The feds no longer protect endangered species habitat. States say they can’t pick up the slack.

The Trump administration has decided to lift federal protections for critical habitats of endangered species, relying on state governments to step up. However, experts warn that states lack the resources and expertise to effectively safeguard these areas. This move, finalized under the Endangered Species Act, has sparked concerns among conservationists about the future of biodiversity and the potential for increased habitat destruction. States are expressing their inability to fill the federal void, raising questions about the long-term impact on endangered species and ecosystems.