WHEREAS, the Macondo well oil spill has adversely impacted large areas of some of the Gulf Coast’s critical bird habitat for both resident and migratory birds, and
WHEREAS, U.S. Fish & Wildlife reports that 335.1 miles of Louisiana’s coastline has been subjected to oil impacts, and
WHEREAS, hundreds of millions of birds utilize this area for critical stop-over habitat at some point during their life cycle, and
WHEREAS, the Mississippi Flyway is considered one of the most important migratory bird corridors on Earth, and
WHEREAS, the region hosts, during their twice-yearly migrations, a major portion of all birds that breed in North America, and
WHEREAS, Natural Resource Damage Assessment work completed by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service provides detailed bird impact data by species, and
WHEREAS, many birds that utilize the Woodlands Trail and Park Bird Sanctuary are listed in the Species of Conservation Concern in the Louisiana Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation strategy (Wildlife Action Plan) as well as many identified as Species of Continental Importance by Partners in Flight, and
WHEREAS, birding surveys conducted by Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries shows that the Woodlands Trail and Park Bird Sanctuary in Plaquemines Parish provides habitat for hundreds of species of resident and migratory birds, many of which are listed in the bird impact data, and
WHEREAS, natural resource trustees are charged with selecting projects that closely match resources damaged and that are supported by planning efforts, and
WHEREAS, Woodlands Conservancy’s –Woodlands Trail and Park project has been included in the Plaquemines Parish Master Plan, the 2001 Plaquemines Parish Bike Pathway Plan, Plaquemines Parish Long Term Recovery Plan and the 2010 and 2011 Coastal Restoration and Protection Plan under future projects, and
WHEREAS, Woodlands Conservancy is a nonprofit organization formed as a land trust to ensure that habitat and recreational opportunities are provided in perpetuity for the benefit of current and future generations, and
WHEREAS, Woodlands Conservancy has worked with Louisiana Culture, Recreation and Tourism, Recreational Trails, to establish over six miles of America’s Wetland Birding Trail within a 609-acre forest dedicated as Woodlands Trail and Park Bird Sanctuary, and
WHEREAS, projects submitted by Woodlands Conservancy to the Regional Restoration Program would fund acquisition and enhancement of migratory bird habitat to ensure that Woodlands Trail Bird Sanctuary remains a forested wetland habitat for migratory birds and available for public educational and recreational use in perpetuity, and
WHEREAS, USFWS has committed technical and financial assistance as a Federal partner to Woodlands Conservancy to implement restoration work for bird habitat improvement on acquired land through the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program, and
WHEREAS, Louisiana State Office of Culture Recreation and Tourism’s, Recreational Trails program has committed continuing assistance as a State partner to Woodlands Conservancy to provide and enhance low-impact public recreational amenities, and
WHEREAS, Woodlands Conservancy is working with LSU School of Architecture, Office of Community Design and Development to complete an interpretive program to educate others of the value of this resource for storm retention, water quality, recreation and habitat for wildlife and neotropical migratory birds.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Louisiana Wildlife Federation supports Woodlands Conservancy’s projects submitted for Natural Resource Damage Assessment funds through the Louisiana Regional Restoration Plan in order to acquire and enhance habitat for wildlife and migratory birds.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Louisiana Wildlife Federation supports Woodlands Conservancy’s projects submitted for Natural Resource Damage Assessment funds through the Louisiana Regional Restoration Plan to ensure public, recreational access to these habitat areas in perpetuity for future generations.
Adopted by the Louisiana Wildlife Federation in Convention Assembled, March 20, 2011 in Alexandria, Louisiana