On Wednesday, NASF sent comments to the U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) regarding their request for public input on how it can strengthen incentives and voluntary partnerships for landowner conservation of wildlife (Docket #FWS-R9-ES-2011-0099). NASF communicated its concerns over how the Endangered Species Act (ESA) has been administered since its passage. The letter conveyed the difficulties the ESA has created with the average landowner who takes tremendous pride in being a good steward of natural resources. NASF offered the USFWS ideas on how to create incentives to engage landowners and create an environment that will cultivate positive relationships.
Another resource NASF urged the USFWS to review is the information laid out by state forestry agencies in the Forest Action Plans. The Forest Action Plans are a foundation for more comprehensive approaches to landscape-scale planning and conservation. These plans can be the foundation to structure new expanded tools for landowner regulatory protections and further encourage landowner participation.