Sara Vickerman May 10, 2012 Defenders of Wildlife Proposed Habitat/Biodiversity Metric Framework Agreement

Defenders of Wildlife Background –Nature offers tangible benefits –Biodiversity is challenging to measure –Metrics needed for tracking outcomes, transactions –Lack of consistency inhibits cross-jurisdictional management –Coordinated approach needed –Measuring Up report proposed consistent framework

Goal: Develop and implement credible and consistent set of measures of the quantity and quality of habitat for fish and wildlife that can be applied cost-effectively across programs, ownerships and scales. Defenders of Wildlife

Benefits of a consistent framework: 1.Reduced cost 2.Improved results, easier to communicate 3.Necessary for adaptive management 4.Informs climate change adaptation 5.Reports outcomes to investors 6.Job creation Defenders of Wildlife

Objectives: 1.Form a public/private partnership 2.Identify lead agency/ organization 3.Determine most efficient, cost effective approach 4.Connect site-scale to landscape scale measures 5.Secure funding from multiple sources Defenders of Wildlife

Tasks: 1.Review existing metrics 2.Select terrestrial vegetation/habitat and aquatic classification system 3.Connect to major ecological monitoring programs 4.Build team of experts – engage with locals 5.Management structure for maintenance and transparency Defenders of Wildlife

Elements of the agreement : –Support collective efforts –Integrate agreed-upon measures into existing monitoring systems –Participate in training for application to planning, management –Assist with communications and outreach –Help secure financial support Defenders of Wildlife

Potential signatories: –Federal agencies –Private organizations –Businesses? –States? Defenders of Wildlife

Sara Vickerman Defenders of Wildlife Telephone: