Strategic plans that include a geographic component are referred to as spatially-explicit plans. Strategic planning is founded on the idea that every part of a landscape has a unique and optimal management decision associated with it. Often that optimal decision will be no wildlife management. In areas of the landscape where management is warranted, the choices of management treatments to apply and how much management is cost effective depend on the potential of the area to affect migratory bird populations – the ultimate goal – and the cost of management at that location.

Consequently, strategic conservation planning has the greatest value when managers are willing and able to prioritize management alternatives. Planning increases the likelihood of making cost effective decisions by avoiding misapplications of management treatments or investing in areas with limited potential to affect populations. In this fashion, the HAPET seeks to provide biological quality assurance that increases the effectiveness and efficiency of management.  

Strategic Management Tools:

A Landscape Approach to Grassland Bird Conservation

Assessment of Bird Band Recovery Data

Grassland Bird Conservation Area Maps

Habitat Suitability for Migratory Lesser Scaup

HAPET Species Models

Land Cover Maps

Landscape Restoration Potential

Lanscape for Shorebirds During Migration

Management Treatment Prioritization Process

Nest Structures

Prairie Pothole Region Integrated Landscape Conservation Strategy (PPRILCS)

Predicted Duck Pair Accessibility Maps (Thunderstorm Maps)

Restorable Wetlands

Targeting the Small Wetlands Acquisition Program (SWAP) in Minnesota

Wildlife Priority Areas defined by 14-digit hydrologic units

Working Lands Initiative