- Proposed Change to the ESA Definition of "Harm"
- 2025 Annual Meeting: Moving Forward Together
- New! John Hopkins Annual Meeting Scholarship
- 263 Strong: Highlights from the 2024 Annual Meeting
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- Championing Habitat Conservation Plans on Capitol Hill
- Field Guide: Top 10 HCP Planning Tips
- Join an HCP Subcommittee
- Support the Coalition: Join Us!
- Share Your Expertise
| | Proposed Change to the Definition of "Harm" | | 2025 Annual Meeting in West Virginia, October 15-17: Moving Forward Together | |
Join us at the 2025 National HCP Coalition Annual Meeting from October 15–17, 2025 at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Training Center in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. This year’s meeting will feature practical tips for HCP planning and implementation, networking opportunities, and other presentations from HCP practitioners and wildlife agency staff from across the country.
Do you have HCP insights to share? Submit your abstract by June 25, 2025 to present at the Annual Meeting.
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New this year: The John Hopkins Annual Meeting Scholarship
The National HCP Coalition proudly offers the John Hopkins Annual Meeting Scholarship to provide financial support to first-time Annual Meeting attendees. This scholarship aims to broaden access to HCP information and a nationwide network of Coalition members.
The scholarship was established in memory John Hopkins, a visionary and dedicated conservationist, founder of the Institute for Ecological Health, and founder of both the California and National HCP Coalitions.
| | | 2024 Annual Meeting Highlights | |
Record attendance of 263 participants!
The 2024 National HCP Coalition annual meeting in Palm Springs, California attracted participants working on developing and implementing HCPs in 27 states, as well as staff from the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service and state wildlife agencies. The meeting included sessions on wildlife corridor crossings, building bridges with indigenous communities, innovative monitoring technology, recreation on conservation lands, climate change adaptation, and tips for successful HCP planning and implementation, as well as tours of the Coachella Valley Multiple Species HCP reserve system. The National HCP Coalition also welcomed Paul Souza, Acting Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Wade Crowfoot, Secretary of Natural Resources at the California Natural Resources Agency, as featured speakers.
| | | Championing Habitat Conservation Plans on Capitol Hill | |
Join Coalition Advocacy Efforts in Washington, D.C.!
During the National HCP Coalition’s annual trip to Washington, D.C. in February, federal agency officials and members of Congress expressed their continued support of HCPs, including funding for planning and land acquisition through the Federal Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund (Section 6 grants). National HCP Coalition representatives met with Paul Souza, Acting Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, members of Congress, and other federal officials about the continued success of HCPs across the nation, as well as the importance of continued federal support. The National HCP Coalition emphasized the importance of the streamlined permitting HCPs provide under the federal Endangered Species Act for housing, infrastructure, and other economic development projects. If you are interested in joining the National HCP Coalition’s Government Affairs Committee, and supporting education and advocacy efforts in Washington, D.C., please contact the Government Relations Committee: Edmund Sullivan and Tyler Madary.
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Check Out Our Top 10 HCP Planning Tips
Creating an HCP is no small feat, and its success hinges on the collaboration of a broad range of interested parties, attention to detail, and commitment to an organized, clear process. The National HCP Coalition invited Consero Solutions to present ten essential strategies for navigating the complex process of HCP planning based on their professional experience at the 2024 Annual Meeting.
Stay tuned for more resources like these Top 10 tips as the National HCP Coalition expands its assistance to members through future updates to the National HCP Coalition web site.
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The National HCP Coalition Invites You to Serve
Are you looking to play a key role in developing strategies to improve the efficiency of HCP planning and implementation at the national level? If you would like to join a Committee – please email nhcpcoalition@gmail.com indicating for which committee you would like to volunteer.
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Program Committee
The Programs Committee organizes the Annual Meeting, including securing keynote speakers, curating discussion topics, and organizing networking activities.
Great for those who are passionate about: connecting with other professionals, improving available resources, and event planning
Regular meeting: 3rd Wednesday of each month @ 12 pm Pacific Standard Time (PST)
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Improvement Committee
Develops strategies to improve the efficiency of HCP preparation and implementation. The Committee oversees a Mentoring Program to help applicants seeking outside expertise and perspective in the preparation of new or the implementation of existing HCPs
Great for those who are passionate about: ESA and HCP policy, permit streamlining, analyzing and improving processes
Regular meeting: 2nd Wednesday of each month @ 10 am Pacific Standard Time (PST)
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Government Relations Committee
The Government Relations Committee develops and advocates for legislative and regulatory priorities, including increased federal funding for HCPs and support for HCP-related programs, as well as travels annually to Washington, D.C. to advocate for priorities
Great fit for those who are passionate about: advocacy; developing relationships with members of Congress, their staff, committee staff, and administration officials; and monitoring policy and analyzing policy impacts
Regular meeting: 1st Friday of each month @ 11 am Pacific Standard Time (PST)
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Become a member!
The National HCP Coalition relies on membership dues to coordinate the annual meetings and support other activities. Please consider becoming a member today, either as an individual or an organization. Visit our web site to fill out the application form or email us at nhcpcoalition@gmail.com if you are interested.
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Share Your Expertise
Do you have insights, success stories, or lessons learned from your work in habitat conservation planning or implementation?
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Contribute to our upcoming newsletter! The National HCP Coalition is looking for resources that highlight innovative approaches, case studies, policy updates, or tools that can help others in the HCP community. This is a great opportunity to showcase your work, connect with fellow practitioners, and contribute to the shared knowledge that strengthens our collective impact.
Submit your article or idea to nhcpcoalition@gmail.com for consideration by July 15, 2025.
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