Habitat Management Guidelines

Southwest PARC Habitat Management Guidelines
PARC Southwest Habitat Management Guidelines

Habitat alteration, fragmentation and loss are collectively considered to be the primary challenge in the conservation of amphibians and reptiles (i.e., herpetofauna). With herpetofaunal populations declining, and human populations expanding and using more land, PARC has developed a series of regionally specific best management practices, or Habitat Management Guidelines (HMGs) to provide proactive guidance for improving the compatibility of land management practices with these animals.

These guidelines are not regulations, nor are they in any way an attempt to limit landowners’ rights. They should simply be regarded as recommendations for landowners and managers to consider the needs of amphibians and reptiles in the course of their management activities. The HMGs are directed towards resource managers and private landowners who have a desire to help protect amphibians and reptiles. If many landowners and land managers each implement some of these guidelines, then the cumulative effect can only be a positive one.

These guidelines:

  • use the best science available
  • are easily understood by and practical for land managers and private landowners
  • present measures to help maximize compatibility with existing management objectives, or to optimize
  • management actions specifically for herpetofauna
  • provide guidance on the management and restoration of habitats such that amphibians, reptiles, and
  • many other wildlife species may benefit

We have not created a guidebook that describes the needs of every species of amphibian and reptile. Instead, we provide regionally-specific guidelines for managing habitats with the goals of keeping common species common, stemming the decline of imperiled species, and reduce the likelihood of species becoming listed as threatened or endangered.

Availability

While hard copies of most of the regional Habitat Management Guidelines are no longer available, we are able to offer free PDFs for download.

PARC Habitat Management Guidelines Regions

Southeast

Habitat Management Guidelines for Amphibians and Reptiles of the Southeastern United States are now available in PDF form for FREE download. Limited numbers of hard copies may be available at SEPARC regional meetings.

Northeast

Habitat Management Guidelines for Amphibians and Reptiles of the Northeastern United States are now available in PDF form for FREE download. Unfortunately, NEPARC has run out of hard copies at this time.

Northwest

Habitat Management Guidelines for Amphibians and Reptiles for the Northwestern United States and Western Canada are now available in PDF form for FREE download. Hard copies are available at NWPARC regional meetings

Midwest

Habitat Management Guidelines for Amphibians and Reptiles of the Midwestern United States are now available in PDF form for FREE download. Hard copies are available at MWPARC regional meetings.

Southwest

Habitat Management Guidelines for Amphibians and Reptiles of the Southwestern United States are now available in PDF form for FREE download. Unfortunately, SWPARC has run out of hard copies at this time.

For general inquiries about PARC’s Habitat Management Guidelines, please contact Michelle Christman at michelle_christman@fws.gov.