2025 Revision of the Connecticut Wildlife Action Plan 

Following an in-depth process that incorporated input from wildlife experts, the public, various conservation organizations, Tribal Nations, CT Wildlife Action Plan Advisory Committee, and CT DEEP, Connecticut’s Wildlife Action Plan has been revised for the 2025-2035 period. The updated Plan was submitted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for approval in September 2025. Opportunities for public input were posted on this webpage throughout the revision process and are described below.

On this page: What is a Wildlife Action Plan? | Connecticut’s Wildlife Action Plan | Public Input | Revision Timeline

What Is a Wildlife Action Plan?

Since 2005, each state has been required by the federal government to create and submit an updated Wildlife Action Plan every 10 years. Wildlife Action Plans serve as blueprints for wildlife conservation at the state level and include regional and national conservation goals. This involves identifying Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN), as well as their affiliated habitats and the issues they face. Conservation actions and research needs are then prioritized to conserve these species and habitats. When a state’s Wildlife Action Plan is approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, various organizations can apply for federal funding to implement conservation actions outlined in the Plan. An approved State Wildlife Action Plan also makes a state eligible for funding through the State Wildlife Grants Program.

All State Wildlife Action Plans include eight elements:

Connecticut's Wildlife Action Plan

Connecticut’s Wildlife Action Plan provides guidance and vision for wildlife conservation in our state. Accordingly, the Plan:

1. Addresses the broad array of all mammal, bird, reptile, amphibian, fish, invertebrate, and plant species. 
2. Identifies and assesses Species of Greatest Conservation Need and their habitats.
3. Identifies actions needed to maintain species diversity and keep common species common.
4. Builds upon past efforts to help wildlife species.
5. Encourages participation and partnerships with conservation organizations at local, state, and regional levels to enhance opportunities for helping wildlife by implementing action outlined in the Plan.

Connecticut completed its first State Wildlife Action Plan in 2005 (then called a Comprehensive Wildlife Strategy), revised it in 2015, and we revised the Plan again to set the framework for conservation for 2025-2035. Learn about the history of Connecticut’s Wildlife Action Plan.

Public Input

The public input period for Connecticut's 2025 Wildlife Action Plan began in November 2023 and concluded in July 2025. We would like to extend thanks and appreciation to everyone who provided input! Online surveys were made available on this webpage to facilitate public input on the various aspects of our Wildlife Action Plan. There were opportunities to provide feedback throughout the revision process, including feedback on draft lists of Species of Greatest Conservation Need and Habitats, Issues, and Actions. Finally, we sought public input on a full draft of Connecticut's 2025 Wildlife Action Plan during a public comment period that ran from June 25 through July 27, 2025. As the Plan awaits final approval by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, we look forward to shifting focus to public engagement with the implementation of Connecticut's 2025 Wildlife Action Plan. We are excited to see what we can all accomplish between now and the next revision in 2035. Please stay tuned to learn how you can get involved! 

Revision Timeline

The revision process for Connecticut’s 2025 Wildlife Action Plan involved drafting updated lists of Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN), habitats that SGCN depend on, issues that impact SGCN, conservation actions that help SGCN, and monitoring actions to assess the status of SGCN and their habitats. In addition to these lists, full chapters were drafted to address the eight elements listed above. For elements one through five, after draft lists or chapters were completed, they received evaluation from a team of experts (Expert Evaluation), input from various groups involved in wildlife conservation in Connecticut (Partner Feedback), and input from the public (Public Feedback). Progress on elements one through five was tracked using the table below and is now complete.

For quarterly updates on Connecticut's Wildlife Action Plan, the revision process, and implementation of the Plan, we invite you to subscribe to the Wildlife Action Plan Partner Network Newsletter! For more regular updates from the Wildlife Division, also check out our Wildlife Highlights Newsletter and the CT Fish and Wildlife Facebook and Instagram pages.

Content last updated on October 8, 2025.