At long last: In response to decades of advocacy from the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed protecting critical habitat for the endangered Barrens topminnow from central Tennessee. Critical habitat designation is an additional layer of protection for endangered animals and plants that requires the Fish and Wildlife Service to review any federally funded or permitted activities to make sure the places they live aren’t harmed. Critical habitat is key to the survival of endangered species. Plants and animals with federally protected critical habitat are more than *twice* as likely to be moving toward recovery than species without it. One way the Center defends biodiversity is by constantly working to ensure that *every* species listed under the Act is granted critical habitat. Long live the Barrens topminnow! #StopExtinction #EndangeredSpecies