The NBII Threatened and Endangered Species site provides access to data and information on threatened and endangered species managed by various federal and non-federal organizations.  Currently, the site focus’s on activities that NBII is providing a supporting role, primarily through infrastructure, to the various organizations involved. 

According to the Endangered Species Act (ESA), species may be listed as either "endangered" or "threatened."  Endangered is defined as a species that is in danger of extinction within its native range. Threatened is defined as a species that is likely to become endangered, potentially in the near term, within part or a majority of its native range.  All species of plants and animals, except pest insects and non-native species, can be listed as endangered or threatened.  

As of May 1, 2006, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has listed 1,868 species worldwide as either endangered or threatened.   Currently, 1,300 of these species are found in the United States .  ( http://www.fws.gov/endangered/pubs/ESA%20BASICS_050806.pdf)