In the United States the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service of the Department of the Interior is responsible for conservation and management of fish and wildlife resources and their habitats, including endangered species. The Endangered Species Act of 1973 obligates the government to protect all animal and plant life threatened with extinction, including in this category “threatened” species, defined as any species “which is likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range.” It also promotes the protection of critical habitats (areas designated as critical to the survival of a species).