04-25-2012, 11:10 AM
SACRAMENTO - The adopted California Fish and Wildlife Strategic Vision (CFWSV) and two accompanying documents can now be viewed at www.vision.ca.gov. In accordance with AB 2376 (Huffman, 2010) the strategic vision aims to improve the ability of the California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) and the California Fish and Game Commission (F&GC) to successfully tackle the challenges of the 21st century.
"I would like to thank everyone involved in the process for all of their hard work," said Secretary for Natural Resources and Chair of the strategic vision executive committee John Laird. "I am confident this vision will help us in improving and enhancing California's capacity and effectiveness to protect and manage our fish and wildlife."
The strategic vision begins with the existing DFG and F&GC vision and mission statements, and then suggests core values, foundational strategies, overarching goals and objectives, and recommendations for helping achieve the goals and objectives.
Along with an appointed blue ribbon citizen commission, a 49-member stakeholder advisory group representing 17 different interest areas, including fishing and hunting groups, landowners, marine interests, and non-profit conservation organizations, held numerous meetings to prepare the recommendations adopted by the executive committee.
The public was also actively engaged in the vision process. Four public meetings were held around the state, online resources were made available, stakeholders acted as conduits for their constituencies, and direct email access gave citizens multiple opportunities to weigh-in on the process and ideas being discussed. Public comments proved helpful in developing the final product released today.
"The stakeholder group, blue ribbon commission, and DFG staff have worked hard to suggest ways to improve the performance of DFG and the commission. Although I believe the vision is not a perfect document, the concept of an in-depth review of the department and commission is timely." said Fish and Game Commission President Dan Richards. "On behalf of my fellow commissioners, we thank everyone involved in the process and look forward to the Legislature and administration stepping up with the necessary resources to meet the challenges and opportunities at the department and commission."
Some examples of the recommendations in the CFWSV include to: ensure successful recruitment and retention of fish and game wardens, build capacity within DFG to address the complex role that science plays in resource management, establish an inter-agency coordination process to ensure consistency and efficiency in the review of multiple permits, remove barriers to small-scale restoration projects, increase penalties for wildlife crimes, create a permanent stakeholder advisory group to periodically advise DFG and F&GC, and require open and transparent accounting practices in order to improve public confidence in how funds are managed.
"This strategic vision will help guide our upcoming strategic planning process and help the department become more efficient, effective and innovative," said Department of Fish and Game Director Charlton H. Bonham. "I'm pleased with the results and look forward to using this vision as we plan for a 21st century department."
DFG employees were closely involved with the process and provided clarity where needed during the discussions. Department staff made suggestions that the strategic vision highlight protecting ecosystems, empowering and supporting DFG employees, and creating greater cooperation and integrity through open and honest communication.
Recognizing the importance of understanding why past efforts to implement recommendations related to DFG and F&GC were unsuccessful or incomplete, the CFWSV Project also conducted two studies related to what prevents or impedes recommendations from being implemented. The first study was an assessment examining past evaluations of DFG and F&GC and the degree to which recommendations from those evaluations were implemented. The second study was a literature review designed to determine if barriers encountered in California have been experienced by other, similar organizations. Contained within a single "barriers to implementation" report, the goal of both studies is to contribute to the likelihood of addressing such barriers to successfully implement the CFWSV and accompanying recommendations.
In addition, accompanying the strategic vision is a third document containing background information to help readers understand the reason for the project and to also serve as a reference document with a brief history of the project.
The strategic vision, barriers to implementation, and background materials documents are available on the CFWSV website.
To read the California Fish and Wildlife Strategic Vision please visit www.vision.ca.gov
Media Contact
Clark Blanchard, (916) 651-7585 clark.blanchard@resources.ca.gov
"I would like to thank everyone involved in the process for all of their hard work," said Secretary for Natural Resources and Chair of the strategic vision executive committee John Laird. "I am confident this vision will help us in improving and enhancing California's capacity and effectiveness to protect and manage our fish and wildlife."
The strategic vision begins with the existing DFG and F&GC vision and mission statements, and then suggests core values, foundational strategies, overarching goals and objectives, and recommendations for helping achieve the goals and objectives.
Along with an appointed blue ribbon citizen commission, a 49-member stakeholder advisory group representing 17 different interest areas, including fishing and hunting groups, landowners, marine interests, and non-profit conservation organizations, held numerous meetings to prepare the recommendations adopted by the executive committee.
The public was also actively engaged in the vision process. Four public meetings were held around the state, online resources were made available, stakeholders acted as conduits for their constituencies, and direct email access gave citizens multiple opportunities to weigh-in on the process and ideas being discussed. Public comments proved helpful in developing the final product released today.
"The stakeholder group, blue ribbon commission, and DFG staff have worked hard to suggest ways to improve the performance of DFG and the commission. Although I believe the vision is not a perfect document, the concept of an in-depth review of the department and commission is timely." said Fish and Game Commission President Dan Richards. "On behalf of my fellow commissioners, we thank everyone involved in the process and look forward to the Legislature and administration stepping up with the necessary resources to meet the challenges and opportunities at the department and commission."
Some examples of the recommendations in the CFWSV include to: ensure successful recruitment and retention of fish and game wardens, build capacity within DFG to address the complex role that science plays in resource management, establish an inter-agency coordination process to ensure consistency and efficiency in the review of multiple permits, remove barriers to small-scale restoration projects, increase penalties for wildlife crimes, create a permanent stakeholder advisory group to periodically advise DFG and F&GC, and require open and transparent accounting practices in order to improve public confidence in how funds are managed.
"This strategic vision will help guide our upcoming strategic planning process and help the department become more efficient, effective and innovative," said Department of Fish and Game Director Charlton H. Bonham. "I'm pleased with the results and look forward to using this vision as we plan for a 21st century department."
DFG employees were closely involved with the process and provided clarity where needed during the discussions. Department staff made suggestions that the strategic vision highlight protecting ecosystems, empowering and supporting DFG employees, and creating greater cooperation and integrity through open and honest communication.
Recognizing the importance of understanding why past efforts to implement recommendations related to DFG and F&GC were unsuccessful or incomplete, the CFWSV Project also conducted two studies related to what prevents or impedes recommendations from being implemented. The first study was an assessment examining past evaluations of DFG and F&GC and the degree to which recommendations from those evaluations were implemented. The second study was a literature review designed to determine if barriers encountered in California have been experienced by other, similar organizations. Contained within a single "barriers to implementation" report, the goal of both studies is to contribute to the likelihood of addressing such barriers to successfully implement the CFWSV and accompanying recommendations.
In addition, accompanying the strategic vision is a third document containing background information to help readers understand the reason for the project and to also serve as a reference document with a brief history of the project.
The strategic vision, barriers to implementation, and background materials documents are available on the CFWSV website.
To read the California Fish and Wildlife Strategic Vision please visit www.vision.ca.gov
Media Contact
Clark Blanchard, (916) 651-7585 clark.blanchard@resources.ca.gov