Conservationists worry Endangered Species Act changes could threaten recovery efforts

Conservationists credit the Endangered Species Act for the red-cockaded woodpecker’s limited rebound, but they fear a Trump administration proposal could erase that progress as well as other efforts to protect threatened animals.

By: Elise Plunk

Outlets: Louisiana Illuminator

Published: July 27, 2026

Words: 1,194

Last Updated: 1 week ago

Body Text Preview

The continuous rattle of a red-cockaded woodpecker’s bill against a pine tree used to be a much more common sound throughout Louisiana forests. The plucky bird makes its home by burrowing into the hearts of longleaf pine trees, and the sound of its repeated efforts to make a home for its young was once nearly ubiquitous across the region.

Longleaf pine ecosystems historically spanned hundreds of thousands of miles in the Southeast. Today, they’ve been …

Create a free account to access this story and more

Join Plucky Wire to access full stories, collaborate with newsrooms, and discover content from networks around the world.

About

FAQ

Email Us