The Midwest Landscape Initiative (MLI) has been busy this year.  As part of its annual presentation to the Midwest Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (MAFWA) at its Annual Meeting in June 2022, the MLI staff highlighted several accomplishments as well as new capacity it has added to pursue even more efforts, all published in MLI’s First Annual Report.

The Annual Report provides some basic information about the MLI as well as a brief accounting of work completed this year.  Highlights include the Regional Species of Greatest Conservation Need prioritization and habitat expansion, State Wildlife Action Plan Coordination, and work toward the Midwest Conservation Action Plan, including establishment of regional goals and early development of a blueprint for conservation.

“The MLI has accomplished foundational elements of landscape conservation this year that will set the stage for regional conservation efforts to be carried out in the years ahead. I look forward to continuing these collaborative conversations as we move forward together in the Midwest,” said Sara Parker Pauley, State Co-chair of the MLI and Director of the Missouri Department of Conservation.

The Report also highlights new dedicated staff capacity for the effort, including a new Landscape Conservation Biologist, Dr. Alex Wright; a User Support and Engagement Coordinator, Kate Parsons; and a Spatial Analyst, Rachael Carlberg.  Lorisa Smith of the Missouri Department of Conservation will be stepping in to replace retiring former Minnesota Director Ed Boggess as the MAFWA Executive Liaison, which represents a commitment from the Missouri Department of Conservation to this effort.  These new staff join the existing team of MLI Coordinator, Kelley Myers and MLI Technical Coordinator, Claire Beck; a handful of contractors; and the hundred or so members of the various committees, teams, and working groups that meet regularly to contribute to the outcomes of the MLI.

MLI staff are constantly exploring new and innovative ways to engage more conservation professionals across the region while recognizing limited capacity.

“I’m excited that the MLI can provide a forum, a place of belonging for many voices in conservation, that will help grow and shape the leaders of tomorrow as they engage across agencies, leadership levels, and disciplines to address our shared, long-term conservation challenges,” stated Craig Czarnecki, Federal Co-chair of the MLI and Assistant Regional Director for Science Applications, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Leading up to the MAFWA Annual Meeting, MLI hosted a webinar to provide basic information and updates on activities.  A summary and recording of that webinar is available here.

The Midwest Landscape Initiative is a collaboration of fish and wildlife organizations that identifies shared conservation priorities to develop solutions for healthy, functional ecosystems in the Midwest.