Federal wildlife services scrap proposed land protections, potentially imperiling threatened animal species
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has withdrawn the Land Protection Plan for the expansion of the Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge, a move that could have significant implications for the refuge and its endangered species.
Located in Texas, the Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge is the oldest refuge in the state and protects important grassland and wetland habitats in the Southern High Plains. The refuge is home to the endangered Southern Distinct Population Segment of lesser prairie chicken.
The withdrawn plan aimed to provide increased habitat for the lesser prairie chicken and other species like the Sonoran pronghorn and migratory birds such as the sandhill crane. The plan was based on 15 years of research and collaboration with local partners.
The Land Protection Plan established an approved acquisition boundary for potential expansion, which could have dramatically increased the refuge's size from about 6,440 acres to up to 700,000 acres across parts of Texas and New Mexico by acquiring land or conservation easements from willing sellers.
The USFWS justified the withdrawal under the Trump administration, aligning it with priorities to reduce regulatory burdens and strengthen partnerships with local stakeholders while ensuring responsible stewardship of taxpayer resources. However, the original Biden administration plan raised concerns about private property rights and regulatory overreach.
The withdrawal could constrain habitat connectivity and long-term conservation outcomes for endangered or native species that rely on broader landscapes beyond the existing refuge boundaries. This may limit the refuge's ability to protect and manage larger landscapes critical for wildlife conservation.
Defenders of Wildlife, a leading advocate for wildlife protection, has expressed concern over the decision. Christian Hunt, National Wildlife Refuges and Parks Director at Defenders of Wildlife, stated that today's announcement compromises the integrity of the National Wildlife Refuge System.
For those interested in learning more about Defenders of Wildlife and their work, visit their newsroom at https://ourwebsite.org/newsroom. Defenders of Wildlife is dedicated to protecting native animals and plants in their natural communities and has a nationwide network of nearly 2.1 million members and activists. Follow Defenders of Wildlife on social media platform X @Defenders.
[1] U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (2020). Withdrawal of the Land Protection Plan for the Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge Expansion
[2] Defenders of Wildlife (2020). USFWS Withdraws Land Protection Plan for Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge Expansion
[3] National Wildlife Federation (2020). U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Withdraws Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge Expansion Plan
- The withdrawal of the Land Protection Plan for the Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge could affect environmental science, including medical conditions related to species' habitat and health-and-wellness, as it may limit the refuge's ability to protect and manage larger landscapes critical for wildlife conservation.
- Defenders of Wildlife, dedicated to advancing the fields of science and health-and-wellness through wildlife protection, has raised concerns about the USFWS' withdrawal of the Land Protection Plan for the Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge, expressing that it compromises the integrity of the National Wildlife Refuge System and the protection of endangered species.
