Starting in 2024, the DEC began the process of proposing updates to the New York State List of Endangered, Threatened, and Special Concern Fish & Wildlife Species. This process will be done incrementally by species group. Subsequent rules will be proposed to evaluate and address changes to listed invertebrates, marine species, amphibians, reptiles, mammals, and birds.
A rulemaking package that included changes to the list of freshwater fish, Atlantic coast leopard frog, and inclusion of federally listed species was adopted effective April 9, 2025. View the full, finalized list that reflects the adopted changes (PDF).
The next proposal will be for changes to the listed species of amphibians and reptiles. Keep watching this page, the Environmental Notice Bulletin, and State Register for updates and an opportunity to comment on the proposed changes.
Endangered - Any native species in imminent danger of extirpation or extinction in New York State.
Threatened - Any native species likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable future in New York State.
Special Concern - Any native species for which a welfare concern or risk of endangerment has been documented in New York State. Species of special concern warrant attention and consideration but current information, collected by the department, does not justify listing these species as either endangered or threatened.
Extinct - Species is no longer living or existing.
Extirpated - Species is not extinct, but no longer occurring in a wild state within New York, or no longer exhibiting patterns of use traditional for that species in New York (e.g. historical breeders no longer breeding here).
Environmental Conservation Law of New York, Section 11-0535 and 6 NYCRR (New York Code of Rules and Regulations) Part 182 - effective (last promulgated in state regulation) December 4, 1999.
