| description:
|
<DIV STYLE="text-align:Left;"><DIV><DIV><P><SPAN STYLE="font-weight:bold;"><SPAN>Partner COA</SPAN></SPAN></P><P><SPAN STYLE="text-decoration:underline;"><SPAN>Data included: </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>The goal of the Partner COA is to collaborate across disciplines, specializations, and partners to achieve State Wildlife Action Plan goals. For the partner COA, several partner priority areas that included private, non-governmental organizations, local, state, and federal maps were used, including The National Audubon Society Important Bird Areas, the </SPAN></SPAN><A href="https://connecticut.maps.arcgis.com/home/item.html?id=630742efefac4e8d98bd23dc874c4eb2" STYLE="text-decoration:underline;"><SPAN STYLE="text-decoration:underline;"><SPAN>USFWS Highland Conservation Area Boundary</SPAN></SPAN></A><SPAN><SPAN>, </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>2020 CT Forest Action Plan priority areas </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>(</SPAN></SPAN><A href="https://www.arcgis.com/home/item.html?id=f137bb4d81874f5eaccddbf110df098c" STYLE="text-decoration:underline;"><SPAN STYLE="text-decoration:underline;"><SPAN>The 2015 Forest Fragmentation Map</SPAN></SPAN></A><SPAN><SPAN> core forest)</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>, </SPAN></SPAN><A href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666719324001444?via%3Dihub" STYLE="text-decoration:underline;"><SPAN STYLE="text-decoration:underline;"><SPAN>Forest Planning Opportunity Map</SPAN></SPAN></A><SPAN><SPAN>, the list of Trout Unlimited priority waterbodies, and the map of thematic overlap in the town Plans of Conservation and Development with the 2015 CT State Wildlife Action Plan. </SPAN></SPAN></P><P><SPAN><SPAN>View the full methods for all COAs in Appendix 4.6 in the </SPAN></SPAN><A href="https://portal.ct.gov/deep/wildlife/connecticut-wildlife-action-plan" STYLE="text-decoration:underline;"><SPAN STYLE="text-decoration:underline;"><SPAN>2025 CT State Wildlife Action Plan</SPAN></SPAN></A><SPAN><SPAN>. </SPAN></SPAN></P><P><SPAN STYLE="text-decoration:underline;"><SPAN>Spatial prioritization:</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>Zonation software iteratively ranks each pixel in a 10.0 m resolution grid of Connecticut for its conservation value and gives each cell a score based on that ranking, prioritizing areas with a high density of layers, balance between layers, and minimizing conservation loss. Rank values range from 0-1, with 1 having the highest conservation value and 0 having the lowest. Each layer is given a relative weight based on its importance compared to the other layers used, where a positive higher weight makes that layer a higher conservation priority compared to the other layers. All these layers were input into Zonation with equal positive weights of 1.0 and then values above 0.80 or top 20% of values were extracted for the Partner COA.</SPAN></SPAN></P><P><SPAN STYLE="text-decoration:underline;"><SPAN>Potential uses:</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> Partners interested in collaborating and determining where priorities from different organizations overlap may reference this map. Collaborations could provide technical and financial support through sharing resources, grant applications, or knowledge and expertise. </SPAN></SPAN></P><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN STYLE="text-decoration:underline;"><SPAN>Recommended actions (example actions):</SPAN></SPAN></P><UL STYLE="margin:0 0 0 0;padding:0 0 0 0;"><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Conservation planning</SPAN></SPAN></P><UL STYLE="margin:0 0 0 0;padding:0 0 0 0;"><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Create updated and spatially explicit conservation plans for diadromous fish, vernal pool-dependent amphibians, and freshwater mussels</SPAN></SPAN></P></LI></UL></LI><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Complementary or alternative conservation measures</SPAN></SPAN></P><UL STYLE="margin:0 0 0 0;padding:0 0 0 0;"><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Implement riparian buffer maintenance or flow protections via conservation agreements</SPAN></SPAN></P></LI><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Bog turtle habitat on private farmland may be best maintained through informal agreements and technical assistance, rather than acquisition</SPAN></SPAN></P></LI></UL></LI><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Detection and intervention</SPAN></SPAN></P><UL STYLE="margin:0 0 0 0;padding:0 0 0 0;"><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Enforce existing restrictions where unauthorized activity is negatively affecting invertebrate habitat</SPAN></SPAN></P></LI></UL></LI><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Prosecution and conviction </SPAN></SPAN></P><UL STYLE="margin:0 0 0 0;padding:0 0 0 0;"><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Direct enforcement plays an essential role for species subject to illegal harvest or disturbance, such as rare turtles, migratory birds, or state-listed plants on protected lands</SPAN></SPAN></P></LI></UL></LI><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Other legal actions </SPAN></SPAN></P><UL STYLE="margin:0 0 0 0;padding:0 0 0 0;"><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Prioritize enforcement of existing regulations, such as those governing off-leash dogs, state building lighting design, and protecting shorebird areas.</SPAN></SPAN></P></LI></UL></LI><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Design and plan conservation </SPAN></SPAN></P><UL STYLE="margin:0 0 0 0;padding:0 0 0 0;"><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Identify key habitats and movement corridors</SPAN></SPAN></P></LI><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Integrate SGCN needs into broader land-use and watershed plans</SPAN></SPAN></P></LI><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Strengthen coordination across agencies and partners</SPAN></SPAN></P></LI></UL></LI><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Conserve specific land or seascapes </SPAN></SPAN></P><UL STYLE="margin:0 0 0 0;padding:0 0 0 0;"><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Secure vernal pool complexes, riparian corridors, and early successional shrublands that support the wood turtle, Jefferson salamander, and eastern towhee</SPAN></SPAN></P></LI><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Protect small, high-quality habitats, such as trap rock ridges, sand plains, and seeps, that support regionally rare moths, bees, and aquatic insects</SPAN></SPAN></P></LI></UL></LI><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Conserve via zoning or informal designations</SPAN></SPAN></P><UL STYLE="margin:0 0 0 0;padding:0 0 0 0;"><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Conduct municipal conservation overlays, open space designations, and town-level natural resource inventories</SPAN></SPAN></P></LI><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Establish town-scale stream protection ordinances for conserving cold-water habitats</SPAN></SPAN></P></LI><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>For birds like the chimney swift or eastern meadowlark, create local planning frameworks that support early successional habitat management or preserving large contiguous grasslands </SPAN></SPAN></P></LI></UL></LI><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Protect resources with site infrastructure </SPAN></SPAN></P><UL STYLE="margin:0 0 0 0;padding:0 0 0 0;"><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Use infrastructure-based site protection, such as fencing, signage, or seasonal closures</SPAN></SPAN></P></LI></UL></LI><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Create, amend, or influence legislation, regulation, or codes </SPAN></SPAN></P><UL STYLE="margin:0 0 0 0;padding:0 0 0 0;"><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Create sufficient stream protection standards, safeguards for invertebrates, and consistent permitting thresholds</SPAN></SPAN></P></LI></UL></LI><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Create or amend policies, guidelines, or best practices</SPAN></SPAN></P><UL STYLE="margin:0 0 0 0;padding:0 0 0 0;"><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Create sufficient stream protection standards, safeguards for invertebrates, and consistent permitting thresholds</SPAN></SPAN></P></LI></UL></LI><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Outreach, communication and distribution</SPAN></SPAN></P><UL STYLE="margin:0 0 0 0;padding:0 0 0 0;"><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Create awareness campaigns, interpretive signage, citizen science platforms, or targeted briefings for decision-makers</SPAN></SPAN></P></LI></UL></LI><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Conservation business development</SPAN></SPAN></P><UL STYLE="margin:0 0 0 0;padding:0 0 0 0;"><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Support companies that produce ecosystem goods and services, and develop green, sustainable products</SPAN></SPAN></P></LI></UL></LI><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Development of improved products and production methods</SPAN></SPAN></P><UL STYLE="margin:0 0 0 0;padding:0 0 0 0;"><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Support companies that produce ecosystem goods and services, and develop green, sustainable products </SPAN></SPAN></P></LI></UL></LI><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Market-based incentives </SPAN></SPAN></P><UL STYLE="margin:0 0 0 0;padding:0 0 0 0;"><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Includes forest certification, native grown certification, and clean energy</SPAN></SPAN></P></LI><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Create a carbon exchange or banking program</SPAN></SPAN></P></LI></UL></LI><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Economic incentives and disincentives</SPAN></SPAN></P><UL STYLE="margin:0 0 0 0;padding:0 0 0 0;"><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Payments to farmers to delay hay/grass harvest to benefit nesting grassland birds</SPAN></SPAN></P></LI><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Increase tax rate on sales of non-native plants</SPAN></SPAN></P></LI><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Create a contest to design an ecologically friendly alternative to a product or service and award money to the winner</SPAN></SPAN></P></LI></UL></LI><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Non-monetary values</SPAN></SPAN></P><UL STYLE="margin:0 0 0 0;padding:0 0 0 0;"><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Create community gardens and pocket parks in urban communities to provide citizens with improved air quality</SPAN></SPAN></P></LI><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Land rematriation to Indigenous communities improves spiritual and cultural traditions</SPAN></SPAN></P></LI></UL></LI><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Administration and internal organizational management</SPAN></SPAN></P><UL STYLE="margin:0 0 0 0;padding:0 0 0 0;"><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Process purchase orders, apply for permits, and hire contractors </SPAN></SPAN></P></LI></UL></LI><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>External support and organizational development </SPAN></SPAN></P><UL STYLE="margin:0 0 0 0;padding:0 0 0 0;"><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Establish a wildlife disease working group</SPAN></SPAN></P></LI><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Consult and collaborate with the existing regional grassland working group</SPAN></SPAN></P></LI><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Create recommendations from a forest advisor and GIS-related work for an organization that does not have the capacity.</SPAN></SPAN></P></LI></UL></LI><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Alliance and partnership development</SPAN></SPAN></P><UL STYLE="margin:0 0 0 0;padding:0 0 0 0;"><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Send letters to key stakeholders or rights holders</SPAN></SPAN></P></LI><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Conduct community visits or capacity building projects</SPAN></SPAN></P></LI><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Establish working relationships with local land conservancy partners to enhance capacity to conduct small mammal surveys on non-state-owned lands</SPAN></SPAN></P></LI></UL></LI><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Conservation funding </SPAN></SPAN></P><UL STYLE="margin:0 0 0 0;padding:0 0 0 0;"><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Identify and develop a dedicated source of funding to conserve SGCN birds through habitat management, habitat conservation, and research</SPAN></SPAN></P></LI></UL></LI><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Basic research and status monitoring </SPAN></SPAN></P><UL STYLE="margin:0 0 0 0;padding:0 0 0 0;"><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Expanding eDNA surveys and isotopic analyses would improve estimates of species distributions and seasonal movements</SPAN></SPAN></P></LI><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Monitoring changes in trap rock ridges, core forests, and coastal dune systems using remote sensing</SPAN></SPAN></P></LI></UL></LI><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Evaluation, effectiveness measures, and learning </SPAN></SPAN></P><UL STYLE="margin:0 0 0 0;padding:0 0 0 0;"><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Wetland and vernal pool restoration projects may be assessed by tracking the acreage restored and measuring amphibian breeding success, as well as water quality improvements</SPAN></SPAN></P></LI><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Early successional habitat management, including prescribed burns, selective thinning, and invasive species removal, may be evaluated for its impact on bird nesting densities, pollinator abundance, and plant community composition</SPAN></SPAN></P></LI></UL></LI><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Academic training </SPAN></SPAN></P><UL STYLE="margin:0 0 0 0;padding:0 0 0 0;"><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Prepare new professionals to enter the conservation field</SPAN></SPAN></P></LI><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Enhance the skills of existing practitioners</SPAN></SPAN></P></LI><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Provide specialized training to address emerging challenges such as climate adaptation and invasive species control</SPAN></SPAN></P></LI><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Deliver educational programs at all grade levels, including full courses, class presentations, class field trips, guest speakers, and materials</SPAN></SPAN></P></LI></UL></LI><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Training and individual skill development </SPAN></SPAN></P><UL STYLE="margin:0 0 0 0;padding:0 0 0 0;"><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Provide mentoring, internships and training on animal handling in zoological institutions</SPAN></SPAN></P></LI><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Attend training in conservation standards, GIS workshops, and conferences </SPAN></SPAN></P></LI><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Develop a case study for use in a training program</SPAN></SPAN></P></LI><LI STYLE="margin:0 0 0 48;"><P STYLE="font-size:16ptmargin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Produce educational materials or training programs by zoos/aquariums/botanical gardens</SPAN></SPAN></P></LI></UL></LI></UL><P><SPAN /></P><P><SPAN><SPAN>For questions about the layer, contact Katy Bischoff: kathryn.bischoff@uconn.edu</SPAN></SPAN></P><P /></DIV></DIV></DIV> |