by Evan Hirsche
A “Work in Progress” Rather Than “Mission Accomplished”
December 23, 2010 in Partner Feedback by Evan Hirsche
What special places remain to be protected? (Image: Midway Atoll, Peter Leary)
As we craft a vision for the National Wildlife Refuge System, it’s important not only to celebrate what has already been protected in the system’s 553 refuges, but also to think about what remains to be protected. Think “work-in-progress,” rather than “mission accomplished.”
This is especially important given the threats posed to ecosystems from development, invasive species, climate change and—as was so clearly illustrated in the Gulf of Mexico this year—disasters that threaten whole ecosystems and the species that depend on them.
What do you consider the most critical additions to the refuge system, and why? We’d like to hear from you!
Last year, President Bush used his executive authority to establish the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument. The new monument protects nearly 87,000 square miles of largely pristine marine islands, atolls, and their surrounding waters in the central Pacific Ocean. These areas provide some of the last safe havens for rapidly vanishing coral reefs and rare coral forests, and for species like sea turtles, whales, giant clams and large numbers of fish species.
The new monument illustrates the importance of establishing refuges not just on land, but also in our oceans. I believe that our vision for the refuge system must include more ocean refuges where threatened and endangered marine species—like the Atlantic bluefin tuna—are safe from industrial fishing. These places could make the difference between survival and extinction.
Another recent addition to the refuge system is the Flint Hills Legacy Conservation Area established this year in Kansas. This newest refuge unit represents an innovative approach in protecting “working landscapes.” Through a series of voluntary, perpetual conservation easements negotiated between FWS, private landowners, and other partners, the new conservation area will protect up to 1.1 million acres of Kansas’ vanishing tallgrass prairie ecosystem from development, while allowing sustainable ranching to continue. The tallgrass prairie is home to more than 100 species of grassland birds and 500 plant species, yet only four percent of the once-vast prairie remains. This newest refuge is a win for wildlife and for the ranchers, who play a critical role in conserving the prairie’s waters and wildlife. We need to identify more opportunities like this one.
Evan Hirsche, President, National Wildlife Refuge Association
I agree Evan. One hundred years ago people realized waterfowl needed more than bag limits to sustain healthy populations, that the wildlife also needed safe places to rest and breed. Today, it is our turn to recognize these same needs for our marine wildlife. Refuges have an important role on our coasts and in the sea too. Thanks for the post!
Thanks, Evan! I would echo what Susan has said. An important piece to note about the Pacific Remote Islands Monument (along with 2 of the other 3 existing marine monuments) is that they were created around a core of existing national wildlife refuges. The folks in the Pacific have been doing fabulous conservation work even before the monument designation. Hopefully, the spotlight can shift resources to help achieve conservation with extremely challenging logistics and commensurate extreme benefits!