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Public Invited to Comment on Virginia Wildlife Action Plan
Comment Period Open Through July 18
Richmond, VA — The Virginia Wildlife Action Plan is a strategic document intended to guide statewide wildlife and habitat conservation for designated species of greatest conservation need (SGCN). In addition to guiding the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR), it is a framework for coordination and cooperation between agencies, academics, communities, and private conservation groups. Since 2005, the plan has been reviewed and updated every 10 years and part of this process includes presenting the draft for public review and comment. To review the draft and provide feedback, please visit the Department’s webpage.
The public comment period is open through July 18, 2025. After the comment period is closed, the draft will be presented to the Board of Wildlife Resources at its scheduled August meeting. It will then be presented to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for final approval.
In 2000, Congress created the State and Tribal Wildlife Grants program to help state and tribal wildlife agencies work with at-risk species and prevent endangered species listings. As a condition for receiving STWG funding, Congress mandated that each state and territory develop a Wildlife Actions Plan.
Virginia’s 2025 revision includes more emphasis on specific actions to conserve SGCN species and places a strong emphasis on addressing tribal concerns from the federally and state recognized tribes, as well as those with an historic presence in the Commonwealth. Participation by partners—governmental, non-governmental and tribal—remains an important focus and priority for success in statewide conservation of Virginia’s wildlife and habitats. This revision also includes a significant online portion and online tool to provide more information on where SGCN species occur and to provide critical links to a variety of associated conservation plans.
As part of the requirements for submitting the 2025 Revised Virginia Wildlife Action Plan to the USFWS, significant public participation is required. Throughout the revision, more than 25 state and federal agencies, 63 nongovernmental organizations, and 18 Indian tribes and sovereign nations have been engaged in the process. With their review complete, the plan is now available for public comment.