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Colorado’s State Wildlife Action Plan Expands!
Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is in the process of updating one of its most critical planning and operational documents: the State Wildlife Action Plan. This update brings some major expansions that will significantly enhance conservation efforts across the state.
The State Wildlife Action Plan has always played a key role in identifying and prioritizing Species of Greatest Conservation Need and their habitats. However, thanks to legislation passed last year, the updated plan will now cover not just wildlife, but plants and invertebrates as well. This broader scope means even more of Colorado’s unique ecosystems will be protected.
In addition,when assessing threats and vulnerabilities to species and habitats, CPW will now be required to factor in the impacts of climate change and take appropriate action to safeguard these sensitive environments. This marks a huge shift in how Colorado will approach conservation, ensuring that our strategies are resilient in the face of a changing climate.
The updated State Wildlife Action Plan will serve as a strong “call to action” for CPW and its partners, including federal, state, and local agencies, tribes, and conservation organizations like ours. To succeed, it will require collective, coordinated efforts from everyone involved. Regular monitoring and adaptive management of Species of Greatest Conservation Need and their habitats will also be a key component of this new plan.
As part of this update, CPW will engage in an extensive public outreach process. This will provide opportunities for all of us to give input and help shape the future of Colorado’s conservation efforts. Stay tuned for future updates in our newsletter about how you can get involved!
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