Science Applications Landscape Conservation Support

The Southwest Region¿s Science Applications program supports the US Fish and Wildlife Service¿s efforts to increase scientific knowledge and apply it effectively on the ground. We accomplish this by coordinating within the US Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) and with partners to help identify information¿from natural, physical and social sciences¿needed to further landscape-scale conservation efforts. Using an adaptive management approach, called Strategic Habitat Conservation (SHC), we and our partners identify shared desired outcomes on the landscape, and work together to achieve them, taking into consideration widespread challenges facing conservation, including climate change. Recognizing that effective and long-term conservation of wildlife is a ¿team¿ effort, the Service has led the development of Landscape Conservation Cooperatives (LCCs), which are self-directed partnerships that aim to identify high priority science needs that when addressed facilitate more effective delivery of conservation actions on the ground.