The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation has released the latest draft of Oklahoma’s Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy. Planners are now looking forward to input from the public at a series of statewide meetings to be held April 4-8.

The Strategy, which is being created by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation in collaboration with wildlife stakeholders, addresses the needs of fish and wildlife species in the state that are rare or declining. It will use a habitat approach rather than a species-by-species management approach. All 50 states are creating similar Strategies such that, when fit together like a puzzle, will show the current state of America’s wildlife and identify the actions needed to keep fish and wildlife populations healthy.

A wide variety of stakeholders have provided information for Oklahoma’s Strategy, including technical experts from federal and state agencies, conservation organizations, landowners, sportsmen and others interested in wildlife conservation. This draft is the next step in the development of the Strategy.

Hunters, anglers and boaters have traditionally funded the majority of fish and wildlife conservation. This funding has not been enough to address the needs of all 800 plus wildlife species in Oklahoma. The same case exists nationwide, and state fish and wildlife agencies have been working for 20 years to fill this funding gap. This Strategy is a component of the new federal State Wildlife Grants Program - the nation’s core program for keeping America’s wildlife populations healthy.

This second draft review period is a vitally important step - and opportunity - in the process of preparing Oklahoma’s Strategy. Anyone with an interest in wildlife in Oklahoma is encouraged to review the draft and provide their comments either in person or through e-mail by April 15.

Draft Strategy chapters can be downloaded from the planning contractor’s Web site in PDF format: http://www.dynamicsolutionsgroup.com/OK/.  Those with comments should use the form provided and send e-mail to bruce.h@dynamicsolutionsgroup.com.

Individuals can also make their comments in person at the following meetings. All meetings will run from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

April 4 – Oklahoma City
Metro Tech Spring Lake Campus -1900 Springlake Drive

April 5 – Woodward
City of Woodward building, Pioneer Room,1219 8th Street

April 6 – Lawton
Cameron University, Band Room, 2800 West Gore Boulevard

April 7 – McAlester
Kiamichi Vocational Technical Center-South Conference Room, 301 Kiamichi Drive

April 8 – Tulsa
OSU -Tulsa Campus – North Hall Room 151, 700 N . Greenwood Ave

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