RIDEM/Division of Fish & Wildlife - RI Wildlife Conservation Plan

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Home > Programs > Bureau of Natural Resources > Division of Fish & Wildlife > RI Wildlife Conservation Strategy

The Gray Treefrog, Hyla versicolor, a fairly common animal, is the only true treefrog found in Rhode Island. They seem to be intolerant of habitat fragmentation and as a result have been extirpated from very urban areas like the greater metropolitain area around Providence as well as much of the Blackstone Valley.

Current
Stakeholders
Federal, State, and local conservation organizations, both public and private;
and Native American tribes

Draft Process

RI Comprehensive Plan, Current Chapters & Appendices

Categories of Species of Greatest Conservation Need

List of Species of Greatest Conservation Need

Draft Taxa Threats & Actions
(Excel Spreadsheet)

Draft Species Richness by Taxa

Draft Habitat Groupings

Draft Conservation Actions

Threats

Actions

Research Needs

Timeline

You can help

Write Congress

Brochure

Rhode Island Division of Fish and Wildlife

2005 Wildlife Conservation Strategy
Click here for information about the 2015 Wildlife Action Plan revision

The long awaited implementation of the congressional Wildlife Conservation and Restoration Act established the State Wildlife Grants program (SWG). This grants program was created to provide federal financial assistance to the states for the development, revision, and implementation of wildlife conservation strategies to prevent species and habitats from becoming endangered. This program is intended to complement the existing Federal Aid to Wildlife and Sportfish Restoration Programs. In order to be eligible for State Wildlife Grants (SWG) each state is required to develop a Wildlife Conservation Strategy to be completed by October 2005. The action plans set forth in these strategies would mean millions of federal funds to states annually for implementation. The RI Division of Fish and Wildlife is now soliciting input and technical expertise in assessing the existing status and conservation needs of wildlife and its habitat so a plan can be developed to most effectively address these needs. This is the most comprehensive program in history with the potential for funding critical research, education, survey and monitoring efforts guided by science. It will provide a state-coordinated approach to species and habitat conservation and support important local and regional conservation efforts involving a wide coalition of citizens and partnerships.

Job One

Developing the Strategy
The pro-active objective is to define and implement a strategy that will identify, monitor, and thus prevent species of greatest conservation need and habitats from becoming endangered. It will save millions of tax dollars by saving species before they become endangered. The combined efforts of stakeholders, partners, conservation groups, private landowners, and state and federal agencies are essential to the development and execution of the plan.

Congress requires eight elements be included in this prescription for a healthy wildlife future. Those are:
What's here now? -- distribution and abundance of wildlife species. Focus on low and declining species that are indicators of the health of the state's wildlife.

Health check -- location and condition of habitats that are vital to conserving priority species

Threats -- identifying problems that may harm wildlife species and habitat, and priority research for conservation actions

Actions -- prescriptions and priorities for conserving wildlife species and habitats

Monitoring -- how to assess and measure effectiveness of conservation actions

Review -- assessment at intervals not to exceed ten years

Coordination -- involvement of federal, state, local agencies and Indian tribes that manage lands or programs affecting wildlife

Public Participation -- required by law and essential for success in development and carrying out plans.

SIGNIFICANT LINKS

• The International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (IAFWA)
• Teaming With Wildlife Coalition TWW
• State Wildlife Strategy Drafts and Outlines
• Urge your congressman to support the Conservation and Reinvestment Act
• (CARA) here are sample letters
• The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS)
• State-by-State funding for SWG's

Bobcat (Lynx rufus) remains an inhabitant of some western Rhode Island woodlands where there are still large expanses of dense woods consisting of hardwoods and conifers, with hemlock and rhodeodendron interspersed among rocky ledges and swamps.

You Can Help Shape
Rhode Island's
Wildlife Conservation Strategy!

RI Fish and Wildlife is leading this effort. Rhode Island's plan will identify species of greatest conservation need and their affiliated habitats including an action plan for addressing those needs. In order to implement these steps, we are soliciting input from stakeholders that will share responsibilities for this project, including a collaborative partnership of organizations that helped support federal (CARA) legislation, and teams of technical specialists and scientists to analyze data and provide scientific recommendations. We have secured the assistance of a conservation and communications consultant, Terwilliger Consulting, Inc., to develop an effective plan and process. Your experience, expertise, and ideas are important to us in developing Rhode Island's Wildlife Conservation Strategy. To give your suggestions, areas of concern, or comments please contact: Christine Dudley for freshwater species; Jason McNamee: for marine species; or Jay Osenkowski for wildlife species, and for non specific and all other comments contact: Karen Terwilliger, TCI

For General Information 222-6800 • After Hours Emergencies 222-3070 • Disclaimer
rev. 5/6/13