HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania wildlife agencies this week opened public comment on a 10-year conservation plan covering 858 at-risk species, a federally required blueprint the state must complete to remain eligible for wildlife grant funding.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission and Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission will accept comments on the draft 2025-2035 Pennsylvania Wildlife Action Plan through Sept. 19. The plan and comment form are available at https://www.pa.gov/wildlife-action-plan.
The nonregulatory plan identifies native species and habitats requiring conservation attention, the threats facing them, potential responses and methods for monitoring results. Pennsylvania must submit the final plan to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service by Oct. 1.
Federal approval is required for states to receive money through the State and Tribal Wildlife Grant Program. Congress requires states to revise their wildlife action plans at least once every 10 years.
Pennsylvania’s revised draft identifies 858 Species of Greatest Conservation Need, including 86 birds, 21 mammals, 19 amphibians, 18 reptiles, 47 fish and 667 invertebrates.
The state first developed its wildlife action plan in 2005 as a framework for conserving native fish and wildlife, maintaining resilient habitats and directing work involving at-risk species.
State and Tribal Wildlife Grants tied to the plan have supported efforts to protect and recover vulnerable species and their habitats over the past decade, according to the agencies.
Game Commission Executive Director Steve Smith stated that the revised framework would keep Pennsylvania’s conservation work “aligned with the federal government and other states.”
The two commissions developed the draft with conservation partners using information about native species, habitats, threats, conservation measures and monitoring.
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