What is the Endangered Species Act?

The Endangered Species Act (ESA) is a law passed in California that helps protect threatened or endangered species and their habitats. It was signed into law in 1973 and is considered one of the most effective pieces of legislation in the United States for protecting species and ecosystems. Under the ESA, species are categorized as endangered, threatened, or candidate species. Endangered species are those that are at the brink of extinction; threatened species are those that are likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future; and candidate species are those that are likely to become endangered or threatened in the future. The ESA also requires the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to identify and designate critical habitat for endangered and threatened species that will provide them with safe havens. The FWS also works in collaboration with state agencies, tribal governments, and other private organizations to help conserve these species and their habitats. The ESA also prohibits the taking of any species listed under the act, which means that hunting, fishing, and other activities that could harm the species are illegal. These prohibitions include capturing, killing, harassing, or trading of any listed species. By protecting species and their habitats, the ESA helps to ensure that these species can persist in the future. This legislation is an important tool for protecting the environment and the species that call it home.

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What is the Endangered Species Act?

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