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Endangered Species Program
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Endangered Species program is conserving and restoring threatened and endangered species and their ecosystems.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife
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The Midwest Region includes Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio and Wisconsin.
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Kirtland's Warbler Recovery
Recovery is the process used to restore threatened and endangered species to the point that protection under the Endangered Species Act is no longer needed.
Recovery Timeline
Photo courtesy of Joel Trick
Follow this small warbler's journey from discovery to near extinction to recovery, with some historic firsts along the way.
Long-term Management for Kirtland's Warbler
Photo courtesy of Ashley Hannah
The Kirtland’s warbler will always depend on annual habitat management and control of parasitic cowbirds. To address those management needs, partners agencies signed a Memorandum of Understanding and prepared a conservation plan. A Memorandum of Understanding signed by partner agencies and the Kirtland's Warbler Conservation Plan address the long-term management needs of Kirtland's warbler.
Land Management
Photo by Dan Elbert; USFWS
Prescribed fire, clearcutting, replanting, and cowbird control are some of the measures taken to restore Kirtland's warblers and their habitat. We work with the U.S. Forest Service, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and other partners to recover and conserve Kirtland's warblers.
Securing a Future for the Bird of Fire Dec. 2011 Endangered Species Technical Bulletin
Managing the Forest for Kirtland's Warbler a 1992 Fact Sheet explains Kirtland's warbler life history and management
Recovery Planning
Photo courtesy of Joel Trick
The Endangered Species Act requires that recovery plans be prepared for listed species. A recovery plan identifies and prioritizes actions needed to address threats to a species, resulting in increasing numbers and a healthy population. The 5-Year Review provides an update on the current population status.
Range Expansion into Wisconsin
Photo by Joel Trick
A milestone in the recovery of the Kirtland’s warbler was the 2007 discovery of three active nests in Wisconsin. Volunteers and partners have worked together to monitor the Kirtland's warbler in Wisconsin.
Midwest Endangered Species Home
- What We Do
- Midwest Endangered Species
- Candidate Conservation
- Listing
- Recovery
- Section 7 Consultation
- Permits
- Habitat Conservation Plans
- Grants
- Endangered Species Act
- Glossary
- Listed Plants and Animals
- Featured Species
- All Midwest Listed Species
- State and County Lists
- Species of Concern
- Extinct Species
- <Fact Sheets