Natural Legacy Project
The mission of the Natural Legacy Project is to conserve Nebraska’s flora, fauna and natural habitats.
The Nebraska Natural Legacy Project is part of a nationwide effort to address the needs of declining wildlife populations. Nebraska’s biological treasures include 60 amphibian and reptile species, 80 fish species, 400 bird species, 85 mammal species, 1,470 plant species and tens of thousands of invertebrate species. Of these, more than two dozen species of plants and animals in Nebraska are listed as threatened or endangered. Overall, more than 700 species have been identified as at-risk in Nebraska.
The mission of the Natural Legacy Project is to refine and implement a blueprint for conserving Nebraska’s flora, fauna and natural habitats through the proactive, voluntary conservation actions of partners, communities and individuals.
Introduction
Wildlife and their habitats play an integral role in the lives of Nebraskans. Creating or enhancing wildlife habitat is beneficial in that it can add beauty and enjoyment to our lives. We benefit from wildlife and their habitats in aesthetic, recreational, social, educational, ecological and economical ways. It only makes sense to do our part to ensure the viability of Nebraska’s wildlife habitat.
One of the goals of the Nebraska Natural Legacy Project is to identify a set of priority landscapes that, if properly managed, would conserve the majority of Nebraska’s biological diversity. These landscapes, called Biologically Unique Landscapes (BUL), were selected based on known occurrences of at-risk species and natural communities. In addition to at-risk species, these landscapes also support a broad array of common species.
Within the 3rd edition of the Nebraska Natural Legacy Project, the stability and resilience of the Sandhills was recognized by designating the ecoregion a Biologically Unique Ecoregion (BUE). This designation will allow for the areas not previously captured in the BUL system, yet are still unique for their lack of habitat loss and fragmentation, to be prioritized for at-risk species conservation.
To address the relative lack of aquatic-specific priorities encompassed by the BUL/BUE system of prioritization, Priority Watersheds were selected by a team of aquatic conservationists. These watersheds represent areas with high quality at-risk species occurrences and unique opportunities for conservation of the state’s aquatic biodiversity.
Coordinating Wildlife Biologists work to implement Natural Legacy’s goals. They work with a variety of partners to deliver voluntary, incentive-based conservation actions. Natural Legacy’s projects are designed to benefit wildlife and meet landowner objectives. Conservation work is performed also on public ground to improve habitat for many wildlife species.
The Nebraska Natural Legacy Project is designed to include all Nebraskans.
The task of wildlife conservation across Nebraska will only be successful when landowners, government agencies and conservation and agricultural organizations collaborate to improve habitat. The Natural Legacy Project brings together dozens of organizations representing the conservation and agricultural community to continue developing a shared vision for the future of wildlife conservation. Partners collaborate to develop the strategies necessary to conserve the broadest array of wildlife possible. Natural Legacy Partners work together on behalf of the wildlife resources Nebraskans cherish so deeply.
Email [email protected] for more information on this program or to get involved.
State Wildlife Action Plan
The Nebraska Natural Legacy Project was first published in 2005 as the state’s first Wildlife Action Plan aimed at conserving at-risk species and habitats. The second edition of the plan was released in 2011 and the list of at-risk species was updated in 2018. This third edition was released in 2026 following approval from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Landowners, partner organizations, public land managers, and many others have voluntarily used the Nebraska Natural Legacy Project to guide conservation work that benefits wildlife, habitats, and the residents of Nebraska.
Nebraska Natural Legacy Research Grants Program
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is accepting proposals to fund research that addresses priority information needs for at-risk species in the Nebraska Natural Legacy Project. Please see the Request for Proposals for more information.
Timeline
- We will accept grant applications from Oct. 1, 2026, through Nov. 20, 2026.
- The deadline to submit proposals is Nov. 20, 2026, at 5 p.m. CST.
- Grants will be reviewed by a committee of Nebraska Game and Parks Commission biologists.
- Awarded projects will be announced in late December 2026.
- Projects must be completed with final reports and invoices submitted by Nov. 19, 2027.
- Applications and questions should be submitted to Brett Andersen ([email protected]). Applicants will receive a confirmation email that their application has been received. If applicants do not hear back within three business days of submission, they should call 402-471-5444.
State wildlife grants and support
The conservation work of the Nebraska Natural Legacy Project is made possible largely by the federal State and Tribal Wildlife Grants (SWG) program and the Nebraska Environmental Trust (NET).
The SWG program is a collaboration between the federal government and the states for managing and conserving wildlife. As a condition for receiving federal funding, each state and territorial fish and wildlife agency must have developed a State Wildlife Action Plan approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Visit the FWS website for more information about state wildlife grants.
The Nebraska Environmental Trust (NET) provides grants for conservation, enhancement and restoration of natural environments in Nebraska from proceeds of the Nebraska Lottery. Grants are awarded annually for projects aimed at habitat, water, air and soil. Learn more about the NET here.
Explore some of the projects completed in Nebraska because of support by the SWG program, NET and conservation partners by searching Legacy Project database.
Species conservation assessments
The primary goal in development of at-risk species conservation assessments is to compile biological and ecological information that may assist conservation practitioners in making decisions regarding the conservation of species of interest.
Assessments are available about the following conservation species of interest:
Annual Nebraska Natural Resources Conference
Formerly known as the Natural Legacy Conference, the annual Natural Resources Conference focuses on conservation, management, education and research of at-risk species and habitats in Nebraska.
You can view recordings of past presentations at the Nebraska Game and Parks’ YouTube page.
Questions or comments?
Please contact [email protected].
Legacy NET final report
View the Nebraska Natural Legacy Project Nebraska Environmental Trust final report.
Terrestrial Ecological Systems and Natural Communities of Nebraska
Steven B. Rolfsmeier of the Kansas State University Herbarium and Gerry Steinauer of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission have completed a document that describes ecological systems for Nebraska. Anyone can use this reference to learn more about plant communities in Nebraska. And, natural resource professionals can use this valuable tool as they work to conserve the state’s biological diversity.
Contact
If you have questions or comments regarding the Nebraska Natural Legacy Project or related projects and plans, please contact Jon Soper.
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