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<br />EXI:CUTIVE SUM~~Y <br /> <br />The wetlands resource of Colorado h:i1s been destroyed iIwrementally over decades. It is <br />estimated Colorado has lost one-half of its wetlands resource in the last century, Humans, <br />wildlife, and plants have all been adversely affected by this loss. Within, Colorado, rapid <br />population growth, increased urbanization and expanding and intensified agriculture are all <br />accelerating the pressure on remaining wetlands and rapi(lly narrowing the window of opportunity <br />to correct the situation. <br /> <br />The Wetlands Initiative is a strategy .fii>r the conservation of wedands. It is a cooperative venture <br />between partners (Great Outdoors Colorado, the Division of Wildlife, Ducks Unlimited, The <br />Nature Conservancy, Partners For Wildlife and State Parks) that have a broad interest in wetlands <br />with specific wetland conservation goals. This partnership will potentially make available <br />$11,000,000 for wetlands conservatiun. The Wetland Initiative uses an innovative approach to <br />wetlands conse1vation working with willing-to-participate land owners and entities. Furthermore, <br />locally based committees distnbuted tlrroughout the State will play a Illl~or role in this great effort <br />and will provide grassroots support. :Eighty-three percent of the residents of Colorado agree that <br />wetlands should be protected; participation in the Wetlands Initiative c'ommittees reflects this <br />sentiment. <br /> <br />The Division of Wildlife is rapidly evolving into an agency with an increased emphasis on <br />wetlands conselvation. Having recenlly examined its wetli:mds conservation efforts, it has <br />developed a Wetlands Program that hils a goal of protecting 100,000 ac:res of wetlands by the <br />year 2005. The Wedands Initiative, a key component oftlle Wedands Program, will initiate that <br />effort by conserving a minimum of 15,,000 acres of wetlands by 1999. <br /> <br />By protecting significant wetlands the Wetlands Initiative will provide major benefits to the people <br />of Colorado including the protection of wildlife habitat (filr wetland dependent species such as <br />fish, waterfowl, waterbirds, amplnbwls and more), open !~)ace, biologic:al diversity, water quality, <br />and important wetland functions such as groundwater rechrge and flood control. Valuable <br />educational and recreational opportunities will also be protected. <br /> <br />The Wetlands Initiative will deliver on-the-ground products of the mo~1 tangIble type: wetlands <br />protected and managed for current and future generations. <br /> <br />I <br />