The 2025-2035 Pennsylvania Wildlife Action Plan is a non-regulatory, proactive conservation blueprint to prevent Species of Greatest Conservation Need from requiring federal protection under the Endangered Species Act.
The 2025-2035 Pennsylvania Wildlife Action Plan (PA WAP) is the Commonwealth’s authoritative, non-regulatory reference for Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) and necessary conservation actions, developed by the Game Commission and Fish and Boat Commission with input from partners and the public working together toward a shared purpose. Implementing the PA WAP reduces fish and wildlife management costs by decreasing expensive recoveries of species in need of critical care. Investing in the PA WAP now conserves fish, wildlife, and vital natural areas for future generations.
A U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service-approved Wildlife Action Plan maintains Pennsylvania's eligibility for federal State and Tribal Wildlife Grants funding, the nation's core program to prevent wildlife from becoming endangered. These funds help implement conservation actions recommended in the PA WAP.
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Thank you for wanting to help fish and wildlife Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN)!
The Wildlife Action Map (WAM) includes three interactive, web-based tools to explore species distributions and support conservation planning and implementation for Pennsylvania’s at-risk fish and wildlife. Registration is free and needed for full functionality.
Planning - Conservation Opportunity Area (COA) Tool. For user-determined areas of interest, this tool provides information on Species of Greatest Conservation Need, associated habitats, needed conservation actions, and more.
Implementation - Conservation Action Tracker (CAT). This tool enables users to delineate on a map areas where conservation actions are planned or implemented. The action information provided can be displayed on a map to allow all users to see our collective conservation work and foster collaborations.
Exploration - A Statewide Search feature allows users to explore Species of Greatest Conservation Need distribution at the county or watershed scale, generating a list and map.
A two-page fact sheet explaining how and when to use the Conservation Opportunity Area Tool (COA) and the Conservation Action Tracker (CAT) as part of the PA Wildlife Action Map.
Instruction for how to register and use the Pennsylvania Wildlife Action Map (WAM), including the Conservation Opportunity Area (COA) Tool and Conservation Action Tracker (CAT).
| Topic (Chapter) | Contents |
|---|---|
| Executive Summary | Overview of the 2025-35 Pennsylvania Wildlife Action Plan (PA WAP) |
| Introduction | Executive Summary, Foreword, Agency Authorities, Plan Goals, Objectives and Strategies, 2015-25 PA WAP Accomplishments, Acknowledgments |
| Species | Species status assessments, Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) selection and list, threats, conservation actions, research needs, and survey priorities summaries
Appendices: 1.1 Species conservation status assessment reports 1.2 Species selection flowchart and guidance 1.3 SGCN list |
| SPECIES ACCOUNTS | Detailed summaries of species' status, threats, actions, surveys, monitoring and research Appendix (1.4) | |
| Birds | Amphibians and Reptiles | Fishes |
| Mammals | Aquatic and Terrestrial Invertebrates | |
| Habitats | Habitat extent and condition |
| Threats | Environmental threats to species and habitats. |
| Conservation Actions | Conservation actions to address threats to species and habitats. |
| Monitoring | Monitoring efforts for species, habitats, and conservation actions implementation |
| Revision | Process for review and revising the PA WAP in the next 10 years |
| Partnerships | Agencies and organizations involved in revising the PA WAP |
| Public Participation | Public involvement in PA WAP revision and implementation |
Everyone! Explore the PA WAP and interactive, web-based Wildlife Action Map to visualize species distributions statewide or select specific areas of interest to obtain a list of species and conservation actions for an area you identify. Don’t wait! Pennsylvania’s Species of Greatest Conservation Need are looking to you for help.
Thank you for your interest in the Pennsylvania Wildlife Action Plan!
Please provide your contact information to receive an email notification when a section of the plan has been updated.
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