A variety of challenges are encountered in land ownership and management, and few are more sensitive than the prospect of endangered species. As a result of complicated state and federal laws and regulations, many landowners are uncomfortable with the implications of having endangered or threatened species on their property. There are also numerous misconceptions associated with endangered species and landowner rights and responsibilities. However, having endangered species on your property, particularly a Hill Country specialist like the Golden-cheeked Warbler, shouldn’t be a worrisome scenario. Instead, there are actually several benefits to having these species or their habitats on your land, including:

• A wide variety of qualifying wildlife management options for open-space valuation
• Higher prioritization for many cost-sharing incentive programs like Landowner Incentive Program
• Pride in having distinctive habitat on your land and managing to benefit a rare species

Many Plateau clients are actively participating in extensive efforts to preserve rare species and ecosystems. With our expertise and excellent relationships with federal and state agencies, our endangered species specialists will make sure you get the best advice available. Plateau Land & Wildlife Management employs experienced field staff including a properly 10(a)-permitted biologist, specific to the Golden-cheeked Warbler (GCWA). Our company Endangered Species Policy aims to protect landowner’s confidentiality, ensures landowners are educated on requirements and proper implementation of conservation practices, and allows flexibility for implementing wildlife management activities.

We offer an assortment of services to assist you:

• On-site consultation
• Habitat evaluation and monitoring
• Breeding-migratory bird surveys
• Presence / Absence surveys
• Baseline indices in preparation of conservation easements and mitigation banking
• 10a permit compliance assessments and federal annual reports
• Endangered Species habitat management strategies

Just like initiating the wildlife management valuation, the requirements for managing, preserving, or developing land can seem overwhelming. You certainly want to make sure you are complying with the law while still realizing your goals as a landowner. Next spring’s breeding season is just around the corner and is a relatively short window of time, so don’t wait too long and let us help you.

Photo courtesy of Stuart Brown