Listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) since 1985, the Alabama beach mouse builds complex burrows throughout the coastal dunes of Alabama. Unfortunately for the mouse, it’s not the only critter that enjoys what the Alabama shores have to offer–humans have been flocking to this region in increasing numbers, looking to build vacation homes or simply enjoy all that the white-sand beaches have to offer. Thankfully, the ESA has tools to help keep some of the mouse’s habitat–termed ‘critical habitat’–shielded from human influence, and recovery plans to help guide human actions to ensure the mouse population can increase. Learn more about these tools here .