The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) rescinded a Trump-era rule that restricted the definition of “habitat” to areas where a species currently is found. The agency instead is resuming use of the previous definition that includes areas where a species could rebound in the future. FWS found that use of the restrictive definition was at odds with the purpose and intent of the Endangered Species Act as critical habitats for threatened and endangered species diminish due to development, pollution, and climate change. The rule change is effective July 25, 2022.