The ESA Recovery Act (H.R. 1897) modernizes the Endangered Species Act by restoring its original mission: species recovery through practical solutions, local stewardship, state-led partnerships, transparency, and accountability.
The ESA was created to protect imperiled species and recover them so federal protection is no longer needed. But after more than 50 years, the law is producing too few recoveries and too much process. Too many species remain stuck in a cycle of listing, litigation, and federal control — while the people closest to the land have too little say in how recovery actually happens.
The ESA has been law since 1973 with limited reform.
Species currently under federal ESA protection.
Only a small fraction have been delisted due to recovery.
Stewardship works best when states, counties, Tribes, landowners, and local resource managers have a meaningful role. Recovery is achievable when local communities are treated as partners, not adversaries.
Federal listing should start a recovery plan — not permanent federal control. States should have greater authority to design practical recovery strategies tailored to local habitat and ecological realities.
Major habitat designations affect property rights, infrastructure, agriculture, and local economies. Those decisions should be transparent, justified, and tied to actual species recovery.
ESA implementation should prioritize species recovery over endless lawsuits. Taxpayer resources should go toward recovery and stewardship — not perpetual process fights.
The ESA Recovery Act is not about weakening species protection. It is about making the ESA work better — for species, communities, landowners, and the public officials responsible for managing real-world land-use, infrastructure, and stewardship challenges.
Refocuses the ESA on measurable outcomes — healthier populations, stronger habitat, and a clear path to delisting.
Gives states, counties, Tribes, and local stewards a meaningful role in recovery decisions that affect their land and communities.
Treats landowners, farmers, and ranchers as stewardship partners — not obstacles — with transparent, accountable habitat decisions.
Redirects focus from sue-and-settle lawsuits to on-the-ground species recovery and practical stewardship solutions.
A broad, diverse coalition of organizations, communities, and elected officials supports H.R. 1897 — united by the belief that effective species recovery requires local partnership, state leadership, and accountable governance.
Farmers, ranchers, and agricultural associations who steward millions of acres of habitat and need workable, predictable rules.
State officers, county commissioners, and local officials who manage land, water, and infrastructure daily.
Tribal governments and Indigenous communities with deep stewardship traditions and a direct stake in species and habitat outcomes.
Builders, utilities, and energy developers who need transparent, recovery-tied habitat decisions to plan and deliver critical projects.
Landowners, sportsmen, and local conservation groups committed to practical, durable recovery over litigation-driven process.
Think tanks, property-rights organizations, and legal reform advocates pushing for accountability and modernization of the ESA.
The public does not have to choose between helping species and respecting communities. Effective stewardship requires both. Tell your Representative to support H.R. 1897 — the ESA Recovery Act — and demand a recovery-first approach that delivers healthier species, stronger habitat, and accountable decision-making.
Visit the link above and enter your zip code to identify your Member of Congress.
Contact their office by phone or send a written message urging them to cosponsor and vote for H.R. 1897, the ESA Recovery Act.
Paste the message into your Representative's official contact form. Be sure to include your name and address so they know your are a constituent.
ESA Recovery is a project of American Stewards of Liberty.
The ESA Recovery Act