A 45-day public comment period on the California Department of Fish and Game's (DFG) Draft Wildlife Action Plan will begin today and run until June 18. The plan, created in cooperation with the Wildlife Health Center at UC Davis, is available online at www.dfg.ca.gov/habitats/wdp. Comments may be provided via email through this web site or regular mail sent to: Department of Fish and Game, Wildlife Action Plan Comments, 1416 - 9th Street, 12th Floor, Sacramento, California 95814.

"California's Wildlife Action Plan represents an investment in our natural heritage that will benefit both wildlife and people," said L. Ryan Broddrick, Director of the California Department of Fish and Game. "There is a shared consensus in support of clean air and water and the preservation of agriculture and scenic landscapes?Ķand a growing recognition that wildlife needs to be included in these efforts. This plan identifies key objectives and challenges in wildlife management that can help direct positive conservation efforts."

DFG will host three public meetings in Redding, Sacramento, and Riverside where an overview of the plan will be provided. The public will have an opportunity to ask questions and make comments at the meetings. Meeting times and locations are:

?Ģ Sacramento - June 6th from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the East End Building, 1500 Capitol Avenue, Sacramento ?Ģ Redding - June 7, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Veteran's Hall, 1605 Yuba Street, Redding ?Ģ Riverside - June 8 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Hunt Park Community Center, 4015 Jackson Street, Riverside Questions regarding the review process, comment submission or the public meetings may be directed to a voicemail line at (916) 651-0603.

Each state has been asked to develop a wildlife action plan, known technically as a comprehensive wildlife conservation strategy, to examine the state of wildlife conservation and prescribe actions to conserve wildlife and vital habitats before they become too rare and costly to protect. California's action plan identifies five key issues:

1. integrating wildlife conservation into local land-use decisions 2. restoring and conserving riparian habitats 3. providing essential water for wildlife 4. controlling invasive species 5. expanding conservation education California's Wildlife Draft Action Plan was developed as a landmark reference for conservationists and the general public. The mission of the plan will be to draw upon decades of conservation efforts, identify current challenges and recommend conservation actions based on sound science and stakeholder involvement. The action plan will encourage an ecosystem approach to conservation issues. This broad approach recognizes the interdependence of multiple species and their habitats. The plan will also take into consideration the needs of individual animals inhabiting particular regions of the state.

The action plan identifies 807 vulnerable wildlife species, and what actions are needed to improve wildlife populations and the habitats upon which they depend. The plan is largely based on the concept that the best insurance the state can have is to ensure that the conservation of species and habitats is increased.