Conserving Pacific Island Ecosystems and Species PIFWO...Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office...

PacificIslandsFishandWildlifeOffice July13,2011FinalStrategicPlan(RevisedJanuary16,2013)

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Conserving Pacific Island Ecosystems and Species

Protectingspeciesandtheirhabitatsforfuturegenerations

2011‐2016PacificIslandsFishandWildlifeOfficeStrategicPlanJuly13,2011(RevisedJanuary16,2013);MapsupdatedSeptember29,2011

Table of Contents Introduction page2StrategicPlanStructure page4StrategicPlanTerminology page4Vision,Mission,andValues page6StrategicConservationThemes page8

A. ProtectandConserveNativeSpecies page9B. ConservePriorityLandscapesandTheirNativeEcosystems page11C. AddressPriorityThreats page13

ControlInvasiveSpecies page13 ManageAdverseImpactsofClimateChange page15

D. StrengthenConservationLeadership page17StrategicOrganizationalThemes page20

A. StrengthenTeamworkandCommunications page20B. ImproveProcessesandInfrastructuretoWorkMoreEfficiently

andEffectively page21C. SecureSustainableFunding page22D. RetainandDevelopExistingStaffandRecruitNewTalentthat

CompriseaMotivatedWorkforce page24Appendix1:ConservationAreas page27


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Introduction ThePacificIslandsFishandWildlifeOffice(PIFWO)isresponsiblefortheconservationofmorethan500threatened,endangered,andcandidatespecies‐‐morethananyotherfishandwildlifeoffice.TheU.S.PacificIslandsspansageographicarealargerthanthecontinentalUnitedStateswithadiversesetofecosystemsrangingfromcoralreefstostreams,rainforests,andalpinedeserts.Thesespecies,andtheecosystemsthattheyform,areuniqueandirreplaceabletreasures.WhilethesetreasuresbelongtoallpeopleoftheUnitedStatesofAmerica,theyhavespecialsignificancetonativeHawaiianandPacificIslandcultures.PacificIslandculturesareinseparablefromthenativespeciesandecosystemsthathavesustainedandshapedeveryaspectoftheirculture.Healthyecosystemsandsustainablepopulationsofnativeplantsandanimalsarevitallyimportanttothepeople,cultures,andeconomiesofthePacific–theyprovidefood,inspiration,jobs,andhelpmakeeachislandsocietyuniqueandspecial.ThepastandcurrentconservationeffortsbyPIFWOandourpartnershavehadnotablesuccesses,butthereisstillalongwaytogobeforebiodiversityinthePacificIslandshasbeenadequatelyprotected.Duetothegrowingmagnitudeoftheconservationproblemsweface,andnewchallengesthatareexpectedtoemerge,wearecompelledtoperiodicallyre‐examineoureffortstoensurethatweareoperatingasstrategically,effectively,andefficientlyaspossible.ThisStrategicPlanisonepieceofanoverallstrategyneededtoconserveandrestorenativebiodiversityandecologicalintegrityofPacificIslandecosystems.ThisPlanwillorganizeandfocusoureffortsandfundingonthosekeygoalsandobjectivesthatwillhavethegreatestimpactonourconservationsuccessoverthenextfiveyears(FiscalYears2011–2016).Thisplanincludestwobroad,overarchingsuitesofgoalsandobjectives:conservation‐orientedstrategicthemesandorganization‐orientedstrategicthemes.TheconservationstrategiesidentifythehighestpriorityworkthatPIFWOshouldundertakeinordertoaccomplishitsconservationmission.Theorganizationalstrategiescallforactionsthatwillensurewehaveeffectiveleadership,neededskillswithinourstaff,andaworkingenvironmentthatenhancesourabilitytodeliverlastingconservation.Collectively,theseeffortswillhelpusdelivermoreeffectiveconservation,preventextinctions,andspeedprogressinspeciesrecovery.

1. OurStrategicConservationThemescontainthestrategiesandgoalsneededtoaccomplishourmission.PIFWOhasidentifiedfourStrategicConservationThemesthatwillfocusourresourceswherewecanmosteffectivelystemthetideofbiodiversityloss,restorenativeecosystems,andgarnertheinternalandexternalsupportneededtopreserve,protect,andrestorepriorityecosystemsandspeciesinthePacificIslands:


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A. ProtectandConserveNativeSpeciestopreventextinctions.B. ConservePriorityLandscapesandTheirNativeEcosystemsinordertoprotect,

restore,andconnectthehabitatsneededtomaintainnativeU.S.PacificIslandspecies.

C. AddressPriorityThreats:ControlInvasiveSpeciesandManageAdverseImpactsofClimateChangetoreducethetwomostwidespreadandpotentiallydamagingthreatstospeciesandecosystems.

D. StrengthenConservationLeadershiptoimproveoursuccessinconservingbiodiversityandrestoringnativeecosystems.

2. OurStrategicOrganizationalThemesprovideguidanceastohowPIFWOcanwork

mosteffectivelyandefficiently.Weneedtosecurethenecessaryfunding,people,andotherresources;increasesupportfromwithintheU.S.FishandWildlifeServiceaswellasthecommunitiesinwhichwework;andretainahighlymotivatedandtalentedstafftosuccessfullyaccomplishourconservationagenda.Totheseends,PIFWOwillpursueStrategicOrganizationalThemesthatfocusonstrengtheningsystems,processes,andcollaboration;theprofessionaldevelopmentofourpeople;anddevelopingaproductiveworkenvironment.Torealizeourfullpotential,wemustfocusourpeopleandfundsinthemostefficient,effective,andhighlyleveragedmannerto:

A. StrengthenTeamworkandCommunicationstoensureouractionsarebasedonthebestavailablescienceandinformation.Provideopportunitiesforstafftoshareknowledgeandcollaboratemoreeffectivelyamongprogramsandprojects.

B. ImproveOurProcessesandInfrastructuretoWorkMoreEfficientlyandEffectivelyand,thus,putmoreofourtimeandresourcestowardseffortsthatbuildpartnerships,conservespeciesandecosystems,andcreateaproductiveanddesirableworkingenvironment.

C. SecureSustainableFundingtomaintainandgrowourcapacity,undertakenewconservationactions,andstrengthenkeypartnerships.

D. RetainandDevelopExistingStaffandRecruitNewTalentthatCompriseaMotivatedWorkforcetomanagetheoffice,workwithpartners,protectandrestoreecosystemsandspecies,andleadPacificconservationefforts.

ThisplanservestoguidePIFWO’sleadersandstaffinmakingdecisionsaboutpriorities,respondingtoopportunitiesthatarise,andcarryingoutannualprogrammaticandindividualworkassignments.Itisdesignedtohelpusbalancewhereweinvestthemajorityofourresources,whilemeetingcriticalmandatedresponsibilitiesandopportunitiesthatrequireourattention.BasedonthisStrategicPlan,PIFWOwillevaluateandrealignitsstructure,functions,andbudgetaryallocationstosupportourhighestpriorityconservationwork.Wewillannuallydocumentprogresstowardsimplementationoftheplan.Priortotheendoftheplanningperiodwewillassesstheoveralleffectivenessoftheentireplaninmeetingourmissionandvalues.


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Strategic Plan Structure ThisplanusesthefollowinghierarchytodescribehowPIFWOwillpursuestrategicpriorities,setmilestones,implementkeyactions,andmeasurethesuccessfulnessofoureffortsoverthenextfiveyears.StrategicThemes–AsuiteofrelatedconservationororganizationalstrategiesandgoalsonwhichPIFWOshouldfocusitsresourcesandwork.ThisplanhasStrategicConservationThemesandStrategicOrganizationalThemes.ThesethemesdefineatahighlevelwherePIFWOwillfocusitsresources.RationaleandStrategicImpact–DefinesthereasonforpursuingworkorchangewithineachStrategicThemeandinwhichPIFWOcanmakeanimpact.ThisalsoexplainstheopportunitiesthatPIFWOshouldspecificallypursuerelativetoconservingbiodiversityorstrengtheningorganizationally.Strategies–TheprimaryapproachesorhighestimpactmethodologiesPIFWOwillpursuetoachievedesiredoutcomesforeachstrategicthemewithinthefive‐yeartimeframespecifiedinthisplan.Goals–Milestonesthatrepresentadegreeofsuccessorprogressmadeinpursuingastrategictheme.Agoaldescribesbyhowmuchorbywhenwillwehaveachievedaspecificoutcome.Objectives–Specificactionswewilltakeataprogrammaticoroffice‐wideleveltoreachourgoals.Objectivesareincrementalstepsrequiredtoachieveaspecificgoalconsistentwithastrategywearepursuing.ActionItems–Morespecificdefinitionofkeytasksthatwillbecarriedoutbyteamsorindividualsthatarenotincludedinthisplan,andwillbereflectedinannualindividualorprogramobjectives.Strategic Plan Terminology Biosecurity – The term biological security or “biosecurity” refers to a set of preventative measures designed to reduce the risk of transmission of certain diseases, and movement and/or establishment of invasive species into PIFWO’s area of responsibility. Conservation areas – An area that is relied upon for conservation-oriented management. Two types of conservation areas are identified in the Strategic Plan:

- Priority Ecosystem Conservation Areas and - Species-Specific Habitat Areas


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Ecosystem – Afunctionalbiologicalcommunityconsistingofalllivingthingsinagivenareaandthenon‐livingchemicalandphysicalfactorsoftheirenvironmentthatarelinkedtogetherthroughnutrientcyclesandenergyflow. Ecosystemalteringspecies–Thoseinvasivespeciesordiseasesthatcanseverelyalternativeecosystemfunctionandeliminatethenativehabitatvalueofpriorityecosystems.Fiscalyear(FY)–AlldatesforactionsandaccomplishmentsarestatedastheFederalfiscalyear(October1‐September30),whichisthePIFWOplanningunit.ThisstrategicplanisintendedtoguideusthroughFY2011–FY2016.HighriskofImminentExtinction(HRIE)species–Speciesthathaveastronglikelihoodofbecomingextinctinthenearfuture.Generallydefinedasplantswithlessthan100individualsremaininginthewild,birdswithlessthan500remainingindividuals,andinvertebrateswithlessthan1,000individualsinthewild.Invasivespecies–Aspeciesthatisnotnativetoanecosystem(i.e.,analienspecies)andthatcauseseconomicorenvironmentalharmorharmshumanhealth. Landscape and Seascape – A clearly defined area of land or water, demarcated by either natural (i.e., watershed) or artificial (i.e., property ownership) boundaries, containing all or part of one or more ecosystem types. Native species – Species that occur in a given geographic area as a result of only natural processes, with no human intervention or actions. PriorityEcosystemConservationAreas–Thoseareasencompassingkeynativeecosystemsthat,whenproperlymanaged,mayprovideforthelong‐termviabilityofentirenativebioticcommunities,andthus,multiplenativespecies.Species‐specificactions–Thoseactionstakentobenefitoneorafewspecies,ratherthantheecosystemorbioticcommunityasawhole.Theactionscanfocusonhabitat(species‐specifichabitatareas)orotheractionstargetedtowardsaspecificthreat(e.g.,predatorcontrol,captivepropagation,orthere‐introductionofapopulation).Species‐SpecificHabitatAreas–Thoseareasofaspecies’habitatthatareneededtoaugment“PriorityEcosystemConservationAreas”inordertoachieveconservationofaspecies.Theseareasaretypicallymanagedforonetoafewspeciesandmayormaynotrequiretheprotectionandmaintenanceofnativecommunities.U.S.PacificIslands–ThegeographicareainwhichthePacificIslandsFishandWildlifeOffice(PIFWO)worksandwhichrepresentstheprimaryareaofitsresponsibility,recognizingthattheseislandsencompasssomelocationsandcommunitiesoutsidePIFWO’sresponsibility.OurgeographicareaincludestheStateofHawaii,theTerritoriesofGuamandAmericanSamoa,theCommonwealthoftheNorthernMarianaIslands,statesforwhichtheU.S.hasagreementsundertheCompactofFreeAssociation(theRepublicof


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Palau,theRepublicoftheMarshallIslands,theFederatedStatesofMicronesia),andtheremoteislandsandwatersunderthejurisdictionoftheUSFishandWildlifeService’sNationalWildlifeRefugeSystem.Vision, Mission, and Values VisionOurvisionisaworldinwhichpeoplevalue,saveandrestoreallnativebiologicaldiversityinhealthyPacificIslandecosystems.MissionThePacificIslandsFishandWildlifeOfficewillconserveandrestorenativebiodiversityandecologicalintegrityofPacificIslandecosystemsforthebenefitofpresentandfuturegenerationsthroughleadership,science‐basedmanagement,andcollaborativepartnerships.OrganizationalValuesValuesareessentialtobuildingastrategicallyfocused,cohesiveconservationeffortandtocreatinganeffective,inclusiveworkenvironment.ValuesrepresenttheessenceofwhatisimportanttoPIFWOindefininghowwewanttoworktogether,withoneanotherandwithothers,toachieveourconservationandorganizationalgoals.Valuesdefinecriticalviewsandbehaviorsthatshapehowweworktogether:integrityandrespect,theintrinsicvalueofconservation,andcharacteristicssuchascreativity,adaptability,andleadership.

Service.WeservetheAmericanpeople.WearecommittedpublicservantsentrustedwiththeresponsibilityofprotectingourNation’snaturalresourcesandaccomplishingitsconservationgoals.Weshowpride,enthusiasm,anddedicationineverythingwedo.Weworkwithotherscompetently,effectively,andwithcare,forthecommongoodandinthebestinterestsofournation’speople.Leadership.Weinspireleadership,creativity,andinnovationinconservation,ourworkplace,andinthecommunitiesweserve.Westrivetobeapartofthesolutiontodifficultconservationchallengesandaspiretobringoutthebestinotherssothattogetherwemayachieveourvisionandmission.Weseektobeapowerfulforceforchangeandnewideastoaccomplishourconservationmissionwhilebeingdependablepartners.Wearededicatedtothe


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professionaldevelopmentandgrowthofourstaffsothattheymayreachtheirfullpotential.

LastingResults.

Ourconservationactionsmakeadifference.Weareresults‐driven.Wearecommittedtotheperpetualconservationofnativebiodiversity.Weworktogethertomaketimelyandeffectivedecisionsandtotakealong‐term,strategicapproachthatproducesenduringresults.Integrity.Wechooseandpracticehonesty,truthfulness,andfairnessinouractions.Weholdourselvestothehighestprofessionalandethicalstandards.Weareaccountabletoeachother,ourmissionandvision,ouragency,andtotheAmericanpeople,inallofourendeavors.Respect.WerespectthevaluesandtraditionsofHawaiiandPacificIslandcommunitieswhoseculturesareinseparablytiedtotheecosystemsweworktoconserveandrestore.Wevaluethepeopleweworkwithandtreateachother,ourpartners,andthepublicwiththegreatestprofessionalismandrespect.Trustandtransparencyarethefoundationonwhichwebuildpartnershipsandagreatplacetowork.Westrivetounderstandandrespectdifferentvaluesandpoints‐of‐view,bothwithinourofficeandwithourpartnersandthepublic.Westrivetoensurethatouractionsareundertakeninamannerthatisrespectfulandacceptabletolocalcultures.BiologicalDiversity.Nativebiodiversityisessentialtothelong‐termhealthandwelfareofsocietyandthenaturalworldonwhichwedepend.TheuniqueplantsandanimalsthatmakeupthenativeecosystemsofthePacificIslandsareimportantbiologically,culturally,andeconomically.Wevaluebiologicaldiversityandstrivetobothpreventnativespeciesextinctionsandtomaintainviablepopulationsofnativespeciesandsustainableecosystemsthatbenefitsociety.ScientificExcellence.Scienceinformsourdecisionsandshapesourconservationactions.Ouractionsimpactthesurvivalofentirespeciesandcanalsoaffectpeopleandtheirbusinesses,communities,andcultures.Wewillseekoutandobjectivelyusetheverybestscientificinformationavailable


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toinformourdecision‐makingandtoguideourconservationefforts.Wewillstrivetocommunicatescientificinformationtosociety,sothatindividualsandcommunitiescanalsomakeinformeddecisionsthataffecttheirlivesandtheworldaroundthem.

Strategic Direction of the Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office

1. Strategic Conservation Themes: Goals, Strategies, and Objectives ThefollowingfourStrategicConservationThemesprovideaframeworkthatwillfocusoureffortsoverthenextfivefiscalyears.Thesestrategicthemesareinter‐relatedandtogethercreateanoverarchingstrategicdirectionthatemphasizes;(1)prioritizationandimplementationofkeyspecies‐specificmanagementactions(bothhabitatmanagementandotheractions)thatareneededforthosespeciesnotfullyconservedthroughthelandscape‐levelmanagementofecosystems,(2)prioritizationandprotectionofimportantlandscapesthathavenativeecosystemscapableofmaintaining,overthelong‐term,viablecommunitiesofnativespecies,(3)focusedcontroleffortsonkeystressorsandthreats–specificallyinvasivespeciesandclimatechange–thatneedconcertedmanagementeffortsifwearetobesuccessful,and(4)acommitmentbyPIFWOtoplayaleadershiproleinPacificIslandsconservation–especiallywithrespecttochampioningcritical,butdifficult,actions.Themagnitudeoftheseimpactsthreatenstooverwhelmourcurrentconservationapproachesandcapacity.Itisapparentthatabusiness‐as‐usualorprogram‐by‐programapproachtoconservationwillnotsucceed.Thesestrategicthemesoutlinealong‐termstrategythatemphasizeson‐the‐groundresultsandextensiveintegrationandcommunicationamongprograms.Wewillneedtomakethoughtfulmanagementdecisionsthatallowustoundertakeshort‐termactionstopreventimminentspeciesextinctions,ormaintainkeyconservationpartnerships,andalsoaccomplishlonger‐termeffortsthatprotectlargelandscapes.Ingeneral,wewilltrytofocusourconservationactionsonspecies,ecosystems,andpartnershipsinsideofPriorityEcosystemConservationAreas.However,ifspecies‐specificactionsoutsideofpriorityareasareneededtopreventextinctionsorrecoverspecies,wewilldoso.WhileconservationinthePacificiscomplex,thereisaconsistentrequirementthatinvasivespeciesneedtobeaddressedviastrongbiosecurityprograms,thecontrolofincipientinfestationsofinvasiveplantsandanimals,themanagementofchronicinfestationsofecosystemalteringinvasivespecies,theeliminationofnon‐nativeungulatesfromnativeecosystems,andtheminimizationofhumancausedwildfires.Impendingclimatechangesareexpectedtobothbringadditionalconservationthreatsandre‐emphasizetheneedforinvasivespeciescontrol.


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Thesethemesapplytoterrestrial,freshwater,andmarineconservationinthePacific,andtheymustbeundertakeninanintegratedmannerthattiestogetherPIFWO’sdiverseprogrammaticconservationefforts.Allofourprogramsmuststrategicallyusetheirlimitedstaffandfundingresources.Thisstrategicplanwillimprovetheintegrationofofficeactionsbyidentifyingthefocallandscapesandspeciesthatallprogramsshouldfocuson,fromrecovery,tolisting,pre‐listingconservation,partners,interagencyconsultation(Section7oftheEndangeredSpeciesAct(ESA)),habitatconservationplanning(ESASection10),environmentalcontaminants,andconservationplanningassistanceefforts.Itisrealized,though,thatourauthoritiesandresourcesaremorelimitedinthemarinerealmandinareasoutsideHawaii,AmericanSamoa,Guam,andtheCNMI.Ourconservationfundingpriorities,inpriorityorder,willbe:

1.Actionsneededtopreventtheimminentextinctionofanativespecies,subspecies,orvarieties(speciesatHighRiskofImminentExtinction).

2.Actionsneededtoprotect,restore,ormanageterrestrialandfreshwaterPriorityEcosystemConservationAreasthatbenefitentirebioticcommunitiesorecosystems.

3.Actionsneededtoreversethedeclineoflistedandcandidatespecies(prioritytoendangered,thenthreatened,andthencandidates).

4.ActionsthatbenefitlistedorcandidatespeciesthatareinastableorimprovingstatusoractionsneededtoprotectmarinePriorityEcosystemConservationAreas.

5. Actionsthatbenefitonlynativespeciesthatarenot‐at‐risk.ItisnotpossibleforPIFWOtoreachitsvisionortofullyaccomplishitsmissionwithinthetimeframeofthisStrategicPlanorwiththecurrentlevelofresourcesallocatedtoPIFWO.Hopefully,though,ouractionsunderthisPlanwillprovidethefoundationforfutureStrategicPlanstofullyreachourvisions.ThisPlanmustbebothrealisticandstaytruetoourmission.Consequently,wewillsetshort‐termStrategicPlantargetsthatarerealistic,butstretchusfinancially,technically,andadministratively.Todothis,wemustbeinnovative,persistent,andfocusedonthemissionandgoalsoutlinedbelow.ThesegoalsarebuiltaroundPIFWO’smission,vision,andneeds.Itwillbeinfluencedandadapted,forthebetter,byinputfromlocalcommunities,stateandterritorialagencies,andlocalconservationinitiatives.Wealsomustneverforgetthatwecannotsucceedonourown–wemustpartnerwithdiversecommunitiestobuildastrongconservationcommunitythatwilltakeownershipofanddrivepositiveactionstoprotectandrestorenativeecosystems,habitats,andspecies–ournaturalheritage.A. Protect and Conserve Native Species RationaleandStrategicImpactPIFWOhasamandatetobothlistandrecoverendangeredspeciesandprotectothertrustresources.Allnativespeciesareimportantandtheoverallstrategyoftheofficeistoensuretheirsurvivalandrecovery,whetherornottheyareofficiallylistedundertheEndangeredSpeciesAct.Unfortunately,alargenumberofPacificIslandspecies(over500)arethreatenedwithextinction.PIFWOcanmosteffectivelyprotectPacificIslandsbiodiversitybyfocusingon:(1)landscape‐levelecosystemprotectiontomanageviable


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blocksofnativeecosystemsformultiplespeciesandbioticcommunities,(2)small‐scale,species‐specifichabitatconservationactionsthatmaybenefitonlyonetoafewnativespecies,and(3)otherspecies‐specificmanagementactionstopreventimminentextinctionsandprovidefortherecoveryofspeciesrequiringmorethanhabitatmanagementalone.Ourprimarygoalistoensurethecontinuedsurvivalofnativespeciesinthewild.Werealizethatthismaynotbeachievableforsomespecies,givenlimitedresources,alackofpoliticalwill,alackofcommunitycapacity,limitedpopulationsizes,and/oralackoftechnicalcapabilities.Whennativespeciesbecomesocriticallyimperiledthatextinctioninthewildisastrongpossibility,wewillutilizeexsituconservationmeasurestoconserveaspeciesincaptivityuntilitcanberestoredtothewild.Althoughthesheernumberofthreatened,endangered,andcandidatespeciesexceedsanyoneorganization’scapacitytomanagethem,PIFWOcanplayakeysynergisticroleinpromotingtheirconservation,duetoitspublictrustresponsibilities,regulatoryandadvisoryauthorities,establishedrelationships,andfundingcapabilities.Itisimperativethatwegarnerpublicsupportandactiontomoreeffectivelypreventtheextinctionofnativespecies.Strategy: PIFWOwilluseanecosystemapproachtoprotect,restore,andmanageecosystemsthatcanmaintainatleast85%ofthenativebiodiversityineachislandgroup,withspecies‐specifichabitatmanagementorotherspecies‐specificactionsaddressingtheremaining15%ofbiodiversity.Thisapproachtobiodiversityconservation:(1)emphasizestheprotectionofecosystemsatthelandscape‐scalethathavethepotentialtoconserveentirenativeplantandanimalcommunitiesoverlongtimeperiods;(2)implementsspecies‐specificactions,includingemergencyactionstopreventextinctionsandlocalhabitatprotection,whenlandscape‐scaleprotectionisnotadequatetoconserveanativespecies;(3)establishesnewpopulationsofnativespecieswhenneededtomaintainspeciesviability,focusingthesere‐introductioneffortswheneverpossibleonPriorityEcosystemConservationAreas,evenwhenthatspeciesiscurrentlyfoundonlyoutsideofprioritylandscapeareas;and(4)incorporatesexsituconservationforfuturere‐introductionwhenon‐the‐groundactionsarenotlikelytokeepaspeciesextantinthewildintheshort‐term.Thisis,essentially,astrategythatpairscoarse‐scaleecosystemconservationwithfine‐scalespeciesconservationefforts.Speciesthatcannotbeprotectedviahabitatconservationareidentifiedandprotectedviatargetedspecies‐speciesconservationefforts.

Goal1: Overthecourseofthenextfiveyears,noU.S.PacificIslandnativespecieswillgoextinct.Objectives:a. Identifyandprioritizespeciesthatneedadditional,species‐specific

recoveryactions,beyondlandscapemanagement,nolaterthantheendofFY2011andre‐evaluateperiodicallyinthefuture.

b. Thosenativespeciesathighriskofimminentextinction(HRIEspeciessuchasplantswithlessthan100individuals;vertebrateswithlessthan500individuals;invertswithlessthan1,000individuals)areprotectedby


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species‐specificmanagementactionsbytheendofFY2012.Thesespecieswillbeahigh‐prioritysubsetofthespeciesidentifiedinGoal1a.

c. Developandimplementcaptivepropagationtechniquesandproceduresforfederallylistedplants,vertebrates,andinvertebratesathighriskofimminentextinction(HRIE)thatarelikelytoneedcaptivepropagationbytheendofFY2016.

d. Completelong‐termgeneticstoragefor95%oflistedplantsbytheendofFY2016.

e. Developandtestgeneralcryo‐conservationgeneticstoragetechniquesforvertebratesandinvertebratesbytheendofFY2015.

Goal2: ByFY2016,thepercentageoffederallylistedspeciesinthePacificIslands

categorizedasdeclininginnumberhasdecreasedby10%from2010values(listedspeciesareusedasasurrogateforbiodiversityingeneral).Objectives:a. IdentifyandprioritizeSpecies‐SpecificHabitatAreas(outsideofPriority

EcosystemConservationAreas)thatarerequiredtoconservenativespeciesbytheendofFY2013.

b. Initiateorcontinueatleastoneon‐the‐groundrecoveryactionfor25%ofspeciesathighriskofimminentextinction(HRIE)eachyearbeginninginFY2012.

c. Atleast90%ofspecies‐specificconservationfundingistargetedtowardsspeciescategorizedasbeingindecliningstatusorathighriskofimminentextinction(HRIE)(seeGoalA.1.b).

d. Atleast20%ofSpecies‐SpecificHabitatAreasareprotectedandmanagedfortargetspeciesbytheendofFY2016.

Goal3: ByFY2016,amonitoringanddatamanagementplanforPIFWOdataneedsis

inplaceandfunctioning.Objectives:a. Developspecies‐levelmonitoringprogramsfor:

(1)HawaiibytheendofFY2014,(2)TheMarianasbytheendofFY2015,and(3)AmericanSamoabytheendofFY2016.

b. PrioritizeandconducttargetedsurveysinPIFWO’sareaofresponsibilityinordertobetterassessspeciesstatusbytheendofFY2016.

c. By2013,establishamulti‐agencygrouptoundertakebiodiversitydatamanagementandsharinginHawaii(seealsoObjectiveD.2.d).

B. Conserve Priority Landscapes and Their Native EcosystemsRationaleandStrategicImpactAsstatedinthepreviousgoal,PIFWOcanmosteffectivelyconservecriticalbiodiversitybyworkingatbothanecosystemleveltoprotectnativehabitatformultiplespeciesandata


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specieslevelforthosespeciesthatarenotfullyprotectedbylandscape‐scaleecosystemconservation.Theprotection,restoration,connectivity,andmaintenanceoflarge,viableblocksofimportantnativeecosystemsacrossthelandscapewillensuremoreresilientandsustainablehabitatsformorespeciesthanwouldbeachievedfromonlyaspecies‐by‐speciesapproach.Assemblagesofspeciesassociatedwithparticularecosystemsareaffectedbysimilarthreats,andcanbenefitfromsimilarmanagementactionsandthreatabatements.Thus,weexpectlong‐term,ecosystemprotectionatthelandscapescaletoultimatelybemorecost‐effectiveandconservation‐effectivethan500single‐speciesconservationprograms.Thisapproachshouldalsobemoreeffectiveinprecludingtheneedtolistadditionalspeciesinthefuture.But,asnotedabove,species‐specificconservationactionsformanyspecieswillstillberequired–theprotectionoflarger,landscape‐scalePriorityEcosystemConservationAreasalonewillnotensuretheirsurvival.TheMicronesianChallengeprovidesanexcellentopportunityforPIFWOtocontributeto,andlearnfrom,thisinnovativeandimportantconservationinitiative.Manyofthestrategies,goals,andobjectivesinthisplanwillbenefitfromtheChallengeandlocaleffortstoimplementtheChallengewillhelpusadaptandredesignourconservationefforts.PIFWOwillpursuetwoprimarygoals:(1)Identify,map,andconservepriorityterrestrial,freshwater,andmarineecosystemsand(2)developassessmentandmonitoringprogramsthatevaluateconservationeffectivenessattheecosystem‐,threat‐,andnative‐specieslevels.Strategy:Toensurethelong‐termprotection,restoration,andmanagementofnativebiologicaldiversityinthePacificIslands,wewillfocusconservationeffortsonlandscapesthatcontaincriticalnativeecosystemsorcriticalrestorableecosystems.

Goal1: ByFY2014,PriorityEcosystemConservationAreasareidentifiedthat,whenproperlymanaged,canprotectandmaintainatleast85%ofnativebiodiversityintheU.S.PacificIslands.Objectives:a. Developcriteriatoassesstheconservationvalueofandprioritize

ecosystemsandlandscapesintheU.S.PacificIslandsbytheendofFY2011.b. Utilizingproposedandcriticalhabitatdesignations,recoveryplans,and

currentecosystemandnativespeciesrangedatatocompletePriorityEcosystemConservationAreasmapsfortheHawaiianIslandsbytheendofFY2011.DraftPriorityLandscapeMapsarefoundinAppendix1.

c. Completebiodiversityandecosystemdata/GISlayersfortheMarianaIslandsbytheendofFY2012.

d. CompletePriorityEcosystemConservationAreasmapsforGuamandtheMarianaIslandsbytheendofFY2013.

e. Completebiodiversityandecosystemdata/GISlayersforAmericanSamoabytheendofFY2014.

f. CompletePriorityEcosystemConservationAreasmapsforAmericanSamoabytheendofFY2015.


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Goal2: BytheendofFY2016,atotalof20%ofHawaiianPriorityEcosystemConservationAreasoneachislandhavebeenprotectedfromdevelopmentandungulates(i.e.,probablythemostimportantinvasivespeciesconcern).Objectives:a. DevelopanassessmentandmonitoringplanforPriorityEcosystem

ConservationAreasbytheendofFY2014.b. Atleast90%ofPIFWOprojectfundingthatisaimedathabitat

conservationisfocusedonPriorityEcosystemConservationAreas,everyyearthroughFY2016.

C. Address Priority Threats: Control Invasive Species and Manage Negative

Impacts of Climate Change MostPacificIslandecosystemshavebeengreatlyimpactedbyhumanactivities.Inthepast,directimpactsfromdevelopmentandhuntingwerethepredominantthreatstobiodiversity.Nowandintothefuture,invasivespeciesareprobablythemostsignificantthreattoPacificbiodiversity.However,changingclimaticconditionsassociatedwithglobalclimatechangeispoisedtobecomeanequalorgreaterthreat.Asglobaltradeexpands,invasivespeciesintroductionsontoPacificIslandsareexpectedtocontinuetoincreasesignificantly.Climatechangewillalterprecipitationpatterns,changespeciesranges,raisesealevel,andstressecosystemsalreadystressedbyaliendiseases,feralherbivores,andnon‐nativepredators.WhiletherearemanyexistingandpotentialthreatstoPacificbiodiversity,PIFWOcanhavethegreatestimpactbyfocusingitsconservationeffortsonthetwomostcriticalthreats:invasivespeciesandclimatechange.Thesetwomajorthreatsarediscussedindetailbelow.Theyinteractincomplexwaysandwillbeaddressedinacomprehensiveandintegratedmanner.Control Invasive Species RationaleandStrategicImpactInvasivespeciesareoneoftheprimarycausesofecosystemdegradationandspeciesextinctioninthePacificIslands.Invasivespeciesalsonegativelyimpactoureconomy,culture,andhumanhealth.Invasivespeciesmanagementisinexorablyaffectedbyclimatechange.Therefore,effectiveinvasivespeciesmanagementmustbeinformedbyclimatechangescienceandaddressthegreatestthreats(e.g.,biosecurity,ungulates,weeds,wildlandfire,anddisease).DirectandindirectabatementofinvasivespeciesthreatsbyPIFWOanditspartnerswillhelpprotectandrestoreprioritylandscapes,ecosystems,andnativespecies.PIFWOwillworkinpartnershipwithinandoutsideoftheconservationcommunitytoachieveinvasivespeciescontrolgoals.Strategy:PIFWOwillleverageinternalcapacity,funding,regulatorymandates,andpartnershipstoachieveourprioritiesby(1)developingsoundbiosecurityplanningthat


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preventsinvasivespeciesmovementsandincursions,(2)eliminatinghigh‐riskincipientinvasivespecies,and(3)controlling,managing,and/oreradicatingpriority,high‐riskinvasivespeciespopulations.

Goal1: BytheendofFY2015,archipelagoandregionalbiosecurityplanshavebeen

developedandimplementedthatprevent90%ofinvasivespeciesmovementsandincursions,withafocusoncontrollinghigh‐riskpathwaysandthreatspecies.Objectives:a. Partnerwithfederal,state,andterritorialquarantineandnaturalresource

agenciestoadvise,helpdevelop,refine,andimplementbiosecurityplansforHawaii,Guam,andCNMIbytheendofFY2012,andAmericanSamoabytheendofFY2014.

b. Workwithpartnersto:(1)DevelopnewfederalpolicytoallowHawaiitoundertakemore

restrictiveregulationofforeignandinterstatemovementofinvasivespeciesthaniscurrentlyallowedunderfederallaw,byFY2016.

(2)ReauthorizetheBrownTreeSnakeControlActof2004bytheendofFY2016.

Goal2: BytheendofFY2016,90%ofnewpriority,high‐riskincipientinvasivespecies

populationsanddiseaseswithinPIFWO’sareaofresponsibilityhavebeeneradicated(oreffectivelycontrolled,witheradicationstillanobjective).Objectives:a. WorkwithpartnersannuallytoensurethatEarlyDetectionandRapid

Response(EDRR)teamfunctionsandoperationsaremaintained(includingfundingstaffandoperations)inHawaiiforinvasivespeciesanddisease.

b. LeadthedevelopmentofsimilarEDRRcapacity,modeledafterHawaii’sEDRRprogram,forAmericanSamoa,Guam,and,CNMIbytheendofFY2014.

c. Developcontingencyplansandmanagementactionsforrespondingtohigh‐riskincipientinvasivespeciesthatthreatenlistedspeciesorTrustresourcesbytheendofFY2013.

d. Developtechniquestodetectanderadicatethe5highestprioritypotentialhigh‐riskinvasivespeciesanddiseasesbytheendofFY2015.

Goal3:BytheendofFY2016,threatsfromthehighestpriorityinvasivespecies

alreadyinHawaiihavebeenremovedfrom10%ofthetotalacreageofPriorityEcosystemConservationAreas,thusaidinginthepreservationofecosystemfunction.Objectives:a. Developdistributionmapsforthetop25invasivespeciesanddiseasein

PIFWO’sareaofresponsibilitybytheendofFY2013.


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b. ByFY2012,prioritizekeyinvasivespeciesmanagementactionsthatneedtooccurtosupporttheprotectionof10%ofthePriorityEcosystemConservationAreas.

c. Plan,develop,andimplementonedemonstrationsite(>20acres)inHawaiiandremove100%ofresidenthigh‐riskinvasivespeciesandmaintainthisareafreeofinvasivespeciesbytheendofFY2016.

d. Usepartnerships,funding,andtechnicalassistancetodevelopresearch,controltechniques,andmeasuresforthe5highestpriorityinvasivespeciesanddiseasesforwhichnocurrentlandscape‐levelmanagement/controltechnologyexistsbytheendofFY2015.

e. Partnerwithfederal,state,andterritorialagenciestodevelopastrategyformaintaininganeffectiveannuallevelofbiologicalcontrolcapacity(i.e.,fundingforresearch,staff,andoperations)aimedatecosystemalteringorkeyinvasivespeciesthataffectentiretaxonomicgroups(e.g.,birdsorsnails)withinPIFWO’sareaofresponsibilitybytheendofFY2014.

f. DevelopPIFWOstrategiesforaddressinghighprioritythreats:(1) UngulatesandbrowntreesnakebytheendofFY2012,(2) Cats,rodents,andmongoosebytheendofFY2013,and(3) Mosquito‐bornediseasesbytheendofFY2015.

Manage Adverse Impacts of Climate Change RationaleandStrategicImpactClimatechangeisoneofthemostchallengingconservationissuesofthe21stCentury.Increasesingreenhousegaseswillresultinincreasingairandseasurfacetemperatures,changingpatternsofprecipitation,riseinsealevel,andincreasingoceanacidification.Thespeedofthesechangesislikelytoexceedtheabilityofmanyspeciestosuccessfullyadapttofutureclimaticconditions.ThechangingclimatewilleventuallyaltercriticalecologicalelementsrequiredforthelongtermsurvivalofmanynativePacificIslandspecies,habitatsandecosystemsthatareofgreatconcerntotheU.S.FishandWildlifeService,itspartners,andsociety.Ifwehopetoreachourvisionandmission,wemusthaveplansforhowwewilladaptourconservationeffortstoachangingclimate.These“adaptationstrategies”willguideoureffortstoensurethatnativespeciesandecosystemshavethegreatestchanceofsurvival.Whileclimateischangingmeasurablynow,itwilllikelyrequireseveraldecadesofaccumulatedimpactsforthesechangestothreatenmostnativespecies,habitats,andecosystems.However,strategicactionsthataretakennowmayhelpsavenumerousnativespeciesinthefuture.Strategy:Toachieveourconservationmission,ouroverallclimatechangestrategyincorporatesfourcoreapproaches:(1)implementlandscape‐leveladaptationstrategiesthatmaintainPacificIslandsmarineandterrestrialbiodiversityandincreasedecosystemresilience,(2)promoteresponsiblealternativeenergydevelopment,(3)uselocallyappliedcarbonoffsetcreditstodirectlysupportbiodiversityconservationeffortsintheU.S.Pacific


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Islands,and(4)implementacommunicationsstrategythatinformsemployees,thepublic,anddecision‐makersaboutclimatechangeimpactsandoptionsforrespondingtotheseimpacts.


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Goal1: BytheendofFY2016,aclimatechangeadaptationstrategyhasbeendevelopedthatprotectsallnativebiodiversityinHawaii,CNMI,Guam,andAmericanSamoa.Objectives:a. Identifyandmappredictedclimatechangeimpactsandthreatstopriority

landscapesandecosystemsforHawaii,Guam,CNMI,andAmericanSamoawithin1yearofdevelopmentofclimatechangemodelsforeachislandgroup.

b. ConductinitialclimatechangeriskassessmentsforallnativeHawaiianbirdsandplantsbytheendofFY2012.

c. AssessthepotentialdistributionalchangesduetoclimatechangeforkeyterrestrialinvasivespeciesinHawaiiduringFY2012.

d. Conductorfundareportonthefeasibilityandstrategicvalueofinsituvs.exsituconservationprogramstoprotectbiodiversityinachangingclimatebytheendofFY2013.

e. Revisedisasterpreparednessplansforoilspills,invasivespeciesemergencies,andenvironmentalcontaminantsinaccordancewithclimatechangeprojectionsbytheendofFY2014.

f. Completebiodiversity‐orientedclimatechangeadaptationstrategiesfor:(1) HawaiibytheendofFY2012.(2) GuamandCNMIbytheendofFY2014.(3) AmericanSamoabytheendofFY2016.

Goal2: BytheendofFY2013,wehavedevelopedaguidetoplanningenvironmentally

sensitivealternativeenergydevelopmentintheU.S.PacificIslands.Objectives:a. Identifynativespeciesandprioritylandscapesthatarelikelytobe

impactedbyalternativeenergydevelopmentsbytheendofFY2011.b. Mapflyways,migratorycorridors,andotherareasofhighconcentrationof

listedspecieslikelytobeimpactedbyenergyprojectsbytheendofFY2011.MapunlistedspeciesbyFY2013.

c. DevelopprotocolsortechniquesforreducingimpactstolistedspeciesfromenergyprojectsbytheendofFY2012.

d. ProduceguidelinesforplanningenvironmentallycompatiblealternativeenergydevelopmentforthePacificIslandsbytheendofFY2012.

Goal3: BytheendofFY2013,100%ofthecarbonfootprintgeneratedbyallPIFWO

actionsisoffsetthroughsequestrationeffortsaimedatecosystemrestorationinprioritylandscapes.Objectives:a. WorkwithpartnerstodevelopacarbonoffsetprograminHawaiibythe

endofFY2012.b. Offset100%ofPIFWO’scarbonfootprintviaforestrestorationinour

identifiedprioritylandscapesinHawaii,beginninginthemiddleofFY2012.


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Goal4: BytheendofFY2012,aclimate‐changespecificcommunicationsstrategyhasbeendevelopedfortheUSFWSintheU.S.PacificIslandsthatinformsUSFWSstaff,thepublic,anddecision‐makersonclimatechangeissuesandpotentialsolutions.Objectives:a. PartnerwiththePacificIslandsClimateChangeCooperative(PICCC)and

NationalOceanographicandAtmosphericAdministration(NOAA),andotherstodevelopaclimatechangecommunicationsstrategybytheendofFY2012.

b. PrepareaPIFWOguidetoclimatechangeinthePacificIslandsthatexplainstheUSFWSstrategyforaddressingclimatechange,providesinformationonhowclimatechangeislikelytoaffectthePacificIslands,andletstheemployeesknowwhatourofficeisdoingtoaddressclimatechangebytheendofFY2013.

D. Strengthen Conservation Leadership RationaleandStrategicImpactAstrongandeffectiveconservationcommunityiscriticalforPIFWOtoreachitsvisionandmission.Toconservebiodiversityandpriorityecosystemsatalandscapescale,PIFWOwillworkwithourpartnerstoincreasepublicawarenessofthevalueofnativeecosystemsandspeciesandtogarnersupportfromnational,state,andlocaldecision‐makerstoactivelypromoteandfundecosystem‐basedconservation.Wearecommittedtoimprovingthecapacityofourpartnersbyinformingandengagingthepublic,anddecision‐makersaboutconservationneedsandpartnerships.PIFWOisuniquelypositionedtobuildthiscoalitionthroughitsinfluenceandpositionbothwithintheUSFWSandwithfederalentities,throughtieswithpartnersatthestateandlocallevel,andthroughtheavailableopportunitiestoworkcloselywithcommunitiesatprioritysitesacrosstheU.S.PacificIslands.PIFWOshould,andwill,improveourconservationeffectivenessbyincreasingourownawarenessofculturalneedsandissuesrelatedtowhereandhowweconductourwork.Strategy:PIFWOwilltakethelead,asappropriate,toprovidetheinitiativeneededtobuild,support,andstrengthenconservationcommunitiesandconservationleadershipthroughouttheU.S.PacificIslands.Specifically,wewill:(1)identifyandchampionwhatmustbedonetosavebiodiversity,prioritynativeecosystemsandnativespecies;(2)strengthenstrategicpartnershipstofacilitateconservationactions;(3)strengthenourpartnershipswithculturalandlocalorganizations;(4)buildbroadsupportforbiodiversityconservationamongthepublic,sisterorganizations,non‐governmentorganizations,andpolicy‐makers;and(5)realignofficeresources,asneeded,tobettersupporton‐the‐groundconservationeffortsanddecision‐making.


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Goal1: BeginninginFY2012,annualmeetingswillbeheldbetweenPIFWO,HawaiiConservationAlliance(HCA),andkeypartnerstodiscussandpromoteconservationagendasforthatyear.

Objectives:a. Annuallyhostorparticipateinadiscussionwithpartnersonpotentialkey

actionsandcollaborativeeffortsstartinginFY2012.b. Developanddistributekeyconservationplanningproducts(priority

landscapemaps,climatechangeadaptationsstrategies,biosecurityplans,andlistedspeciesrecoveryplans)topartnersandthemediathroughoutthePacific,andworkwiththemtofocustheirworkandcommunicationsoncriticalissues,landscapes,andneededactionsbytheendofFY2012.

c. Annuallymonitortheimplementationofthesekeyplanningdocumentstoassessprogressandtheneedforchangesinthestrategy.

Goal2: BytheendofFY2016,atleastonemulti‐agencyconservationpartnershiphas

beencreatedand/ormaintainedineachmajorarchipelagointheU.S.PacificIslands.Objectives:a. Maintainoraugmentthecurrentcapacityofmulti‐agencypartnershipsthat

addressstate‐wide,island‐wideandwatershedconservationneedsthrough2016,focusingonthefollowingorganizations:o HCAo TheHawaiiCoordinatingGroupforAlienPestSpecies(CGAPS)o HawaiianIslandsInvasiveSpeciesCommittees(ISCs)o HawaiiAssociationofWatershedPartnerships(HAWP)o TheMicronesianRegionalInvasiveSpeciesCommittee(RISC)

b.SupportthedevelopmentofaMicronesianequivalenttoHCAbytheendofFY2014.

c. SupportthedevelopmentofanAmericanSamoanequivalenttoHCAbytheendofFY2015.

d.MaintainexistingpartnershipswithCompactofFreelyAssociatedStates,RepublicofMarshallIslands,FederatedStatesofMicronesiaandtheRepublicofPalauthroughregularpartnershipmeetingsandrenewingexistingMemorandaofAgreement(MOAs)fortechnicalassistancebyFY2016.

e. BytheendofFY2013,developabiodiversitydatamanagementpartnershipthatprovideslong‐termdatastewardshipforoccurrenceandstatusinformationonHawaiianplants,vertebrates,invertebrates,andnaturalcommunities.


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Goal3: BytheendofFY2013,partnershipswithculturalorganizationshavebeenestablishedinHawaii,Guam,theCNMIandAmericanSamoatosupportPIFWO’sstrategicconservationgoals.Objectives:a. CreateaPIFWOstaffpositionthatwillcoordinateconservationactivities

withculturalandlocalorganizationsandfacilitatethisstrategicplanimplementationwithlocalcommunitiesandorganizationsrepresentingindigenousPacificIslandersbytheendofFY2012.

b. Launchaminimumofonecommunity‐basedconservationprojectinOahu,MauiNui,Hawaii,Kauai,Guam,CNMIandAmericaSamoabytheendofFY2015.

Goal4: BytheendofFY2013,anexternalcommunicationsandoutreachprogramhas

beendevelopedandlaunchedtobuildbroaderpublicsupportinPacificIslandcommunitiesandonthemainland,andsecurethefundingrequiredtoachievePIFWO’sstrategicgoals.Objectives:a. Identifykeycompellingmessagesandtargetaudiencesthrougha

communicationsanalysisandsurveyspecificallygearedtowardecosystemandnativespeciesconservationintheU.S.PacificIslandsduringFY2013.

b. WorkwithcommunicationsandoutreachexpertstoevaluatetheeffectivenessofPIFWOcommunicationandoutreacheffortsduringFY2011.

c. DevelopandimplementanintegratedcommunicationsandoutreachplanforallpriorityPIFWOconservationactionsbytheendofFY2012.

d. ActivelyengageState,Regional,andNationalServiceleadershipandstaffinidentifyingandimplementingajointPIFWO/USFWSRegionOneOffice/USFWSNationalOffice/StateofHawaiion‐the‐groundconservationprojectbytheendofFY2012.

e. Developandupdateannuallyareportthatsummarizesthe“StateofBiodiversityinHawaii,Guam,CNMI,andAmericanSamoa”bytheendofFY2012,targeting1)policy‐makerswithintheUSFWSandsisterorganizations,2)thegeneralpublic,and3)legislators.

Goal5: BytheendofFY2016,PIFWOstaffarepermanentlystationedinstrategic

locationsthroughouttheU.S.PacificIslandstofacilitatecommunicationandimprovebiologicalandsocialunderstandingofconservationneedsatalocalandregionallevel.Weanticipatemeetingthisgoalthroughthevoluntaryrelocationofexistingstaffandlocatingnewhiresintheselocations.Objectives:a. StationtwotothreePIFWOstaffineachofthefollowinglocationsbythe

endofFY2014:Kauai,MauiNui,Hawaii(BigIsland)andCNMI.b. StationtwotothreePIFWOstaffinbothGuamandAmericaSamoabythe

endofFY2016.


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2. Organizational Strategic Priorities, Goals, Strategies and Objectives Toachieveourconservationgoals,andtoremainfocusedonourvisionandmission,wemusthaveaproductiveworkenvironment,continuetodevelopexistingstaff,andseekouttalentednewstaffwhocanbringinnovativeapproachesanddiverseperspectivestoourorganization.Further,wemustprepareourselvesforstrategicandorganizationalchangetoensureourpeopleandresourcesarealignedwithourhighestconservationprioritiesandactivelycontributetoarewardingprofessionalenvironmentthatisapositivemodelwithintheU.S.FishandWildlifeServiceandpartnerorganizationsintheU.S.PacificIslands. A. Strengthen Teamwork and Communications RationaleandStrategicImpact:PIFWOiscomprisedofmultiplecross‐cuttingscientific,conservation,andoperationaldisciplinesinwhichcooperationandcoordinationamongunitsvariesrelativeto,andmaybechallengedby,complexconservationandorganizationalrequirements.Leadership,staff,andemergingorganizationalprioritieshavereinforcedtheneedto(1)improvehowweexchangeinformationfromonefunctionalareatoanothertoutilizeourcapacityandapplyourexpertisemoreeffectivelyinaddressingscientificandconservationissuesand(2)betterprioritizeworkloadamongouremployees,programs,andprojects.Wewillalsoimprovehowweshareinformation,perspectives,andknow‐howacrossprojects(whatworks,whatdidn’t,andwhy)toimproveourabilitytoquicklyresolveproblemswhentheyariseandtodeepenourcollectiveandindividualknowledgebysharinglessonslearned.Further,wewilladoptproductiveteamprocessesandbehaviorsaswellassetexpectationswithinandacrossfunctionalunitsanddivisionstocommunicateconstructivelyandwithtransparencyatalllevelsinourorganization.Strategy:Todevelopresults‐orientedteamsandimprovehowwecooperateandshareinformationwithinandacrossfunctionalunitsandworkinggroupsinPIFWO,wewill:(1)Employmulti‐disciplinaryteamstocommunicate,collaborate,andtobringdiverseperspectivesandthebestofourthinkingtogetherinsolvingourmostcomplexproblems,and(2)Promoteanofficeenvironmentinwhichmanagersandstaffalikeengageinopencommunications,constructivefeedback,anddialoguethatfurthersPIFWO’smission,upholdsourvalues,andcontributestoaproductiveandrespectfulworkenvironment.


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Goal1:BeginninginFY2012,expertiseandinformationiseffectivelycoordinatedandsharedacrossprograms,workinggroups,andteams.Objectives:a. Programleadersandstaffconductquarterlyreviewstodiscussprogram

andprojectprogressandtoidentifyareasofcross‐over,collaboration,andareasforimprovementbytheendofFY2011.

b. ConductteamleadershipandfacilitationtraininginFY2011andeveryotheryear,thereafter.

c. Useexistingsystemssuchasperformanceplansandinnovativeapproachestorewardteamwork,inter‐officecollaboration,andprovideteamstheopportunitytopresenttheirstrategiestoallPIFWOstaff,startinginFY2012.

Goal2:BytheendofFY2012,communicationsbetweenmanagersandstaffare

evaluatedasbeingclear,mutuallyrespectful,andprofessional.Objectives:a. PIFWOleaderswillsetexpectationsinallmanagementandstaff

performanceplansforclear,respectful,andprofessionalcommunicationsbetweenmanagersandstaff,includingopportunitiestobrainstormsolutionstotoughproblemsandtoprovideandseekclarificationastowhydecisionsaremade,bytheendofFY2012.

b. Conducttrainingfocusedonimprovingcommunicationandsupervisoryskills,includinghowtoprovideandreceiveconstructivefeedbackstartinginFY2011,andeveryotheryear,thereafter.

c. PromoterelationshipbuildingwithinPIFWO;conductatleastoneoffice‐wideretreatperyear,withtimedevotedspecificallytodevelopingcommunicationandteamskillsstartinginFY2012.

B. Improve Our Processes and Infrastructure to Work More Efficiently and

Effectively RationaleandStrategicImpact:PIFWOisarelativelylargeFishandWildlifeOfficewithasignificant,diversifiedworkloadandresponsibilitiesthathaveaneffectonlandscape,ecosystem,andspeciesconservationactivities.ItisimperativethatPIFWOoperatesinanefficientandeffectivemanner.Wewillbeflexible,innovative,andfocusedonaccomplishingeffortsthatfurtherconservationwhileminimizinginefficientactionsoractionsthatconsumetimeandresources,butdonotcontributetomeaningfulconservation.Strategy:Toimproveourbiologicalconservationeffortsandofficeworkenvironment,PIFWOwillinvestinthreeareas:(1)review,discard,revise,and/ordevelopofficeproceduresinordertodelivereffectiveandefficientconservationprogramwhileprovidingarewardingworkexperience;(2)providetrainingandcommunicateexistingoffice


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processesandproceduresclearlyandarticulatelytostaffandmanagers;and(3)developinformationmanagementtoolsneededtoeffectivelyshareinformationwithinPIFWO.

Goal1:BytheendofFY2012,allexistingPIFWOprocesses,policies,andworkflowhavebeenevaluatedandmodifiedforefficiencyandpracticality,asappropriatetostreamlineroutinetasks.Objectives:a. Conductareviewofexistingpolicies,procedures,andotherprocessesto

identifygapsandareasforimprovementbytheendofFY2011.b. Reviewprogrammaticofficeprocessesandreviseoreliminate

ineffective/inefficientprocessesbytheendofFY2012.c. Evaluatetimeframesformeetingregulatorydeadlinestoidentifyareasfor

improvementinturnaroundratesbytheendofFY2011.d. RecommendandimplementimprovementsinofficepoliciesandSOPs

beginningbytheendofFY2012.

Goal2:BeginninginFY2012,trainingandotherformsofcommunicationhavebeendevelopedandprovidedannuallytoallPIFWOstaffonappropriateprocesses,policies,andSOPs.Objectives:a. ProvideanannualsummaryofPIFWOguidelinesandSOPs,with

highlightedchanges,tostaff,beginningbytheendofFY2011.b. Communicateandprovideorientationandregular“annualrefresher

training”toallstaffonagencypoliciesandprocedures,regulatorymandatesandparameters,andPIFWOguidelinesandstandardoperatingproceduresbeginninginFY2012.

Goal3:BytheendofFY2013,aformalsystemisinplaceforstoring,accessing,and

analyzingmulti‐disciplinaryinformationthatstrengthenschannelsamongfunctionalareasforsharingprogrammaticandprojectinformation.Objectives:a. Conductadatamanagementrequirementsassessmentincluding

administrative,conservation,andcommunicationinformation,bytheendofFY2012.

b. Createadedicateddatamanagementpositionorpositions,includingfilemanagement,inFY2012.

c. HoldanannualofficeworkshopwithpresentationsbyeachprogramtoshareinformationontheiractivitiesandaccomplishmentsbeginningbytheendofFY2012.


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C. Secure Sustainable Funding RationaleandStrategicImpact:TopursuePIFWO’snewstrategicdirectionandconservationprioritieswemustexpandfundingfortheconservationofbiodiversityintheU.S.PacificIslands.ConservationeffortsfortheHawaiianandPacificIslandspriorityecosystemsandspecieswillrequiremoreresourcesthanarecurrentlyavailabletoPIFWOandourconservationpartners.Therefore,wewillworkwithourpartnerstodeterminetheresourcesneededtoaccomplishourconservationstrategiesanddevelopafundingstrategytosecurethoseresources.Itisimportantthatourfundingprocessesbeeffective,efficient,andtransparentbothinternallyandexternally.Programmanagersandstaffwillbeinvolvedinidentifyingtheirprojectedbudgetneeds,identifyingfundingopportunities,andrecommendingbudgetallocations.Ourgoalistoincreasetheamountofeffectiveconservationthatoccurs,nottosimplyincreasethePIFWObudget.Effortstoincreasebasefunding,one‐timeprojectfunds,orreimbursablefundsmustbebasedontheabilityofthosefundstohelpaccomplishouroverallvisionandmission.Thatmeansthatwewillonlypursueadditionalfundingthatcanmakeasolidcontributiontoourstrategicplan.Strategy:ObtainingtheresourcesnecessarytoaccomplishourconservationmissionwillrequirePIFWOto:(1)developrealisticcostprojectionsforimplementingtheStrategicPlan(2)developamarketingstrategytoobtainnewfunds,and(3)alignPIFWO’sstructure,budgeting,anddecision‐makingwiththeStrategicPlan.

Goal1:ByFY2016,thefundsrequiredtoimplementthisStrategicPlanhavebeensecured.Objectives:a. DevelopcostprojectionsforimplementationofthisStrategicPlanbythe

endofFY2012.b.Developandbeginimplementingamarketingstrategytoincrease

conservationfundingbytheendofFY2013.

Goal2:BytheendofFY2012,PIFWO’sstructureanddecision‐makinghavebeenalignedwiththisstrategicplantomostefficientlyandeffectivelyaccomplishitsconservationmission,regulatoryresponsibilities,andsupportitsconservationandorganizationalstrategies.Objectives:a. EnsurePIFWO’sorganizationalstructurefacilitatesimplementationofthe

StrategicPlanbytheendofFY2011.b.Commitatleast90%ofprojectfundingtothehighestpriorityconservation

actions(items1‐3below)bytheendofFY2012.Thepriorityforfundingwillbe,inpriorityorder:(1)Actionsneededtopreventtheimminentextinctionofanativespecies,

subspecies,orvarieties(HRIEspecies).


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(2)Actionsneededtoprotect,restore,ormanageterrestrialandfreshwaterPriorityEcosystemConservationAreasthatbenefitentirebioticcommunitiesorecosystems.

(3)Actionsneededtoreversethedeclineoflistedandcandidatespecies(prioritytoendangered,thenthreatened,andthencandidates).

(4)ActionsthatbenefitlistedorcandidatespeciesthatareinastableorimprovingstatusoractionsneededtoprotectmarinePriorityEcosystemConservationAreas.

(5)Actionsthatbenefitonlynativespeciesthatarenot‐at‐risk.

c. Establishaplanningandbudgetingprocessforlooking1‐2yearsoutthatspecifiesdeadlinesandexpectationsforprogrammaticbudgetingbytheendofFY2011.

d.DevelopacollaborativestrategytorankproposedprojectsforhowwelltheywillimplementpriorityconservationstrategiesbytheendofFY2011.

e. Conductannualmeetingswithpartnersorco‐hostwithHCAmeetingstodiscussfuturefundingneeds(1‐2yearsout),priorities,andtofacilitateleveragingwithpartnersstartinginFY2012.

f. PIFWOprogramsmeettodiscussupcomingPIFWOinitiativesforthecomingyearandhowthoseinitiativesalignwiththeirneedsandprojectsstartingbytheendFY2011.

g. RedefinethemetricsusedtomeasureconservationsuccessandworktowardsrestructuringGPRAgoalssothattheymoreaccuratelytrackourstrategicplanoutcomesbytheendofFY2012.

D. Retain and Develop Existing Staff and Recruit New Talent that Comprise a

Motivated Workforce RationaleandStrategicImpactTopursuePIFWO’snewstrategicprioritiesandcarryoutitsmission,wemusthaveeffectiveleaders,retainandattracttalentedstaff,andpromoteanofficeenvironmentthatemphasizestrust,mutualrespectandappreciation,equalopportunity,andprofessionalism.Acriticalelementforaccomplishingtheseprioritiesisthecontinuedhiringanddevelopmentoftechnicallyqualifiedstaffandtheselectionofgoodmanagers.PIFWOstaffandmanagerswillinspireothers,leadpeopletoproductiveandpositiveoutcomes,andbuildpartnershipsthatachievetangibleconservationresults.Aproductive,inclusive,anddesirableworkenvironmentiscriticaltoachievingthesegoals.Strategy:Todeveloptheeffectiveworkforceneededtoaccomplishourconservationmission,wewillfocuson:(1)retaininganddevelopingexistingstaffandattractingnew,highperformingstafftoourworkforce,(2)maintainingthebiological,conservation,andprogrammaticexpertiseneededtoaccomplishourmissionandreachourvision,and(3)developingandmaintainingapositive,productive,andrewardingworkenvironment.


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Goal1: Advancedtraining,challengingcareeropportunities,recruitment,and

outreachprogramsareutilizedtoretain,develop,andattractadiverseworkforcethathasthebiological,conservation,andprogrammaticexpertisetoachieveourvisionandmission.Objectives:a. DeveloparecruitmentstrategybytheendofFY2012thatoutlines:

o Thecostsandbenefitsofdifferentrecruitmentoptionsforfillingvariouspositions,includingthevalueofstudentemploymentprograms,lateraltransfers,meritpromotions,externalhires,contractsupport,details,andvolunteers.

o Optionsforincreasinghiringofindividualswithknowledgeoflocalculturesandlocalenvironments/species.

o Howtoappropriatelyadvertiseandfindthebestcandidates.o TheskillsetsandexpertiseneededtoaccomplishthePIFWOmission.

b.Continuetosupporton‐goingeffortstodeveloptalentinlocalcommunitiesthroughthePacificInternshipProgramsforExploringScience(PIPES),YouthConservationCorps(YCC),andotherprograms.

c. DevelopaprofessionaldevelopmentprogramtoprovidestaffwithopportunitiestoimprovetheirknowledgeofPacificIslandsbiology,expandtheirexpertiseinprogrammaticareas,andgrowtheirsupervisoryskillsbytheendofFY2012.

d.CreateaculturalliaisonpositiontoestablishbettertieswithU.S.PacificIslandnativecommunitiesbytheendofFY2012.

Goal2:Developandmaintainaproductive,professional,andrewardingwork

environmentthatemphasizestrust,respect,andappreciation.Objectives:a. Establishanannualemployeesatisfactionsurveytobetterunderstandthe

satisfactionlevelofPIFWOstaffandbeginimprovementsinthisareabytheendofFY2011.

b. AdvocateforcompetitivesalariesforPIFWOemployees,especiallyadministrativestaff,startinginFY2011.

c. ProvideallPIFWOstafftraininginculturalknowledgeandtraditionalecologicalcultureandhistorybytheendofFY2012.

d. Conductannualemployeeretreatsthattoimproveourworkenvironmentandprovidingprofessionaldevelopment,beginninginFY2012.

e. Developandimplementaperformanceevaluationprocessthatusesperformanceplans,awardprograms,andpromotionstoencourageimplementationofstrategicgoalsandthedevelopmentofaprofessional,rewardingworkenvironmentbytheendofFY2012.

f. Developandimplementaperformanceevaluationprocessforsupervisorsthatseeksfeedbackfromstaffandpeersastohowwelltheysuperviseothers,managetheirprograms,andcontributetoofficeleadershipbytheendofFY2012.


27

g. Completealearninganddevelopmentassessmentthatidentifiesneedsandopportunitiesfordevelopingleadershipcompetencies,newtechnicalandfunctionalskills,andcorestaffknowledgeandabilitiesintopicssuchascriticalthinkinganddecision‐making,projectmanagement,ormanagingconflictbytheendofFY2012.

h. Createanintegratedlearninganddevelopmentplanthatincludesformaltrainingandinformallearningactivities(e.g.job‐relatedactionprojects,networks,onlinecoursework)inthreeareas:(1)leadership,(2)functionalortechnicalexpertise,and(3)corestaffskillsinFY2012.

i. Provideannualprofessionaldevelopmentforallstafftogrowtheirleadership,teamworking,andtechnicalcapabilitiesbeginninginFY2012.

j. ProvidementoringguidelinesandcoachingtosupporteffectiveinformalmentoringrelationshipsbytheendofFY2012.

PacificIslandsFishandWildlifeOffice September29,2011FinalStrategicPlan

A‐1

Appendix1:PriorityConservationAreas(asofSeptember29,2011)MapsidentifyingPIFWO’sPriorityEcosystemConservationAreas(PECA)andSpecies‐SpecificHabitatAreas(SSHA)areunderdevelopment.ThestatusofmapsforislandsinPIFWO’sareaofresponsibilityisshownbelow:HawaiianIslands BigIsland:DraftmapofPECA,withsomeSSHAincluded.Refinementneeded Maui:DraftmapofPECA,withsomeSSHAincluded.Refinementneeded Molokai:DraftmapofPECA,withsomeSSHAincluded.Refinementneeded Oahu:DraftmapofPECA,withsomeSSHAincluded.Refinementneeded Kauai:DraftmapofPECA,withsomeSSHAincluded.Refinementneeded

Lanai,Kahoolawe,andNiihau:DraftmapofPECA,withsomeSSHAincluded.Refinementneeded

NorthwesternHawaiianIslands:DraftmapofPECAforterrestrialandmarineneeds,needsSSHA

TerritoryofGuam:DraftmapofPECA,SSHAnotyetincluded.RefinementneededCommonwealthoftheNorthernMarianaIslands Rota:DraftmapofPECA,SSHAnotyetincluded.Refinementneeded Tinian:PECA,SSHAnotyetassessed Saipan:PECA,SSHAnotyetassessed NorthernIslands:DraftmapofPECA,SSHAnotyetassessedTerritoryofAmericanSamoa Tutuila:PECA,SSHAnotyetassessed Manua:PECA,SSHAnotyetassessedRepublicofPalau:PECA,SSHAnotyetassessedFederatedStatesofMicronesia:PECA,SSHAnotyetassessedRepublicoftheMarshallIslands:PECA,SSHAnotyetassessed


A‐2

HAWAIIANISLANDS:IslandofHawaii(BigIsland)IncludesPriorityEcosystemConservationAreasandsomeSpecies‐SpecificHabitatAreas.Theseneedtoberefined.


A‐3

HAWAIIANISLANDS:IslandofMauiIncludesPriorityEcosystemConservationAreasandsomeSpecies‐SpecificHabitatAreas.Theseneedtoberefined.


A‐4

HAWAIIANISLANDS:IslandofMolokaiIncludesPriorityEcosystemConservationAreasandsomeSpecies‐SpecificHabitatAreas.Theseneedtoberefined.


A‐5

HAWAIIANISLANDS:IslandofOahuIncludesPriorityEcosystemConservationAreasandsomeSpecies‐SpecificHabitatAreas.Theseneedtoberefined.


A‐6

HAWAIIANISLANDS:IslandofKauaiIncludesPriorityEcosystemConservationAreasandsomeSpecies‐SpecificHabitatAreas.Theseneedtoberefined.


A‐7

HAWAIIANISLANDS:IslandsofLanai,Kahoolawe,andNiihauIncludesPriorityEcosystemConservationAreasandsomeSpecies‐SpecificHabitatAreas.Theseneedtoberefined.


A‐8

HAWAIIANISLANDS:NorthwesternHawaiianIslandsIncludesonlyPriorityEcosystemConservationAreasforterrestrialandmarinesystems.Theseallneedtoberefined.


A‐9

TERRITORYOFGUAMIncludesdraftPriorityEcosystemConservationAreasforterrestrialsystems.Freshwaterandmarineareasneedtobeassessed.Species‐SpecificHabitatAreashavenotbeendetermined.


A‐10

COMMONWEALTHOFTHENORTHERNMARIANAISLANDS:IslandofRotaIncludesPriorityEcosystemConservationAreasforterrestrialsystemsonlyandsomeSpecies‐SpecificHabitatAreas.Marinesystemsneedtobeadded.


A‐11

COMMONWEALTHOFTHENORTHERNMARIANAISLANDS:IslandsofTinianandSaipanNotyetassessedandmappedforconservationareas.


A‐12

COMMONWEALTHOFTHENORTHERNMARIANAISLANDS:NorthernIslandsNotyetassessedandmappedforfreshwaterandmarineconservationareasorspecieshabitatareas.


A‐13

TERRITORYOFAMERICANSAMOA:IslandofTutuilaNotyetassessedandmappedforconservationareas.


A‐14

TERRITORYOFAMERICANSAMOA:IslandsofManua(Ofu,Olosenga,andTau)Notyetassessedandmappedforconservationareas.


A‐15

REPUBLICOFPALAUREPUBLICOFTHEMARSHALLISLANDSFEDERATEDSTATESOFMICRONESIANotyetassessedandmappedforconservationareas.

Conserving Pacific Island Ecosystems and Species PIFWO...Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office...

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