Doris Duke Charitable Foundation

Habitat Conservation

The action plans developed by each of the 50 states
are helping to identify the natural places where the
nation needs to invest in order to protect its wildlife
and ensure a wide array of benefits for people. This
map is a mosaic of current state maps of priority habitats.

Goal

To accelerate the conservation of essential habitats identified by the states in their wildlife action plans.

Strategies

• Identify Critical Lands and Waters – Support state efforts to identify the natural areas that are terrestrial and freshwater conservation priorities, and, in so doing, help create action plans that can serve a vital role as a focusing mechanism for policy and resources.
  
• Implement Land and Water Protection – Support the conservation of lands and freshwater resources identified by the states in their wildlife action plans; help improve the alignment between private, state and federal funding sources; and help integrate the priorities of the wildlife action plans into other local, regional and national planning efforts.
  
• Build Conservation Knowledge – Support targeted research and initiatives that are in keeping with the program's mission.

Background & Rationale

At the request of Congress, each of the 50 states, as well as the territories, worked with local scientists, sportsmen, conservationists and members of the public to develop a comprehensive action plan for conserving its wildlife. In 2005, the states submitted these plans to the U.S. Department of the Interior, and all of the plans were approved. Collectively, these action plans provide a blueprint for protecting the natural places that provide essential habitat for wildlife, as well as a wide array of other benefits for people.

Although the conservation movement has made great strides in preserving our natural heritage, at least a third of our native wildlife is still at risk from the loss of habitat. And this risk is amplified with the challenges posed by a changing climate.

Because of the potential of the state wildlife action plans to help diverse constituencies work together, the foundation believes that supporting their development, adoption and implementation represents the most strategic opportunity for its investments in preserving wildlife, both flora and fauna, in the United States.