Planning For The Future

The FWS is beginning the process to develop a new management plan—known as a Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP)—that will guide the refuge for the next 15 years and beyond. Please continue to check this website for updates and announcements concerning the planning process.

Comments From June 7 Public Scoping Meeting

Management

To help wildlife, refuge staff uses a variety of habitat management techniques to maintain, recover or enhance wildlife values in the shrub-steppe as well as in other habitats. Refuge staff carefully considers any management techniques and employ them in varying degrees according to the situation. Prescribed burning, mowing, experimental bio-control insect releases, and seeding are all techniques used to help native plants in the shrub-steppe recover. Willow and cottonwood saplings are planted to expand and strengthen wildlife values in the riparian zones. Water levels are carefully monitored and controlled to foster desired plant growth in seasonal wetlands. Sometimes, sensitive areas are closed to the public so that the land can recover more quickly.

We are just starting to develop a new management plan for Cold Springs NWR; refuge plans are called "comprehensive conservation plans." At this point, we're just developing background information, but in the next few months we'll be going out to the public for ideas on management of the refuge. Public involvement and input are important to us and to the planning process, and we hope you will take an active interest in the planning process.

Please continue to check this website for updates and announcements concerning the planning process. And by the way, this plan will also include McKay Creek NWR just down the road.