Tennessee Partners Convene Around the State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP)
A new steering committee includes key partners committed to supporting a dynamic and effective State Wildlife Action Plan.
Media Contacts
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Jessica Underwood
The Nature Conservancy
Mobile: 404-313-0450
Email: j.d.underwood@tnc.org -
Emily Buck
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Email: Emily.A.Buck@tn.gov
The inaugural meeting of the Tennessee State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP) Steering Committee on July 16, 2024 marked a significant enhancement to the existing SWAP framework, a cornerstone of Tennessee's conservation efforts. The committee unites key partners, including the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA), The Nature Conservancy, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and more than 20 additional conservation-focused organizations. Their role is to provide strategic direction and critical input as the SWAP undergoes revision.
Importantly, the work of this newly established committee will not conclude with the SWAP revision. Rather, the current effort represents an ongoing commitment to continuously guide and support the implementation and evolution of the plan, ensuring that Tennessee's wildlife conservation efforts remain dynamic and effective.
About the SWAP
The Tennessee SWAP, first published in 2005 and updated in 2015, serves as a blueprint for conserving the state’s fish, wildlife and plant species. It addresses key elements required by Congress, including identifying species of greatest conservation need, their habitats, threats and proposed conservation actions. The SWAP undergoes revision every 10 years to incorporate innovative approaches and adapt to changing conditions.
“We are excited to work alongside of TNC in leading the newest SWAP, which will help conservationists take action across the state to protect and manage wildlife species,” said Chris Simpson, Assistant Chief of Biodiversity for TWRA. “Tennessee is one of the most biodiverse states in the nation with more than 350 species of fish, 79 mammals, 65 reptiles, 85 amphibians, 301 land snails, 100 aquatic snails, 97 crayfish, 140 freshwater mussels, and 400 native and migratory birds. We have been dedicated to the conservation of these species since the agency was founded 75 years ago, and we will continue developing habitat, managing species, and providing outreach opportunities for the public to learn more about wildlife.”
Why SWAP Matters
Since 2001, the State and Tribal Wildlife Grants (SWG) Program has mandated that each state develop a Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy, commonly known as a SWAP. These plans play a crucial role in preventing endangered species listings and enhancing collaborative conservation efforts nationwide. From rivers to mountains, SWAPs empower communities to protect our natural heritage through actions which aspire to "keep common species common."
Collaborative Conservation
Tennessee’s SWAP is a living guide designed for all Tennesseans, aimed at conserving and managing wildlife, fish and plant species of greatest conservation need, along with their essential ecological communities. Members of the SWAP Steering Committee hope their strategic direction and critical input embodies the evolving nature of this plan. Their goal is to enhance successful stewardship across all of Tennessee’s habitat types through this interorganizational effort, which will employ collective data analysis, prioritization of project areas, continual assessment of threats and hurdles, and an annual report on the state of conservation in Tennessee. A key focus of the committee will be to improve communication both within the conservation community and with the public. By coming together to develop an evolving conservation strategy, the committee plans to increase the capacity for conservation progress in prioritized habitats, from the Mississippi River to the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Janie Becker, The Nature Conservancy's State Wildlife Action Plan Revision Coordinator in Tennessee, expressed her enthusiasm for the newly formed steering committee, “We’re thrilled to launch this new steering committee, which unites a team of passionate, experienced specialists to set goals and implement conservation actions in Tennessee. By collaborating across organizations to plan projects and share information, we can make a greater impact on preserving our state’s natural resources and biodiversity.”
The Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. We are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters and oceans at an unprecedented scale, providing food and water sustainably and helping make cities more sustainable. The Nature Conservancy is working to make a lasting difference around the world in 81 countries and territories (40 by direct conservation impact and 41 through partners) through a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners. To learn more, visit nature.org or follow @nature_press on X.