Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection

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

Connecticut's Wildlife Action Plan

Creating a vision for the future of wildlife conservation

Requirements

Congress identified eight required elements to be addressed in each state’s Wildlife Action Plan. Congress also directed that the plans must identify and be focused on the species of greatest conservation need, yet address the full array of wildlife and wildlife-related issues. The eight required elements are: 

  1. Information on the distribution and abundance of species of wildlife, including low and declining populations as the State fish and wildlife agency deems appropriate, that are indicative of the diversity and health of the State’s wildlife; and, 
  2. Descriptions of locations and relative condition of key habitats and community types essential to conservation of species identified in (1); and, 
  3. Descriptions of problems which may adversely affect species identified in (1) or their habitats, and priority research and survey efforts needed to identify factors which may assist in restoration and improved conservation of these species and habitats; and, 
  4. Descriptions of conservation actions proposed to conserve the identified species and habitats and priorities for implementing such actions; and, 
  5. Proposed plans for monitoring species identified in (1) and their habitats, for monitoring the effectiveness of the conservation actions proposed in (4), and for adapting these conservation actions to respond appropriately to new information or changing conditions; and, 
  6. Descriptions of procedures to review the plan at intervals not to exceed ten years; and,
  7. Plans for coordinating the development, implementation, review, and revision of the plan with Federal, State, and local agencies and Indian tribes that manage significant land and water areas within the State or administer programs that significantly affect the conservation of identified species and habitats. 
  8. Congress also affirmed through this legislation that broad public participation is an essential element of developing and implementing these plans and  the projects that are carried out while these plans are developed.

Content Last Updated March 20, 2014.