Diverse Lands, Waters, and Wildlife in the Smallest State
Rhode Island’s wildlife is remarkably diverse considering that it is the smallest state in the nation and supports the second highest human population density. Rhode Island supports almost 900 vertebrate wildlife species and an estimated 20,000 invertebrates spanning the scenic coastline of Narragansett Bay to the upland forests typical of the New England region.
Rhode Island's Planning Approach
The wildlife action planning process began with an exhaustive inventory of existing natural resource information, programs and stakeholders. This unprecedented broad and inclusive approach was taken to compile and represent information on the status of wildlife conservation in the state and the diversity of public and private stakeholders.
USFWS
The Rhode Island wildlife action plan identifies threats to important species and habitats, and identified habitat loss and degradation from human population growth with its associated impacts as high on the long list of threats. This plan outlines a series of actions prescribed for the next decade to address these threats and to effectively conserve Rhode Island’s important wildlife resources.
Rhode Island Division of Fish and Wildlife
