Fish Your National Forests - National Fisheries Program

Mission, Vision and Guiding Principles

Mission

The purpose of the USDA Forest Service Fisheries and Aquatic Ecology Program is to:

Protect aquatic ecosystems and associated riparian and upland features.
Restore degraded aquatic ecosystems and recover threatened, endangered or sensitive aquatic species.
Enhance aquatic resource user opportunities by increasing system productivity, improving user access and/or associated amenities, and providing environmental education and interpretation.

Without each of these elements, our program isn't whole; however, the relative mix of any District, Forest or Regional fisheries and aquatic ecology program will be shaped by local issues, work force skills and interests, and available funding.

Vision

The fisheries and aquatic ecology program is an integral part of ecosystem management. The health of aquatic ecosystems and associated dependent biota serves as key indicators of the successful implementation of ecosystem management. Healthy aquatic ecosystems contribute significantly to meet the social, economic and cultural needs of the American public. Within this context our vision encompasses:

Resource Conditions

Aquatic ecosystem conditions and trends are known, understood and documented.

Watershed, riparian and community processes defining aquatic ecosystem operate within natural, sustainable ranges of variability.

Viably requirements are exceeded for all aquatic biological resources.

Appreciation, Enjoyment and Use

The needs and values of the various current and future National Forest aquatic resource user groups (i.e., recreational, commercial, subsistence, non-consumptive) are understood and met to the extent they are sustainable.

Public Education

Is used to effectively communicate the interactions within and between aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems and highlight the values associated with healthy, productive aquatic ecosystems.

Communicate program accomplishments and opportunities.

Partnerships

Are characterized by honest open communication, mutual respect, and productive, non-redundant efforts

Recognize and honor the co-management responsibilities of other tribal, federal, state and local management entities.

Are used in every aspect of the program, including: inventory, protection, improvement, monitoring, reporting accomplishments and marketing opportunities.

Are institutionalized internally with recreation, watershed, range, timber, minerals, engineering and other programs.

Are a high priority and focused on accomplishing mutual objectives.

Our People

Demonstrate the competence required of aquatic scientist and are certified to practice aquatic ecosystem management.

Reflect the diversity of backgrounds and interests of the publics we serve.

Work within a supportive environment and have the skills and resources they need to effectively carry out our program mission.

Are competitive for all types of position, including staff and line positions.

Celebrating Success

Innovation and success are highly-valued parts of the program. Achievements are identified and celebrated at all organizational levels, providing vigor and enthusiasm within the program.

Guiding Principles

To Accomplish our program and vision we:

Take an ecological approach in caring for aquatic environments and responding to the needs of people.

Maintain high professional and ethical standards.

Value and treat others with respect.

Are honest in our relationship with all those we work with, both in the agency and with external partners and customers.

Use the best scientific knowledge in making recommendations and in selecting technologies to efficiently and effectively meet our mission.

Follow laws, regulations, executive direction and congressional intent.

Are dedicated, creative and persistent in meeting our mission and strive for quality and excellence in everything we do.

Openly express appreciation and regard those contributing to accomplishment of our mission.

Promote grass-roots participation in program planning, implementation and evaluation and form partnerships to achieve shared goals.

Use information from inventories and monitoring to continually adapt our program to meet changing resource needs and opportunities.

Are responsible and accountable for what we do.