In the Most Basic Terms, the Foundation for Strong… [Derived Headline]

In the most basic terms, the foundation for strong, healthy fish and wildlife populations can be fleshed down to habitat. It’s really the core of what will maintain and sustain a population.

And when the foundation of modern-day wildlife management is considered, most hunters associate Aldo Leopold as one of the builders of modern day wildlife management principals. As water is to fish and buffaloberry to sharp-tailed grouse, Leopold’s philosophy and insight have shaped generations of wildlife research and management decisions.

Even many nonhunters are familiar with President Theodore Roosevelt and his contributions to our country’s conservation conscience. His vision of protecting key places and creating national wildlife refuges and national forests, was a monumental step toward ensuring that wild things and wild places would still be around 100 years later.

Over time, the building blocks established by Roosevelt, Leopold and others helped bring North America’s wildlife back from decimation. Many wildlife species we enjoy today have experienced some type of successful rebuilding over the last century.

A number of factors contributed to this phenomenon of wildlife restoration, and over the past several years, conservation leaders have come to sort of define these factors in a set of principles called the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation.

The North American model has seven principles that have played a significant role in the ability of North American citizens to revitalize wildlife. Many major conservation organizations have pledged to support and defend these principles as the best way to ensure sustained wildlife populations. Six of the seven principles outlined below are specifically listed in the Game and Fish Department’s strategic plan.

Here’s a brief look at the seven principles of the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation.

Wildlife as a Public Trust Resource – In North America, all wildlife is a public resource. In North Dakota, this public ownership is defined in state statute, which also provides for management by government agencies.

Elimination of Markets for Wildlife – Conservation laws that eliminated the sale of dead wildlife, and their strong enforcement in the United States and Canada, saved many species from further slaughter and possible extinction.

Allocation of Wildlife by Law – Every citizen in good standing, regardless of wealth, social standing or land ownership, is allowed to participate in the harvest of wildlife within guidelines set by lawmakers. In addition, everyone has a say in how wildlife is managed.

Wildlife Can Only be Killed for Legitimate Purposes – In North America, we can legally harvest certain wild animals under strict guidelines for food and fur, self-defense and property protection.

Wildlife is an International Resource – Wildlife and fish migrate freely across boundaries between states, provinces and countries. Treaties between governments to recognize a cooperative responsibility for managing these species to the benefit of all countries.

Scientific Management – Scientific information gathered by professionals is the basis for successful wildlife management, and helps us make good decisions.

Democracy of Hunting – Every citizen has an opportunity, under the law, to hunt and fish in the United States and Canada. Because of that opportunity, citizens have a stake in wildlife, and those who participate have contributed billions of dollars to conservation efforts over the past century.

As I mentioned earlier, understanding and implementing these principles is vital to maintaining and enhancing the wild things and places we, as a society, so cherish. It is my hope that in coming years you’ll learn, hear, read and see more about the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation as decisions about the future of our natural resources are made.

(Doug Leier, a former game warden, is a North Dakota Game and Fish Department biologist. His blog is available to read at http:// www.bismarcktribune.com/blog. Leier may be reached by e-mail at dleier@nd.gov.)

(c) 2007 Bismarck Tribune. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.