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| Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program - Oklahoma |
| "I really appreciate the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program. I could not have accomplished these goals without the assistance of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Thank you so very much." --Chuck Hatch, South-central Oklahoma cattle rancher |
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In 1990, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program (PFW) was initiated in Oklahoma. The Partners Program provides technical and financial assistance for restoration and enhancement of fish and wildlife habitat on private lands, in cooperation with local governments and other entities, including educational institutions. Initially the program targeted wetlands for restoration and enhancement work. The success of this landowner friendly program encouraged the Partners Program to expand into broader trust resource habitats. 
Ninety-five percent of the land in Oklahoma is privately owned. The landowner-friendly Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program is the ideal program to enhance and restore Oklahoma's diverse fish and wildlife habitat on private lands. Native grassland restoration, controlling invasive plant species such as eastern red cedar and salt cedar, wetland restoration, and stream and cave restoration are all examples of Partner for Fish and Wildlife Projects. | |
Mechanical techniques and prescribed burning is used to control Eastern red cedar and salt cedar that have increased dramatically in native ecosystems across Oklahoma. The invasion of eastern redcedar into native plant communities changes habitat structure and composition which adversely affects native wildlife. Many bird species, such as prairie chickens, bobwhite quail and the endangered black-capped vireo have been negatively affected by this invasion. | |
| "…the Partners Program is one government program that truly benefits all. Children are our future and environmental studies for children are disappearing. Approximately 2 percent of our children now have an opportunity to work in an outdoor classroom or learn about the environment compared to the early 1900's almost all children had an opportunity to work the land or understand wildlife, so we're asking, please help us to continue to explore and understand their environment." Debbie Straughn, Principal, Deer Creek Elementary School, Statement given at legislative field hearing | |
Since 1993, the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program has developed Outdoor Conservation Classroom projects throughout Oklahoma. Currently 120 Outdoor Conservation Classrooms, with an emphasis on wetlands and other important ecosystems, have been completed or are under development in Oklahoma. These sites provide a great opportunity to help connect children and adults to nature. To successfully educate young people on these resource issues, a "hands on," proactive and interactive Outdoor Classroom provides the ideal structured environment for learning. These projects simultaneously provide long-term educational opportunity, quality fish and wildlife habitat, and help to promote conservation of our Nation's natural resources. The Partners Program provides $6,000 per Outdoor Classroom project which is used to leverage funds from many other sources. | |
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Oklahoma's Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 9014 East 21st Street Tulsa, Oklahoma 74129 918/581-7458 918/581-7467 fax June 2008 |
For more detailed information on the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program, click HERE |