Learn how Conservation Benefit Agreements work and explore conservation programs in your area. If you own or manage land that may provide important habitat, contact the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service or your state wildlife agency to learn whether voluntary conservation opportunities are available.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service — Conservation Benefit Agreements
Endangered Species Act Protections & Conservation Agreements
A voluntary conservation tool that allows non-federal property owners to take actions that benefit at-risk, threatened, or endangered species while receiving certain regulatory assurances.
Conservation Benefit Agreements (CBAs) are voluntary agreements between the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and non-federal property owners to carry out conservation measures that provide a net conservation benefit to covered species. These species may include animals listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act as well as at-risk species that are not federally listed. Conservation measures can include protecting or restoring habitat, improving habitat connectivity, augmenting populations, restoring historic populations, or changing certain land-management practices. In return for carrying out the agreed conservation measures, participating property owners can receive an Enhancement of Survival permit with assurances concerning future regulatory obligations related to the agreement. CBAs replaced the previous Candidate Conservation Agreements with Assurances and Safe Harbor Agreement framework for new agreements under regulations that took effect in 2024.
Why It Matters
Many at-risk and federally listed species depend on non-federal lands, making voluntary conservation partnerships an important part of species recovery. Conservation Benefit Agreements can give property owners a way to improve habitat, protect populations, increase habitat connectivity, or address other identified threats while providing regulatory assurances tied to their agreed conservation actions. These agreements can contribute to conservation before a species becomes more imperiled and can also support the recovery of species already protected under the Endangered Species Act.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
SOURCE
STATUS
Active
DEADLINE
LAST UPDATED
September 17, 2026
CATEGORY
Conservation Action