Introduction to Wildlife
Exploring the History and
Importance of Wildlife
Management
Learning Objectives
Explain the history of wildlife
conservation.
Describing the national policies that
impact wildlife conservation.
Identify historical people related to
wildlife conservation.
Describe the values of wildlife.
Define wildlife conservation and wildlife
management.
Terms to Know
Aesthetic value
Commercial value
Domestication
Ecological value
Ecology
Endangered species act
Exploitation
Forest service
Game value
Terms to Know
Lacey Act
Migratory Bird Conservation Act
Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp Act
National Park Service
Pittman-Robertson Act
Scientific value
Wildlife
Wildlife conservation
Wildlife management
Wildlife Refuge Service
Explain the history of wildlife conservation
In the 1600’s, when the pilgrims arrived,
wildlife was plentiful and was able to
meet the needs of the people.
Needs turned into wants, which led to
exploitationᾷthe use of natural
resources for profit.
By the 1800’s, people began to see a
need for conservation of our natural
resources
What is the history of wildlife
conservation?
Morrill Act of 1862
Established colleges to
teach agriculture.
Made “land grant
universities” such as the
University of Illinois.
What is the history of wildlife
conservation?
Yellowstone National Park
First national park in the world.
Its purpose was to preserve the natural
resources of the area.
1872
Located in Idaho, Montana & Wyoming
3,472 sq. miles
2,221,773 sq. acres
What are the national policies that impact
wildlife conservation?
National Park Service
Enacted in 1916.
Federal agency responsible for the care of
the national parks.
Lacey Act
Regulates the shipment of illegally killed
animals.
Made it illegal to trade protected wildlife.
What are the national policies that
impact wildlife conservation?
Migratory Bird Conservation Act
First step in protecting migratory birds.
1929
Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp Act
Requires people planning on hunting
migratory birds to purchase special stamps.
1937
Has raised over $1 billion to date.
What are the national policies that
impact wildlife conservation?
Pittman-Robertson Act
Raises money in the form of taxes on
hunting equipment and ammunition
1937
What are the national policies that
impact wildlife conservation?
Endangered Species Act
Identifies and manages rare,
threatened and endangered species.
Threatened-population is in danger of
becoming endangered.
Endangered-population is in danger of
becoming extinct.
What are the national policies that impact
wildlife conservation?
Wildlife Refuge System
A system of wildlife
refuges across the United
States.
A part of the US Fish and
Wildlife Service.
1966
What are the national policies that impact wildlife
conservation?
Forest Service
Part of the USDA that manages
156 forests covering 191 million
acres of forests and grassland.
Historical People in Wildlife Conservation
John James Audubon (1785–1851)
Watched and studied birds.
Published a book about his bird
studies.
1905 the National Audubon Society
was formed.
Historical People in Wildlife Conservation
John Muir (1838–1914)
Partly responsible for the development
of Yellowstone and Sequoia National
Parks.
Encouraged President Roosevelt to
establish these parks.
Started the Sierra Club.
California forest named after him.
Historical People in Wildlife Conservation
Theodore Roosevelt (1858–1919)
Known as the “Father of the
Conservation Movement”.
Passed legislations to help protect
natural resource.
Historical People in Wildlife Conservation
Aldo Leopold (1886–1948)
Applied ecology to wildlife.
Ecology is the study of how organisms
interact with their environment.
Wrote a book called Game
Management that was used to help
further educate wildlife biologists.
Historical People in Wildlife Conservation
Gifford Pinchot (1865–1946)
One of the first leaders of what is now
known as the U.S. Forest Service.
Wrote a book called The Fight for
Conservation.
His efforts focused on the conservation
of forests.
Historical People in Wildlife Conservation
Hugh Bennett (1881–1960)
Father of soil conservation.
First person to run the Soil Conservation
Service.
Jay Darling (1872–1962)
Designed the first migratory bird stamp.
Drew cartoons of wildlife and natural
resources.
His cartoons made the public aware of the
need for wildlife conservation.
The work of Jay Darling
᾿ Land, water and vegetation
are just that dependent on one
another. Without these three
primary elements in natural
balance, we can have neither
fish nor game, wild flowers nor
trees, labor nor capital, nor
sustaining habitat for humans῀
Jay “Ding” Darling
The work of Jay Darling
What are the values of wildlife
Plants and animals that have not
been domesticated are called
wildlife.
Domestication is being under control of
humans.
There are five basic values of wildlife
Five Basic Values of Wildlife
Aesthetic value—the enjoying of
wildlife’s beauty and pleasure
Scientific value—studying and
research of wildlife for their use in
medications, integrated pest
management, etc…
Ecological Value—the interaction of
wildlife in nature
Five Basic Values of Wildlife
Commercial—using wildlife to earn
money
Game Value—the enjoyment value
gained through hunting and fishing
What are wildlife conservation and wildlife
management?
Wildlife Conservationᾷ the wise use of
natural resources in our environment.
Wildlife Conservation is divided in 4
parts.
Education—learning how to conserve
wildlife and its resources.
Research—using science to better
understand the needs and
requirements of wildlife and its habitat.
What are wildlife conservation and
wildlife management?
Wildlife Conservation is divided in 4
parts (continued)
Law Enforcement—ensures that all
laws related to wildlife are followed.
Wildlife Management—manipulation of
wildlife to achieve a positive goal.
North America Model of Wildlife
Management
6 Principles of Wildlife Management
Wildlife is public property
Wildlife can’t be used for Commercial use.
Wildlife is allocated by law.
Wildlife is taken by legal and ethical means
Wildlife is an International resource
Wildlife management should be based on
sound scientific knowledge and principles.
Goal of Wildlife Management
Maintain healthy wildlife populations
Keep numbers in balance with
habitat
Keep track of historical trends,
current habitat conditions, breeding
populations.
Essential Component of WL
Management
Habitat Management
Food and Water
Cover
Space
Ideal Arrangement
Limiting Factors
