Page 34 - Bats of Oklahoma Field Guide

Oklahoma Department
of Wildlife Conservation

Established in 1909, the mission of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation is to manage,
protect and enhance wildlife resources and habitat for the scientific, educational, recreational,
aesthetic, and economic benefits to present and future generations of citizens and visitors to Oklahoma.

Wildlife Diversity Program

The Wildlife Diversity Program is a program of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.
It began in 1981 as the Nongame Wildlife Program to raise awareness of and address the
conservation needs of the broad range of fish and wildlife species that are not traditional sport
fish and game. Altogether, these species account for more than 800 kinds of fish, mammals, birds,
reptiles and amphibians and many thousands of insects and other invertebrates. In 1997, the
program was renamed the Wildlife Diversity Program.

The Wildlife Diversity Program’s creation enhanced the focus on research, monitoring, information
sharing, special programs and new sources of funding for those species that are not hunted and fished.
It is primarily funded by State Wildlife Grants, private donors and the sales of Wildlife Department
license plates, publications and Wildlife Conservation Passports.

34

2013 Bat Field Guide.indd 34 3/21/13 2:36 PM