New York’s Department of Environmental Conservation has released a draft 10-year State Wildlife Action Plan for public review, according to WROC. The proposal identifies 570 species of greatest conservation need — including 229 high-priority ones — and outlines strategies to protect them from threats like pollution, climate change, invasive species, habitat changes, and development.
The plan drops 50 species from the 2015 list due to recovery or loss from the state, adds 269 at-risk plants, and addresses — but does not prioritize — reintroducing extirpated predators like wolves, cougars, and lynxes. DEC says it will focus on species already present while improving habitats that could support natural returns.
Public comments are open until Sept. 20 by email or mail, and the finalized plan will go to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to maintain eligibility for federal conservation grants.
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