On Saturday, June 26, 2004, people
dedicated to the conservation of Maryland’s fish and wildlife gathered at
National Wildlife Visitors Center in Laurel, MD to discuss and comment on
the Maryland Wildlife Diversity Conservation Plan (WDCP). Members of the
MD WDCP committee and staff of the MD Wildlife and Heritage Service were
on hand to introduce the planning process, its history, timeline and
purpose, and to make available the draft list of Species of
Greatest Conservation Need Species of Greatest
Conservation Need (GCN) for comment.
Over 40 stakeholders participated. In attendance were members of
non-profit conservation organizations, regional and national naturalist
clubs, local, county, state and federal governments agencies, private
sector conservation professionals, scientists and interested and
experienced naturalists. Participants were given the chance to review the
draft list of Species of Greatest Conservation Need, suggest changes and
register supporting comments. The species lists were separated by
taxonomic group - Birds, Mammals, Herps (Amphibians and Reptiles), Fishes,
and Invertebrates – as well as the Threatened and Endangered Animals of
Maryland and the draft list of rare Natural Plant Communities of Maryland,
which will serve as a coarse filter for invertebrates at risk.
The Maryland Wildlife Diversity Conservation Plan is intended to summarize
the current knowledge of the status of Maryland’s wildlife and to guide
future efforts in Maryland’s wildlife conservation. As required by the
United States Congress, the Plan must address the needs of both “species
of greatest need of conservation” and the “full array of wildlife”.
Here you will find the Species of
Greatest Conservation Need which were presented at the
meeting, as well as the criteria used to select them. If you would like to
comment please click here. We
welcome additional comments on the species lists until August 31, 2004.
In the future, stakeholders will have the opportunity to help shape the
plan during subsequent public comment periods. Check back often for
Updates.
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