Conservation Planning for Land Trusts

As habitat loss and fragmentation increase and more species decline across the United States, conservationists need to take a strategic approach to habitat and biodiversity protection. Due to limited resources, prioritization and cooperation are essential. Conservation planning provides a strategic approach by using the best available science to identify which species and habitats to target and which parts of the landscape are the most important. This section provides information about conservation planning for land trusts as well as some examples of plans.

Conservation Planning for Biodiversity: Information for Land Trusts. A five-page fact sheet examining conservation planning at the local, regional and state level. Includes examples of species-specific projects. Fact Sheet (pdf document).

State Wildlife Action Plans: In 2001, Congress established the State Wildlife Grants Program. In order for state fish and wildlife agencies to receive these funds, Congress required the states to complete "comprehensive wildlife conservation strategies," now called “state wildlife action plans,” by October 2005. These plans provide the opportunity for states to identify threats, conservation actions and target places for conservation. Working with a diversity of partners, state fish and wildlife agencies have the opportunity to address the full array of fish and wildlife issues across the landscape. Learn more about State Wildlife Action Plans.

Conservation Across the Landscape: A Review of the State Wildlife Action Plans. This Defenders of Wildlife report highlights the positive aspects of these plans as well as the challenges. This is an objective assessment of the plans and their utility for achieving on the ground conservation. Read the report (pdf document).

More Conservation Planning Resources

If you would like more information about conservation planning please see the following pages:
Conservation Planning Publications
Conservation Planning