New York DEC seeks public input on draft list of species of greatest conservation need

Albany — The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is seeking public input on the draft list of Species of Greatest Conservation Need and associated species status assessments for use in updating New York’s State Wildlife Action Plan for 2025-35.

Earlier this year, DEC sought review and input on draft species status assessments. Relevant data and other feedback informed the draft Species of Greatest Conservation Need list and were incorporated into the species status assessments that are now available for additional review.

The State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP) guides management actions for New York’s Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) and is a requirement for New York to participate in the federally funded State and Tribal Wildlife Grants Program. SGCN are species native to and extant in New York that are currently experiencing threats likely to result in further decline of their populations in the state if conservation actions are not implemented within the next 10 years.

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The SWAP serves as New York State’s guiding document for managing and conserving species and habitats before these species become too rare or costly to restore. Congress requires states and territories to develop a SWAP and update it every 10 years. States may only spend grant funds on SGCN identified in their SWAP.

DEC is seeking public input on the draft SGCN list and any additional sources of information on the status and distribution of New York’s SGCN. The public can also nominate a new SGCN, or propose a species be removed from the list.

The draft SGCN list and revised species status assessments are available to download from DEC’s website.

Input and data may be submitted by email to nyswap2025@dec.ny.gov. Please include “Draft SGCN List” in the subject line.

Information may also be sent by mail to: SWAP Coordinator, Division of Fish and Wildlife, NYSDEC, 625 BroadwayAlbany, NY 12233-4754. All input and data are due by Jan. 14, 2025.