A Species Action Plan is a document outlining the steps involved in the conservation of a species at a local, national, or international level. The plan outlines the current status of a species, focusing on the research available on the species occupancy and abundance, its current status, and threats to the species that could be drivers of mortality rates, decrease environmental resources or limiting a species dispersal across a landscape. Legal protection granted at national and internation level is also explored. Research is conducted into current initiatives that are in place to preserve the species and from this an action plan is created outlining the relevant actions required in increasing populations successfully.

Since conservation projects work based on consensus and collaboration and involve the consultation of numerous stakeholders, SPAs aim to achieve agreement between stakeholders and propose relevant actions required to promote the preservation of populations at various scales. Demographics which may have an interest in SPAs include governmental and non-governmental organisations, businesses and individuals.

Overall, they would involve: research into current conservation incentives as well as data available on species, its legal status and current threats. Carrying out relevant field research. Planning and proposing a plan of action devised based on stakeholder consultation. These plans require expertise in behavioural ecology and an advanced understanding of species specific behavioural and ecological adaptations.