Pooling knowledge to refine individual priorities: The Northeast Synthesis for State Wildlife Action Plans

In preparation for the 2015 iteration of State Wildlife Action Plans (SWAPs), thirteen Northeast states worked with the North Atlantic Landscape Conservation Cooperative to roll up and synthesize their cumulative knowledge of species and their associated habitats to a regional scale.  The North Atlantic LCC gathered and analyzed all relevant data and delivered the resulting Northeast Regional Conservation Synthesis report to state partners as a resource for development of their SWAPs.  One of the major components of the 'Synthesis' was the partner-driven identification of Regional Species of Greatest Conservation Need (RSGCN).  RSGCN data were assessed in relation to an assortment of environmental variables, including habitat types and potential threats related to human impact and climate change.  The 'Synthesis' effort has enabled SWAP staff to better prioritize their needs, to understand how their state fits in the regional picture, and to preempt federal listing by implementing on-the-ground conservation.