Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Director Rex Amack Deputy Director Jim Douglas Commissioners Chairman Mick Jensen, Blair Vice Chairman Ron Stave, Waterloo 2nd Vice Chairman Norris Marshall, Kearney Jerrod Burke, Curtis Dr. Mark Pinkerton, Wilber Dr. Kent Forney, Lincoln Lynn Berggren, Broken Bow Rex Fisher, Omaha Mark Spurgin, Paxton i Focus on the Future Chairs/Co-chairs Funding, Pat Cole Human Resources, Angie Janda-Craig Internal Communications, Scott Bonertz Information, Scott Bonertz Marketing, Sam Sidner Education, Jeff Rawlinson and Andrea Faas Stewardship, Ted LaGrange Fish and Wildlife Permitting and Commercialization, Dean Rosenthal and Jeff Hoffman Wildlife Technical Assistance, Jeff Hoffman Customer Service, Pat Cole and Kathy Rowlands Law Enforcement, Craig Stover and Ted Blume Big Game, Kit Hams Small Game, Jeff Lusk Migratory Game Birds, Mark Vrtiska Furbearers, Sam Wilson Biological Diversity, Rick Schneider and Kristal Stoner Wildlife Management Areas, Tom Welstead Private Lands and Other Public Lands, Clayton Stalling Missouri River, Gerald Mestl and Gene Zuerlein Rivers, Streams and Canals, Steve Schainost Reservoirs, Brad Newcomb and Jeff Schuckman Community and Urban Lakes, Rick Eades Public Ponds and Pits, Daryl Bauer Private Ponds and Pits, Jeff Blaser Sandhill Lakes, Al Hanson State Parks, Jeff Fields State Historical Parks, Wayne Brandt State Recreational Trails, Tim Montgomery Information Technology, Toni Knust Document Development Jim Douglas, Co-chair Frank Albrecht, Co-chair Rick Holland Katrinka Dicke Jane Gustafson Ted Blume Tim Montgomery Tim Reigert ii Contents Forward ................................................................................................................................iv Introduction ........................................................................................................................1 Plan Structure ................................................................................................................1 North American Model of Conservation ............................................................2 Mission ............................................................................................................................2 Vision................................................................................................................................2 Positioned for the Future ..........................................................................................3 Agency Doctrines Funding..................................................................................................................................4 Human Resources............................................................................................................14 Internal Communication ..............................................................................................16 Information........................................................................................................................18 Marketing ..........................................................................................................................22 Education ..........................................................................................................................28 Wildlife Damage Control..............................................................................................32 Captive and Propagated Wildlife ..............................................................................34 Customer Service ............................................................................................................36 Law Enforcement ............................................................................................................38 Agency Programs Big Game............................................................................................................................46 Small Game ......................................................................................................................54 Migratory Game Birds ..................................................................................................62 Furbearers and Nongame Animals ..........................................................................79 Biological Diversity ........................................................................................................86 Wildlife Management Areas ......................................................................................99 Private Lands and other Public Lands ..................................................................100 Missouri River ................................................................................................................106 Rivers, Streams and Canals ......................................................................................110 Reservoirs ........................................................................................................................114 Community and Urban Lakes ..................................................................................120 Public Pits and Ponds ..................................................................................................123 Private Ponds and Sandpits ......................................................................................126 Sandhills Lakes ..............................................................................................................128 State Parks ......................................................................................................................131 State Historical Parks ..................................................................................................138 State Recreastion Areas..............................................................................................144 State Recreastion Trails ..............................................................................................152 Information Technology ............................................................................................155 Appendix Topic Categorization of Public Input Responses..........................................158 iii Foreword he first long–range agency plan for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission was completed in 1996. Titled Focusing on the Future – A Plan Tfor Nebraska’s Fish, Wildlife and Parkland Resources, this document served as a management blueprint for Commission activities in the years afterward. Application of the ideas and plans put forth in the document yielded a number of benefits to residents of Nebraska, and established the idea of continuing this type of forward-thinking, creative planning for the future. As time passes, it is appropriate that we monitor our progress, make adjustments where necessary, and continue to plot our path forward into the future. In 2004, this document was reviewed and the progress made on the strategies contained within it assessed. This third edition represents further evaluation and assessment of progress. As of October, 2011, 49 percent of the strategies contained in the plan were in progress and another 25 percent partially or totally completed. The plan has been revised, augmented and updated to reflect the concerns of our constituents and new challenges faced by the agency. It is intended to guide the agency forward for the next two bienniums and contains a high level of detail for key activities. As with previous versions, this edition represents hard work on the part of many employees of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, as well as valuable input from our constituents, stakeholders and Commissioners. All contributors gave extensive thought to the future of programs and doctrines, considering the path each should follow. This is a guiding document for agency efforts. Resources are limited and new challenges often emerge; both the agency and staff need to be thoughtful and flexible in meeting those challenges. It is understood that we may not be able to accomplish everything in this document; budget, staff and time limitations mean that choices will need to be made and priorities assigned. Nor is this plan intended to usurp decision-making authority, or to replace the role of creativity and hard work. It will, however, serve as a roadmap to help guide the activities of this Commission into the years ahead and to keep our focus on the future of Nebraska’s outdoor resources. My thanks to all who have been part of this process. Rex Amack, Director Nebraska Game and Parks Commission iv Introduction ocusing on the Future is a strategic plan to help and direction box that provides a brief chapter summary, direct The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s introductory text that includes past considerations, Fwork activities for the next four years. The current conditions and challenges to be addressed in the document is intended to provide a common understanding future, and the strategic planning component for the next of where the agency will focus efforts to position for four years. For the strategic section of the plan, agency successful delivery of high quality products and services intentions are formatted by a goal, objective (in programs for our public. Defining agency goals, objectives, issues, only), issue, strategy and tactic structure. strategies and tactics through a well articulated and Program and doctrine goals are general statements of transparent document, we seek to establish an broad direction or intent with no time limit.