The state Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources is asking for public input on Kentucky’s newly revised State Wildlife Action Plan. Officials from the department say it’s a roadmap to help ensure the health and diversity of all fish and wildlife in the state. Laura Burford is a wildlife biologist with the department.
“We are certainly not the only agency or organization in the state of Kentucky, that works to do great things on behalf of fish and wildlife. But we do receive federal funding to do that on behalf of citizens.”
Every ten years, the federal government requires states to submit plans to protect flora and fauna – better known as plants and animals. Burford said the 2013 plan included public input about barn owls that helped the department learn more about a creature that needed protection.
“Because of the feedback that we received, during that particular campaign, we were able to establish not only some regular monitoring protocol, but we also helped people get nest boxes up into places to create safer nesting conditions.”
The new state wildlife action plan is required for federal grants promoting conservation of at-risk species like salamanders and bats. Suggestions can be sent to the state Fish and Wildlife Resources Department’s website through September 15th.
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