Michigan's State Wildlife Action Plan
A ten-year strategic framework for conserving 714 Species of Greatest Conservation Need and the habitats they depend on — developed in partnership with Tribes, agencies, and conservation communities across the state.
A common strategic framework for Michigan's wildlife
The goal of Michigan's State Wildlife Action Plan is to coordinate conservation of wildlife and habitats through voluntary, cooperative partnerships — with Tribal Partners, nonprofit organizations, and the state heritage program (MNFI). The plan recognizes the need to advance a broader, integrated strategy to restore or maintain species populations, preserve biodiversity, and support sustainable human activity across the state.
The 2025 – 2035 plan identifies 714 Species of Greatest Conservation Need, an increase from 301 in the 2015 – 2025 plan. Because limited funding and capacity make it impossible to address every species equally, this plan prioritizes focal SGCN and key issues within 18 habitat chapters.
Explore by key habitat
Terrestrial habitats
10 of 10Bedrock Communities
Wildlife and habitats associated with Michigan's bedrock outcrops and alvars.
Boreal Forest
Conservation of Michigan's northern boreal forest communities and associated wildlife.
Dynamic Forests
Early successional and mixed forest habitats shaped by natural disturbance.
Dry Forests, Savannas & Barrens
Fire-dependent upland communities including oak savannas and pine barrens.
Forested Wetlands
Swamp forests, bottomland hardwoods, and other wooded wetland habitats.
Grasslands
Native grassland, meadow, and shrubland habitats and their wildlife communities.
Great Lakes Coastal Systems
Dunes, beaches, coastal wetlands, and nearshore areas along the Great Lakes.
Great Lakes Islands
Unique island ecosystems in the Great Lakes with distinct wildlife assemblages.
Mines & Caves
Subterranean habitats critical for bats and other cave-dependent species.
Peatlands
Bogs, fens, and other peat-forming wetlands and their specialist wildlife.
Aquatic habitats
7 of 7Littoral Zones
Shallow nearshore zones of inland lakes and their aquatic communities.
St. Clair & Detroit River System
The connecting waterway system between Lake Huron and Lake Erie.
Warmwater Streams & Headwaters
Warm and cool water stream systems supporting diverse fish and invertebrate communities.
Big Rivers
Michigan's large river systems and their floodplain habitats.
Coldwater Streams
Spring-fed and groundwater-influenced streams supporting cold-water species.
Coldwater Inland Lakes
Deep, clear lakes with cold-water habitats supporting sensitive aquatic species.
Great Lakes Ciscoes
Conservation of cisco and coregonid species in the Great Lakes ecosystem.
Cross-cutting
1 of 1Intro & appendices
2 of 2Each chapter is a stand-alone mini-plan.
The introduction describes shared approach and methods. Every chapter then details focal SGCN, current threats, conservation actions, places for partnership, monitoring needs, and ten-year goals — so that any chapter can be used on its own by the people working in that habitat.
- 01The habitatWhat it is and where it occurs
- 02Who contributedTribes, agencies & partners
- 03Focal SGCNSpecies selected for emphasis
- 0410-year goalsFor habitat and each focal species
- 05Critical threatsRanked and categorized
- 06Conservation actionsWhat partners can do
- 07Adaptive capacityClimate & environmental vulnerability
- 08Places for partnershipGeographies to focus on
- 09MonitoringSurveys and data needs