Cananan Valley National Wildlife Refuge
Comprehensive Conservation Planning

Latest News on Developing our CCP

We have been working on developing a draft comprehensive conservation plan. We anticipate the release of it in the summer of 2009.
The draft goals that have been developed for the CCP are:

Goal 1: Maintain and perpetuate the ecological integrity of the Canaan Valley wetland complex to ensure a healthy and diverse wetland ecosystem providing a full range of natural processes, community types, and native floral and faunal diversity

Goal 2: Maintain, and where appropriate restore historic red spruce and mixed spruce-hardwood forests to perpetuate the biological diversity and integrity of upland conifer forest ecosystem, especially for threatened and endangered species and migratory birds.

Goal 3:  Provide a diversity of successional habitats in upland and wetland-edge shrubland, old field, and hardwood communities to sustain early successional and shrubland specialists such as American woodcock, brown thrasher, eastern towhee, field sparrow, and other species of concern.

Goal 4:  Perpetuate the ecological integrity of upland northern hardwood and northern hardwood-hemlock forests to sustain native wildlife and plant communities, including species of conservation concern, by reducing forest fragmentation, ensuring age class and species diversity for woody and herbaceous species, and managing for the development of late-successional forest characteristics.

Goal 5:   Visitors of all abilities enjoy opportunities for wildlife-dependent recreation and education to enhance public appreciation, understanding, and enjoyment of Refuge habitats, wildlife, and cultural history.

Goal 6:  Collaborate with the local community and other partners on management and educational programs on the Refuge and the surrounding landscape.

To learn more about CCP's and the planning process, please visit What Are CCP's?