In a collaborative effort with U.S. Fish and Wildlife representatives from Region 6, Missouri Ecological Services is coordinating efforts to further Adaptive Management strategies for Missouri River conservation. 

In January 2007, Missouri ES Fish and Wildlife Biologist Jane Ledwin and Bismarck, North Dakota Missouri River Coordinator Mike Olson, attended the Collaborative Adaptive Management (CAMNet) Annual Rendezvous in Estes Park, Colorado.  CAMNet is a group of Adaptive Management practitioners that share information, experience, and training across the country from the Everglades, Glenn Canyon, California, Rio Grande and Coastal Louisiana. 

Ledwin and Olson shared the challenges and opportunities of Missouri River Restoration, educating their CAMNet colleagues on the geographic, climatic, cultural and political scope of Missouri River efforts. CAMNet members reviewed new guidance from the Department of Interior (DOI) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Adaptive Management.  As a follow-up from the meeting, CAMnet plans to develop a clearing house of Adaptive Management information and expertise.

In March, Missouri Ecological Services and Region 6 staff held an Adaptive Management Workshop on Missouri River Restoration for agency management in Nebraska City, Nebraska.  Speakers from restoration efforts in Colorado, Florida, Missouri, and Illinois shared management lessons on building and implementing programs, establishing credible goals and objectives, ensuring accountability, and fostering public support and involvement. 

Participants discussed the institutional challenges to implementing Adaptive Management at the program and agency levels, and brainstormed effective solutions to these challenges.  Regional Director of Engineers Mitch King and District of Engineers from Kansas City and Omaha offered full support to Adaptive Management efforts along the Missouri River, and announced their continued commitment to achieving recovery of the river.

Immediately following the Adaptive Management Workshop, over 250 Missouri River enthusiasts met to exchange information on ongoing research, monitoring, and public involvement regarding the Missouri River at the annual Missouri River Meeting titled, “Adapting to Adaptive Management.”

The event was hosted by the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service, the Missouri River Natural Resources Committee and other partners. Ledwin moderated a plenary session focusing on Adaptive Management implementation with speakers from the Adaptive Management Workshop. The meeting reported on 2006 results of monitoring for the Missouri River Biological Opinion. 

Scientific findings presented at the meeting reflect the largest river monitoring effort in the country.  According to Ledwin, “The data being collected will give us an incredible understanding of the Missouri River’s fisheries throughout its length.”

Expanding Missouri Ecological Services involvement in Adaptive Management efforts, Ledwin attended the Second Annual National Conference on Ecosystem Restoration sponsored by the Corps of Engineers (COE) and other federal and private conservation partners in Kansas City, Missouri. 

Ledwin participated in an Adaptive Management workshop at the conference and moderated a session on case studies from projects in Missouri, Texas, and Wisconsin.  U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Dale Hall related the conference topics to the Service’s overarching mission to improve conservation efforts through partnerships, and foster an appreciation of our natural world with today’s children. 

Missouri Ecological Service’s involvement in Adaptive Management efforts on the Missouri River continue to work to achieve the conservation objectives of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.