Rich, Diverse Wildlife Resources
The landscape of Ohio is characterized by forestlands, vast agriculture, Lake Erie, and the Ohio River, interspersed with a number of large cities and a population of more than 11 million citizens. Ohio enjoys a diverse wildlife community including health populations of white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, bald eagles, and numerous other game and wildlife diversity species. In recent years, populations of osprey, Karner blue butterflies, trumpeter swans, and other threatened and endangered animals have increased substantially.
Ohio's Approach to Conservation Planning
Ohio has operated under a comprehensive management system for more than 15 years. The wildlife action plan is an extension of this larger planning system, which includes a long-term strategic plan to address the threats and opportunities for Ohio's fish and wildlife resources.
Challenges to Conserving Wildlife in Ohio
Loss and degradation of habitat continues to be the primary threat to Ohio's wildlife, although invasive species and emerging wildlife diseases are also significant threats and will certainly be more important in the future. Examples of current threats include the loss of habitat to a variety of development activities, the introduction and expansion of invasive species such as the Asian carp and purple loosestrife, and the continued threat from wildlife diseases such as West Nile Virus and rabies.
Ohio Division of Wildlife
