Endangered, Threatened, and Special Concern Species in Connecticut

Emergency Burn Ban In Effect 10/26/24 - An emergency burn ban is now in effect for all Connecticut State Parks, Forests, and Wildlife Management areas, prohibiting the use of all outdoor grills, firepits, and campfires, and the kindling and use of flame outdoors. DEEP and local agencies are working to contain several active fires across the state. Please avoid all affected State Parks and Forests, as well as the blue-blazed Mattabesett Trail. The Enduro Trail in Voluntown and portions of North Stonington within the Pachaug State Forest are closed at this time. Rocky Neck State Park is also closed until further notice due to a brush fire. Please note that today's forest fire danger report remains at a 'very high' or 'extreme' level. More information about the current fire danger, burn ban and recommended safety measures can be found here

Endangered, Threatened, and Special Concern Species in Connecticut

Image of a bog turtle, long-eared owl, and grasshopper sparrow.

The Connecticut Endangered Species Act, passed in 1989, recognizes the importance of our state’s plant and animal populations and the need to protect them from threats that could lead to their extinction. The overall goal of the legislation is to conserve, protect, restore and enhance any endangered or threatened species and their essential habitat. Species are listed according to their level of risk, and their status is reviewed every five years.

"Endangered Species" means any native species documented by biological research and inventory to be in danger of extirpation throughout all or a significant portion of its range within the state and to have no more than five occurrences in the state, and any species determined to be an "endangered species" pursuant to the federal Endangered Species Act.

"Threatened Species" means any native species documented by biological research and inventory to be likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range within the sate and to have no more than nine occurrences in the state, and any species determined to be a "threatened species" pursuant to the federal Endangered Species Act, except for such species determined to be endangered by the Commissioner in accordance with section 4 of this act.

"Species of Special Concern" means any native plant species or any native non-harvested wildlife species documented by scientific research and inventory to have a naturally restricted range or habitat in the state, to be at a low population level, to be in such high demand by man that its unregulated taking would be detrimental to the conservation of its population or has been extirpated from the state.

Connecticut General Statutes (CGS) Section 26-303

2015 Endangered, Threatened, and Special Concern Species List

Summary of Recent Changes to the 2015 State Endangered Species List

Endangered, Threatened, and Special Concern Species Listed by Taxonomic Group

Endangered, Threatened, and Special Concern Species Listed by County

State Listed Plants and Natural Communities by Town

Endangered Species/Wildlife Income Tax Check-Off

Contribute Data to the Natural Diversity Data Base (NDDB)

Scientific Collector Permits

Endangered Species Slide Show - Slide program with photos and facts about endangered species and their management in Connecticut (53 slides).