Endangered Species Act 101

A key to some terms related to the Endangered Species Act: Candidate species: Any species formally considered for listing as endangered or threatened. Conservation: The use of every method necessary to recover endangered and threatened species. Consultation: The requirement for biologists with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or NOAA Fisheries to review any federal project with a potential impact on listed species. Critical habitat: Specific areas designated by the government as essential for a species’ recovery. Endangered species: Any species — other than insects considered as pests — in danger of going extinct in all or a significant part of its range. Endangered Species Act: First passed in 1973, it governs the U.S. approach to identifying and aiding animals and plants at risk of going extinct. Endangered species list: The list of all species deemed threatened and endangered in the U.S. and abroad by the U.S. government. “God Squad”: A nickname for the Endangered Species Committee, a Cabinet-level group with the power to allow federal projects to move forward despite any harm to listed species...read more