Land-Conservation Plans

Land-conservation plans focus on private lands within the refuge boundaries with the goal of identifying and conserving high-quality habitat on those lands. The plan guides the refuge’s land-protection activities and provides a framework for refuge and private landowner cooperation. Any course of action would require mutual consent. The plan does not obligate either the refuge or the landowners to undertake any of the land-conservation measures identified. The refuge must consider management goals, priorities, and the availability of funds when approached by private landowners with land-conservation proposals.

A total of 10 land conservation plans were completed between 1992 and 2004; at that time, many were called “land protection plans.” The remaining five plans are expected to be completed by the end of 2009.

National Wildlife Refuge	Completion/Estimated Date
Alaska Maritime	September 2010
Alaska Peninsula and Becharof (completed)	December 2002
Arctic	December 2014
Innoko (completed)	July 2007
Izembek (completed)	March 1998
Kanuti (completed)	December 2002
Kenai (completed)	October 1994
Kodiak (completed)	October 1992
Koyukuk / Nowitna	December 2010
Selawik	December 2013
Tetlin (completed)	May 2001
Togiak (completed)	April 2000
Yukon Delta (completed)	September 2004
Yukon Flats (completed)	April 1997

Unlike comprehensive conservation plans, land conservation plans receive only an internal review and circulation; they are not published for the general public. Copies of summaries or portions of those already completed are available by through Refuge Plans and going to the specific refuge name.