A conservation planning workshop for King Rails (Rallus elegans) was held November 14-15, 2006 at the Ducks Unlimited National Headquarters in Memphis, Tennessee.  Twenty-five people, representing USGS Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units, state conservation agencies, several universities, and various regions/programs within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, attended the workshop. 

The purpose of the workshop was to receive input from partners and stakeholders for developing a comprehensive King Rail Conservation Action Plan that will guide future conservation of the species.  Plan development is part of  the Fish and Wildlife Service's "Focal Species Strategy for Migratory Birds". 

The strategy was initiated to better measure conservation mandates by linking conservation activities to measurable outcomes.  As part of the strategy, the USFWS identified 139 species of management concern that are to receive increased attention over the short term.  King Rails, which have shown long-term population declines, were included on this list. 

For more information on the Focal Species Strategy, please see <http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/FocalSpecies/The%20Focal%20Species%20Fact%20Sheet%20and%20Table.pdf>.

The workshop began with researchers from the Arkansas and Louisiana Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units updating participants on current studies and issues related to King Rails.  Following the updates, participants evaluated the status of King Rails by examining evidence indicating population declines and range contraction. 

The balance of the first day was spent discussing what the measurable objectives should be for the plan, research and monitoring priorities, and conservation and management strategies.  To close the first day, participants were asked to list what they thought were the three most important "next steps" for King Rail conservation.  Similar responses were grouped and prioritized based on the number of respondents who listed similar "next steps".  A summary of the three "next steps" was given to start the second day and they were used to draft a set of goals, objectives, and tasks for the plan.  Goals, objectives, and tasks were organized into three main categories: 1) Conservation and Management; 2) Research and Monitoring; and 3) Education and Outreach.  At the conclusion of the workshop, working groups were formed to assist in the refinement of goals, objectives, and tasks for each category. 

Working group recommendations will be included in the draft plan which is scheduled for completion by June 2007.  The final plan is scheduled for completion by October 2007.  For a full summary of the workshop, please contact Tom Cooper at tom_cooper@fws.gov.