Nongame and Natural Heritage Program

Vermont's Department of Fish and Wildlife has a proud tradition. Their leadership has helped to restore native populations of moose, turkey, osprey, peregrine falcons and all sorts of other animals that now roam our forests. The Department of Fish and Wildlife was one of the national leaders in recognizing that in order to save plant and animal populations, you need to save and restore their habitat first.

The Nongame and Natural Heritage Program (NNHP) within the Department of Fish and Wildlife performs vital work related to research and management of nongame species, natural communities and threatened and endangered species in Vermont. Unfortunately, deficient funding and staffing is prohibiting the NNHP from effectively carrying out monitoring and inventory efforts, threatened and endangered species recovery planning and state permitting procedures. To find out more or how you can help contact Jamey Fidel.

NONGAME AND NATURAL HERITAGE PROGRAM FACTS AND FIGURES

Species Recovery and Planning is Needed

1. Currently 195 plant and animal species are listed as threatened or endangered in Vermont.
2. The overall list of imperiled species is growing rather than shrinking. A proposed rule making will consider removing two species while adding three more.

Nongame Funding is Inadequate at Current Levels

1. According to the Fish and Wildlife Department's 2001 Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation and Restoration Plan, "Currently there are no staff and funds committed to implementation of the Endangered Special Law. An effective endangered species program requires additional administrative support and funding."
2. The Nongame and Natural Heritage Program's budget request of $522,350 for FY03 was decreased by 17% to $435,194.
3. Vermont is one of only 14 states whose Nongame Program is funded below $500,000.
4. The Nongame and Natural Heritage Program receives only 3% of the overall budget of the Fish and Wildlife Department. (In comparison, the Fisheries Division and Fish Culture program receives approximately 29% of the Department's budget. The Wildlife Division, which oversees hunting and trapping interests receives 10% of the overall budget).
5. The Nongame and Natural Heritage Program relies on two discreet funding sources to help fund its activities. The sale of conservation license plates and the Vermont state income tax check. Combined, these two sources make up less than half of the overall Program's budget.
6. Additional funding from the Environmental Protection Agency and federal endangered species programs trickle in, but dedicated revenue for the Program falls hundreds of thousands of dollars short of the Program's desired and approved budget.
7. The Nongame and Natural Heritage Program needs a $600,000 increase in annual operating expenses to accommodate species recovery and outreach. Part time employees are doing the work right now. Approximately 5 full-time additional staffers would alleviate the staffing issues related to species recovery and planning.

Vermonters Overwhelmingly Support Nongame Species Funding and Management

1. A recent survey of Vermont residents have found that 97% of Vermonters questioned said they support protecting important wildlife habitats.
2. According to the same survey, 60% of Vermont residents believe that more money should be spent on managing and protecting endangered species.
3. The survey also revealed that an overwhelming 87% of Vermonters support allocating general fund dollars for Fish and Wildlife Department Programs that do not receive funding from the general fund (such as the Nongame and Natural Heritage Program).
4. Wildlife watching (bird watching, etc.), brings in more revenue to Vermont than hunting and angling combined. In 2001, wildlife watchers contributed $203.7 million to the Vermont economy. Hunters and anglers spent $181.9 million.