Karrigan Börk – The Conversation

Northern spotted owls living in old growth forests in the Pacific Northwest were listed as threatened species because of habitat loss. Kyle Sullivan/Bureau of Land Management

July 11, 2026

How redefining one word strips the Endangered Species Act’s ability to protect vital habitat

Mariah Meek, Michigan State University and Karrigan Börk, University of California, Davis

The majority of endangered species listings over the years have involved habitat loss, from Chinook salmon to island foxes and many birds.

Green sea turtles, like this hatchling in Florida, are endangered due in part to habitat destruction and fishing nets. Keenan Adams/USFWS

May 13, 2025

How redefining just one word could strip the Endangered Species Act’s ability to protect vital habitat

Mariah Meek, Michigan State University and Karrigan Börk, University of California, Davis

The Trump administration’s plan would leave many endangered species at much greater risk.

Contact Karrigan for