Aquatic species populations in utah face a wide variety of threats to their short-and-long-term conservation

The U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service awarded a $615,385.62 Formula Grant to the State of Utah, Division of Wildlife Resources. This grant is funded through the State Wildlife Grants (CFDA 15.634) program, which provides strategic funding to state wildlife agencies to implement proactive conservation programs.

The primary objectives of this grant are to: 1) Implement priority actions identified in Utah's Wildlife Action Plan to reduce threats to at-risk aquatic species and their habitats; 2) Conduct inventory, monitoring, and management of Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN); 3) Implement conservation plans for SGCN species; 4) Enhance and maintain SGCN populations; and 5) Develop habitat management guidelines for key species. Key activities will include species monitoring, habitat restoration, invasive species control, and coordinating statewide sensitive species data management.

Threats affecting many species identified in the 2015 utah wildlife action plan (WAP) include urban development, water use, fire, and invasive species. Other threats may affect only a single species yet need remediation to ensure the species persistence. We need basic information on the ecology of species and status of populations to address any threats. Additionally, we need dedicated biologists with knowledge of both the species and the habitats on which they depend. Regional native aquatic species biologists are core personnel in the implementation of the WAP. They are species experts, respected voices on planning teams, and have invaluable on-the-ground knowledge of the landscapes and aquatic habitats of utah. They identify threats and formulate actions. With that expertise, we can successfully identify opportunities and work with willing partners to achieve our conservation goals. This project funds these staff so they can conduct important work to reduce threats to aquatic species at risk in utah. The goal of this project is to ensure the future of native fish, amphibians, reptiles, and mollusks in utah by reducing threats to the species and their habitats, thereby preventing the need for future species listings under the endangered species act. This project will improve statewide sensitive species information and fill data gaps identified in the utah WAP. These goals will be achieved through the following objectives:1. Implement priority actions identified in the WAP or other management plans to reduce threats to species and their habitats,2. Inventory, monitor, and manage sgcn species,3. Implement available conservation plans as they pertain to sgcn species,4. Enhance and maintain populations of regional sgcn species.5. Develop habitat management guidelines as needed for key species based on existing literature, ongoing udwr studies and project monitoring results.6. Maintain, enhance, and use regional sensitive species databases