Camp Lejeune is currently home to nine federally listed endangered speciesRCW, green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas), loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta), rough-leaved loosestrife (RLL, Lysimanchia asperulaefolia), seabeach amaranth (Amaranthus pumilus), piping plover (Charadrius melodus), American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis), and American bald eagle (Haliaetus leucocephalus) and Hirst's panic grass.

  Measures to protect these species include habitat protection and enhancement where these species occur. Such protection is possible through a combined effort from military and base wildlife personnel. The Environmental Conservation Branch at MCB strives to balance the military mission with endangered species conservation. This requires protection, coordination, and management.

  As a federal agency, DoD has a legal obligation to protect and manage for listed species.  Passed in 1973 to protect critically imperiled plant and animal species, the Endangered Species Act requires federal agencies to:

•  Protect endangered species from take (harm, kill, harass)
• Manage listed species, contributing to species recovery
• Consult with USFWS and/or NMFS when proposed actions may affect listed species.

The Department of Defense has proven itself as reliable stewards of the public trust.  

•  DoD manages nearly 25 million acres and supports over 300 listed species
• DoD land has the 3^rd highest listed species occurrence among federal agencies.

  Protection of listed species and the military mission are often thought of as being incompatible.  However, this is not always the case. To maintain readiness, Marines must train. Training could be interrupted or halted if we do not manage and protect listed species. Considerable effort goes into endangered species management to ensure sustainable training lands.