Wyoming State Wildlife Action Plan

Wyoming's State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP) is a comprehensive strategy to maintain the health and diversity of wildlife within the state, including reducing the need for future listings under the Endangered Species Act.

What is Wyoming’s State Wildlife Action Plan? 

Wyoming’s State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP) summarizes the status of wildlife and fish within the state, provides a blueprint for conserving these species and their habitats and unlocks federal funding through the State and Tribal Wildlife Grants program.

 

Every state is responsible for developing a SWAP, and in so doing, every state contributes to a nation-wide strategy for conserving at-risk species and their habitats. SWAPs are created by bringing together the many agencies, organizations and stakeholders that work on conservation in the state. Through this work, SWAPs provide priority actions for groups across the entire state, including government agencies, nonprofits and conservation districts.

 

SWAPs seek to conserve species and habitats before they are at risk, which can save resources in the long run as SWAPs include conservation actions to prevent the need for future listings under the Endangered Species Act. Through the federal State and Tribal Wildlife Grants program, Wyoming receives an average of $860,000 each year for conservation of species of greatest conservation need and their habitats. 

 

SWAPs include 8 federally required elements that summarize the status of wildlife and fish and their associated habitats, identify challenges and associated conservation actions to manage those challenges, develop monitoring strategies and involve participation from partnering agencies, stakeholders and members of the public. 

 

The 2027 revision timeline

SWAPs must be revised every 10 years to incorporate new evidence and consider emerging challenges. Wyoming’s first SWAP was created in 2005. It was revised in 2010 and again in 2017. The current revision was initiated in fall 2024, and it is planned to be finalized and submitted to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service by June 30, 2026. 

 

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How to get involved

Public, stakeholder and partner engagement is a key component of the SWAP. We encourage your engagement through these input opportunities:

 

  1. In April 2025, we will be collecting input related to what worked from the previous SWAP to inform the current revision through a short survey. 
  2. In spring 2026, we will make a complete draft of the plan available for public comment. 

 

If you have comments or questions, please reach out to the State Wildlife Action Plan Coordinator Rhiannon Jakopak at rhiannon.jakopak@wyo.gov

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Species of Greatest Conservation Need

Wyoming is home to over 650 birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and fish species. Learn more about species of greatest conservation need in Wyoming including the black-footed ferret, Canada lynx, northern long-eared bat, and Preble’s meadow jumping mouse.

2017 Species of Greatest Conservation Need

SGCN

View the list of Species of Greatest Conservation Need broken down by amphibians, birds, crustaceans, fish, mammals, mollusks and reptiles.