SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) announced Thursday that they are downlisting the red-cockaded woodpecker from endangered to threatened status under the Endangered Species Act.
The FWS said that this milestone is the result of five decades of collaborative conservation efforts between the Interior Department, federal and state partners, Tribes, the private sector and private landowners that have resulted in increasing populations of these birds throughout their range.
“The downlisting of the red-cockaded woodpecker marks a significant milestone in our nation’s commitment to preserving biodiversity,” said Secretary Deb Haaland. “Through decades of collaborative efforts from a wide coalition of partners, we have brought this iconic species back from the brink of extinction, ensuring that future generations will continue to see these incredible birds thriving in their natural habitats. This is another important accomplishment in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s implementation of the iconic Endangered Species Act.”