Protect wildlife – everything connects

Dean Percival
New Haven, Vt.
To the editor,

The United States is facing a wildlife conservation crisis. While we have seen some successes with population restoration for bald eagles and arctic graylings, thousands of other species of birds, mammals, fish, frogs, turtles and insects have been declining. Vermont is not immune to these issues. Our moose population, for example, has declined significantly below Vermont Fish & Wildlife’s stated goal populations. Unless we start investing in proactive conservation measures, the trajectory for Vermont’s rich natural heritage appears uncertain. New sources of funding, and adequate representation of non- consumptive Vermonters (those who choose to passively recreate among wildlife and who do not hunt animals) but care to protect and preserve wildlife populations, need to be incorporated to ensure thriving populations, habitats, and the right to not suffer needlessly. Vermont Fish & Wildlife needs to transform its wildlife management policies to better prepare for the challenges wildlife faces in the 21st century.

Vermont’s quality of life is at stake — ours, our children’s and our grandchildren’s. In a 2016 survey by Responsive Management, a nationally renowned polling firm, 97 percent of surveyed Vermont residents stated that the protection of fish and wildlife resources is important to them, as is the opportunity to participate in wildlife- related recreation.

Vermont Fish & Wildlife manages more than 25,000 species and nearly 2,000 native plants in Vermont. They employ scientists and staff to do this and that takes money. “Like most states, we face a growing threat. The growing demands on national wildlife conservation services, and the declining revenue are creating conflicts and shortages not only in Vermont, but across the country. The nonprofit conservation organization National Wildlife Federation says current funding levels for are “less than 5 percent of what is necessary” (National Wildlife Federation, 2017)

National Public Radio reported in March 2018, “… A panel on sustaining America’s fish and wildlife resources recently warned: ‘Without a change in the way we finance fish and wildlife conservation, we can expect the list of federally threatened and endangered species to grow from nearly 1,600 species today to perhaps thousands more in the future.’”

The Vermont F&W hires biologists and other scientists to study populations and health of animals and their habitats. They should rely solely on this science to determine its practices. However, political agenda often trumps science in game management. The fact that all 14 VT F&W’s board members are hunters, trappers, anglers or taxidermists reflects the strong influence consumptives have on decision-making, and the lack of representation of diverse values, including those of non-consumptives. When non-consumptives are unrepresented by this insular decision-making board and department, they will be less likely to support Fish & Wildlife financially. Wildlife should not be “managed” for the benefit of a few. In fact, the commissioner is statutorily required to represent all Vermonters under 10 VSA §4081.

 

Dean Percival

New Haven, Vt.