We provide national leadership in the recovery and conservation of our nation's imperiled plant and animal species, working with experts in the scientific community to identify species on the verge of extinction and to build the road to recovery to bring them back. We work with a range of public and private partners to protect important habitat, and increase species' populations and reduce the threats to their survival so that they can be removed from federal protection.
What We Do
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Our Services
To make recovery efforts for listed and candidate species more efficient and effective, we work with others to find ways to invigorate and modernize the implementation of the ESA, using ourcurrent conservation tools and developing new ones at every opportunity. Among the tools that play a major part in achieving our conservation and recovery goals are: interagency consultations; incentives for landowners and managers to engage in voluntary conservation partnerships; grants to states and territories, private landowners, and conservation groups to fund conservation projects; and permits that authorize scientific research to learn more about listed species, or activities that enhance the propagation or survival of listed species.
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Our Projects and Initiatives
Our work to conserve and recover endangered and threatened species includes listing species under the ESA and designating critical habitat, developing protective regulations for threatened species, developing and implementing recovery plans for listed species, monitoring and evaluating the status of listed species, and, cooperating with non-federal partners to develop conservation plans.
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Our Laws and Regulations
Throughout its history, the Endangered Species Act (ESA) has proven to be incredibly effective in stabilizing populations of species at risk, preventing the extinction of many others, and conserving the habitats upon which they depend. All Americans can take pride in the fact that, under the protection of the ESA, the California condor, grizzly bear, Okaloosa darter, whooping crane, and black-footed ferret have all been brought back from the brink of extinction. We can also celebrate that many other species no longer need ESA protection and have been removed from the list of endangered and threatened species, including the bald eagle—the very symbol of our nation's strength.
More About What We Do
Latest Stories and Topics
Stories
Endangered Species Act
Proposal to delist Roanoke logperch
Based on a review of the best available science, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) has determined that the Roanoke logperch, a large freshwater darter, is no longer at risk of extinction. The Service is proposing to remove the fish from the endangered species list.
Endangered Species Act
Revisions Strengthen Endangered Species Act
The Department of the Interior’s U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Department of Commerce’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries) have finalized three rules that will restore important protections for species and their habitats,...
Endangered Species Act
Small Wonder: Island Sloth Proposed for Endangered Species Act Protection
Smitten with sloths, an adoring international public may not realize the species they most often see has a diminutive relative living on a tiny island north of Panama’s mainland, the only place the pygmy three-toed sloth is known to exist on Earth. This small sloth – a resident of red mangroves and...
Endangered Species Act
Proposal to list pyramid pigtoe mussel withdrawn
In the wake of new genetic research indicating the pyramid pigtoe freshwater mussel is not a distinct species, rather is the same animal as the more common round pigtoe, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service withdraws its proposal to list the pyramid pigtoe as a threatened species under the Endangered...
Endangered Species Act
FAQs – Withdrawal of the pyramid pigtoe from listing consideration
Questions answered regarding the decision to withdraw the proposed listing of the pyramid pigtoe mussel based on new genetic research.
Wildlife Wonders
Tune In to California's Vernal Pools
Vernal pools are like giant puddles that show up when there's enough springtime rain, and though these pools only exist for a few weeks to a few months, they're full of aquatic critters racing to hatch, find mates, and lay eggs before the pool dries up in summer.
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Our Library
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Whether you are looking for a specific document pertaining to species listing, sections of the Endangered Species Act, or anything else related to Endangered Species policy, you can find it right here in the ESA document library.
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Our Species
The number of endangered and threatened species changes as we add or remove species from the list.
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An endangered species is a type of organism that is threatened by extinction. Species become endangered for two main reasons: loss of habitat and loss of genetic variation.
Our work to conserve and recover endangered and threatened species includes listing species under the ESA and designating critical habitat, developing protective regulations for threatened species, developing and implementing recovery plans for listed species, monitoring and evaluating the status of listed species, and ...
We provide technical assistance and administer grants that distribute millions of dollars annually to support fish and wildlife conservation, habitat conservation, clean water, fish and wildlife health, imperiled and endangered species conservation, coastal wetlands enhancement, public safety programs, and outdoor ...
Habitat loss is the primary cause of higher extinction rates. Other causes include habitat changes, over-exploitation of wildlife for commercial purposes, the introduction of harmful nonnative species, pollution, and the spread of diseases.
The extinction of a single species can affect many other species, especially humans, who depend on marine, estuarine, and riverine environments for food, commerce, medicine, and recreation.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service investigates reports of federal wildlife crimes, such as the take (killing) of federally protected wildlife (bald and golden eagles, endangered species, and marine mammals such as polar bears and manatees), illegal baiting and hunting of migratory birds like ducks and doves, and ...
Although we may initiate listing proposals, we also may start the listing process with a petition from any member of the public. However, petitions need the support of biological data. We consider any information submitted on the biology, distribution, or threats to the species when making our decisions.
Our conservation roots run deep. By the late 1800s, people began to recognize America's fisheries were in trouble and called on Congress to act. The United States Commission of Fish and Fisheries was formed on February 9, 1871.
The agency intends to achieve its purpose by helping protect endangered species, watching and managing migratory birds, restoring nationally significant fisheries, conserving and restoring wildlife habitat, enforcing wildlife laws, among other activities.
Federal wildlife officers safeguard people and facilities in cooperation with local jurisdictions to ensure public safety. For example, they may search for lost or missing visitors, arrest violent offenders, conduct drug enforcement activities or aid in border security.
What is an "Endangered Species"? An endangered species is an animal or plant that's considered at risk of extinction. A species can be listed as endangered at the state, federal, and international level. On the federal level, the endangered species list is managed under the Endangered Species Act.
Endangered is a word used to describe plant and animal species that are not doing very well. Animals usually become endangered because of over hunting or the destruction of their habitat. An animal that is endangered is close to extinction, meaning there aren't very many of that type of animal left in the world.
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