During the development of its green infrastructure network within Louisiana, TCF was invited by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to partner in creating a connected vision, or master plan, for the entire state. In tackling the challenge of creating a green infrastructure network for an entire state, TCF reviewed over 40 major plans (conservation and otherwise) for the region.
The proposed network covers almost half of the state, and differentiates between core habitat areas and the hubs and corridors that link them. As in other landscape scale projects, much of the proposed GI network is privately owned; LDWF aims to work with these landowners to enhance ecological stewardship as an efficient alternative to land acquisition. The plan details future acquisitions that will add to the existing lands within LDWF's WMAs and Refuges program, in addition to a comprehensive list of all current WMA's, their uses, and plans for their improved management.
Year Published: 2014
State: Louisiana
Landscape Context: Coastal
Housing Density: Rural
Funding Type: Public
Habitat Focus: Wetlands
Organizations Involved:
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, The Conservation Fund
Values:
Water Quality, Open Space/Habitat, Recreation, Biodiversity
Stakeholder Involvement:
Stakeholders were uninvolved; TCF reached out to local experts and conservation organizations, however, there is no mention of community outreach within the report.
Planning Process:
LDWF and TCF inventoried existing wildlife management areas (WMAs) and researched the capacity of current conservation programs. TCF completed a spatial analysis to determine priority areas for the expansion of WMAs and the creation of wildlife corridors, which they compiled into a green infrastructure network. Finally, TCF consolidated effective implementation strategies.
Desired Outcomes:
The projects aims to enhance public facilities for recreation, manage conservation efforts using a landscape-scale open space network, focus restoration efforts, develop adaptive management practices, provide the public with a reference document regarding LDWF policy and goals, and increase research monitoring.