Working to conserve and restore endangered and threatened species and their habitats

Since life began, species have come and gone. While extinctions do occur naturally, human activities have caused the highest rate of extinction. All living creatures, including people, are part of a complex network – the removal of one species can affect other species in a chain reaction.

Success! On June 28, 2007, the bald eagle was removed from the threatened and endangered species list. The Chesapeake Bay now has one of the highest concentrations of the species.

To prevent further extinctions and provide protection for plants and animals and the habitats they depend upon, the Endangered Species Act (ESA) was established in 1973. The key aspect of the ESA was that Congress needed to develop a list of species in need of federal protection. An “endangered” species is added to the list when it is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range. A “threatened” species is added to the list when it is likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future. The list of endangered and threatened species includes mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, arachnids, crustaceans, snails, insects, fishes, mussels, and plants.

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is the federal agency responsible for coordinating the conservation of those plants and animals threatened with extinction. We work with other federal agencies, state and local governments, agencies, American Indian tribes, conservation organizations and private landowners to conserve endangered species and their habitat. The goal of the ESA is recover species so they no longer need protection. Much of the progress in recovery of endangered species can be attributed to support and involvement from our various partners.

How we conserve endangered species:

• Working with States
• Working with private landowners
• Consultation on federal activities
• Recovery of threatened and endangered species
• Protection of candidate species
• Adding species to the List of Threatened and Endangered Species
• Permits
• Critical Habitat Designation
• Habitat Conservation Plans
• Grants
• International Agreements
• Project Review Requests

For more information, contact:

Learn More:

• U.S. FWS national Endangered Species website
• U.S. FWS Region 5 Endangered Species website
• Endangered Species in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed

updated: 2007