Wildlife Action Plan Background

How did this start?

Congress created the State Wildlife Grants Program to prevent wildlife from becoming endangered. The grant program provides funding for on the ground conservation projects. Each state is required to prepare a Wildlife Action Plan to remain eligible for funding. Each Action Plan must focus on "Species of Greatest Conservation Need".

What does Congress require from each state?

The main goal of the plan, as defined by Congress, is to keep species off the state and Federal endangered and threatened species lists. To accomplish this, the states are asked to:

Consider all native wildlife, game and nongame, large and small, as long as the focus is on those species of greatest conservation need;

Take proactive action for the species of greatest conservation need and their habitats;

Create partnerships, build on past efforts, and implement the plan through local actions; and

Implement the plan without introducing new regulations or constraints.

Congress requires eight elements be included in the Wildlife Action Plan. Those are:

What's here now? - distribution and abundance of wildlife species. Focus on low and declining species that are indicators of the health of the state's wildlife.
Health check - location and condition of habitats that are vital to conserving priority species.
Threats - identifying problems that may harm wildlife species and habitat, and priority research for conservation actions.
Actions - prescriptions and priorities for conserving wildlife species and habitats.
Monitoring - how to assess and measure effectiveness of conservation actions.
Review - assessment at intervals not to exceed 10 years.
Coordination - involvement of federal, state, local agencies and Indian tribes that manage lands or programs affecting wildlife.
Public participation - required by law and essential for success in developing and carrying out plans. You are needed now - and later too!

Last Revised: March 9, 2006