One Health, One Plan: Embedding Wildlife Conservation and Ecology in Local and State Emergency Management – Homeland Security Today

Report on Integrating Ecological Conservation into Emergency Management to Advance Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

This report analyzes the critical need to integrate wildlife conservation and ecological principles into local and state-level emergency management practices within the United States. Current emergency management frameworks often marginalize ecological considerations, resulting in secondary environmental crises that undermine public health, complicate recovery, and jeopardize long-term community resilience. This oversight hinders progress toward several key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The research, based on a multi-method approach including literature review, case study analysis, and expert interviews, identifies significant gaps in existing practices. Key findings confirm the necessity of adopting the One Health approach, which directly supports SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) by recognizing the interdependence of human, animal, and environmental health. The report concludes that integrating ecological considerations is essential for building resilient communities (SDG 11), taking climate action (SDG 13), protecting life on land (SDG 15), and fostering multi-stakeholder partnerships (SDG 17). Actionable recommendations are provided to bridge the gap between emergency management and ecological stewardship.

1.0 Introduction

1.1 Background: Disasters and Sustainable Development

The increasing frequency and severity of environmental disasters, such as wildfires, floods, and hurricanes, present a significant challenge to sustainable development. While emergency management agencies have focused on protecting human life and infrastructure, the ecological dimensions of disasters are often overlooked. This neglect leads to environmental degradation, loss of biodiversity, and disruption of ecosystems, which directly contravenes the principles of SDG 15 (Life on Land) and SDG 14 (Life Below Water). A sustainable approach to disaster management must recognize that community resilience, a cornerstone of SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), is intrinsically linked to the health of surrounding ecosystems.

1.2 Problem Statement: The Ecological Gap in Emergency Management

Historically, emergency management has operated under a human-centric paradigm, prioritizing human safety and economic resources while failing to formalize protections for wildlife and natural systems. This gap results in cascading negative impacts, including wildlife displacement, habitat destruction, and long-term environmental harm that complicates recovery efforts. Addressing this requires a paradigm shift towards an integrated framework that gives equal consideration to the animal kingdom and ecological health, thereby creating a more holistic and effective disaster response system aligned with global sustainability targets.

1.3 Purpose of the Report

This report aims to identify areas for improvement in wildlife conservation and ecological stewardship within local and state emergency management. It proposes strategies for integrating ecological principles into all phases of emergency management—preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery—to foster more sustainable and resilient outcomes for both human and natural communities.

2.0 Methodology

A qualitative review of existing academic literature, government reports, and disaster case studies was conducted. The research process was supplemented by interviews with subject matter experts in ecology, wildlife conservation, and emergency management. The primary objective was to synthesize data from these sources to identify systemic gaps and develop actionable recommendations. A key challenge was the limited availability of resources explicitly linking emergency management with wildlife conservation at the sub-national level, necessitating a broader review of ecological impact assessments and environmental recovery guidelines.

3.0 Findings and Analysis

3.1 Systemic Gaps in Policy and Practice

The research confirms that most local and state emergency management programs lack formalized policies for incorporating ecological and wildlife considerations into their operational plans. While federal agencies like FEMA and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have environmental protocols for major disasters, these are not consistently adopted at the municipal or county level. This policy gap represents a significant barrier to achieving the targets of SDG 15 (Life on Land), which calls for urgent action to halt biodiversity loss.

3.2 The One Health Framework: Aligning Human and Environmental Well-being

The study highlights the value of the One Health approach, a concept central to achieving SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being). This framework recognizes that the health of humans, animals, and the environment are inextricably linked. Disaster events demonstrate this interdependence, as impacts on human populations often have cascading consequences for wildlife and ecosystems. Adopting a One Health perspective in emergency management ensures that actions taken to protect human health also support environmental integrity.

3.3 The Imperative for Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships (SDG 17)

Effective ecological integration cannot be achieved in isolation. The findings emphasize the critical need for collaboration, a core principle of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). Emergency managers must establish proactive relationships with:

• State agencies such as the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
• Academic and research institutions that maintain ecological data, like the Michigan Natural Features Inventory.
• Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) specializing in wildlife rescue, habitat conservation, and environmental health.

These partnerships provide the necessary expertise and resources to enhance preparedness, mitigation, and recovery efforts, ensuring that decisions are informed by current ecological data.

3.4 Case Study Insights: Hurricane Katrina

The devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina in 2005 serves as a stark reminder of the dual impact of disasters on human and natural systems. The storm destroyed vast areas of the Breton National Wildlife Refuge, a critical breeding ground for marine and terrestrial species. This loss of habitat directly undermines SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and SDG 15 (Life on Land). The event underscored the necessity of pre-established plans and partnerships to facilitate a coordinated response that addresses both community and ecological recovery.

4.0 Recommendations for an SDG-Aligned Framework

To address the identified gaps and align emergency management with the Sustainable Development Goals, this report proposes the following actions:

1. Develop Local Ecological Disaster Response Frameworks: Create plans tailored to local species and habitat risks, ensuring that actions to protect communities also safeguard biodiversity in line with SDG 15.
2. Formalize Strategic Partnerships (SDG 17): Establish formal agreements and collaborative protocols between emergency management offices and environmental stakeholders, including DNRs, conservation NGOs, and academic institutions.
3. Integrate One Health Principles into Training: Incorporate the One Health framework into emergency management training programs to foster a holistic understanding of the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health, supporting SDG 3.
4. Enhance Data-Driven Planning: Utilize up-to-date ecological data, such as state-level inventories of threatened and endangered species, to inform risk assessments and mitigation strategies.
5. Incorporate Ecological Expertise in Planning Committees: Integrate ecologists and wildlife conservation experts into Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs) and recovery task forces to ensure environmental considerations are embedded in all phases of disaster management.

5.0 Conclusion

Integrating wildlife conservation and ecological health into emergency management is not merely an environmental issue but a fundamental component of building sustainable and resilient communities. The traditional, human-centric approach is insufficient to address the complex challenges posed by modern disasters, which are often exacerbated by climate change (SDG 13). By adopting the One Health framework, fostering multi-stakeholder partnerships (SDG 17), and implementing data-driven ecological protections, emergency managers can significantly enhance community resilience (SDG 11) while fulfilling their responsibility to protect life on land and below water (SDG 15, SDG 14). A holistic preparedness and recovery process that benefits all living systems is essential for achieving the broader vision of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article on integrating wildlife conservation and ecological principles into emergency management practices addresses several interconnected Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The primary focus on community resilience, environmental health, and biodiversity protection creates direct and indirect links to the following goals:

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The article emphasizes the “One Health” approach, which “recognizes that the health of humans, domestic and wild animals, plants, and the wider environment (including ecosystems) are closely linked and interdependent.” This directly connects ecological health with public health, highlighting how environmental crises can exacerbate public health risks.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The core theme is enhancing community resilience to disasters. The study advocates for a “more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient approach to disaster preparedness, response, and recovery” at the local and state levels, which is central to making human settlements safer and more sustainable.
• SDG 13: Climate Action: The article begins by noting the intensified “frequency and severity of environmental disasters such as wildfires, floods, hurricanes, and droughts,” which are climate-related hazards. By advocating for integrated planning to manage these disasters, it directly supports the goal of strengthening resilience and adaptive capacity.
• SDG 15: Life on Land: This is one of the most prominent SDGs in the article. The entire study is premised on the need for “integrating wildlife conservation and ecological principles into emergency management practices.” It discusses protecting wildlife populations, preserving natural ecosystems, and halting biodiversity loss caused by disasters, citing the loss of wildlife refuges after Hurricane Katrina as a key example.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The article repeatedly calls for collaboration and partnerships. It highlights the need for emergency managers to build “proactive relationships with non-governmental organizations (NGOs),” collaborate with “state agencies such as the Department of Natural Resources,” and integrate “ecological subject matter experts into Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs).”

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the issues and recommendations discussed, several specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • Target 11.5: “By 2030, significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected and substantially decrease the direct economic losses relative to global gross domestic product caused by disasters, including water-related disasters, with a focus on protecting the poor and people in vulnerable situations.” The article’s focus on improving disaster preparedness, response, and recovery at local and state levels to protect communities and reduce long-term damage aligns directly with this target.
   • Target 11.b: “By 2020, substantially increase the number of cities and human settlements adopting and implementing integrated policies and plans towards inclusion, resource efficiency, mitigation and adaptation to climate change, resilience to disasters, and develop and implement, in line with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, holistic disaster risk management at all levels.” The call to develop “local ecological disaster response frameworks” and integrate ecological considerations into emergency management plans is a direct reflection of this target.

2. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • Target 13.1: “Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.” The article’s entire premise is to build more resilient communities by integrating ecological health into planning for disasters like wildfires and hurricanes, which are climate-related hazards.

3. SDG 15: Life on Land

   • Target 15.5: “Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and, by 2020, protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species.” The article directly addresses this by advocating for the protection of wildlife during disasters, referencing the “Michigan Natural Features Inventory” which tracks “Endangered, Threatened, Extirpated, and Special Concern species,” and citing the devastation of wildlife refuges.
   • Target 15.9: “By 2020, integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values into national and local planning, development processes, poverty reduction strategies and accounts.” The central recommendation of the article is to integrate “wildlife conservation and ecological principles into emergency management practices at the local and state levels,” which is a perfect example of this target in action.

4. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   • Target 17.17: “Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.” The article strongly advocates for this by recommending that emergency managers “partner with and establish healthy relationships with their Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Michigan Natural Features Inventory (MNFI), and local conservation NGOs.”

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article mentions or implies several indicators that can be used to measure progress:

• Adoption of Integrated Policies: A key indicator is the number of local and state emergency management plans that formally incorporate ecological considerations and wildlife conservation protocols. The article notes that currently, most “lack formalized practices for incorporating ecological systems.” Progress would be measured by an increase in such integrated plans.
• Establishment of Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships: The number of formal partnerships between emergency management agencies and environmental organizations (e.g., DNR, NGOs) can be tracked. The article suggests this is crucial, stating emergency managers should “proactively build these relationships before incidents occur.” The inclusion of “ecological subject matter experts into Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs)” is another measurable indicator of this collaboration.
• Use of Ecological Data in Planning: An indicator of progress is the utilization of ecological data in disaster planning. The article specifically points to the “Michigan Natural Features Inventory” as a resource. Measuring how many emergency plans reference such databases to identify and protect vulnerable species and habitats would demonstrate progress.
• Status of Threatened Species: The article provides a concrete example of an indicator by referencing Michigan’s protected species list. It states, “the most recent update…resulted in 71 species being uplisted to a higher risk status and 53 species being downlisted.” Tracking these numbers over time, especially in post-disaster assessments, can serve as a direct indicator of the success of conservation efforts within disaster management (related to SDG Target 15.5).
• Implementation of the One Health Approach: The extent to which the “One Health” framework is incorporated into emergency management training and operational plans is a measurable indicator. Progress can be assessed by reviewing training curricula and policy documents for the inclusion of these principles.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: hstoday.us