national flyway council - Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies

NATIONAL FLYWAY COUNCILPacific est. 1952 – Central est. 1948 – Mississippi est. 1952 – Atlantic est. 1952Ron Anglin, Pacific Flyway CouncilDave Morrison, Central Flyway CouncilTom Hauge, Mississippi Flyway CouncilCal DuBrock, Atlantic Flyway Council

• NFC was created by AFWA• Membership includes one state conservationagency representative from each of the four FlywayCouncils• We work with the USFWS and other partners toinsure the full participation of the states innational bird conservation and managementincluding the formulation of regulations

• Flyway Non-game Technical Sections (NTS)established in 2006 as flyways embraced all birdconservation• Provide advice and recommendations to the FlywayCouncils for the sound regulation of the Flyway’snon-game migratory bird resources• Contributions to date have been value-added andNTS should be retained

• States need to strengthen capacity to staff and supportattendance at NTC meetings• Schedule game and non-game tech sections to meeton the same dates and at the same locations.• Improve across Flyway coordination through NTCchair quarterly conference calls• Develop and implement processes to establish shortand long-term regulatory and nonregulatory prioritiesto enhance NTS effectiveness in the conservation ofmigratory birds

• FWS encouraged to create a non-game regulatoryschedule that will complement the annual calendar ofFlyway meetings• SRC should play a role in the non-game regulatoryprocess and use Flyway Consultants to improvecommunication• FWS encouraged to engage the NTCs in preregulatoryscoping process• FWS encouraged to identify and engage liaisons (e.g.,Ecological Services, Endangered Species) to NTCs toimprove communications and collaboration

• NFC, in cooperation with the FWS, CWS, the fourFlyway Councils, the NAWMP Committee, and nongovernmentalagencies initiate the formation of aHuman Dimensions Working Group to obtain andincorporate human dimensions information andapproaches into migratory bird conservationprograms, policies and practices

• NFC lead development of final HDWG Terms ofReference to reflect partner goals and objectives withan initial focus on addressing human dimensionsneeds related to waterfowl management activities• HDWG will create a formal structure and process fordealing with issues pertaining to human dimensionsin migratory game bird conservation and habitatmanagement• Proposed model – HDWG Steering Committee, a HDTechnical Group and a HD Specialists Subcommittee

• HDWG Steering Committee• Develop work plan, budget, and resourcing plan (setpriorities) to advance the integration of humandimensions into bird conservation and management• Provide guidance to the HD Technical Group• 6-8 individuals from NFC, FWS, CWS, NAWMP andnongovernmental agencies

• HD Technical Group• identify and prioritize human dimensions technicalwork• 26-28 individuals, including human dimensions experts,state/provincial representatives from each Flyway, astate agency human dimensions or public engagementspecialist from each Flyway, federal agencyrepresentatives, a Joint Venture Science Coordinatorfrom each flyway, chair of the Harvest ManagementWorking Group, chair of the National Science SupportTeam, a FWS Flyway Representative, and a CWSrepresentative, and representatives from nationalwetland/waterfowl conservation organizations

• HD Specialists Subcommittee• provide expertise to assist with the integration of socialscience, communication, and marketing perspectivesinto management actions• 4-6 human dimensions experts who specialize inparticipation in hunting and wildlife recreation,institutional capacity building, and participation inconservation