Jason Edwards

Wyoming's State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP) serves as a comprehensive roadmap for conserving Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) across the state. The plan identifies 308 SGCN, detailing their habitats, conservation challenges, and priority actions. It aims to prevent these species from becoming federally endangered or threatened, supported by federal grants and contributions from the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and partnering organizations. This revision focuses on incorporating updated information, fostering statewide collaboration, and enhancing user-friendliness.

The State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP) for Wyoming is a comprehensive roadmap designed to proactively conserve species of greatest conservation need (SGCN) and their habitats, preventing their federal listing and ensuring common species remain prevalent. This fourth iteration, the 2027 revision, identifies 308 SGCN (including plants for the first time), outlines key challenges, and details voluntary, collaborative priority actions. The plan also serves to unlock federal conservation funding and has been made significantly more user-friendly and concise compared to previous versions.

This strategic roadmap outlines efforts to conserve the health and diversity of Wyoming's wildlife and natural heritage. It identifies 308 Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) and their habitats, along with high-priority challenges and corresponding voluntary conservation actions. The plan aims to keep common species common, prevent species from being listed under the Endangered Species Act, and enhance information on species, all through a collaborative, statewide approach.

The commission meeting agenda includes updates from the Director, the Fiscal Division regarding FY 2026 revenue transfers, and the Fish Division on facility projects. Additional discussions cover property acquisitions near the Table Mountain Wildlife Habitat Management Area, employee awards and recognition, and public access area leases. The commission will also review management agreements for the Rawhide Wildlife Habitat Management Area, receive updates from the National Bighorn Sheep Center, consider policy revisions for awards programs, and evaluate statewide weather conditions. Furthermore, the meeting includes an overview of preference points and reduced price licenses, and extensive deliberations regarding the approval of various hunting regulations for big game, wild bison, wild turkey, upland game birds, small game, migratory game birds, and light goose conservation orders.

The board discussed boat registration data and the implementation of new commercial guide reporting requirements. Discussions included the potential for forming a dedicated Fishing Outfitter Board or joining the Wyoming State Board of Outfitters and Professional Guides. The committee reviewed the operational and financial structures of the existing outfitter board, addressed complexities regarding federal permitting and commercial fishing activities, and evaluated challenges such as overcrowding at public access areas. Action items include the preparation of draft proposals regarding board structure, requests for detailed requirement handouts for sticker placement, and information sharing regarding operating procedures and finances from the Outfitters and Professional Guides board.