Milestones For Natural Heritage Conservation

Milestones For Natural Heritage Conservation

1970

Wisconsin DNR creates Endangered Species Committee to address conservation needs of the state’s most vulnerable animal and plant species.

1972

Wisconsin passes State Endangered Species Act.

1973

Congress passes Federal Endangered Species Act.

1978

Wisconsin creates Office of Endangered and Nongame Species.

Ryan Brady

1982

DNR’s Bureau of Endangered Resources begins work.

1983

Wisconsin creates tax checkoff option for Endangered Resources Fund donations.

1985

State Legislature creates Natural Heritage Inventory to assess and track Wisconsin’s native plants and animals, natural communities and geological features.

1994

Wisconsin introduces gray wolf endangered resources license plate.

1997

Wisconsin DNR

State Legislature creates Aquatic and Terrestrial Resources Inventory.

2004

Wisconsin Citizen-based Monitoring Network is established.

2005

Initial Wisconsin Wildlife Action Plan is approved to focus on conservation of rare and declining species.

2006

DNR creates Landowner Incentive Program to help private landowners create and manage habitat for vulnerable species.

2010

Wisconsin introduces badger endangered resources license plate.

2013

DNR's Bureau of Endangered Resources is renamed Natural Heritage Conservation.

2015

Wisconsin introduces bald eagle endangered resources license plate.

2021

DNR completes State Natural Area Strategic Plan.

2022

DNR completes Natural Heritage Conservation Strategic Plan.