Tracy Hill, project leader for the Columbia, Mo. National Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office (NFWCO) traveled to Denver, Colo. this May to attend the Strategic Habitat Conservation Technical Advisory Team (TAT) Meeting.  The purpose of the TAT is to provide direction and support to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) and U.S. Geological Survey as the agencies move forward in cooperative implementation of Strategic Habitat Conservation.  Strategic Habitat Conservation is a crucial endeavor to shape the future for agencies and improve science-based resource management. 

This was the third meeting of the TAT, and it focused on what each of the individual FWS Regions are doing with regard to SHC and what is needed to build capacity to deliver SHC on the landscape.  A strategic approach to natural resource conservation is consistent with the core principals of the Service’s Fishery Program and is essential to protect, enhance and restore native species.