Recovery | Overview
Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge in Florida was established as nesting habitat for endangered green sea turtles and threatened loggerhead sea turtles.
Photo credit: Nancy Marx, USFWS
Working with partners, the Service uses a range of conservation tools to "recover" endangered and threatened species—to ensure that they are secure members of their ecosystems. These tools include restoring and acquiring habitat, removing introduced animal predators or invasive plant species, conducting surveys, monitoring individual populations, and breeding species in captivity and releasing them into their historic range.
Collaborative efforts are critical to recovery success. Service partners include 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 species such as the California condor, blackfooted ferret, peregrine falcon, and our Nation's symbol, the bald eagle, from extinction.
To delist or downlist species, the Service follows a process similar to what is used in considering whether to list species. Populations and recovery achievements in eliminating or reducing threats are assessed, and peer-review is sought.
Learn More about 5-Year Reviews. [54KB]
For all the details, download the Recovery fact sheet. [200KB]
Search the endangered species database for available recovery plans.
Read the latest stories regarding recovery efforts.
Access the full library of documents related to Recovery.
Read the Service's policies regarding recovery.
Access our endangered species database to find out how you can help with local recovery efforts.
