PRATT -- The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) has announced that a draft Kansas Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Plan (CWCP) is ready for public review. The theme of CWCP is "Keeping Common Species Common." Using existing information to develop the plan, more than 200 technical experts, including KDWP staff, were relied upon.

The CWCP was mandated in 2001 when Congress passed the Wildlife Conservation and Restoration Program (WCRP) and funds were made available to state wildlife agencies through the State Wildlife Grants Program. Funds from this program can be used for all wildlife projects to keep rare species from becoming endangered. As a requirement to be eligible for this program, Congress charged each state and territory with developing a statewide CWCP by Oct. 1, 2005.

To comply, KDWP collected technical information on species, regions, habitats, and populations and compiled the information into a 120-page workbook. This workbook served as the basis for a CWCP "Summit" held at Kansas State University on Feb. 22-23. Seventy conference participants -- including individuals from academia and conservation agencies and organizations -- focused on issues, strategies, research and survey needs, monitoring protocols, and potential partnerships important to implementing the plan.

To complete the plan, however, public involvement is necessary. The general public, as well as potential partners, are needed to make the plan succeed.
Review this document and provide your comments at the KDWP website. All public comments and suggestions will be considered in the final version of the CWCP. Comments are due June15. Use the comment form that is provided on this web page.

The International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (IAFWA), through Teaming with Wildlife, helped secure funding for this program, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service provided guidance throughout the process.
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