Status and extent of rare species and natural communities of georgia are critical for making informed decisions when outlining the need and direction of conservation in the state

This $1,210,476 Formula Grant award from the U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service under the State Wildlife Grants (CFDA 15.634) program supports comprehensive surveys, mapping, and monitoring of Georgia's species of greatest conservation need (SGCN) and their habitats. The funding period is from October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2026.

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources, the prime awardee, will use this grant to establish baseline data on SGCN species and habitats, including but not limited to pitcher plant and mountain bogs, chalk prairies, sandhill communities, and grassland habitats. The data will be used to inform wildlife conservation decisions, update the Georgia State Wildlife Action Plan, and develop more effective management plans. The grant also supports collaboration with partners like the U.S. Forest Service to ensure a comprehensive conservation approach across jurisdictions.

Surveys on conservation lands providing this essential data in many cases are out of date or simply do not exist. Establishing baseline surveys is a high priority not only to acknowledge individual species and habitat requirements, but to write effective management plans that willadequately address conservation needs at the landscape scale. Revisions in 2025 to georgias state wildlife action plan (swap) outlined species of greatest conservation need (sgcn) and associated habitats based on the most up-to-date information available to the state and conservation partners. This revision highlighted data deficiencies and stressed the critical need for updates of sgcn species and habitats if significant strides towards conservation are to be achieved. Data-deficiency ranges from inadequate surveysof conservation lands, accurate mapping of species and habitat distributions, and monitoring protocols to establish baseline trends. Actions towards updating these data allow for better informed and more effective conservation actions to be outlined and achieved. Funding for this project provides support for surveys, mapping, and monitoring of sgcn species and their habitats. Species and habitats given priority are based on the recommendations of natural heritage staff and guided by priorities identified in the 2025 swap. Priorities include but are not limited to habitats such as pitcher plant and mountain bogs, chalk prairies, sandhill communities, and grassland habitats. Data needs for sgcn species include larger groups such as ants, bees, and wasps (hymenoptera SP.), wide ranging flagship species such as the gophertortoise (gopherus polyphemus), and critically endangered species such as quillworts (isoetessp.). These updated data better inform wildlife conservation section biologists as to the true status of critical species in the state and aids in making informed decisions surrounding effective conservation actions. The scope of this funding is also targeted towards using these updated data to draft or modify more effective management plans. By incorporating the most up-to-date data, WCS staff are able to operate in an adaptive management framework where modifications to management actions are based on current information. Updated status of sgcn species and communities also shifts conservation value and focus on those state lands harboring elevated numbers of focal species and increases dedication and care when reviewing sensitive areas slated for forestmanagement or environmental review projects. Beyond state lands, recognizing collaboration with other conservation partners, such as the US forest service, are a critical component in the conservation scope of this grant.