Declining wildlife populations and the lack of stable funding for non-game species prompted the U.S. Congress to enact a visionary program - State Wildlife Grants (SWG) - to fund efforts by States and partner organizations that address the species of greatest conservation need.

The SWG program is designed to assist States by providing federal funds for the development and implementation of programs that benefit native wildlife and their habitat. This funding supplements existing fish and wildlife funding programs and support wildlife diversity conservation.

In order to be eligible for SWG funds, states must prepare a Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy (CWCS). Planning efforts are now underway in all 50 states, as well as the U.S. territories.

The intent of a CWCS is to create a dynamic vision for the future of wildlife conservation. To do this a state CWCS should:

• Address the broad array of native wildlife in the State.
• Create partnerships, so that the plan's broad perspective is implemented through local actions and builds on past efforts for the benefit of all native wildlife.
• Not introduce new regulations or constraints.
• Be fiscally responsible by proactively conserving wildlife.
• Have a long-term goal of keeping common species common.

The 8 required elements for the CWCS, as mandated by Congress, are:

1. information on the distribution and abundance of species of greatest conservation need;
2. descriptions of the location and condition of key habitats for the identified species;
3. descriptions of threats to the identified species or their habitats;
4. conservation actions proposed to conserve the identified species and their habitats;
5. plans to monitor the identified species and habitats and the effectiveness of the conservation actions;
6. procedures to revise the CWCS every ten years;
7. plans for coordinating the development and implementation of the CWCS with Federal, State, and local agencies and organizations managing significant land or water areas; and
8. public participation .