Biodiversity Planning

Biodiversity planning attempts to address the issue of how to prevent the loss of native species and sustain the conditions that allow diverse plant and animal communities to survive and thrive over time.

Conservation planning has traditionally focused on individual species - most often endangered species, or species that are subject to heavy fishing or hunting pressure, like deer or waterfowl. Within the past few decades, there have been some notable efforts to address conservation needs for certain particularly important habitats, including wetlands and old growth forests.

But only recently have government agencies and private organizations begun conservation planning efforts that seek to address the full range of biological diversity.

Most biodiversity planning to date in the United States has been done at the state or regional level. These efforts typically involve an assessment, often based on computerized mapping technology known as geographic information systems (GIS), that is used to identify conservation priorities. Some have conducted further analysis to map out specific geographic targets for protection of priority habitats or species.

Some of the most sophisticated biodiversity planning is being done by The Nature Conservancy, which has an ecoregional planning program under way nationwide as part of the Conservation By Design program. Other efforts have been undertaken at the state or regional level by a variety of organizations and agencies, often through partnerships that may involve a broad range of interests.

The state biodiversity planning pages contain information on the comprehensive wildlife conservation strategies, either in summary form or through links to the state wildlife agencies, depending on the availability of current material. In states where special biodiversity programs or projects exist, information is included.

For additional state by state planning information, go to the navigate by state page.

Updated 6-29-05