Partners for Fish and Wildlife
Would you like to see more birds, mammals and other wildlife on your land? If you answered yes, then the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program may be just right for you. Partners for Fish and Wildlife is a national program of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. By forming partnerships with private landowners, conservation groups, and other government agencies, the program protects and restores important fish and wildlife habitats. It is a voluntary program that builds on the strengths of many committed individuals and organizations to accomplish common goals.
TARGETS
The Partners for Fish and Wildlife program has targeted priority areas including: farmed or drained wetlands, drained vernal (spring time) ponds, riparian habitats, native grasslands, salt marshes, and upland communities.
The Service will consider any non-federal land for inclusion in the Partners program, regardless of size, provided the project meets the goals and guidelines of the program. The Partners for Fish and Wildlife program can provide interested landowners with biological expertise and funding; in return, landowners sign an agreement (with attached site management plan) that the habitat will remain in its restored condition for at least 10 years (agreements for 20 years or longer are preferred).
By strengthening existing partnerships and developing new ones to protect, enhance, and restore natural areas, the Partners program benefiits fish and wildlife. The commitment by private landowners and other partners is essential for success. The Service's Partners for Fish and Wildlife staff looks forward to working with you to restore fish and wildlife resources. Our newest project is the . . .
South River Greenway
Kentucky Warbler. Photo by Steve Maslowski
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In the heart of fast developing Anne Arundel County, Maryland lies a natural jewel. Nestled between busy communities and highways, is the largest remaining contiguous forest in the county.
A movement to preserve this patchwork of connected properties in the South River watershed has been quietly building over a couple of years. Groups including The Scenic Rivers Land Trust, The South River Federation, The Trust For Public Land, Biophilia Foundation, Anne Arundel County and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Chesapeake Bay Field Office joined together in an effort to protect forests, wetlands and streams in the South River Greenway.
The conference, South River Greenway: Land, Water, People, brought more than 75 people from various organizations together to get the ball rolling.
The primary target area for initial inclusion in the Greenway covers about 6,000 acres, half of which is under some kind of protection already via public lands, county and city parks, homeowner association set-asides and BGE power line rights-of-way.
Forest understory. Photo by Rich Mason, USFWS
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The forests and wetlands harbor a large diversity of migratory birds; including species of high conservation concern like the Kentucky warbler, Louisiana waterthrush, wood thrush, worm-eating warbler and prairie warbler; amphibians including the wood frog; and many types of reptiles, and mammals.
The long-term goal is to find owners willing to put properties under some form of easement or perhaps sell their land to add to the core already protected. This long-term comprehensive program aims to not only keep the forest intact, but also stabilize miles of streambeds damaged by runoff, restore and preserve habitat for fish and birds, and enhance potential light recreation in the area.
The South River Greenway is just one example of how the Chesapeake Bay Field Office is "Connecting People with Nature". This principle incorporates natural resources, environmental quality and human health, ensuring the future of conservation in America.
For more information contact:
Rich Mason
Chesapeake Bay Field Office
410/573/4584
rich_mason@fws.gov
Here are some successful projects…
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