Trump Administration Cuts Vast Area from Canada Lynx Critical Habitat

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service made available its final decision to drastically reduce designated critical habitat under the Endangered Species Act for the Canada lynx in Wyoming. According to the Service, the decision will reduce the total area of critical habitat for Canada lynx by 7,733 square miles - a 32% decrease overall compared to the 2014 designation.

The change will eliminate all Canada lynx critical habitat in "Unit 5" - which encompasses the Greater Yellowstone Area in Wyoming and parts of Montana. This extreme change in critical habitat for the species goes far beyond the reductions to Unit 5 proposed by the agency in 2024, when it took comment on proposed revisions. The decision, which will go into effect 30 days from its official publication (scheduled for July 16th), will also add new critical habitat in Colorado ("Unit 6").

Sierra Club has long advocated for protections for Canada lynx under the Endangered Species Act, including litigation to ensure the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service meets its obligations under the Act, specifically with regard to designation of critical habitat. Sierra Club is reviewing the decision and evaluating its legal options.

"The Service's decision to eliminate all critical habitat for the Canada lynx in Wyoming is startling, and a drastic departure from the changes the agency proposed in 2024," said Sierra Club Wildlife Campaign Manager Ben Greuel. "Sierra Club will be evaluating the decision closely, and considering legal options to ensure Canada lynx receive the protections required under the Endangered Species Act."

Current Canada lynx critical habitat designation prior to this final decision (image from https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/3652) :

Canada lynx critical habitat after the new decision (image from https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2026-14299.pdf) :

About the Sierra Club

The Sierra Club is America's largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit https://www.sierraclub.org.