State Wildlife Action Plan

Pennsylvania's Diverse Lands, Waters, and Wildlife

Pennsylvania’s ecosystems include an estuary on the Delaware River, woodlots and wide agricultural valleys in the southeast, deciduous forests from the central ridges to the extensive mixed forest of the Allegheny high plateau, and glaciated woodlands and wetlands to Lake Erie in the northwest. Pennsylvania is part of six major river basins -- Ohio, Lake Erie, Susquehanna, Potomac, Genesee, and Delaware River drainages -- and contains numerous wetlands, nearly 4000 lakes and over 83,000 miles of streams and rivers.

Sitting at this ecological crossroads means that Pennsylvania plays an important role in conserving many diverse species and habitats, both resident and migrant, common and rare. For example, the Commonwealth’s expansive hardwood forests, which cover 62% of the landscape, provide critical wildlife habitat for abundant white-tailed deer and an array of neotropical migrant songbirds.

Pennsylvania's Planning Approach

Pennsylvania’s wildlife action plan vision and the focus of the plan development encompass five guiding principles:

• Conserving Species At-Risk
• Recognizing the Unique Role of Pennsylvania
• Voluntary Partnerships for Species, Habitats and People
• A Comprehensive Strategy

• Download the Pennsylvania Wildlife Action Plan

  (.pdf, 6.3 MB)
• Summary of Pennsylvania Wildlife Action Plan (.pdf, 432 KB)
• Pennsylvania Wildlife Action Plan Web Site