An example of a Biodiversity Conservation Plan

Pennsylvania Biodiversity Conservation Plan
The diversity of life is a key measure of the health of our environment. . . Urbanization and fragmentation of landscapes, the introduction of exotic species and air and water pollution all degrade natural habitats and pose the greatest threats to Pennsylvania's remaining natural diversity. Future population growth and development will inevitably continue such pressures on the state's natural diversity and thus on its environmental health. Without a concerted effort to maintain and enhance natural diversity, populations of many native species will continue to decline and several will face extinction. Despite this mounting hazard, Pennsylvania lacks a comprehensive policy or strategy for the conservation of natural diversity.
Report of the Pennsylvania 21st Century Environment Commission
September 1998, pg. 34

In September 1998, the Pennsylvania 21st Century Environment Commission presented its findings on the state of the environment and natural resources in the Commonwealth. This seminal report recognized the importance of natural diversity (= biodiversity) to both the environmental and economic health of the state. The loss of biodiversity impacts all ecosystems and habitats in Pennsylvania – from forests to fields, from major rivers to small mountain streams, from old growth forests to urban vacant lots – and thus affects all citizens regardless of economic level, race, gender, age, or where they live. Despite the importance of biodiversity, the 21st Century Report recognized that "Pennsylvania lacks a comprehensive policy or strategy for the conservation of natural diversity."

To move forward its many recommendations on protecting and conserving biodiversity, the Commission proposed that a broad-based public-private partnership be formed, resulting in formation of the Pennsylvania Biodiversity Partnership (PBP). PBP members established seven strategies to achieve our mission of conserving biodiversity statewide, including the development of a scientifically-based plan for biodiversity conservation. Even though PBP members represent a wide range of backgrounds and opinions, a consensus quickly emerged on the priority of creating a statewide plan and initial funding for this project was received in 2001.

The development of the Pennsylvania Biodiversity Conservation Plan is a multi-phase process, with products including Biodiversity in Pennsylvania–Snapshot 2002, an Executive Summary of that report, the PABIODIV listserve, the PBP website, and the final Pennsylvania Biodiversity Conservation Plan. Public outreach has been an important component of all phases of the process.

Plan Development Overview
Phase 1: Biodiversity in Pennsylvania: Snapshot 2002
Baseline report on present state of biodiversity
Phase 2: Blueprint for the Biodiversity Conservation Plan
General Information Gathering and Public Input: Round 1
- Focus Groups and Comment Forms (end Jun 04)
Issues and Recommendations for Draft Plan
- Presented at statewide conference in Nov 04
Phase 3: Draft PA Biodiversity Conservation Plan
Gather Input on Draft Plan (end Winter 2005)
Continued Information Gathering and Plan Revisions
Phase 4: Final Strategy Development and Recommendations
Phase 3 Input Integrated into Draft Plan
Final PA Biodiversity Conservation Plan Released (early 2006)
Phase 5: Implementation and Communication
Promote and communicate about the Plan
Assist partner organizations and members with implementation

Summary of Plan Development Activities
• Received funding from state, federal, and private sources for the PA Biodiversity Conservation Plan.
• Produced and published Biodiversity in Pennsylvania: Snapshot 2002.
• Established the PA Biodiversity Listserve (PABIODIV) as a statewide communication tool about biodiversity issues (almost 600 members).
• Organized two statewide conferences (2001 and 2004) to discuss the biodiversity plan.
• Hosted 15 focus group meetings and received almost 700 comment forms, representing all counties in the state.
• Established the PBP website.
• Participated as an exhibitor and/or speaker in over 100 events, with direct interaction with thousands of people about the biodiversity plan.
• Received extensive media coverage (over 120 articles or programs with potential audience of over 3,000,000 people) about PBP and the statewide biodiversity plan.
• Participated in regional and national biodiversity workshops.

Benefits of a Statewide Biodiversity Conservation Plan
• Facilitate interactions among groups concerned with biodiversity.
• Increase cooperation and coordination among government agencies, organizations, business, and individuals involved in biodiversity issues.
• Minimize duplication of efforts among organizations.
• Establish informed priorities for inventory, monitoring, and conservation at a statewide level.
• Develop educational and training materials for managing and enhancing Pennsylvania biodiversity.
• Increase voluntary stewardship of biodiversity and thus avoid the need for additional regulations.
• Increase educational opportunities regarding the impact and importance of biodiversity to our lives and to the ecological and economic health of Pennsylvania.