Wildlife conservation on western private lands: Improving conservation policies and incentive

The challenge facing wildlife conservation in the western United States is to preserve increasingly threatened habitat on private lands. Habitat conditions on western private lands also influence wildlife diversity and populations on the adjoining public lands. Several approaches at federal and state levels have been tried to conserve wildlife habitat on private lands. This study evaluates the functioning and performance of one such approach, Private Lands Public Wildlife (PLPW) programs, administered in the seventeen western states. Private Lands Public Wildlife Programs are initiated by state wildlife management agencies for two objectives: (i) to maintain and enhance wildlife habitat on private lands and (ii) to maintain and enhance public access to private lands. Based on the comparative analysis of these PLPW programs, a set of analytical tools and procedures are developed to better facilitate their implementation. Wyoming, as a representative western state, was chosen to demonstrate the use of spatial analysis in determining statewide distribution of private lands providing seasonal habitat for elk (Cervus elaphus), mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), pronghorn antelope (Antelocapra americana), bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis), and moose (Alces alces). A seasonal elk Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) model is developed to determine the occurrence of habitat on private lands with a high probability of being used by elk in a given season. In conclusion, a process is outlined on how to use these analytical tools and procedures to develop and implement an effective Private Lands Public Wildlife program.