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. Please note that today's forest fire danger report remains at an 'extreme' level. More information about the current fire danger, burn ban and recommended safety measures can be found here

Provide Input to the CT State Wildlife Action Plan

The scarlet tanager is listed as a species of greatest conservation need for the 2025 Wildlife Action Plan. 

A State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP) identifies species of greatest conservation need, their affiliated habitats, and the threats they face. The SWAP then prioritizes conservation actions and research needs to address problems facing these species and habitats. Creating a SWAP that is approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service allows various organizations to apply for specific federal funding to implement conservation actions 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 with 2025 rapidly approaching, DEEP is now in the process of revising it again to set the framework for conservation until 2035.

Learn about the history of the CT Wildlife Action Plan.

Connecticut's State Wildlife Action Plan

The intent of the CT Wildlife Action Plan is to provide guidance and vision for wildlife conservation in Connecticut. Accordingly, the plan:

  1. Addresses the broad array of all fish, mammal, bird, reptile, amphibian, plant, and invertebrate species.
  2. Addresses the species in greatest need of conservation 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 implementation of actions to help wildlife.

How You Can Get Involved!

Since November 2023, CT DEEP has been posting surveys on this website to get your thoughts on each aspect of the State Wildlife Action Plan. You will have opportunities to provide feedback throughout the entire process – from start to finish – including draft chapters and the completed draft in 2025. So far, we have collected public input through surveys about our draft lists of Species of Greatest Conservation Need and Habitats, Issues, and Actions. Please check back here for the next opportunity for public input! These opportunities are also mentioned in our Wildlife Highlights Newsletter.

You can also spread the word about our State Wildlife Action Plan and all the species and habitats it protects! Feel free to share our CT SWAP Info Sheet.

Content last updated on October 30, 2024.