The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has announced the finalization of the ten-year State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP). The plan governs how funds from the federal State and Tribal Wildlife Grants Program are spent on Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN).

Many months ago it was reported here that the State was soliciting input from the public regarding SGCN. Based on that input, and subsequent analysis, the new list was formed. It greatly increases the number of species listed. Thanks to everyone that provided their thoughts and data to the DEC.

The purpose of the SWAP is to identify species that are in need and to use funds to help increase their habitat, nesting grounds, etc., before it becomes too costly. A wise expression states that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. The SWAP identifies those species where it is cost effective to intervene before it is too late.

Population trends, important habitats and threats are identified and listed for all species in the plan. According to DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton, the SWAP has taken more than two years of coordination between the stakeholders and DEC to be finalized.

The previous SWAP was adopted in 2015. In preparing the update, 920 wildlife species were assessed which is 441 more than the 479 of the prior version. That is a huge increase. It’s great to see everyone putting such effort into the task of helping the different species that are at risk. The 2015 SWAP apparently didn’t include plants. The new one lists 269 of them.

Of the 920 wildlife species that were assessed, 570 of them were classified as SGCN. 147 of those are considered High Priority SGCN.

The list of the 570 wildlife SGCN, 269 plant SGCN and the Species Status Assessments are all available on the DEC website. The full 2025 SWAP is there as well.

It’s great to see that the DEC and the various stakeholders have put so much effort into the plan. It’s great to see that federal funds are available to help prevent further declines in the populations of these species. It’s great to see proactive efforts instead of the usual reactive ones when it is already too late.

If anyone has any questions about the 2025 SWAP, the experts at the DEC are available at nyswap2025@dec.ny.gov to field them. They can also be reached by regular mail at SWAP Coordinator, Division of Fish and Wildlife, NYSDEC, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-4754.

Let’s all enjoy the outdoors!

John S. Van Etten is the current president of the Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs of Sullivan County, Inc.