current issues study presentation created for you by mrs.kraushaar 2008

CURRENT ISSUESCURRENT ISSUES

Study PresentationStudy Presentation

Created for you byCreated for you by

Mrs.Kraushaar 2008Mrs.Kraushaar 2008

BIODIVERSITYBIODIVERSITY

What is Biodiversity?What is Biodiversity? Biodiversity is the variety of life found in PABiodiversity is the variety of life found in PA

Why is Biodiversity Important in PA?Why is Biodiversity Important in PA? Understanding Biodiversity is key in maintaining Understanding Biodiversity is key in maintaining

and sustaining PA’s natural resources and sustaining PA’s natural resources

THREATSTHREATS

Habitat Loss: Habitat Loss: Urban SprawlUrban Sprawl Climate ChangeClimate Change Land Use Pattern ChangesLand Use Pattern Changes Invasive SpeciesInvasive Species

THREATSTHREATS

PollutionPollution Water PollutionWater Pollution Air PollutionAir Pollution Soil PollutionSoil Pollution

THREATSTHREATS

Human ImpactHuman Impact Agricultural PracticesAgricultural Practices Mining TechniquesMining Techniques Fire SuppressionFire Suppression

Managing Biodiversity in PAManaging Biodiversity in PA

Land ProtectionLand Protection Land AcquisitionLand Acquisition RegulationsRegulations IncentivesIncentives EducationEducation Good Stewardship by Private Land OwnersGood Stewardship by Private Land Owners

Managing Biodiversity in PAManaging Biodiversity in PA

Habitat Restoration and Species Habitat Restoration and Species ReintroductionReintroduction Wetland RestorationWetland Restoration Fire ManagementFire Management Replanting Native SpeciesReplanting Native Species Translocating animals to former rangesTranslocating animals to former ranges

Biodiversity Organizations; Law; Biodiversity Organizations; Law; Policies; FundingPolicies; Funding

OrganizationsOrganizations FederalFederal StateState CountyCounty Local MunicipalitiesLocal Municipalities


Laws and PoliciesLaws and Policies Environmental Rights Clause of 1971Environmental Rights Clause of 1971 Govern private and public actions that affect water, Govern private and public actions that affect water,

air, land, and restoration effortsair, land, and restoration efforts Govern biological information and what and how Govern biological information and what and how

collectedcollected


FundingFunding Not enough $ to support Pa’s needsNot enough $ to support Pa’s needs Lack of funding hampers conservation effortsLack of funding hampers conservation efforts


Conclusion and next stepsConclusion and next steps More info is needed to increase conservationMore info is needed to increase conservation Sustainable use of Natural Resources is criticalSustainable use of Natural Resources is critical PA still lacks a statewide strategy for Biological PA still lacks a statewide strategy for Biological

ConservationConservation Data collected so far is basis for planning Data collected so far is basis for planning

strategies for Biological Conservation in PA strategies for Biological Conservation in PA

RECREATIONRECREATION

What is Recreation???What is Recreation??? Different thing to different peopleDifferent thing to different people Influenced by many factorsInfluenced by many factors


History of Recreation in PAHistory of Recreation in PA Forests in PA were initially intended to protect Forests in PA were initially intended to protect

watersheds from devastating logging practices and watersheds from devastating logging practices and firesfires

Recreation was not a priority in creating forest Recreation was not a priority in creating forest areas but forested areas quickly became the ideal areas but forested areas quickly became the ideal place for recreational activitiesplace for recreational activities

Early focus was Hunting and Fishing activitiesEarly focus was Hunting and Fishing activities By 1995: Forestland Purpose was to “Furnish By 1995: Forestland Purpose was to “Furnish

opportunities for healthy recreation to the public”opportunities for healthy recreation to the public”


ProblemsProblems Various activities pose conflict on how to manage Various activities pose conflict on how to manage

forested areasforested areas More people using state forest facilities More people using state forest facilities Ecological/Environmental concernsEcological/Environmental concerns


Recreation InventoryRecreation Inventory Existing uses of forest landExisting uses of forest land Non-Motorized ActivitiesNon-Motorized Activities Motorized ActivitiesMotorized Activities Miscellaneous ActivitiesMiscellaneous Activities


Criteria and IndicatorsCriteria and Indicators Environmental: % of protected forest areasEnvironmental: % of protected forest areas Economic: % of money to be spent on recreational Economic: % of money to be spent on recreational

issuesissues Social: Various topicsSocial: Various topics

Acreage of forested areasAcreage of forested areas Miles of road accessMiles of road access Total number of user daysTotal number of user days MANY OTHER AREASMANY OTHER AREAS


Economic Impact of Recreation to PAEconomic Impact of Recreation to PA Forest Products industryForest Products industry

90,000 jobs in 2500 firms90,000 jobs in 2500 firms $4.5 billion to economy$4.5 billion to economy

Wildlife WatchingWildlife Watching 1996- $1.8 billion to economy1996- $1.8 billion to economy

20% of PA residents hunt/trap/fish = $1 billion20% of PA residents hunt/trap/fish = $1 billion Thousands of $$ contributed through residents and Thousands of $$ contributed through residents and

visitors partaking in recreational activitiesvisitors partaking in recreational activities


Trail ResponsibilitiesTrail Responsibilities 76 Do and Don’ts on the list (too many to put in 76 Do and Don’ts on the list (too many to put in

slides) refer to your disk for these itemsslides) refer to your disk for these items Leave No Trail PrinciplesLeave No Trail Principles

7 things you should be mindful of while hiking in PA7 things you should be mindful of while hiking in PA


Important Facts to Know……Important Facts to Know…… 1 in 4 people in PA participate in Wildlife 1 in 4 people in PA participate in Wildlife

WatchingWatching In US: Wildlife watching is 2In US: Wildlife watching is 2ndnd most common most common

activity next to gardeningactivity next to gardening In 1700s: 80% of PA was forestedIn 1700s: 80% of PA was forested Now: Approximately 58% of PA is forestedNow: Approximately 58% of PA is forested PA is 5PA is 5thth in the nation for development of open in the nation for development of open

spacesspaces

OTHER FACTSOTHER FACTS

Important Facts to Know……Important Facts to Know…… 70% of forests in PA are owned by private sector70% of forests in PA are owned by private sector Know some examples of introduced animals: Know some examples of introduced animals:

Starlings, English Sparrows Starlings, English Sparrows Know some invasive species: Tree of Heaven, Know some invasive species: Tree of Heaven,

Purple Loosestrife, Mile-A-Minute WeedPurple Loosestrife, Mile-A-Minute Weed Know some reintroduced animalsKnow some reintroduced animals: : elk, turkey, and

American shad, bald eagle, peregrine falcon, river otters

current issues study presentation created for you by mrs.kraushaar 2008

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