February 2022 - Parks & Recreation - 27

decades may have vanished forever.
Essential habitats that conserve
the broadest array of species are
experiencing stress at local, regional
and global levels. We are truly in
a wildlife crisis that is greatly being
exacerbated by climate change. We
need all levels of public and private
entities
to be working
together.
While several state wildlife agencies
work with municipalities, such
as Maine, New Hampshire and
Texas (tinyurl.com/2w3ad6n4),
most do not yet provide technical
assistance to guide the emerging
pollinator habitat and wildlife
aspects
including
ica's Wildlife Act is making its way
through Congress, we hope potential
opportunities for collaboration
through increased funding are in
the future.
Not only do we need all levels
of green infrastructure,
transportation, water
and climate resiliency or open
space. Texas serves as a model for
hosting an urban biologist in all
of its largest cities (tinyurl.com/
yanxvwh3). As our natural world
shrinks, these urban and suburban
areas offer the potential to restore
wildlife habitat while reaching people
where they live - these are the
areas local and regional parks already
are working in.
Pooling Resources
In many cases, local and regional
park systems currently manage or
desire to manage plant and animal
species
for
imperiled
through
conservation.
These
species would benefit
sharing of monitoring
and management expertise and resources.
Furthermore, State Wildlife
Action Plans require feedback from
many, including local partners so
that the needs of the entire conservation
community are met. While
there are examples of collaboration
between such state and local entities,
there are numerous opportunities
for growth for both parties,
and because the Recovering Amerof
government in the conservation
sphere to be working together, but
also we need all outdoor enthusiasts
to work together to create the
political will to support these agencies'
work. This means we need
hunters, birders and gardeners
alike motivated to work together
to conserve wildlife and their habitats,
unified by a common desire
to enjoy the outdoors, hike, paddle,
and to pass on a love of nature to
youth. Local and regional parks
provide critical close-to-home opportunities
as well as reach audiences
that are underserved in their
typical outreach through recreation
and education programs, whereas
state wildlife agencies typically
fall short in these areas, focusing
primarily on rural audiences (e.g.,
hunters and anglers) that generally
lack the range of the full diversity
of the United States.
The need to have these broadened
recreation
and
expanded
and
education programs are important
in every state. They will help meet
the demands of rising numbers
of gardening, birding, nature
photography and other
As our natural world shrinks, urban and
suburban areas offer the potential to
restore wildlife habitat while reaching
people where they live.
nature centers for urban, suburban
and rural communities. Parks
already provide these opportunities
and can partner
to
specifically
incorporate more wildlife-themed
aspects. We don't need to compete,
but rather to join forces to reach
even more people.
The National Wildlife Federaoutdoor
constituencies,
while at the same
time familiarizing and interpreting
our natural world to an increasingly
disconnected human population.
Joint
programs could include
expanding access via trails, parking
areas, more available and more
safe land and water opportunities,
enhancing wildlife viewing sites,
skills
training, and formal and
informal education programs, like
tion sees the future state wildlife
agency as one that expands the
successful model of conservation
for game species to all wildlife and
expands
wildlife-related
recreation and education to all
people. We have created a toolkit to
help facilitate this work by external
partners
(tinyurl.com/2nna6k9z)
and hope you will join us in helping
people and wildlife thrive in a
rapidly change world.
Naomi Edelson is Senior Director of Wildlife Partnerships at
the National Wildlife Federation (edelsonn@nwf.org).
PARK S ANDRECRE AT ION . OR G | FEBR U AR Y 2 0 22 | Parks & Recreation
27
outdoor
http://www.tinyurl.com/2w3ad6n4 http://www.tinyurl.com/yanxvwh3 http://www.tinyurl.com/yanxvwh3 http://www.tinyurl.com/2nna6k9z
February 2022 - Parks & Recreation

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