Tennessee Wildlife Resources AgencyTWRA’s REGION IV NONGAME/WILDLIFE DIVERSITY PROGRAM
The TWRA Wildlife Diversity Program is responsible for managing species listed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as threatened or endangered. The program also manages species listed by TWRA as threatened, endangered, in need of management, and non-game wildlife and their habitats. Non-game wildlife includes those species that are not fished, hunted or trapped. More than 90% of Tennessee’s wildlife is classified as non-game, including: 292 species of birds, 77 mammals, 76 amphibians, 56 reptiles, over 325 fishes, 77 crayfish, 2 freshwater shrimp, 96 aquatic snails, 275 terrestrial snails, 132 mussels, 5 freshwater clams and thousands of other invertebrates, such as butterflies, dragonflies, spiders, etc.
The Wildlife Diversity Program’s primary responsibility is to conserve the state’s nongame wildlife resources through the identification and management of nongame species and their habitats. The TWRA also seeks to inform and educate the public about the resource, provide technical assistance, and to improve the recreational opportunities it provides.
Conserving the diversity of nongame species is not only critical to the continued health of the state’s ecosystems, this resource also enriches the lives of the millions of Tennesseans who enjoy wildlife related recreation at home or in their travels throughout the Volunteer State. Non-game wildlife resources are experienced and enjoyed through activities such as bird watching, wildlife photography, and educational endeavors. This recreational tourism contributes more than $448 million annually to the state’s economy through expenditures for travel and equipment. As an essential component of the state’s natural beauty, nongame wildlife also benefits the state’s expanding tourism industry by attracting thousands of visitors to wildlife management areas, state parks, state and national forests, wildlife viewing areas and private recreational facilities.
Regional Programs/Projects include:
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