State and Tribal Wildlife Grants Program

Defenders of Wildlife helped create the State & Tribal Wildlife Grants Program (SWG) to encourage proactive wildlife conservation by federal agencies, state agencies and Indian tribes. The purpose of the State & Tribal Wildlife Grants Program is to protect the full range of biodiversity in each state to prevent species from becoming endangered.

Traditionally, state wildlife agencies have worked to protect and enhance the small number of wildlife species that are either valued as game animals or legally protected under the Endangered Species Act. This narrow focus on such a small set of species leaves hundred of wildlife species in each state with no protection. Many species are declining as a result of this neglect.

State Wildlife Grant Funding

Defenders of Wildlife played a leading role in establishing the State & Tribal Wildlife Grants Program. Congress designates approximately $56 million in funding grants to all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and all 6 U.S. territories each year. This funding is intended to help the states develop biodiversity conservation programs.

However, the amount each state wildlife agency receives each year is not enough to conserve all biodiversity in their states. Defenders encouraged Congress to require each state to create a comprehensive wildlife conservation plan, commonly referred to in many states as a State Wildlife Action Plan.

State Wildlife Action Plans

The purpose of State Wildlife Action Plans is to identify the highest priority conservation needs and also help coordinate conservation action within and between both government and non-governmental organizations.

Defenders commented on every state plan as it was being written and in some states our field staff actively participated in the development of the State Wildlife Action Plan. Now that the Action Plans are completed, we are working with the states and other partners to identify ways for the states to improve and implement their plans successfully.

Conservation Across the Landscape Handout

To protect wildlife effectively, the Plans must be:

Proactive –State Wildlife Action Plans focus on preventing species from being listed under the Endangered Species Act. The Plans must identify effective proactive, incentive-based policies and programs to help declining species.

Scientific –State Wildlife Action Plans must identify species of greatest conservation need, the habitats on which they depend and the threats to their survival using the best scientific data available.

Strategic –State Wildlife Action Plans must synthesize existing scientific data to identify and prioritize the most important issues, places and actions that need conservation attention first.

Flexible –State Wildlife Action Plans must present a strategy for monitoring conservation threats and actions and for adaptive management. Conservationists and the State Wildlife Agencies must be able to identify changing conservation needs and adapt their actions to these needs.

Integrated – State Wildlife Action Plans must help coordinate action between and among both governmental and non-governmental local, state and federal stakeholders. The Plans should provide guidance for all conservation efforts in each state.

Conservation Planning Leaders

Defenders' analyzed each state’s Plans and found they approached the task differently and that not all the Plans met the standards outlined above. We identified 12 State Wildlife Action Plans as conservation planning leaders:

  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Illinois
  • Massachusetts
  • Nebraska
  • New Hampshire
  • New Jersey
  • New Mexico
  • North Carolina
  • Oregon
  • Tennessee
  • Virginia

Policy Connections

A clear and useable conservation plan can provide guidance for a wide range of stakeholders. Conservation plans can help inform important land use decisions that have wide ranging and significant consequences for wildlife.

Linking Conservation and Land Use Planning
In this report, Defenders analyzed the State Wildlife Action Plans in the context of land use planning and sprawling development. Rapid and sprawling urbanization poses a significant threat to wildlife nationwide. Analysis of the State Wildlife Action Plans shows us that development patterns are the top priority conservation issue for many states. Read this report to learn more about what your state said about development threats and how the State Wildlife Action Plans can help land use planners protect wildlife.
Linking Conservation and Transportation
In this report, Defenders analyzed the State Wildlife Action Plans in the context of transportation planning. Transportation infrastructure has significant impacts on wildlife. The most recent transportation bill, SAFETEA-LU, requires transportation planners to compare their plans to available conservation plans. The State Wildlife Action Plans can play an important role in informing transportation planning. This report looks at what the State Wildlife Action Plans have to say about transportation infrastructure and planning.

Conclusion

Defenders believes that the State Wildlife Action Plans are the first step towards strategic conservation for all species at the state level. This proactive approach is a necessary compliment to the Endangered Species Act.

Press release: 12 States Lead Nation in Wildlife Conservation Plans