SEAFWA 2018

AUTHORS: Anna Huckabee Smith, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources

ABSTRACT: State wildlife agencies are charged with being the advocate for and the steward of the state’s natural resources. This is a daunting task, considering the vast number of plants and animals residing within a state’s borders. State agencies need to cultivate partnerships with federal agencies, land trusts, and other conservation organizations, but perhaps one of the biggest allies in conservation is private landowners. These can be in the form of individuals or corporations and businesses whose properties contain valuable habitats for native species as well as provide ecological services such as carbon sequestration and protecting water quality.Attracting landowners to partner with state agencies can be complicated as the right combination of trust and motivation must be found for it to succeed. Using South Carolina as an example, this presentation explores some of the challenges involved in garnering landowner involvement and support and shares some success stories that have been accomplished over the years. Of the total acreage of the state, 88% is in private ownership, making it uniquely suited for investigating ways to involve landowners in the conservation of federally listed, at-risk, and other priority species. Ideas for future collaborations and programs are examined based on lessons learned and new initiatives on the horizon.