New York DEC seeks input on species in most need of conservation efforts | News

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 its State Wildlife Action Plan for 2025-35.

Earlier this year, DEC sought review and input on a draft of species status assessments — the draft includes a list of species that is more than 14 pages long, from the American kestrel and brown thrasher to the Eastern water shrew and the common mudpuppy.

“The New York State Wildlife Action Plan is a critical tool that guides biodiversity conservation and protects declining and threatened wildlife populations in New York State,” DEC Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar said. “DEC encourages scientific experts, stakeholders, and all New Yorkers to provide their input on the draft list of Species of Greatest Conservation Need as we go through the revision process and identify the threats that must be addressed to protect health of the state’s wildlife and habitats.”

The State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP) guides management 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 found in New York that face threats likely to result in further decline if conservation actions are not implemented within the next 10 years.

The SWAP serves as the state’s guiding document for managing and conserving species and habitats before these species become too rare or costly to restore. To remain eligible for federal funding, 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, including new information on threats to these species. All input and data are due by Jan. 14.

The public can also nominate a new SGCN, or propose a species be removed from the list. Anyone interested in providing data, updates, or other comments pertaining to the nomination of a new SGCN can download copies of a blank form from the DEC website, complete one form per species, and send to [email protected] by the Jan. 14 deadline.

DEC will provide an opportunity for public review and comments of the full updated SWAP prior to its submission to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Input and data may be submitted by email to [email protected]. 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 Broadway, Albany, N.Y., 12233-4754.

Questions about the SGCN list or status assessment revision process can be sent to the SWAP coordinator at [email protected] or call (518) 402-8858.