2007 Summaries of Wildlife Research Findings - Minnesota State ...

taken to manage the unavoidable impacts of climate change. We classified our remaining
recommendations as either mitigation or adaptation.
4.3.1. Mitigation
• Accomplish gubernatorial mandates to reduce energy consumption and increase efficiency of
energy use by staff (Pawlenty 2004a,b; 2005; 2006). Consider and educate others about
potential impacts of the production of renewable transportation fuels on wildlife and other
natural resources. To reduce fuel consumption, staff should first try to reduce the number of
miles they drive, then try to use the most fuel-efficient vehicle for a particular task. We
should also continue to identify and prioritize specific actions, in addition to those related to
fleet and facilities management.
• Develop recommendations for personal choices by staff, those participating in wildliferelated
recreation, and the general public to reduce direct and indirect consumption of fossil
fuels (e.g., strategies for driving fewer miles, reducing use of electricity). We should
encourage the use of fuel-efficient and low-emission vehicles for personal travel by the
millions of hunters, trappers, and wildlife watchers in Minnesota. Specifically for staff, we
should consider evaluating and drafting policies regarding telecommuting from home rather
than driving to work every day, use of telephone and video conferencing for meetings, and
the net effect on climate change of various practices.
• Develop more wildlife-related recreational opportunities near urban population centers to
reduce travel distance or the need to travel (Schultz et al. 2003).
• Seek carbon sequestration opportunities that do not conflict with or diminish wildlife
conservation.
• Use the Division’s outreach capacity to inform constituents and other citizens about how
they can reduce their contributions to climate change.
4.3.2. Adaptation
4.3.2.1. Administration
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• Develop, utilize, and communicate transparent decision processes. This will be important for
documenting climate-related decisions and ensuring support for the decisions from staff and
stakeholders. We must confront uncertainty in a logical, productive manner when making