchis, Oregon: Chris Swenson (USFWS)

Front cover photographs (Left to Right): Blackwater River, WV: Gerri Wilson; Monarch butterfly: Greg Thompson (USFWS); Long-billed curlew: R. Baak

Back cover photographs (Left to Right): Tufted puffin: Steve Ebbert (USFWS); Coral reef in Bicayne Bay: NPS; Delmarva fox squirrel: USFWS

U.S. Department of the Interior US Fish & Wildlife Service

http://www.fws.gov/coastal

Documents

CP 2015 Annual Accomplishment Report - 2015-11-09