"We're updating our State Wildlife Action Plan, and we need YOUR input to shape the future of conservation," said the Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, June 3, in a newsletter.

Maine’s State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP) serves as the state's blueprints for proactively conserving fish, wildlife, and plants to prevent species from becoming Endangered, the newsletter said. The plan outlines hundreds of Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN), describes their habitats, identifies key threats to SGCN and habitats, and recommends actions to keep common species common and prevent at-risk species from becoming Endangered.

The plan is revised every 10 years to evaluate the health of wildlife populations and identify opportunities to conserve species and vital habitats before they become rarer and more costly to protect. Last updated in 2015, the Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is now working on a 2025 update.

IF&W asks the public to provide input on identifying significant threats and what conservation actions are needed to address those Threats.

Step 1: Review the list of Threats and Conservation Actions

Step 2: Share your input.

Based on your personal understanding of and familiarity with Maine’s wildlife and habitats, please list the top 4 significant Threats and top 4 Conservation Actions needed to address significant Threats in each of these three habitat groups:

• Maine’s Coastal and Marine Habitats
• Maine’s Freshwater Aquatic Habitats
• Maine’s Terrestrial and Freshwater Wetland Habitat

Provide feedback using our online form by Saturday, June 7. 2025.

Maine's SWAP is a shared vision for our state that reflects the expertise of state and federal agencies, conservation organizations, tribes, scientists, outdoor enthusiasts, conservationists, landowners, academics, guides, community leaders, and more! 

An approved SWAP is required by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to be eligible for State Wildlife Grants, a key federal funding source for states to conserve nongame species. The eight elements of Maine's SWAP are:

• Identification Species of Greatest Conservation Need
• Description of Key Habitats and Natural Communities
• Identification of Threats to SGCN and their Habitats
• Description of Proposed Conservation Actions
• Proposed Plans for Species and Habitat Monitoring
• Procedure for Periodic Review
• Plans for Coordination with Partners
• Public Participation