Wildlife action plan

Wisconsin's Strategy for Wildlife Species of Greatest Conservation Need

Wisconsin's wildlife action plan is a strategic approach to wildlife conservation. It was the result of a statewide effort to identify Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN), and outlines priority conservation actions to protect species and their habitats. The plan encourages the involvement of all agencies, organizations, and private individuals in taking action to prevent wildlife from becoming endangered and offers a proactive way to conserve wildlife and natural places for future generations.

Read or download Wisconsin's wildlife action plan [PDF]

Species of Greatest Conservation Need

Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) have low and/or declining populations that are in need of conservation action. They include various birds, fish, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates (e.g. dragonflies, butterflies and freshwater mussels) that are:

• already listed as threatened or endangered;
• at risk because of threats to their life history needs or their habitats;
• stable in number in Wisconsin, but declining in adjacent states or nationally; and
• of unknown status in Wisconsin and suspected to be vulnerable.

Explore the profiles of Species of Greatest Conservation Need

Helping Wisconsin's wildlife

The plan outlines steps needed to conserve wildlife and habitat before they become more rare and more costly to protect. The plan will:

• focus our effort to conserve species most at risk;
• save money by keeping species off the endangered/threatened list;
• stress the importance of protecting habitat; and
• build partnerships.