State Wildlife Action Plan

Why is it Important?

To maintain the health and diversity of Kentucky’s fish and wildlife resources, we must prioritize projects and direct limited financial resources where they are most effective. Our strategy includes the management of currently rare/endangered species, those that are in decline, and many that have received less attention in the past. Because recovery is more costly and difficult to achieve once a species is imperiled, our goal is to intervene before a species is in crisis. In addition, we strive to keep our common species common and ensure healthy resources for future generations of Kentuckians.

What Species are Included?

During the 2023 SWAP revision, species specialists identified 527 species of greatest conservation need (SGCN), including freshwater mussels, fishes, crayfish, songbirds, reptiles, turtles, amphibians, mammals, insects, and plants. For each SGCN, teams identified potential and existing threats and specific conservation efforts necessary for the recovery of these species and their associated habitats.​​

Mussels

Fishes

Crayfish

Birds

Amphibians

Reptiles

Mammals

Insects

Plants

Plan Accomplishments:

Since 2005, Kentucky’s SWAP has guided and informed strategic habitat acquisition, cooperative habitat restoration projects, species reintroductions, defined service areas for stream and wetland mitigation, and informed research and status assessments. State conservation partners have used Kentucky’s SWAP to leverage grant monies to fund activities such as:

Kentucky’s Conservation Opportunity Areas

Part of Kentucky’s plan highlights significant places in Kentucky to implement conservation actions and foster partner Engagement. These Conservation Opportunity Areas (COAs) represent regions of the state with high SGCN diversity where on-the-ground conservation actions can be implemented with an increased likelihood of success.

Kentucky's COAs

Big Barrens

Central Grasslands and Palisades

Cumberland​ Mountains

Green River

Jackson Purchase

Licking River

Muldraugh Prairies​

Ohio River Floodplain

Plateau Escarpment​

South Fork

Tygarts/ Kinniconick​

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Who Can Use Kentucky’s Plan?

This is a plan for ALL Kentuckians: government agencies, conservation groups, schools and universities, environmental consulting firms, city planners and interested citizens. Partnerships are key to implementing effective conservation actions.