We work with partners to conserve the ecosystems upon which endangered species and threatened species depend, developing and maintaining conservation programs for these species to improve their status to the point that Endangered Species Act protection is no longer necessary for survival. This process is called recovery.

What We Do

Our Services

Collaborative efforts are critical to recovery success. We provide a range of services intended to facilitate cooperative conservation and further species recovery. Our services include tools for landowners; grants to states, territories, and private landowners; and permits that allow certain activities that support recovery.

Our Projects and Initiatives

Working with a range of public and private partners, we use a variety of tools to achieve recovery. These tools include restoring and acquiring habitat, removing invasive species invasive species
An invasive species is any plant or animal that has spread or been introduced into a new area where they are, or could, cause harm to the environment, economy, or human, animal, or plant health. Their unwelcome presence can destroy ecosystems and cost millions of dollars.

Learn more about invasive species
, conducting surveys, monitoring individual populations, and breeding species in captivity to release them into their historic range. As a result of these efforts, species such as the California condor, black-footed ferret, peregrine falcon, and the bald eagle – the very symbol of our nation's strength – have been lifted from the brink of extinction. 

Latest Stories and Topics

Our Library

Search our library for more information on endangered and threatened species recovery, summaries of our major recovery policies, and national guidance for recovery planning and implementation and five-year status reviews.