Natural Resource Conservation, Policy, and Law

Flashcards created for the lecture on Natural Resource Conservation, focusing on key concepts related to endangered species and associated laws.

Endangered Species Act (ESA)

A law enacted in 1973 aimed at protecting species at risk of extinction and their habitats.

Take

Under ESA Section 9, 'take' refers to actions that harm, harass, hunt, capture, or kill listed species.

CITES

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, established to ensure that international trade does not threaten the survival of endangered species.

Candidate species

Species that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has found to warrant listing as endangered or threatened, but for which listing is currently delayed.

Critical habitat

Specific areas designated under the ESA that are essential for the conservation of a listed species.

Jeopardy

An ESA Section 7 term indicating that a federal action may threaten the survival of a listed species.

Incidental Take Permit (ITP)

A permit issued by the FWS that allows for the incidental take of a listed species under certain conditions.

HCP (Habitat Conservation Plans)

Plans negotiated with the FWS to mitigate negative impacts on endangered species, allowing for some development or land use.

Experimental population

A reintroduced population of a listed species that is managed as a candidate species under the ESA.

God Squad

A group of seven Cabinet-level members that review federal actions that may jeopardize endangered species under ESA.