This document discusses strategies for managing farmlands to benefit wildlife conservation. Rapid agricultural changes have impacted farmland wildlife. Successfully integrating wildlife conservation with agriculture requires a systems approach that addresses challenges like divergent goals and lack of knowledge. Farm programs should identify target species and communities, physiographic characteristics, and issues of spatial and temporal scale. Working closely with landowners during planning and follow up is key to program success. Ongoing evaluation can refine programs by assessing vegetation establishment, landowner participation, wildlife responses, and habitat-wildlife interactions.

2. MANAGING FARMLANDSMANAGING FARMLANDS
FOR WILDLIFEFOR WILDLIFE
BYBY
Allah Dad KhanAllah Dad Khan

3. IntroductionIntroduction
 Rapid technological change in agricultureRapid technological change in agriculture
has dramatically affected farmland wildlifehas dramatically affected farmland wildlife
 Wildlife management is often tied to soilWildlife management is often tied to soil
and water conservation effortsand water conservation efforts
 A systems approach is necessary toA systems approach is necessary to
successfully integrate wildlife conservationsuccessfully integrate wildlife conservation
with agriculturewith agriculture

4. Challenges to Conserving Farmland WildlifeChallenges to Conserving Farmland Wildlife
► Divergent goals of wildlife conservation and agricultureDivergent goals of wildlife conservation and agriculture
► Changing farm conservation programsChanging farm conservation programs
► Lack of reliable knowledgeLack of reliable knowledge
► Communicating the importance of wildlife to ecosystemCommunicating the importance of wildlife to ecosystem
functionsfunctions
► Addressing positive and negative human-wildlife interactionsAddressing positive and negative human-wildlife interactions
► Facilitating access to private landsFacilitating access to private lands

5. Optimizing Farm Programs for WildlifeOptimizing Farm Programs for Wildlife
► Identify Target Species and CommunitiesIdentify Target Species and Communities
► Identify Physiographic CharacteristicsIdentify Physiographic Characteristics
► Recognize Issues of Spatial ScaleRecognize Issues of Spatial Scale
► Temporal FactorsTemporal Factors
► Planning and Coordinating Management PlansPlanning and Coordinating Management Plans
► Work with LandownersWork with Landowners
► Be Opportunistic and FlexibleBe Opportunistic and Flexible

6. Optimizing Farm Programs for Wildlife: IdentifyOptimizing Farm Programs for Wildlife: Identify
Target Species and CommunitiesTarget Species and Communities
► Traditionally, programs have been ‘first-come, first-served’ andTraditionally, programs have been ‘first-come, first-served’ and
driven by landowner interestdriven by landowner interest
► Programs are increasingly structured to achieve specificPrograms are increasingly structured to achieve specific
outcomesoutcomes
 Targeted geographies with acreage allocationsTargeted geographies with acreage allocations
 Higher standards for restored vegetationHigher standards for restored vegetation
 Minimum patch size, widthMinimum patch size, width
► Incentives often need to be changed to entice a restrictedIncentives often need to be changed to entice a restricted
landowner poollandowner pool
 State or private “enhancement” paymentsState or private “enhancement” payments
 Increased cost share paymentsIncreased cost share payments
 Sign-up and practice incentive paymentsSign-up and practice incentive payments

7. Optimizing Farm Programs for Wildlife:Optimizing Farm Programs for Wildlife:
Identify Physiographic CharacteristicsIdentify Physiographic Characteristics
► What natural features define the region?What natural features define the region?
► What was natural vegetation prior to agriculture?What was natural vegetation prior to agriculture?
► What significant habitat features define the wildlife community,What significant habitat features define the wildlife community,
including forests, wetlands, riparian corridors, intensive grainincluding forests, wetlands, riparian corridors, intensive grain
cropping, and livestock grazing?cropping, and livestock grazing?
► Are there remnant patches of natural vegetation or otherAre there remnant patches of natural vegetation or other
significant semi-permanent vegetation from which to start?significant semi-permanent vegetation from which to start?
► What life-history needs of target species are being fulfilled inWhat life-history needs of target species are being fulfilled in
the existing agricultural matrix?the existing agricultural matrix?
► What life-history requisites are lacking?What life-history requisites are lacking?

8. Optimizing Farm Programs for Wildlife:Optimizing Farm Programs for Wildlife:
Recognize Issues of Spatial and Temporal ScaleRecognize Issues of Spatial and Temporal Scale
► What can be done a the patch (field) scale to benefit wildlife?What can be done a the patch (field) scale to benefit wildlife?
► What limitations or opportunities do surrounding lands andWhat limitations or opportunities do surrounding lands and
regional phenomena create?regional phenomena create?
► On what time-frame can habitat be created and when will aOn what time-frame can habitat be created and when will a
wildlife response be apparent?wildlife response be apparent?
► Does that time-frame match with the duration of a farmDoes that time-frame match with the duration of a farm
program?program?

9. Optimizing Farm Programs for Wildlife:Optimizing Farm Programs for Wildlife:
Working With LandownersWorking With Landowners
► There is a direct relationship between effective interactions among biologistsThere is a direct relationship between effective interactions among biologists
and landholders during the planning process and the subsequent success ofand landholders during the planning process and the subsequent success of
the programthe program
► Learn what farm operators want: the goals of the landholder (not those of theLearn what farm operators want: the goals of the landholder (not those of the
biologist) are likely to be applied and maintainedbiologist) are likely to be applied and maintained
► Follow-up is essentialFollow-up is essential
 Diagnose and correct problemsDiagnose and correct problems
 Opportunity to emphasize long-term maintenance of vegetationOpportunity to emphasize long-term maintenance of vegetation
 Facilitates reevaluating/updating the plan as conditions changeFacilitates reevaluating/updating the plan as conditions change
 Creates opportunities for making additional contacts, expanding the program toCreates opportunities for making additional contacts, expanding the program to
other farmsother farms

10. Evaluating and Refining ProgramsEvaluating and Refining Programs
► VegetationVegetation
 Was desired vegetation established in the short- and long-term?Was desired vegetation established in the short- and long-term?
► Participation by LandownersParticipation by Landowners
 Did attitudes or knowledge change as a result of the program?Did attitudes or knowledge change as a result of the program?
► Responses by WildlifeResponses by Wildlife
 Did population trend/abundance change?Did population trend/abundance change?
 Did key demographic parameters (survival reproduction) change?Did key demographic parameters (survival reproduction) change?
► Interactions Between Wildlife and HabitatInteractions Between Wildlife and Habitat
 Were changes in target wildlife due to the program or other factors?Were changes in target wildlife due to the program or other factors?
Did the evaluation occur at the right temporal and spatial scales?Did the evaluation occur at the right temporal and spatial scales?