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Goals and Objectives
Nongame wildlife includes thousands of species. Conservation becomes challenging
when considering the vast array of wildlife in Nebraska; from butterflies to
the swift fox. Goals are necessary to ensure efficiency.
- To maintain the diversity and abundance of Nebraska's nongame wildlife
and their habitat
- To preserve or increase populations of Nebraska's endangered and threatened
species of wildlife and plants
- To broaden and promote public support and appreciation for maintaining
and enhancing our wildlife resource
nongame wildlife program strives to build the resiliency of Nebraska’s ecosystems
by enhancing the habitat that wildlife need to survive and thrive. Habitat
projects such as high diversity prairie seeding benefit a multitude of wildlife,
including both nongame species such as the regal fritillary and game species
such as greater prairie chicken.
Special consideration has to be given to the very rare species. Those species
that face extinction are a high priority. This program strives to prevent
future threatened and endangered species listings, and to recover species
such that they can be removed from these two categories. The very rare species
may exist in limited locations, so more targeted conservation is necessary
to be effective. For example, in appropriate locations a host plant like
the prairie violet may be planted to ensure habitat is suitable for the at-risk
The program also recognizes the many native species that have disappeared
from Nebraska, and that reintroduction will be necessary to restore them
as viable components of the state's fauna and flora. Reintroductions will
be made only if habitat capable of supporting a self-sustaining population
still exists, or if it is economically feasible to restore the needed habitat.
There is a continual need to collect and evaluate biological information
so as to develop a comprehensive understanding of the biology and ecology
of certain species and the factors which limit their population. Such information
is used to:
- Influence management by other state and federal agencies that have an
impact on the environment.
- Integrate species' needs into other Game and
Parks Commission programs.
- Complete environmental impact analyses.
The Nongame Wildlife Program is designed to share its projects and successes
with Nebraskans to connect citizens with Nebraska’s wildlife. This is done
by increasing people's enjoyment, appreciation and understanding of our wildlife
resources. The Nongame Wildlife Program can and will help direct responsible
conservation in the face of hard economic conditions and deterioration of
many of the habitats that living creatures depend upon.