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2015 Maine Wildlife Action Plan
Snapshot
Creation and management of early successional habitat is important for many Species of
Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN). This restored New England Cottontail (Sylvilagus
transitionalis, SGCN Priority 1) habitat at Camp Ketcha in Scarborough, Maine, was made
possible by partnerships among landowners, agencies, and biologists.
© U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Maine's 2015-2025 Wildlife Action Plan is a shared vision for our state that identifies voluntary and non-regulatory measures to conserve priority wildlife species and habitats through public awareness, research, stewardship, and partnerships. The Plan provides species-specific and habitat-based voluntary 'conservation actions' to help prevent further species declines over the next ten years. Maine's 2015-2025 Wildlife Action Plan (PDF) addresses the state's full array of wildlife and their habitats including vertebrates and invertebrates in aquatic (freshwater, estuarine, and marine) and terrestrial habitats. The Plan targets Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) and covers the entire state, from the dramatic coastline to the heights of Mt. Katahdin. Maine's Wildlife Action Plan is non-regulatory and is intended to supplement, not duplicate, existing fish and wildlife programs. It builds on species planning efforts ongoing in Maine since 1968 and a long history of public involvement and collaboration among conservation partners.
Species of Greatest Conservation Need
Spring Salamanders (Gyrinophilus
porphyriticus, SGCN Priority 2), one of Maine's
rarest amphibians, are a specialist of headwater
streams in central and western regions
of the state. © Jonathan Mays
Maine's 2015-2025 Wildlife Action Plan identifies 378 Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) within six species groups. The Plan also identifies the habitats in Maine needed by each SGCN, the greatest stressors affecting SGCN and their habitats, and the conservation actions we can take now to reduce these stressors.
| Species Groups | Total # of Species in Maine | # of SGCN in 2015-2025 Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Amphibians | 18 | 4 |
| Birds (MDIFW) | 423 | 130 |
| Fish | 291 | 43 |
| Invertebrates subtotal¹ | >33,000 | 168 |
| Mammals | 85 | 22 |
| Reptiles | 23 | 11 |
| MAINE TOTALS | >33,840 | 378 |
¹Total includes only described species the actual number is much greater.
Plan Components/Download the Plan
The Plan can be downloaded in its entirety (Maine 2015-2025 Wildlife Action Plan - PDF) or as individual chapters below. The SGCN list also can be downloaded separately (SGCN List - PDF).
| Chapter | Contents |
|---|---|
| Introduction and Executive Summary | Overview of the Plan and chapter abstracts |
| Element 1: Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) (PDF) | List of SGCN, criteria for SGCN designations, and species summaries |
| Element 2: Key Habitats and Natural Communities (PDF) | Descriptions and status assessments of habitats needed by SGCN |
| Element 3: Problems Affecting SGCN and their Habitats (PDF) | Descriptions of the greatest challenges to SGCN and their habitats |
| Element 4: Conservation Actions (PDF) | Descriptions of actions needed to prevent further SGCN and habitat declines over the next ten years plus the process used to identify these actions |
| Elements 5 and 6: Monitoring and Plan Revision (PDF) | Plans for tracking the effectiveness of conservation actions and how the Plan will be revised |
| Elements 7 and 8: Coordination with Partners and Public Participation (PDF) | Descriptions of partner and public engagement during Plan revision and implementation |