Recovery is the process by which the decline of an endangered or threatened species is arrested or reversed, and threats to its survival are lessened or removed, so that its long-term survival in the wild can be ensured. The goal of this process is to restore listed species to a point where they are secure, self-sustaining components of their ecosystems and can be removed from ESA protection. Note sidebar .
Recovery plans serve as blueprints for the survival of species teetering on the brink of extinction.
Such plans identify actions for conserving listed species and the ecosystems on which they depend. Putting these survival guides into action depends on the cooperation of all willing partners, such as private landowners, corporate citizens, Native American tribes, and Federal, State, and local government agencies. Twenty years ago, the August edition of the Endangered Species Technical Bulletin featured a story on the FWS Recovery Program. Both the ESA and the Recovery Program were still quite young. While we have learned much over the last 20 years, the challenge of recovering endangered and threatened species is nonetheless daunting.