Official Site of The State of New Jersey
The Endangered and Nongame Species Program (ENSP) within the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Fish and Wildlife Program periodically conducts status assessments of nongame wildlife by taxonomic groups. These assessments help determine which species should be listed on the Endangered Species List or designated as Threatened, Special Concern, Stable-Secure, or Undetermined-Unknown on the state’s list of nongame wildlife. Since the mid-1990s the ENSP has used a process known as the Delphi Technique to conduct species status reviews.
For information on how ENSP conducts species status assessments, see the following documents:
An Objective Means of Species Status Assessment: Adapting the Delphi Technique
Species Status Assessments using the Delphi Technique – Operating Procedures and Guidelines, 12/21/15
Species Status Classifications
Endangered Species are those whose prospects for survival in New Jersey are in immediate danger because of a loss or change in habitat, over-exploitation, predation, competition, disease, disturbance or contamination. Assistance is needed to prevent future extinction in New Jersey. See below for the list of endangered species in New Jersey.
Threatened Species are those who may become endangered if conditions surrounding them begin to or continue to deteriorate. See below for the list of threatened species in New Jersey.
Species of Special Concern are those who warrant special attention because of some evidence of decline, inherent vulnerability to environmental deterioration, or habitat modification that would result in their becoming a threatened species. This category also applies to species that meet the foregoing criteria and for which there is little understanding of their current population status in the state.
Stable (or increasing) are those species that appear to be secure in NJ and not in danger of falling into any of the preceding the categories in the near future.
Undetermined are those species about which there is not enough information available to determine the status.
Status Assessment Reports
Draft Reports
No draft reports available.
Final Reports
Species Status Review of Land Birds and Waterbirds – 03/18/20
- Species Status Assessment of Land Birds
- Species Status Assessment of Waterbirds
- Species Status Assessment of Bald Eagles
Species Status Review of Freshwater Fishes – 7/29/16
Species Status Review of Amphibian and Reptiles – 7/21/16
Species Status Review of Lepidoptera (Butterflies) – 1/21/15
Species Status Review of Terrestrial Mammals – 3/20/13
Species Status Review of Freshwater Mussels – 7/18/12
Species Status Review of Freshwater Crustaceans (crayfish & fairy shrimp only) – 10/20/10
Species Status Review of Marine Mammals – 1/21/09
