[va-bird] Re: [BCAlist] STUDIES SHOW CRP SUPPORTS MILLIONS OF DUCKS AND GRASSLAND BIRDS IN PRAIRIE POTHOLE REGION/ Duck Stamps too

Thanks Perry for this point of view.  It reminded me that birders should 
also buy Duck Stamps.  There are alot more of us than duck hunters, so the 
collective contribution from birders across the nation could be substantial. 
Money from duck stamps goes into a reserve to fund land acquisition and 
conservation easements, which benefits not only ducks but many other species 
of birds.  Duck Stamps are only $15 and can be purchased at the post office.


Sandy Spencer
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Perry Plumart" <pplumart@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: "'List-serve for BCA Delegates'" <bcalist@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, May 09, 2007 4:52 PM
Subject: [BCAlist] STUDIES SHOW CRP SUPPORTS MILLIONS OF DUCKS AND GRASSLAND 
BIRDS IN PRAIRIE POTHOLE REGION



All
These studies show the importance of the farm conservation programs for
migratory birds.  As you may know the House and Senate are writing the new
farm bill now.
Cheers
Perry

Perry Plumart
Director, Conservation Advocacy
American Bird Conservancy
202-234-7181
pplumart@xxxxxxxxxxxx




-----Original Message-----
From: fws-news@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:fws-news@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of
Malcomb_Barsella@xxxxxxx
Sent: Wednesday, May 09, 2007 3:28 PM
To: fws-news@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [fws-news] STUDIES SHOW CRP SUPPORTS MILLIONS OF DUCKS AND
GRASSLAND BIRDS IN PRAIRIE POTHOLE REGION

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Contact: Stevin Westcott(USDA) (202) 720-4178


WASHINGTON, May 9, 2007 - U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service
Agency (FSA) Administrator Teresa Lasseter today highlighted the results of
two studies showing that the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is creating
conditions which produce and sustain millions of ducks and grassland birds
in the Prairie Pothole Region (PPR) of North Dakota, South Dakota and
northeastern Montana.

"This new information illustrates the profound effect CRP is having on many
bird species," said Lasseter. "The studies also support President Bush's
goal of ensuring that CRP is a targeted, focused and goal-oriented
conservation program."

                           Grassland Bird Study

Researchers from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), U.S.
Geological Survey (USGS) Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, and the
University of Montana conducted the study that analyzes the effect CRP has
on grassland birds in the PPR. The study is titled "Benefits of the
Conservation Reserve Program to Grassland Bird Populations in the Prairie
Pothole Region of North Dakota and South Dakota." It is posted online at:
http://www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/webapp?area=home&subject=ecpa&topic=nra. USDA's
Farm Service Agency (FSA) commissioned the study by USFWS Habitat and
Population Evaluation Team, Bismarck, N.D. A major finding of this study is
that without CRP land in the Prairie
Pothole Region (PPR) of North Dakota and South Dakota, there would be
approximately 1.8 million fewer sedge wrens, grasshopper sparrows,
dickcissels, bobolinks and western meadowlarks, with population declines
ranging from 2 percent to 52 percent, depending on the species. Grassland
birds are declining more than any other bird group in North America.
Numerous conservation groups have noted the rapid decline of dickcissels
and grasshopper sparrows. Researchers divided the study of grassland birds
into two parts. The first
used 1995-1997 data from a well-known annual bird count, satellite imagery
and computerized landcover data. Models predicted that conversion away from
CRP grasslands in the PPR of the two states would impact 900,000 northern
harriers, sedge wrens, grasshopper sparrows and western meadowlarks. The
study area included that portion of North Dakota and South Dakota east or
north of the Missouri River, approximating the PPR. This area covers
approximately 86,500 square miles.The second part of the grassland bird
study used data collected during more
than 2,800 visits to study sites in 2003-2005. It calculated estimates for
sedge wrens, grasshopper sparrows, dickcissels, bobolinks and western
meadowlarks in the PPR in North Dakota and South Dakota. Researchers
predicted that without CRP grasslands, population would decline by 1.8
million birds in the area. Species such as the sedge wren and bobolink,
which used grasslands such as those found in CRP grasslands, showed the
greatest proportional population declines without CRP grassland. An
estimated 1.1 million bobolinks and more than 319,000 sedge wrens would be
gone without CRP in the PPR.

                            Duck Species Study

Researchers from USFWS and USGS, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center,
conducted this study, which focused on the effect of CRP on five duck
species that are most common in the PPR. The study is titled "Waterfowl
Response to the Conservation Reserve Program and Swampbuster Provision in
the Prairie Pothole Region, 1992-2004" and is posted online at:
http://www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/webapp?area=home&subject=ecpa&topic=nra. FSA
commissioned the study by the USFWS Habitat and Population Evaluation Team,
Bismarck, N.D.A major finding of the study is that CRP grassland in the PPR
in North
Dakota, South Dakota and northeastern Montana helped produce 26 million
ducks (2 million annually) between 1992-2004 representing five species
(mallard, gadwall, blue-winged teal, shoveler and pintail). The study found
this represented an estimated 30 percent increase in duck production
compared to that expected from the same area without CRP cover. During the
study period, researchers found that of the average 5 million breeding
pairs of five duck species that settled in the PPR, on average about 1.6
million hens used CRP cover for nesting. Researchers estimated that
wetlands in CRP fields attracted breeding ducks, which resulted in an
average annual increase of more than 334,000 additional breeding ducks
settling in the Dakotas PPR during 1992-2004. In conducting the study,
researchers analyzed breeding duck and wetland
data from 1992-2004 in relation to CRP in the PPR in North Dakota, South
Dakota and northeastern Montana. The study combined computer and satellite
imagery with field surveys that included visits to more than 2,300 wetland
basins twice each year. The highest density of breeding ducks was found on
small temporary and seasonal wetlands, and particularly those wetlands in
CRP fields.FSA implements CRP on behalf of USDA's Commodity Credit
Corporation (CCC).
CRP is the nation's largest private-lands conservation program with more
than 36 million acres enrolled. Through CRP, farmers and ranchers enroll
eligible land in 10 to 15 year contracts. Participants plant appropriate
cover such as grasses and trees in crop fields and along streams. The
plantings help prevent soil and nutrients from running into regional
waterways and affecting water quality. The long-term vegetative cover also
improves wildlife habitat and soil quality.For more information about FSA's
conservation programs, visit your local
USDA Service Center or online at http://www.fsa.usda.gov; click on
Conservation Programs.


                                  -USDA-


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