Goals

• Protect, restore, enhance, and manage wetlands and waterfowl habitat consistent with the objectives of the GCJV.
• Maintain 45,613 ha conserved through FY2000 in the Gulf Coast conservation region.
• Protect approximately 17,200 ha of private lands through state partners programs through FY2005.
• Determine the utility of the conservation easement program in protecting Gulf Coast habitats, and if feasible and useful, develop focus areas for the entire Gulf Coast, with a goal of protecting a minimum of 2,000 ha per year.
• Restore or enhance 25,000 ha of private land through partners programs and through cooperation with other efforts, and 8,100 ha of public land in cooperation with state and federal agencies through FY2005.
• Encourage active management on a minimum of 6,100 ha annually through extension and technical assistance efforts.
• Maintain and expand existing partnerships, while simultaneously exploring and developing additional partnerships that are consistent with the DU mission.

Assumptions

• The availability of foraging habitat during the wintering period can limit waterfowl population survival and recruitment rates as mediated through body condition, behavior, and mobility.

Strategies

• Determine the utility of the conservation easement program in protecting Gulf Coast habitats and, where feasible, develop focus areas for the entire Gulf Coast.
• Protect, restore or enhance private land through partners programs and through cooperation with other efforts, and restore or enhance public land in cooperation with state and federal agencies.
• Encourage active management on private land outside of existing partners programs through extensions and technical assistance efforts.
• Maintain and expand existing partnerships while developing additional partnerships that are consistent with the DU mission
• Develop a GIS for the Gulf Coast region to facilitate planning, monitoring, and evaluation of conservation programs, and serve as the lead partner in development and use of spatial data and information for conservation planning in the region.