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Official Website

of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

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    Threatened and Endangered Species

    The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) is responsible for protecting fish, reptiles, amphibians and aquatic invertebrates.

    In Pennsylvania, 29 fish, five reptile, five amphibian, and ten freshwater mussel species are currently listed as state endangered. Nine species are classified as threatened, and another four are candidates to reach endangered or threatened status in the future.

    Current List of Pennsylvania's Endangered, Threatened and Candidate Species (PA Code - Title 58, Chapter 75)

    The Pennsylvania Wildlife Action Plan guides proactive conservation to help avoid species endangerment and aims to keep common native species common.

    Species Action Plans 

    The PFBC has also developed control plans for specific Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS).

    Resources 

    Aquatic Field Study

    Permits are available for educators, water quality monitors and scientists collecting aquatic organisms.

    Qualified Threatened and Endangered Species Surveyors

    The PFBC reviews projects to be permitted in or near habitats that may be occupied by endangered or threatened species. Site-specific surveys are a component of the project review process when a project activity potentially conflicts with an endangered or threatened species and its habitat. The PFBC has assembled lists of biologists who have documented their expertise to conduct surveys for endangered or threatened species in connection with a proposed or planned development activity.

    Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program (PNHP)

    The Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program (PNHP) is a partnership between the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC), Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC), and Western Pennsylvania Conservancy (WPC) in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. PNHP is a member of NatureServe, an international network of natural heritage programs that gather and provide information on the location and status of important ecological resources (plants, vertebrates, invertebrates, ecological communities and geologic features). The PNHP's purpose is to provide current, reliable, objective ecological data and analysis to help guide conservation work and land-use planning.

    Pennsylvania Conservation Explorer

    The Pennsylvania Conservation Explorer provides conservation information on biological diversity, protected lands, streams and other natural resources for planning purposes and also allows users to screen a project area for potential impacts to threatened, endangered, and special concern species.

    U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Pennsylvania Ecological Services Field Office

    The Pennsylvania Ecological Services Field Office provides technical assistance and consultation to private citizens, local, county and state governments and federal partners in all 67 counties throughout the Commonwealth.