Chapter 1 Introduction
this 2025 revision and the content updated where new and updated information is available. It has also been formatted to improve readability and our ability to revise any section as needed. The format will allow readers to access the document across multiple electronic formats. This revision generally follows the same structure as the 2015 SWAP, with content organized as described below. A format change has been made to move longer tables, generally those with more than 10 rows, to an appendix. Appendices are numbered to match the chapter where it is referenced. This change was made so it is more apparent which chapter and appendices contain relevant information. For example, all appendix items called out in Chapter 1 will be in Appendix 1 in sequential order of reference, all remaining chapters and appendices follow this same format. • Chapter 1 provides background information on the SWG program, explains why we have a SWAP, outlines the revision process used to update the Plan, and describes the required information that is included in the document. Appendix 1 contains documents and tables referenced in the chapter, including a roadmap to document revisions and where to find the Eight Required Elements (see Appendix 1-4). Appendix 1-5 contains letters of support from partners, Appendix 1-6 provides a list of acronyms, and Appendix 1-7 is a glossary of definitions. • Chapter 2 provides a problem-and-need overview, and highlights changes to wildlife and natural community resources, summarizes success stories resulting from steps taken toward addressing conservation needs identified in past SWAP documents, and outlines the goals and objectives of this revised Plan along with recommended strategies and priority actions that can be taken to achieve those goals. Material in this chapter has been updated where necessary. Appendix 2 contains several conservation success stories that demonstrate the importance of identifying conservation priorities and working with partners. • Chapter 3 focuses on fish, wildlife, and plant species for which there are conservation concerns. This chapter defines wildlife statutes and outlines federal and state statutes governing wildlife resources. There is also an explanation about the process for evaluating and ranking wildlife to identify SGCN and other species for which there are research and management priorities. The evaluations focused on both terrestrial and aquatic species in the amphibian, bird, crayfish, freshwater fish, freshwater mussel, mammal, reptile, and snail taxonomic groups. The addition of plants as SGCN, added through Addendum 2 to the 2015 SWAP, has been incorporated into this document. The chapter also provides background information about these groups and individual species, species habitat associations, and conservation needs and recommendations specific to each group. Information provided by partners is included for marine species, pelagic birds, and certain rare and declining arthropods (hereafter ‘insects’). Appendix 3 contains documents and tables referenced in the chapter, including lists of SGCN and their habitat associations.
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2025 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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