Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/35322
lFigure 2. AGFD has management authority over less than 1 percent of Arizona’s total area. Land management and habitat conservation decisions therefore must be part of a collaborative, stakeholder- driven process based on close contributions by natural- resource agencies such as the Arizona Game and Fish Department, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. detailed recommendations for linkage implementation (corridordesign.org/linkages/Arizona). This method is site specific and resource intensive, so AGFD uses these techniques when a project has been proposed in a delineated stakeholder linkage, requiring refinement and alternative analyses, or when dedicated funding is available. Statewide Wildlife Corridor Models Although the stakeholder approach is effective at securing the buy-in of the entities ultimately responsible for the implementation of linkages, the process isn’t repeatable. Therefore, a statewide corridor-modeling effort is currently in the planning process, where crucial habitats—likely derived from SHCG—will be connected together. Similar efforts have been completed in other western states such as California and Washington. Vision for the Future AGFD’s vision for an interconnected network of large natural areas can only be achieved through collab- orative efforts with the state’s many stakeholders and diversity of land managers (see Figure 2). Working together to make this vision a reality strengthens the ability of wildlife and habitats to adapt to future changes, such as climate change, wildfires and the pressures of increasing human population. In addition, healthy ecosystems provide services essential to the well being of residents, such as enhancing water quality, providing recreational oppor- tunities, sequestering carbon and regulating climate. Enabling Informed Growth None of these analyses alone will meet the needs of all partners and stakeholders—a combination of methods will be required. The datasets will work together to help guide strategic land acquisition by AGFD and its part- ners, allowing resources to be allocated to areas with the greatest wildlife-conservation potential and those that serve an irreplaceable role in the ecosystem. Planners also can use the information to develop com- munities and plan projects in a way that minimizes the effect on wildlife and Arizona’s natural resources. Making AGFD’s data resources available to those making large- scale land-management decisions is critical to develop- ing environmentally friendly communities. (These tools are available online at www.azgfd.gov/wildlifeplanning.) In addition, the relationship building with partners and stakeholders will never lessen. As more people learn and use these tools, it will be essential to effec- tively communicate what the data and tools are, what they’re not, who should be using them, and how they should be used. However, with each new user, AGFD is moving closer to achieving its vision of an intercon- nected network of large natural areas for the wildlife and citizens of Arizona. Julie Mikolajczyk is a GIS specialist with the Wildlife Management Division at the Arizona Game and Fish Department; e-mail: JMikolajczyk@azgfd.gov. JUL Y 2O11 / WWW . GEOPLA CE . COM 17