Page 15 - OutdoorOK2024MayJune ONLINE

Stephen OfSthun Bill Horn Joe Stewart/readerS' Photo ShowcaSe 2019

Kellie Carter/readers' Photo showCase 2023

Jena Donnell/oDWC Jena Donnell/oDWC

CELEBRATING WILDLIFE DIVERSITY

OKLAHOMA’S DIVERSE NATURAL WORLD IS IN THE SPOTLIGHT HERE . HUNDREDS OF
SPECIES OF PLANTS, FISH, BIRDS AND ANIMALS, ALONG WITH A RICH ARRAY OF
WILD HABITATS, RIGHTLY DESERVE THE ATTENTION AND ADMIRATION OF ALL
OKLAHOMANS . IN THESE PAGES, READ ABOUT VARIOUS WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT
CONSERVATION TOPICS THAT CAN EASILY GO UNNOTICED .

ALL ARTICLES BY JENA DONNELL, COMMUNICATION AND
INFORMATION SPECIALIST

WILDLIFE DIVERSITY PROGRAM S E E S H A R E S C I E N C E
Established in 1981, the Wildlife Department’s Wildlife Diversity
SPECIAL FOCUS:
Program focuses on rare, declining, and threatened species of wildlife SEE NATURE . SHARE SIGHTINGS .
as well as those common species not hunted or fished. More than 800
SUPPORT SCIENCE .
species have been documented in Oklahoma, of which nearly 90% are
Sharing nature sightings is one of the eas-
considered nongame species.
iest and most effective ways you can get
To help conserve our wildlife and maintain Oklahoma’s rich biolog-
involved in conservation. It’s something you
ical heritage for present and future generations, the Wildlife Diversity
can do whether you’re new to nature or have
Program has developed the “Oklahoma Comprehensive Wildlife
years of experience, and every sighting helps
Conservation Strategy.” This guiding document helps prioritize con-
biologists learn a little more about our state’s
S E E
servation issues and actions, and determine research and surveys on
natural resources. Go to Page 29 for more.
species considered to be of greatest conservation need.
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