Post on 23-Jun-2020
TENNESSEE STATE WILDLIFE ACTION PLAN 2015
TENNESSEE WILDLIFE RESOURCES AGENCY
TENNESSEE STATE WILDLIFE ACTION PLAN 2015Recommended Citation:
Tennessee State Wildlife Action Plan Team. 2015. Tennessee State Wildlife Action Plan 2015. Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. Nashville, TN.
For more information contact:Bill Reeves, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, Bill.Reeves@tn.gov, 615-781-6645Sally Palmer, The Nature Conservancy, spalmer@tnc.org
Cover credits clockwise from top left:Northern Long-eared Bat - John Lamb, AAFBYonahlossee Salamander - Robert English, MTSUPygmy Rattlesnake - Rob Colvin, TWRABald Eagles - Cynthia RoutledgeTennessee silhouette - Gograph.comBlackside Dace - Conservation FisheriesValley Flame Crayfish - Carl Williams, TWRA
Photo Credits throughout: Unless otherwise indicated, linked photos courtesy of Flickr are licensed under Creative Commons Generic license 2.0
Technical writing, design, and layout: Gregg Elliott, K Gregg Consulting
Map credits:Joey Wisby, The Nature Conservancy – TN Chapter
This document was produced as a collaborative effort between the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and The Nature Conservancy
The mission of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is to preserve, conserve, protect, and enhance the fish and wildlife of the state and their habitats for the use, benefit, and enjoyment of the citizens of Tennessee and its visitors. The Agency will foster the safe use of the state’s waters through a program of law enforcement, education, and access.
In keeping with this mission, the Agency recognizes its long-standing partnership with sportsmen and the significant contributions that sportsmen have made and continue to make to benefit all fish and wildlife, including non-game species. In submitting this State Wildlife Action Plan, the Agency expresses its intent that implementation of this plan be conducted in a way to achieve the Agency’s mission, while sustaining and promoting hunting and fishing in Tennessee.
The Nature Conservancy is the largest nonprofit conservation organization in the world and works collaboratively with individuals & communities, governments, nonprofits and companies across the globe. The mission of The Nature Conservancy is to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends. Tennessee State Wildlife Action Plan 2015 i
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Core Planning TeamBill Reeves, Chief of Biodiversity, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, Bill.Reeves@tn.gov - Agency LeadSally Palmer, Director of Science, The Nature Conservancy, spalmer@tnc.org - Project Coordinator
Tennessee Wildlife Resources AgencyRob Colvin, Wildlife Diversity Coordinator, Region 1, Rob.Colvin@tn.govJeremy Dennison Wildlife Diversity Biologist, Region 1, Jeremy.Dennison@tn.govJosh Campbell, Wildlife Diversity Coordinator, Region 2, Josh.Campbell@tn.govDustin Thames, Wildlife Diversity Biologist, Region 2, Dustin.Thames@tn.govTerry Hopkins, former Wildlife Diversity Biologist, Region 2Chris Simpson, Wildlife Diversity Coordinator, Region 3, Chris.Simpson@tn.govDaniel Istvanko, Wildlife Diversity Biologist, Region 3, Daniel.Istvanko@tn.govScott Dykes, Wildlife Diversity Coordinator, Region 4, Scott.Dykes@tn.govChris S. Ogle, Wildlife Diversity Biologist, Region 4, Chris.S.Ogle@tn.govBart Carter, Region 4 Fisheries Program Manager, Bart.Carter@tn.govBrian Flock, Wildlife Biologist, Brian.Flock@tn.govPandy English, Statewide Instream Flow Coordinator, Pandy.English@tn.govJason Henegar, Statewide Rivers and Streams Coordinator, Jason.Henegar@tn.govScott Somershoe, former State Ornithologist Jeanette Jones, GIS Manager, Jeanette.Jones@tn.govChelsea Broach, GIS Analyst, Chelsea.Broach@tn.govSusan Lanier, Wildlife Biologist, Region 5, Susan.Lanier@tn.gov
The Nature ConservancyJoseph P. Wisby, GIS Manager, The Nature Conservancy, jwisby@tnc.org
ConsultantsPatty Glick, National Wildlife Federation (Climate Smart Conservation), glick@nwf.orgLindsay Gardner, Southeast Aquatic Resources Partnership (External communications support),
Lindsayg@southeastaquatics.netGregg Elliott, K Gregg Consulting (Technical writer, design, and layout), elliott.gregg@gmail.com
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Ed Carter, Executive DirectorBobby Wilson, Asst. Executive
DirectorSteve Patrick, Asst. Executive Director (retired)Barry Sumners, Asst. Executive Director
Gray AndersonBart CarterTim ChurchillTim ClevelandFrank FissJohn GregoryMark GudlinJim Habera
Jim HamlingtonRichard KirkJohn MayerDavid McKinneyJohn MikeKirk MilesAlan PetersonDaryl Ratajczak
David RizzutoTodd St. JohnMark Thurman
TWRA Leadership Advisors
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Scientific and Species Review Experts
Partner Organization expertsSteve Ahlstedt, USGS retiredDr. Fred Alsop, East Tennessee State UniversityDr. Katie Benson, Lincoln Memorial UniversityDr. Tom Blanchard, University of Tennessee-MartinDr. Chris Brown, Tennessee Technological UniversityDr. Brian Butterfield, Freed Hardeman UniversityDr. Danny Bryan, Cumberland UniversityDr. Ron Caldwell, Lincoln Memorial UniversityDr. Brian Carver, Tennessee Technological UniversityTodd Crabtree, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC)- Division of Natural AreasDr. Kristen Cecala, University of the SouthDr. Vince Cobb, Middle Tennessee State UniversityDr. Dan Combs, Tennessee Technological UniversityDr. Michael Freake, Lee UniversityDr. Chris Gienger, Austin Peay State UniversityDr. Steve Hamilton, Austin Peay State UniversityAndrew Henderson, Tennessee Valley AuthorityCory Holliday, The Nature ConservancyDr. Jim Layzer, Tennessee Technological UniversityDavid Lincicome, TDEC Division of Natural Areas Dave Matthews, Tennessee Valley AuthorityDale McGinnity, Nashville ZooDr. Brian Miller, Middle Tennessee State UniversityDr. Kendall Moles, Tennessee Technological UniversityDr. John Niedzwiecki, Belmont UniversityDr. Matthew Niemiller, Illinois Natural History Survey, University of Illinois, Urbana-ChampaignEd Scott, Tennessee Valley Authority retiredDr. Floyd Scott, Austin Peay State UniversityDr. Donald Sudbrink, Austin Peay State UniversityRoger Thoma, Midwest Biodiversity InstituteDr. Emma Wilcox, University of Tennessee-KnoxvilleDavid Withers, TDEC Division of Natural Areas, Natural Heritage Inventory ProgramDr. Kirk Zigler, University of the South
Rick BivensMichael ClarkJim Habera
Don HubbsJohn MayerJim Pipas
David SimsCarl Williams
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency experts
Conservation Partners: Government Agencies and Initiatives
Arnold Air Force BaseJohn Lamb
Ft. Campbell Military InstallationAmie LehmanBrad WheatGene Zirkle
Gulf Coastal Plains & Ozarks Landscape Conservation Cooperative Greg WathenNashville Metropolitan Planning Organization
Wesley RhodesNational Park Service
Niki Stephanie NicholsSoutheast Aquatic Resources Partnership
Emily GranstaffTennessee Department of Environment and Conservation
Andrea Bishop, Natural AreasTodd Crabtree, Natural AreasDavid Lincicome, Natural AreasRoger McCoy, Natural AreasStephanie Williams, Natural AreasDavid Withers, Natural AreasStuart Carroll, State ParksMark Taylor, State ParksCaitlin Elam, Water Resources
Tennessee Valley AuthorityEvan CrewsAndrew HendersonDave MatthhewsShannon O'Quinn
U.S. Army Corps of EngineersKim FranklinTim HiggsTadd Potter
U.S. Department of Agricultural-Natural Resources Conservation ServiceCarol ChandlerFrank SagonaMatt Walker
U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceGeoff CallStephanie ChanceMary JenningsPeggy ShuteBryan Watkins
U.S. Forest Service Mary MillerTennessee State Wildlife Action Plan 2015 iv
Conservation Partners: Non-governmental Organizations and Academic Institutions
Clinch-Powell Resource Conservation & Development Council (RC&D)Ronald Lambert, The Nature Conservancy/Clinch-Powell
Steve RoarkConservation Fisheries, Inc. Pat RakesCumberland Region Tomorrow Bridget JonesKnoxville Zoological Gardens Phil Colclough Michael OgleMiddle Tennessee State University Dr. Kim Sadler, Dept. of Biology, Center For Cedar Glade Studies Dr. Cindi Smith-Walters, Center For Environmental EducationNashville Zoo Dale McGinnityOpen Space Institute David RayShortleaf Pine Initiative Mike Black, University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture Clarence CoffeySoutheast Missouri State University Dr. Jon DavenportSouthern Environmental Law Center Annie PassinoTennessee Aquarium Dr. Josh Ennen Dr. Anna George Dr. Bernie KuhajdaTennessee Clean Water Network Stephanie DurmanTennessee Ornithological Society Cynthia Routledge, Middle Tennessee Chapter Dr. Steve Routledge, Middle Tennessee Chapter Melinda WeltonTennessee Parks and Greenways Foundation Jenessa Casey Christie PetersonTennessee Wildlife Federation Chris Roberts
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The Land Trust for Tennessee Joel House Emily ParishTrout Unlimited Rick MurphreeWalden's Puddle Wildlife Rehabilitation Center Bettina BowersWolf River Conservancy Ryan Hall
Acknowledgment pages photo credits: Hellbender in Tellico River - Dave Herasimtschuk, Freshwaters Illustrated; Short-eared Owl - “Nigel”; Gray Bat survey -Josh Campbell, TWRA; Mussel inventory - Pandy English; Weller’s Salamander, Chris Ogle, TWRA
Tennessee State Wildlife Action Plan 2015 vi