Input into WREZ Initiative
The WGWC was tasked by the Governors to provide wildlife sensitivity information for the WREZ process. Products prepared include a wildlife data request, criteria for categorizing the sensitivity of wildlife data and a chart that details the datasets included in the map and how they were categorized.

State-approved Wildlife Sensitivity Maps

• Alberta
• British Columbia
• Colorado
• Montana
• New Mexico
• Oregon
• Utah
• Washington

Background
On June 29, 2008, the Western Governors adopted the “Wildlife Corridors Initiative Report.” This report was developed through a multi-state collaborative effort that included six separate working groups, each of which was charged with developing findings and recommendations on various aspects of wildlife corridors and crucial habitat.

Elk attempt to find safe passage across US 550, near Durango, CO (J. McBride, Durango Herald)

In adopting the report, the Governors established the Western Governors Wildlife Council (WGWC) “for the purpose of coordinating and overseeing implementation of the report, so that we can identify key wildlife corridors and crucial wildlife habitats in the West, and conserve these lands—and the vast wildlife species that depend upon them—for future generations.”

The mission of the WGWC, consistent with WGA Resolution 07-01, is to identify key wildlife corridors and crucial wildlife habitats in the West and to develop and coordinate implementation of needed policy options and tools for conserving those landscapes.

Background
In February 2007, Western Governors unanimously approved resolution (07-01) Protecting Wildlife Migration Corridors and Crucial Wildlife Habitat in the West.. In response, WGA began the Wildlife Corridors Initiative, a multi-state and collaborative effort to improve knowledge of and management for migratory corridors and crucial habitat. The initiative was structured to make both scientific and policy recommendations to the Governors through a Science Committee and five Working Groups.

• Oil & Gas Working Group
• Energy Working Group
• Transportation Infrastructure Working Group
• Land Use Working Group
• Climate Change Working Group

The initiative resulted in the Wildlife Corridors report to the Governors in 2008.

Funders

WGA would like to thank the following organizations for supporting the work of the WGWC:

• Doris Duke Charitable Foundation
• William and Flora Hewlett Foundation
• National Fish & Wildlife Foundation
• U.S. Department of Defense
• Wilburforce Foundation
• Wildlife Conservation Society