ELGIN COURIER (Texas) 15 November 07 Scouts secure ‘safe harbor' habitat for endangered Houston toad
Boy Scouts in Central Texas, with advice and support from Environmental Defense, have reached an agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to develop future habitat for an endangered species.
Officials from all groups, including researchers from Texas State University, gathered on Saturday, Oct. 27 at Lost Pines Scout Reservation outside Bastrop to officially commence a new chapter in the effort to protect the endangered Houston toad.
“This is a momentous day for the Houston toad and for all of those who played a role in developing this agreement,” said Dale Hall, national director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). “The partnerships developed among agency representatives, environmental allies and the Boy Scouts show that by working together we can find hospitable solutions for endangered species as well as provide a valuable educational experience for our youth.”
The Federal Safe Harbor Agreement certifies that the Capitol Area Council, Boy Scouts of America, has agreed to develop favorable habitat for the Houston toad. This agreement is the result of cooperative work with the Scouts, the federal government and Environmental Defense, which champions partnerships between landowners and the government to help ensure adherence to environmental laws and conservation practices.
The Safe Harbor Agreement builds upon the work that began in 2000 at the council's nearby Griffith League Scout Ranch, involving the Capitol Area Council, USFWS and the Department of the Interior.
Dr. Mike Forstner of Texas State University led the research effort on the Griffith League property. Scouts will manage 4,900 acres of land to provide continued use by Scouts and the Houston toad.
“The Boy Scouts recognized several years ago that we had the opportunity to make a significant contribution in protecting this endangered toad,” said Jim Morriss, vice-president of programs for the Capitol Area Council. “This conservation project will serve as one of the greatest learning opportunities we could ever provide our Scouts. Scouts will have the opportunity to learn about the importance of species diversity while helping to bring the Houston toad back from the brink of extinction.”
Researchers have great concerns about the Houston toad since Texas has only six remaining habitat-hospitable counties.
“As growth in Central Texas increases, private landowners can make the biggest difference with the Houston toad and other endangered species,” said David Wolfe, a wildlife biologist with Environmental Defense. “They make thousands of acres of privately owned land available to America's disappearing wildlife and are doing so without new government regulations.”
The Safe Harbor concept was developed by Environmental Defense and the USFWS to encourage private landowners to restore and maintain habitat for endangered species without fear of incurring additional regulatory restrictions. The program was created in the spring of 1995.
As of late 2006, nearly four million acres of land across the United States have been enrolled in more than three dozen Safe Harbor Agreements. A variety of endangered and threatened animals and rare habitats are the beneficiaries.
Scouts secure ‘safe harbor' habitat for endangered Houston toad