About
State Wildlife Action Plans serve as the blueprints for conserving our nation's fish and wildlife and preventing endangered species. In 2005, each state, territory and District Columbia submitted their plan for approval to the US Fish and Wildlife Service as a condition for receiving funding through the State and Tribal Wildlife Grants program. The plans were reviewed and revised in 2015 with the latest science and information to guide the conservation of over 12,000 species in greatest conservation need. The next major revision will be completed by 2025. Each plan addresses 8 required elements laid out by the US Congress. The plans were developed in collaboration with leading scientists, conservationists, private landowners, and other members of the public. Although progress is being made, many species of fish and wildlife continue to decline because funding is inadequate. Currently, ~$70 million is appropriated annually by Congress to the 56 states, territories, and the District of Columbia to implement the plans. A survey by Southwick and Associates estimated that $1.3 billion in federal funding is needed annually to implement the plans. The Blue Ribbon Panel on Sustaining America's Diverse Fish and Wildlife Resources reviewed funding options and recommended that existing royalties and fees from the development of energy and mineral resources on federal lands and water be invested in the implementation of State Wildlife Action Plans. The Alliance for America's Fish and Wildlife is leading the campaign to secure increased and dedicated funding by supporting the passage of the Recovering America's Wildlife Act.
Links to State Wildlife Action Plans: | Alabama | Alaska | American Samoa | Arizona | Arkansas | California | Colorado | Connecticut | District of Columbia | Delaware | Florida | Georgia | Guam | Hawaii | Idaho | Illinois | Indiana | Iowa| Kansas | Kentucky | Louisiana | Maine | Maryland | Massachusetts | Michigan | Minnesota | Mississippi | Missouri | Montana | Nebraska | Nevada | New Hampshire | New Jersey | New Mexico | New York | North Carolina | Northern Mariana Islands | North Dakota | Ohio | Oklahoma | Oregon | Pennsylvania | Puerto Rico | Rhode Island | South Carolina | South Dakota | Tennessee | Texas | Utah | Vermont | Virginia | Virgin Islands | Washington | West Virginia | Wisconsin | Wyoming |
State Wildlife Action Plan Resources:
Voluntary Tribal Guidance for SWAPs (new)
Voluntary Climate Adaptation Guidance for SWAPs
SWAP and Landscape Conservation Framework
Guidance to Add Plants to SWAPs
List of States that Include Plants in SWAP
Best Practices for Plan Review and Revision
Paper: SWAPs Offer Opportunities for Pollinators
Missouri SWAP Lessons Learned PPT
Florida SWAP Lessons Learned PPT
Report: Working Together To Prevent Endangered Species
Related Resources:
The State and Wildlife Grant Program: 20 Years of Conservation Success (published Sept 2020)
Final Report of the Blue Ribbon Panel on Sustaining America's Diverse Fish and Wildlife Resources
Investing in Wildlife: State Wildlife Funding Campaigns (Summary)
Investing in Wildlife: State Wildlife Funding Campaigns (Full Report)
AFWA Contact:
Mark Humpert, Conservation Initiatives Director
mhumpert@fishwildlife.org
202-838-3459
Links:
USGS Species of Greatest Conservation Need Database
USFWS WIldlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program
State Wildlife Action Plan Learning Series Notes
Learning Series #1 (Tribal Engagement)
Learning Series #2 (Climate Adaptation)
Learning Series #3 (Renewable Energy)
Learning Series #4 (NatureServe Tools)
Learning Series #5 (Equitable Engagement)
Learning Series #6 (Landscape Conservation)