Wood Stork Officially Removed From Endangered Species List After Dramatic Recovery

In a landmark victory for wildlife conservation, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has officially removed the wood stork from the federal list of endangered and threatened wildlife. The delisting, effective March 9, 2026, marks the first bird species to be delisted during the current administration.

A Dramatic Comeback

Once teetering on the brink of extinction, the wood stork has made a remarkable recovery since its initial listing in 1984. The breeding population has more than doubled, now estimated at 10,000 to 14,000 nesting pairs across approximately 100 colonies.

While the wood stork was historically concentrated in the Florida Everglades, the birds adapted by migrating northward as habitat loss impacted their southern range. South Carolina, in particular, has become a crucial stronghold.

South Carolina's Secret Weapon: Historic Rice Fields

The state's historic rice fields — many now managed as waterfowl impoundments — have become premier foraging and nesting grounds. These "managed wetlands" provide the consistent water levels wood storks need for successful breeding, turning agricultural heritage into conservation gold.

South Carolina's unique combination of coastal salt marshes and floodplain forest wetlands now hosts a significant percentage of the nation's total nesting colonies.

What Happens Next

Despite the delisting, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will implement a 10-year post-delisting monitoring plan to ensure the population remains stable. Management responsibility now shifts to state agencies like the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.

The wood stork's recovery demonstrates that the Endangered Species Act works — and that species can bounce back when given protection and time.