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Wisconsin Wildlife Action Plan

Planning for the future of Species of Greatest Conservation Need and their habitat

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The Wisconsin Wildlife Action Plan (WWAP) focuses conservation on rare and declining species and their habitats. The WWAP, first published in 2005 was updated in 2015 to satisfy funding eligibility through the State Wildlife Grant Program – the only nationwide program to prevent wildlife from becoming endangered. Over time the WWAP has become a platform to help partners, organizations and individuals identify and implement important conservation actions to keep our natural resources healthy.

Updating the WWAP

The WWAP is due for its second ten-year update at the end of 2025. Opportunities to share knowledge and technical input will be available throughout the development of the 2025-2035 WWAP. Questions and comments can be sent at any time to the Wisconsin Wildlife Action Plan Coordinator email.

A public comment period will be held in the summer of 2025 on the DRAFT 2025-2035 Wisconsin Wildlife Action Plan prior to submitting the Plan to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in September 2025.

Opportunities to Share Knowledge During Development of the 2025-2035 WWAP Elements Input Schedule
Species of greatest conservation need (SGCN) – species with low or declining populations that are in need of conservation. Proposed List
Species of greatest information need (SIN/SGIN) – species that do not have sufficient information or that do not meet the criteria for SGCN but are of conservation concern were added to ranking and monitoring lists depending on their information needs. Proposed List
Associated natural communities and habitats – needed to support healthy populations of SGCNs. Spring/Summer 2024
Conservation opportunity areas – places supporting SGCN habitat and significant ecological features that provide the best opportunity for successful conservation. Fall/Winter 2024
Conservation actions – to address issues or threats that affect SGCN or their habitat and measures for adapting these actions to new information or changing conditions. Winter/Spring 2025

Proposed 2025-2035 WWAP Species Lists and Conservation Ranks

Information on species range, occurrence, threats and trends were compiled to update Wisconsin state conservation ranks (SRanks) following NatureServe Conservation Status Assessment Methodology. Updated SRanks were used along with environmental vulnerability, Wisconsin status relative to the rest of their range, genetic diversity and other factors to identify SGCNs and SGINs for the 2025-2035 WWAP.

Mammals

Proposed 2025-2035 WWAP SGCN and SGINs are included in the table below.

To review detailed information and to provide input on rarity, trends and threats to inform SRanks and WWAP species lists, download the complete list of mammal species assessed [Excel]. Please return the spreadsheet with your input to the Wisconsin Wildlife Action Plan Coordinator.

Birds

Proposed 2025-2035 WWAP SGCN and SGINs are included in the table below.

To review detailed information and to provide input on rarity, trends and threats to inform SRanks and WWAP species lists, download the complete list of bird species assessed [Excel]. Please return the spreadsheet with your input to the Wisconsin Wildlife Action Plan Coordinator.

Amphibians and Reptiles

Proposed 2025-2035 WWAP SGCN and SGINs are included in the table below.

To review detailed information and to provide input on rarity, trends and threats to inform SRanks and WWAP species lists, download the complete list of amphibian and reptile species assessed [Excel]. Please return the spreadsheet with your input to the Wisconsin Wildlife Action Plan Coordinator.

Fishes

Proposed 2025-2035 WWAP SGCN and SGINs are included in the table below.

To review detailed information and to provide input on rarity, trends and threats to inform SRanks and WWAP species lists, download the complete list of fish species assessed [Excel]. Please return the spreadsheet with your input to the Wisconsin Wildlife Action Plan Coordinator.

Invertebrates

Proposed 2025-2035 WWAP SGCN and SGINs are included in the table below.

To review detailed information and to provide input on rarity, trends and threats to inform SRanks and WWAP species lists, download the complete list of invertebrate species assessed [Excel]. Please return the spreadsheet with your input to the Wisconsin Wildlife Action Plan Coordinator.

Plants

Proposed 2025-2035 WWAP SGCN and SGINs are included in the table below.

To review detailed information and to provide input on rarity, trends and threats to inform SRanks and WWAP species lists, download the complete list of plant species assessed [Excel]. Please return the spreadsheet with your input to the Wisconsin Wildlife Action Plan Coordinator.