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Unless otherwise stated, the time frame for the plan covers 2015 to 2018.
Goal 1 MEASURE STATUS TREND DESCRIPTIONACTION Identify habitat complexes in
each county of the pheasant range.
We are making progress and
meeting targets
Check
Established Improvement
Complexes were identified in 43 counties.
OUTCOME Target actions #2-5 in these habitat complexes.
We are making progress and
meeting targets
Steady No
Change
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and partners are using the complexes to rank habitat projects.
TREND
Check Established Improvement
Up Improving Trends
Steady No Change
Down Declining Trends
STATUS
We are making progress and meeting targets
It is too early to assess or there is a high amount of variability
Progress is slower than anticipated or we are not meeting the targets
LEGEND
Plan is a report card that tracks annual progress on the goals and objectives identified in the action plan from 2015 to 2018. This is the second report card that shows conservation effort in 2016. The legend shows the symbols used to describe how each measure was scored.
In 2014, Governor Mark Dayton displayed bold leadership and injected new energy into pheasant and habitat conservation efforts when he called the Pheasant Summit. His challenge was clear. Minnesotans were to develop an action plan to address these concerns. A key component to the Pheasant Summit Action
MINNESOTA PHEASANT SUMMIT
ACTION PLAN
2018 Report Card
1. Target habitat enhancement and protection in complexes at least 9 square miles in size where we can meet a goal of 40 percent permanent protection within the time frame of this plan.
GOAL 2 MEASURE STATUS TREND DESCRIPTIONACTION Obtain approval for CREP
and enroll 100,000 acres over 5 years.
We are making progress and
meeting targets
Up
Improving Trends
An agreement for 60,000 acres was signed. Sign-up rates comparable to past CREPs.
Increase RIM funding to $40 million per year.
We are making progress and
meeting targets
Up
Improving Trends
BWSR has $48M of RIM funding available in 2017 from OHF, CWF, ENRTF, and bonding.
OUTCOME Annually request and enroll the maximum acres for continuous CRP contracts.
It is too early to assess or there is
a high amount of variability
Steady No Change Minnesota currently has exhausted nearly all available practice acreage allocations. With new CRP enrollments on hold, no new requests can be made.
Report General CRP acre enrollments.
Progress is slower than anticipated
or we are not meeting the targets
Down
Declining Trends
From 2016 to 2017, Minnesota lost 97,900 acres of CRP, declining 8% from 1,153,300 to 1,055,400 acres.
GOAL 3 MEASURE STATUS TREND DESCRIPTIONACTION Formalize and direct the FBAP
with an MOU.
We are making progress and
meeting targets
Check
Established Improvement
The MOU signed by BWSR, NRCS, MASWCD, PF, and DNR in 2016 is still in effect.
Ensure all counties in the pheasant range have a FBAP position.
We are making progress and
meeting targets
Up
Improving Trends
All critical counties in the Pheasant Range now have Farm Bill Biologists.
OUTCOME Increase landowner contacts by 50%.
We are making progress and
meeting targets
Steady No Change Over the first three-quarters of the year, FBAP contacts increased by 8% from 2016 to 2017. Acres enrolled declined 21% over 2016 from 81,962 to 64,960 acres.
GOAL 4 MEASURE STATUS TREND DESCRIPTIONACTION Increase OHF appropriations for
public grassland enhancement to $14 million.
It is too early to assess or there is
a high amount of variability
Up
Improving Trends
OHF allocations increased from $5.9M in 2016 to $8.2M in 2017.
Increase North American Wetland Conservation Act (NAWCA) grant applications by 50%.
It is too early to assess or there is
a high amount of variability
Steady No Change In 2017, Minnesota partner were funded for 5 small NAWCA grants, down slightly from the previous 3 years.
OUTCOME Increase acres of nesting, brood-rearing, and winter cover managed each year by 50%.
It is too early to assess or there is
a high amount of variability
Steady No Change Grassland acres enhanced by DNR declined one percent from last year to 48,800 acres enhanced and are close to the long-term average.
December 2017© 2017, State of Minnesota, Department of Natural Resources This information can be made available in alternative formats such as large print, braille or audio tape by emailing [email protected] or by calling 651-259-5016.
2. Increase the rate of enrollment and retention in short-term conservation programs and the enrollment of permanent conservation easements by private landowners.
3. Increase the education and marketing of private lands conservation programs through the Farm Bill Assistance Partnership (FBAP).
4. Increase management of habitat on both public and private lands.
GOAL 5 MEASURE STATUS TREND DESCRIPTIONACTION Annually obtain $10 million in
state bonding for acquisitions.
Progress is slower than anticipated
or we are not meeting the targets
Down
Declining Trends
There was no bonding for WMA acquisition.
Increased funding from OHF for acquisitions to $40 million annually.
Progress is slower than anticipated
or we are not meeting the targets
Down
Declining Trends
OHF acquisition funding declined 18% from $20.1M in 2016 to $16.6M in 2017.
Work with Federal, state and non-governmental organization partners to increase federal acquisition funding by 20%.
We are making progress and
meeting targets
Up
Improving Trends
In 2017, the state brought in $5M in large NAWCA grants. This is greater than 20% above the long-term average.
OUTCOME Increased rate of WMA and WPA acquisitions by 40%.
Progress is slower than anticipated
or we are not meeting the targets
Down
Declining Trends
WMA and WPA acquisitions decreased by 45% over the previous year and was 38% below the long-term average.
GOAL 6 MEASURE STATUS TREND DESCRIPTIONACTION Implement the 2015 buffer
initiative.
We are making progress and
meeting targets
Check
Established Improvement
Compliance rate for public waters at 97% and overall compliance at 93%.
Secure ongoing funding for SWCDs to enhance buffers for wildlife and clean water.
We are making progress and
meeting targets
Up
Improving Trends
Continuation of the $11M to SWCD’s, continuation of the $2.5M buffer implementation grants and an added $4.6M in buffer cost share assistance available to landowners interested in maximizing environmental benefits of buffer strips.
OUTCOME 20% of stream and ditch buffers planted with diverse native seedings at least 100 feet on each side of the waterway.
We are making progress and
meeting targets
Up
Improving Trends
BWSR staff estimate that approximately 20% of buffers are planted to native vegetation.
GOAL 7 MEASURE STATUS TREND DESCRIPTIONACTION Recharter th
a high amount of variability
Steady No Change DNR has hired a Roadsides Coordinator. Requests for Roadsides for Wildlife has increased over previous years.
Promote legislation to delay annual roadside mowing until August 1.
Progress is slower than anticipated
or we are not meeting the targets
Steady No Change DOT has a new permitting system. DNR is on a task force with 11 other groups to draft legislative language for the 2018 Session.
Secure funding for county programs that promote and use integrated roadside management.
Progress is slower than anticipated
or we are not meeting the targets
Down
Declining Trends
No funding was pursued for roadside monarch conservation in 2017.
e Interagency Roadside Task Force and DNR Roadsides for Wildlife Program.
It is too early to assess or there is
5. Accelerate acquisition of public lands open to hunting across the pheasant range including state Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) and federal Waterfowl Production Areas (WPA).
6. Develop and implement a comprehensive riparian buffer program.
7. Improve roadside management to optimize pheasant habitat.
GOAL 9 MEASURE STATUS TREND DESCRIPTIONACTION Survey public and hunters for
information needs.
We are making progress and
meeting targets
Up
Improving Trends
The DNR and University of Minnesota will be surveying landowners in late winter 2018.
Develop a communications strategy.
We are making progress and
meeting targets
Check
Established Improvement
The DNR developed a communication strategy and is working with partners to integrate messaging.
Implement the Commissioner’s task force recommendations for hunter recruitment and retention.
We are making progress and
meeting targets
Up
Improving Trends
DNR awarded 35 R3 grants totaling $480,000 and established an R3 Council.
OUTCOME Return hunting participation to 120,000 pheasant hunters.
Progress is slower than
anticipated or we are not meeting
the targets
Down
Declining Trends
Pheasant stamp sales declined 6% from 75,411 in 2016 to 71,121 in 2017.
GOAL 8 MEASURE STATUS TREND DESCRIPTIONACTION Obtain federal funding through
USDA VPA-HIP program.
We are making progress and
meeting targets
Check
Established Improvement
We continue to build the Walk-in Access (WIA) program.
Seek additional funds to sustain the program.
It is too early to assess or there is
a high amount of variability
Steady No Change We are currently spending the current grant. We are concerned about future federal funding for the program under the next Farm Bill.
OUTCOME Increase WIA acres to 30,000 acres over 3 years.
We are making progress and
meeting targets
Up
Improving Trends
WIA expanded from 23,400 acres in 2016 to 26,700 acres in 2017.
GOAL 10 MEASURE STATUS TREND DESCRIPTIONACTION Identify a priority list of research
and monitoring needs and obtain funding.
It is too early to assess or there is
a high amount of variability
Up
Improving Trends
The DNR, working with 4 partners, has received federal funds for monitoring grassland habitat and wildlife.
Further partnerships between agencies and universities to conduct research which will better inform population and habitat management decisions.
We are making progress and
meeting targets
Up
Improving Trends
There are currently at least 3 University of Minnesota faculty working in partnership with DNR on grassland wildlife research projects, including waterfowl nesting success and insecticide levels on WMAs.
OUTCOME Clearly communicate results to public.
We are making progress and
meeting targets
Check
Established Improvement
Updates to this report card, milestones, progress and major events will be shared with the public.
Inform management activities with current relevant information.
We are making progress and
meeting targets
Steady No Change Ongoing. Using adaptive management, managers are constantly integrating new research into their management.
FAW_498_18
8. Secure federal funding to sustain the Walk-In Access (WIA) program in Minnesota’s pheasant range.
9. Expand education about grassland and pheasant conservation issues and support hunter recruitment and retention.
10. Expand monitoring and research capacity for both habitat and population studies of grassland wildlife and clearly communicate these results to the public.
