Trump Administration to Finalize Protections for 11 South Florida Plants and Animals

The Trump administration has agreed to finalize Endangered Species Act protections for 11 plants and animals native to South Florida, resolving federal litigation brought by the Center for Biological Diversity. The settlement includes protections for species such as the Florida Keys mole skink, Rim Rock crowned snake, and Key ring-necked snake, along with eight rare plants, three of which are considered imperiled. This move aims to safeguard these vulnerable species amid ongoing environmental challenges in the region. Separately, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced the removal of federal protections for the wood stork, a species once listed as endangered due to habitat loss in South Florida. The wood stork’s range has since expanded across much of the Southeast, leading officials to declare its recovery a conservation success. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Brian Nesvik highlighted the administration’s efforts to delist species that no longer require federal protection, citing the wood stork as a positive example. However, environmental advocates express concern over the delisting decision, noting that the wood stork has not met recovery goals specifically in South Florida, where habitat preservation remains critical. Elise Bennett, Florida and Caribbean director at the Center for Biological Diversity, warned that the Trump administration’s broader rollback of environmental regulations threatens the wetlands and ecosystems essential to the wood stork and other species. Critics argue that while some species show signs of recovery, ongoing policy changes could undermine long-term conservation efforts in the region. The developments underscore the complex balance between species recovery and environmental policy, highlighting both progress and challenges in protecting South Florida’s biodiversity. The finalized protections for the 11 species mark a significant step in conservation, while the wood stork’s delisting raises questions about the future of habitat preservation amid shifting regulatory priorities.