Two of the UN’s sustainability goals: action against Climate Change and supporting life on land.
PA Game Commission’s 2020 ‘Vision for the future’
Presents wildlife conservation solutions that would increase human-wildlife interaction instead of decreasing it. Reforms reflect the limits and advantages of the rhetorical situation:
- PAGC allotted minimal state funds, but a robust population of hunters means a “fixed income” on the sale of hunting licenses. The 2020 solutions include proposals of making hunting more accessible (including to hunters with mobility devices), thereby increasing funds. Hunting and trapping is heavily regulated so the Game Commission has access to population statistics of various species.
- Capitalizes on charismatic game success. (charismatic animals include pandas, etc.). The logo of the game commission features a Bald Eagle, both a symbol of patriotism and also an example of successful reintroduction to the state. Elk are also a successful reintroduction and bring in tourism and Game funds from the hunting lottery (big, award-winning trophy). The literature specifically mentions deer, bear and wild turkey as charismatic animals popular with hunters. However, the initiative also prioritizes small game hunting to support the habitat of traditionally neglected species such as the ruffed grouse and pheasant.
- Adaptation to an Anthropogenic (human-made) landscape. Most large native species of PA were extirpated over a century ago—wolves, moose, mountain lions, wolverines, martins. Elk and fishers have been successfully introduced, but Pennsylvania’s small size limits the viability of reintroduction programs, such as those with wolves in Yellowstone and parts of Canada. The 2020 proposals place an emphasis on supported endangered species and species of concern in PA that are mainly small animals and fish.
Tie back into the state parks and game lands around State College, thank you.