OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) recently completed its revised State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP), designed to guide fish, wildlife, and habitat conservation in Washington for the next decade.
Last updated in 2015, the plan acts as a roadmap for proactive conservation actions that prevent the need to list species under protective regulations and create environmental conditions that support species recovery.
“The outdoors is deeply woven into our fabric of life in Washington, known for its iconic species and wild spaces,” said Kelly Susewind, WDFW director. “This SWAP helps us take steps early to ensure that common species stay common, before waiting for threatened or endangered listings. By protecting species and habitats, we’re also supporting healthy air and water, more resilient communities, access to the outdoors, and a thriving natural resource economy.”
“Conservation takes all of us,” said Jim Anderson, Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission Chair. “This revised plan acts as a roadmap for how landowners, nonprofits; state, federal, and tribal governments; and the broader outdoor community can work together to make progress on our most-pressing challenges for fish, wildlife, and their habitats.”
Since 2005, each U.S. state and territory has maintained a SWAP, updated at least every ten years. Washington’s first plan under this program was called the Washington Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy (2005) and later updated the plan to the nationally recognized label, Washington’s State Wildlife Action Plan (2015).
The revised plan’s completion followed a multi-year process, which included several public meetings and a prior public survey, updates to the Fish and Wildlife Commission, and other avenues for public engagement. The Washington State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP) 2025 – 2035 was approved by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in April 2026 as meeting the Eight Required Elements. More information, including conservation targets, is available on WDFW’s SWAP 2025-2035 webpage. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife works to preserve, protect and perpetuate fish, wildlife and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish and wildlife recreational and commercial opportunities.
Source: Washington Fish and Wildlife
Author: Lynnwood Times Staff
