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Reptiles and Amphibians

Threatened and Endangered Species Recovery Planning

The ultimate goal of both the state and federal Endangered Species Acts (ESA) is the recovery of endangered and threatened species. Recovery is when the decline of an endangered or threatened species is stopped or reversed, and threats removed or reduced so that the species' long-term survival in the wild can be ensured. The goal of the state and federal ESA's is the recovery of listed species to levels where protection under the law is no longer necessary.

A variety of methods and procedures are used to recover listed species, such as protective measures to prevent extinction or further decline, habitat acquisition and restoration, and other on-the-ground activities for managing and monitoring endangered and threatened species. Recovery plans documents prepared for listed species that detail the specific actions needed for recovery provide a blueprint for private, Federal, and State cooperation in the conservation of threatened and endangered species and their ecosystems. A plan may cover one or several species. Federal recovery plans that have been revised or finalized since 1989 are available electronically from USFWS.

Recovery of endangered species is up to all of us, and often involves the efforts of Federal, State, and local agencies; Tribal governments; conservation organizations; the business community; landowners; and other concerned citizens. As a result of these efforts, the ESA has been credited with saving many species from extinction, including the peregrine falcon, and our Nation's

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