New Jersey Announces Good News For Two Popular Birds Species

Almost 52 years after the passage of the Endangered and Nongame Species Conservation Act in New Jersey, extensive work has been done to protect and rebuild the habitats that many animals depend on around The Garden State.

Before the federal Endangered Species Act was signed into law by then-President Richard Nixon, New Jersey was already starting the work to improve ecosystems to bring different species back from the edge of extinction.

Thanks to the latest information from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, we received good news in 2025 about some of the animal populations that are important to New Jersey's ecosystem.

These Birds Are No Longer Endangered Species in New Jersey

NJ Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) in conjunction with Governor Phil Murphy's office have announced there are 100 conservation status updates and good news for two species.

The Bald Eagle status has been upgraded from Endangered to Special Concern. Back in 1973, there was only one Bald Eagle nest in the state. Today there are over 225 Bald Eagles nests around New Jersey thanks to their habitats being more vigilantly protected over the last 30 years.

The Osprey's status has been upgraded from Threatened to Stable in New Jersey. In the early 1970s, there were only 50 Osprey nests around the state. The decrease of the usage of the synthetic insecticide Dichlorodiphenyl-trichloroethane (DDT) along with the protection of the "Fish Hawk" habitat has allowed the Osprey population to grow to 800 nests in New Jersey in 2023.

NJDEP Fish & Wildlife Assistant Commissioner Dave Golden gave the following statement as part of the Press Release about the upgraded status for Bald Eagles and Ospreys:

“The removal of the bald eagle and osprey from New Jersey’s endangered species list is a remarkable accomplishment, made possible by the tireless efforts of our dedicated wildlife professionals - The key to this success is a commitment to science, planning, and strong lines of communication with the public and stakeholders. However, there is still work to be done, and we remain committed to the professional management and conservation of all of our wildlife species here in the Garden State.”

If you enjoy nature walks to see animals in their Natural Habitats, here are some of the most popular Parks to enjoy nature in The Garden State: