I realize this is not a bird sighting, but I hope you will indulge me to
get the word out to solicit as much input on our Wildlife Viewing Plan as
possible. This is an important step for the VA Dept of Wildlife Resources
and I hope you will provide your insight to guide the future of our Agency.
Dear Virginia wildlife enthusiast,
Over the past 3.5 years, the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources
(DWR) has been working collaboratively with researchers in Virginia Techâs
Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation to develop a state-wide
Wildlife Viewing Plan. This Wildlife Viewing Plan is the first
comprehensive plan for engaging with and supporting wildlife viewers (*people
who intentionally observe, photograph, feed, or collect data about wildlife
or visit parks and natural areas because of wildlife*) developed for the
DWR. It was co-produced by an 18-member Technical Advisory Committee,
composed of DWR staff, and a 20-member Stakeholder Advisory Committee,
composed of individuals and organizational representatives with experience
and interest in wildlife viewing in Virginia.
The resulting Virginia Wildlife Viewing Plan provides direction and
priorities to orient the DWRâs efforts related to wildlife viewing through
2031. Plan goals emphasize connecting diverse segments of the public to
wildlife and wildlife viewing in Virginia; providing a variety of wildlife
viewing opportunities accessible to all in the Commonwealth; promoting
wildlife and habitat conservation through wildlife viewing; and connecting
broader constituencies to the Virginia DWR through wildlife viewing.
Researchers at Virginia Tech are now working with DWR staff to collect
broad public input on the draft Wildlife Viewing Plan to ensure that the
plan reflects the values and interests of people throughout the
Commonwealth. We invite you to visit
https://dwr.virginia.gov/wildlife-watching/wildlife-viewing-plan/ to view
the draft plan and to share your comments through a research survey, which
will take approximately five minutes to complete. The draft plan will be
available for public input through March 3rd. This input process has been
approved by Virginia Techâs Institutional Review Board (IRB) (Protocol
#17-754). If you have any questions or concerns about this process, please
contact Dr. Jessica Barnes by email at WildlifeRecreation@xxxxxx.
We look forward to hearing your thoughts on the Virginia Wildlife Viewing
Plan!
Sincerely,
Brian Moyer
Deputy Director, Outreach Division, DWR
Dr. Ashley Dayer
Assistant Professor, Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Virginia
Tech
Dr. Jessica Barnes
Research Scientist, Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Virginia
Tech
* Jeffrey B. Trollinger* (he/him)
*Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources*
7870 Villa Park Drive, #400, PO Box 90778
Henrico, VA 23228-0778
<http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/>
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