North Carolina Wildlife Action Plan

More than 1,000 species are now listed on the Federal Endangered and Threatened species list, and 18% of plant and animal species in North Carolina are on that list. Never before has there been a greater need to fund conservation, protection, and restoration of wildlife species.

Recognizing this need, Congress in 2001 began providing annual funding to supplement existing state fish and wildlife conservation programs. Along with this new funding came the responsibility of each state and territory to develop a State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP.)

The North Carolina SWAP was written to meet that obligation and provide a conservation blueprint for agencies, organizations, industries, and academics across the state to advance the sound management of North Carolina’s fish and wildlife resources into the future.

Land trusts are some of the many groups working with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission to integrate SWAP into their conservation plans and funding strategies. Land trusts are using the Plan to promote proactive conservation measures to ensure cost-effective solutions for “keeping common species common,” instead of reactive measures to save a species in the face of imminent losses.

You can contact your local land trust to find out how North Carolina State Wildlife Action Plan affects conservation in your area.

Download your copy of the North Carolina Wildlife Action Plan Executive Summary

Visit the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission for more information about North Carolina’s State Wildlife Action Plan