The Wildlife Action Plan Pledge is a community’s first step in recognizing the important role that wild animals play in healthy, sustainable communities. In adopting the pledge, communities pledge their support for New Jersey’s Wildlife Action Plan, and commit to seven essential principles that incorporate the interests of New Jersey wildlife into municipal planning. Doing so results in significant benefits for animals, people, and the environment, including: improved human health and social, and recreational opportunities; conservation of limited and valuable resources; reductions in human-animal and human-human conflicts; improved community-wide quality of life; preservation of New Jersey’s natural heritage (including the State’s ecological integrity); and elevated civic pride. 

The Pledge reflects a holistic approach to balancing the relationship between animals, people, and the environment based on respect, sound science, ethics, and ecological sustainability. 

Why is it important? 

The New Jersey Wildlife Action plan is a comprehensive action agenda for the conservation of native wildlife, the restoration of important lands and water, and public education targeting the needs of rare wildlife in New Jersey. The Plan, developed for the benefit of biologists, wildlife experts, municipal leaders, land stewards, non-profit organizations, educators, planners, researchers, outdoor recreation enthusiasts, and landowners, recognizes that wildlife species are integral to maintaining healthy ecosystems and therefore preserving species and their habitats is a hallmark of a sustainable community. 

By adopting the Pledge, municipalities resolve to become more ecologically sustainable communities by incorporating the Plan’s principles into public lands management, the environmental resources inventory, master plan revisions, and zoning. Fostering respect for and understanding of the relationships between animals, people, and our shared environment is a critical step towards sustaining community quality of life over the long term.