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 our current 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.

Latest Stories and Topics

Stories
5 giraffes seen from neck up
Endangered Species Act
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Proposes Endangered Species Act Protections for Giraffes
In response to declining giraffe populations caused by poaching, habitat loss and climate change, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing federal protections for several giraffe species. After reviewing the best available scientific and commercial information, the Service proposes listing...
History and Culture
Waya - Saving Our Red Grandfather
The Red Wolf is the most endangered wolf species in the world and it holds significant cultural value to the Cherokee people. Learn about the Tribal connection to this species and how conservationists are working to save the Red Wolf from extinction.
A landscape photo of rolling hills
Habitat Restoration
BLM, FWS issue final analysis, preferred approach for proposed highway
The Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today issued a final supplemental environmental analysis of the proposed Northern Corridor highway in Washington County, Utah. The BLM, in coordination with the FWS, identified a preferred management alternative that endorses...
Woman at a microscope set up at at pickup truck
Endangered Species Act
Snapshot: Biologists Begin Assessing Area Streams Post-Hurricane Helene
Post-Hurricane Helene, Fish and Wildlife Service biologists begin the long process of assessing area streams and strategizing wildlife recovery.
A pink and green humming bird with rapidly flapping wings pokes it's nose into a flower to collect nectar
Wildlife Wonders
Wings of Life
We owe most of our fruits, crops and flowers to insects and other animals that carry pollen from flower to flower, fertilizing them in the process.
A variety of mussels in the hand of a biologist
Endangered Species Act
Recovery plan for four imperiled freshwater mussels
They have quirky names and are often mistaken for stones, but freshwater mussels are very much alive and perform critical ecological functions in rivers and streams. We've published a recovery plan to save four imperiled mussels protected under the Endangered Species Act: the rayed bean, sheepnose...
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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.

Our Species

The number of endangered and threatened species changes as we add or remove species from the list.

Summary of listed species