Mississippi Lake National Wildlife Area Management Plan: chapter 4

4. Goals and objectives

4.1 Vision

The long-term vision for the Mississippi Lake National Wildlife Area (NWA) is conservation: to conserve habitat for migratory birds, and native wildlife and plants, including species at risk.

Where it does not compromise wildlife and habitat management goals, limited public access will continue for the purposes of research, education and recreation.

4.2 Goals and objectives

The Mississippi Lake NWA was established to protect habitat and create a refuge for staging migratory waterfowl. It also provides habitat for a range of other species.

The goals and objectives for the Mississippi Lake NWA are based on minimal intervention in the natural processes. Active management will be undertaken to sustain habitats and biodiversity and to allow limited human uses of the NWA consistent with the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) classification as a Category IV protected area (Habitat/species management area) (Dudley, 2008).

Goal 1: Important habitats particularly for migratory birds and native plants and animals, including species at risk, are maintained and improved.

1.1 Sub-goal: Wetland habitats will be managed to maintain and improve habitat quality and ecosystem functions and, where feasible, to sustain and increase populations of migratory birds and native plants and animals, including species at risk.

1. Objective: Wetland habitats do not decrease in extent, and vegetated buffers around wetlands will be established and maintained over the long term.
2. Objective: Wetland functions (For example, hydrologic and wildlife use) will be maintained and improved.

1.2 Sub-goal: Upland forest habitats will be managed to maintain and improve upland forest quality and ecosystem function to sustain and where feasible increase populations of migratory birds and native plants and animals including species at risk.

1. Objective: Upland forest habitats do not decrease in extent.
2. Objective: The spatial extent of contiguous upland forest habitat around McEwen Bay will be increased by 5% over the long term (10 years).
3. Objective: Old field and meadow habitats will naturally succeed to upland forest over the long term (10 years).

1.3 Sub-goal: The effects of non-native and invasive species, over-abundant wildlife, and feral and domestic animals on native habitat and wildlife are minimized.

1. Objective: Determine areas of concern where cover by non-native and invasive plant species are >25%, expanding rapidly, or posing a threat to community structure or species composition, and implement methods to reduce extent and/or rate of expansion.
2. Objective: Control and manage non-native, invasive or over-abundant wildlife, and feral and domestic animals, subject to monitoring and research results.

Goal 2: The effects of human activities on habitat and wildlife, and infrastructure, are minimized.

2.1 Sub-goal: Reduce the effects of human activities on the NWA.

1. Objective: Monitor authorized visitor access and use (For example, staff, researchers, public and partners), and control when necessary.
2. Objective: Reduce the occurrence of prohibited activities and mitigate negative effects on native habitats and wildlife.

2.2 Sub-goal: Ensure a safe environment for visitors.

1. Objective: Maintain facilities and infrastructure according to established standards.

Goal 3: Increase the habitat connectivity between Mississippi Lake NWA and adjacent properties.

3.1 Sub-goal: Work with partners and stakeholders to maintain and increase connectivity of habitats and migration corridors by consolidating and, where possible, expanding the protected area land base through partnerships.

1. Objective: Lands adjacent to the NWA are prioritized for protection through acquisition or other means.

3.2 Sub-goal: Contribute to regional landscape-level conservation and restoration initiatives.

1. Objective: Collaborate with partners and stakeholders to improve water quality and hydrologic functions in McEwen Bay, Mississippi Lake and Mississippi River.
2. Objective: Improve local partnerships and community support.