WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s proposed revisions to grizzly bear conservation under the Endangered Species Act section 4(d) support increased responsibility in state-led management and tailored conservation strategies. While still listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, the proposed revisions come as grizzly bears in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho have grown from just 700  bears in 1975, to more than 2,000 today. Numbers in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem alone have increased from as few as 136 bears in 1975, to more than 1,000 today.

“Grizzly bears are an iconic fixture of the American West and the species’ recovery is a testament to the efficacy of the Endangered Species Act and what we can achieve with science-based conservation and strong partnerships,” said Collin O’Mara, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation. “The proposed revisions recognize the historic success of grizzly bear recovery — and the role states played in that recovery by granting states a greater role in grizzly bear management, while maintaining federal safeguards to ensure grizzlies continue to thrive for generations to come.”

“Grizzly bear recovery has reached a critical point where management, not just protection, must lead the next chapter. This revision highlights the decades of work that have delivered significant successes and makes clear that continued progress depends on active, state-led management. It is not an endpoint but a transition. It is a milestone and a call to action, setting the stage for states to take on greater responsibility. It is up to us to ensure states rise to the occasion. This is a win worth celebrating,” said Jess Johnson, government affairs director at the Wyoming Wildlife Federation.

"We applaud the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for this important step, which acknowledges the vital role that states can and should play at this stage of grizzly bear conservation. The recovery of grizzly bears has been extraordinary and the time has come for strategies to evolve in reflection of that success. With the additional flexibility that this revision provides, our states will have the tools to work towards a truly durable future for the conservation of this species and we look forward to partnering with them in this historic effort,” said Nick Fasciano, executive director of the Idaho Wildlife Federation.

"The ongoing recovery of grizzly bears is a remarkable conservation success, and Montana Wildlife Federation supports a durable path toward responsible state management and, ultimately, delisting. We recognize the outstanding work of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Tribal governments, researchers, landowners, hunters, and the many Montanans whose commitment has made that recovery possible. We support continued federal, state, and tribal collaboration, science-based management, rigorous monitoring, and effective conflict prevention. The proposed Tier 2 framework represents a significant shift in management authority, and we will be looking closely to ensure the final rule provides strong, durable safeguards — including science-based state regulations, transparent mortality monitoring, protection for habitat and connectivity, and meaningful federal oversight—to keep grizzlies recovered for generations,” said Mike Mershon, president and board chair of the Montana Wildlife Federation.

This innovative approach was first proposed by David Willms nearly a decade ago when he was working for then-Governor of Wyoming Matt Mead and advanced throughout his tenure with the National Wildlife Federation as Associate Vice President for Public Lands and Sporting.