Habitat Management
Some species cannot be helped by habitat protection alone. For
example, aquatic species depend on good water quality, which
cannot be obtained simply by purchasing the streambed or adjacent
land. Coordinated, improved management of watersheds is necessary
to help aquatic species.
It is also difficult to use habitat protection for
widely-distributed species; too much habitat is involved for land
protection to be practical. Warblers migrate from wintering
grounds in Central and South America to nest throughout New
England's forests. Coordinated, improved management of habitat
over large geographic areas is necessary to help these species.
Many other species need habitat protection and active
habitat management. Grassland birds and early successional
species, such as cottontail rabbits and woodcock, rely on
occasional mowing to maintain grassy or shrubby habitat. Once
this habitat grows into forest, these species are unable to
exist. Rare species may also require certain special conditions.
Land already in conservation ownership may not be managed at
all, or may be managed primarily for water supply, for timber
production, or for recreation. Unmanaged land does provide
habitat, but not always the specific habitat needed.
National Refuge lands are actively managed to provide enhanced
habitat. The lands acquired by the Conte Refuge will be managed,
and lands acquired by others with Refuge assistance will also
have management agreements. Private landowners will be encouraged
and supported to apply wildlife management techniques. Wildlife
management can be successfully integrated into many land
management actions. For example, if the goal of timber harvesting
is to produce cord wood, this goal may be accomplished either by
a cut made without regard for wildlife, or by a cut which leaves
certain food-producing and shelter trees.
The amount of land in conservation ownership is estimated to
be 22% of the 7.2 million acre watershed. Power companies, forest
products companies, and other large landowners control additional
land. Encouraging all these landowners to adopt wildlife
management techniques will have a broad beneficial effect.
To encourage the broad application of wildlife management
techniques, the Refuge plans to provide technical and financial
support for a variety of cooperative management efforts. The Challenge Cost-Share Program
will be used to support a variety of innovative projects. This
existing Service program was created to share the costs of local
projects that support Service goals. At least 50% of the project
costs must come from non-federal contributions of funds, labor,
equipment, or materials. Funding is awarded through a competitive
process. The Conte Refuge will augment the funds available to
support its cooperators. The Conte Refuge goal is to fund at
least 20 projects per year.