Spotlight Species
In carrying out our mission, we will track our accomplishments and measure our progress through a representative group of spotlight species that have detailed conservation action plans. The plans, which are currently available, lay out discrete, measurable conservation goals and actions for which we will hold ourselves publicly accountable. We will continue to undertake the key actions necessary to recover all listed and candidate species, but with more than 1,300 species on the list of threatened and endangered species, focusing on spotlight species to publicly measure our progress will allow us to make efficient use of our resources while creating transparency with all constituencies.
Spotlight species are selected based on several criteria including:
- the potential a species has to benefit from partnerships between the Service and States, other Federal agencies, Tribes, NGOs, private landowners, etc., to aid in its conservation;
- the potential that threats currently jeopardizing a species' survival can be reduced;
- high public interest in a species;
- species that represent an important or threatened ecosystem;
- species that are listed as priority species in a State wildlife action plan.
Spotlight Species represent approximately 10 percent of all listed threatened and endangered species in the U.S. (currently 1,323 species). In addition to the selection of listed species, we have also selected several candidate species or species-at-risk to be considered Spotlight Species-at-risk.
The list of all of the spotlight species (Click on common or scientific name to view action plan.)
Species
What We Do
For Landowners
- Habitat Conservation Plans (HCPs)
- Safe Harbor Agreements
- Candidate Conservation Agreements
- Candidate Conservation Agreements with Assurances
- Recovery Credits and Tax Deductions
- Conservation Banking
- Conservation Plans Database
- Information, Planning and Conservation System (IPaC)
- Recovery Online Activity Reporting System (ROAR)
Permits
Grants
News
- News Stories
- Featured Species
- Recovery Success Stories
- Endangered Species Bulletin
- Partnership Stories