Which agency is responsible for identifying plants and animals for protection?

The agency that is primarily responsible for identifying plants and animals for protection is the US Fish and Wildlife Service. This agency plays a critical role in the conservation and management of the nation’s fish, wildlife, and their habitats. It administers the Endangered Species Act, which is specifically designed to protect and recover imperiled species and the ecosystems upon which they depend.

While the USDA focuses on agricultural resources, including farming and livestock, and the EPA primarily deals with protecting human health and the environment, those agencies do not directly identify and manage the protection of animal and plant species in the same way that the US Fish and Wildlife Service does. The CDC is concerned with public health and safety, focusing on disease control and health promotion, which is outside the scope of environmental and wildlife protection. Thus, the correct answer reflects the is the dedicated role of the US Fish and Wildlife Service in this context.