Endangered Species Protection Program

The Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973 is one of the most important environmental protection laws in our state. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service enforces the ESA, and  they are mandated by federal law to protect species in danger of extinction. Presently we have 46 federally listed endangered species in our state, including birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, crustaceans, and plants. 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency gave Pesticide Regulation the responsibility to study endangered species protection issues regarding the potential pesticide impact of those species in the state of South Carolina. With the help of federal funding, DPR has been studying potential pesticide impact on 16 plants and two birds listed as potentially affected by pesticide usage since 1988.

The Department of Pesticide Regulation encourages all South Carolina citizens to help protect all of our endangered species. After all, they are among the most precious of our state's natural resources!