National Status: U.S. ESA and COSEWIC

NatureServe Explorer United States and Canada national status data reflect the processes and definitions of the:

• Status Under the United States Endangered Species Act (U.S. ESA)
• Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC)

NatureServe Explorer provides the national status for plant (including fungi and lichen) and animal species, subspecies, and populations in the United States and Canada, and the status designation date for U.S. listed plants and animals. Ecosystems have not yet been included in the status determinations of either country. Status designations are similar for each country, but the elements covered, status definitions, listing processes, and legal ramifications are very different.

NatureServe scientists regularly update NatureServe's central databases in response to official notices concerning status designations, proposals, and changes. However, NatureServe Explorer data are refreshed just three times annually. For the most current national status on any given element, contact the appropriate U.S. or Canadian national authority on status.