Conservation science and policy need to go beyond considering wetlands as independent objects, but as integral components of the wetland networks on the landscape. We developed models to define the “perceived” wetland networks of different species-at-risk, and to derive an index that represented the minimal wetland network configuration required for survival of the species. We selected two amphibian species-at-risk and analyzed their life cycle traits and dispersal strategies, focusing on a landscape in the Prairie Pothole Region. A Wetland Attractiveness Score (WAS) was developed to assess the goodness-of-fit of each wetland to the species’ requirements (e.g., reproduction, hibernacula and tadpoles’ development). A Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) was developed to assess the value of the habitat that surrounds the wetlands and relates amphibians’ needs to structural and functional attributes of the landscape crossed during their dispersal to other wetlands. The dispersion of the organisms through the wetland network was tracked, and a species-specific index of the integrity of the wetland network was estimated from a combination of the WAS, the HSI and the amphibian population dynamics. We found that each amphibian species had a “preferred” wetland network, which reflected their lifecycle traits and dispersal strategies, and that were dependent on the hydrological and ecological connections within the wetland network. Using the index of resilience of the wetland network, we identified wetland network configurations that optimized the conservation each of the species-at-risk, and showed where potential synergies and tradeoffs existed for conserving these vulnerable species. Future work will focus on validating the model predictions with field data.