Evolution of Organized Wildlife Conservation

1. Wildlife ConservationThe Beginning Organized wildlife conservation was first practiced in england during the middle ages. The earliest attempts to manage wildlife involved setting aside lands and restricted hunting. During this era, all wildlife belonged to the ruling classes Robin Hood, clearly shows the issue of people being punished for taking deer that belonged to the king!

2. The beginning • The earliest signs of environmental stewardship came from George Washington • By the late 1800s, opinions were beginning to change. People were seeing wildlife numbers being reduced and some nearing extinction. In 1870 the first game refuge was created in California. Two years later, land was set aside to create Yellowstone National Park.

3. Policies Impacting Wildlife • Policies about wildlife are made by local, state, and the federal government • The United Nations helped set up the international Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural resources in 1948. One role is to gather information on wildlife that may be endangered.

4. Federal Actions • In 1872, land that later became Yellostone National Park was set aside in Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming. This was the first effort in the world to have a park that protected wildlife. • In 1916 the National Park Service was established

5. Federal Actions • Today the National Park Service has 330 protected areas • Yosemite and Sequoia in California • Great Smokey Mountains in North Carolina and Tennessee • Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico

6. Federal Actions • In 1900, the US congress passed the Game Bird and Wild Bird Preservation Act (The Lacey Act). This law regulates the shipment of illegally killed animals

7. Federal Actions • In 1934, the Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp Act. This law obligated all waterfowl hunters to buy a special $1 stamp in addition to the cost of state hunting license. The revenues raised since 1934 have been used to fund activities to promote the well-being of migratory game birds

8. Federal Actions • In 1937, Congress passed the Pittman-Robertson Act. This law placed an excise tax on all hunting equipment and ammunition

9. Federal Actions • In 1966 Congress passed the Endangered Species Act. This act protected endangered and threatened wildlife species. • Also in 1966, a Wildlife Refuge System was organized as part of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Today there are more than 400 refuges covering 191 million acres of forest and grass lands in the United States.

10. Leaders in Wildlife Conservation • John James Audubon: studied the birds of North America. He is well known for his paintings of birds. • In 1905 the American Audubon Society was formed.

11. Leaders in Wildlife Conservation • John Muir: known as an explorer, naturalist, and writer. • Studied areas that are now in Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks in California

12. Leaders in Wildlife Conservation • Theodore Roosevelt: influenced wildlife conservation. • U.S. Forest Service expanded • 5 National Parks were set up • 18 national monuments were established • 51 bird reservations were set up

13. Leaders in Wildlife Conservation • Gifford Pinchot: promoted conservation of forest lands. • Was head of the government agency that became the U.S. Forest service from 1898 until 1910. • Became president of the National Conservation Committee

14. Leaders in Wildlife Conservation • Aldo Leopold: was a pioneer in apply ecology to wildlife management. • Authored a textbook called Game Management.

15. Examples of Wildlife Management • Banding: placing a band around the leg of a bird to identify it for study. • Wildlife population survey: counting the number of wildlife in an area. • Vegetation Survey: determining the kinds and amounts of vegetation present in important wildlife areas.

16. Wildlife Management and Productivity • Wildlife productivity: that rate at which mature wildlife organisms are produced.