What does the Endangered Species Act do?

The Endangered Species Act (ESA) is a key piece of legislation in the United States aimed specifically at protecting endangered and threatened species along with their habitats. By identifying species that are at risk of extinction and implementing recovery plans, the Act provides a framework for conservation efforts. This includes habitat protection, which is critical because the loss of habitat is often a primary threat to species survival. The ESA allows for the designation of critical habitats that are essential for the survival of listed species and prohibits actions that could jeopardize their existence.

Understanding the specifics of the ESA highlights why it is focused on the protection of both species and their environments, rather than primarily promoting biodiversity in general terms, regulating hunting and fishing, or attempting to bring back species that have already gone extinct. Each of these other elements plays a role in wildlife management and conservation, but the direct aim of the ESA is the safeguarding of species at risk of extinction and ensuring their habitats are preserved for future generations.