It’s Wyoming’s roadmap for conserving our most vulnerable species and habitats—before it's too late.

Public comment and feedback are in action for the Wyoming State Wildlife Action Plan revisions

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department has initiated the revision process for Wyoming’s State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP), which is updated every 10 years to qualify for federal State Wildlife Grants (SWGs). The Department is currently soliciting input on how the 2017 SWAP has been used, which will help inform the 2027 revision. Public comment ended for this first step on June 6, 2025.

Each state develops and maintains a SWAP, which contributes to a nationwide strategy for conserving at-risk species and habitats. These plans are developed through partnerships with state and federal agencies, non-governmental organizations, and stakeholders who are involved in conservation efforts in Wyoming. Through this collaboration, SWAPs identify priority actions for groups throughout the state and unlock funding for projects.

SWAPs are one of the few comprehensive assessments that every state conducts to evaluate the status and conservation needs of all wildlife within its borders, including invertebrates, regardless of whether a species is of interest to hunters, anglers, or trappers. SWAPs are not binding, but they provide a blueprint for state wildlife agencies and their partners, including other agencies, nonprofits, businesses, landowners, and the public, to coordinate and prioritize voluntary conservation measures. They also provide an opportunity for wildlife advocates to show that the public cares about all wildlife, not just the handful of species that are hunted and fished.

“The goal of Wyoming’s SWAP is to proactively conserve our species and their habitats,” said Rhiannon Jakopak, State Wildlife Action Plan Coordinator for Game and Fish. “By identifying conservation priorities, it allows us to coordinate our efforts for the greatest impact.”

Wyoming’s first SWAP was created in 2005. Updates incorporating new information and addressing emerging challenges were conducted in 2010 and 2017. The current revision was initiated in 2024, and is planned to be finalized and submitted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service by June 30, 2026. Additional public input will be solicited for the updated SWAP draft in spring 2026.
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The SWAP Focuses On:
-Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN)
-Threats and critical research needs
-Conservation priorities and actions
-Long-term monitoring and adaptive strategies
-Public participation — the heart of the process
-Coordination with tribes, agencies, and conservation partners
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How the SWAP Revision Works:
-2024–2025: Experts and partners gather data, draft strategies, and map conservation goals.
-2025: Public voices like yours help shape the final plan through comments, surveys, webinars, and local meetings.
-2026–2027: Final review and approval by Wyoming Game & Fish and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
-Beyond: Real conservation projects are launched, monitored, and adapted over the next decade.
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