Colorado Division of Wildlife Recent Activities

The Colorado Division of Wildlife is in the initial stages of conducting vulnerability assessments for wildlife resources in Colorado that can be incorporated into our State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP). We are coordinating with the USGS in their on-going wildlife research efforts and their future climate downscaling and vulnerability studies via the National Climate Change and Wildlife Science Center (NCCWSC). We are also developing partnerships with The Nature Conservancy for their 4 corners (NM, AZ, UT, CO) vulnerability assessment and future pilot project in the Gunnison Basin of Colorado; and the Heinz Center for their future climate downscaling project involving the Colorado Plateau. We are also partnering with the Western Governors’ Association (Western Wildlife Habitat Council) and the Center for Native Ecosystems in their efforts to map crucial wildlife habitats and migration corridors, information which can then be incorporated into our SWAP.

At the state level, we are coordinating with the Colorado Water Conservation Board to further define potential climate change impacts to water levels in wetlands, streams, and lakes as well as seasonal distribution of precipitation throughout the state, and their effects on habitats and species. Colorado Division of Wildlife is also providing a leadership role in moving forward the goals and objectives of the 2008 Colorado Conservation Summit – dedicated toward preserving wildlife resources into the year 2058 and beyond. The Summit –Climate Change Working Group is currently working on a variety of action items and is comprised of representatives from the federal sector (USFS, BLM, NPS, USGS, USFWS, NOAA), state sector (CWCB, CDHPE), NGO’s (TNC, NWF, TU, DU, TRCP, PLJV, RMCO, Audubon, Defenders of Wildlife), Sportsmen’s Groups (Pheasants Forever, Mule Deer Association, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Colorado Bow hunters Association), environmental groups, and private citizens.

For more information contact Tom Schreiner at Tom.Schreiner@state.co.us