Uncategorized, The Endangered Species Act at 50

Tribal, Conservation Leaders, Congressional Champions Recognized During Celebration of Endangered Species Act’s 50th Anniversary

Posted on September 14, 2023 by Endangered Species Coalition

WASHINGTON, D.C. – A group of 30 local, regional and national conservation organizations today recognized the Nez Perce Tribe, the Yurok Tribe, Bat Conservation International, Hawaii’s Plant Extinction Prevention Program, Jane Goodall, the Sea Turtle Conservancy and members of Congress for their major contributions to protecting and supporting the Endangered Species Act and their work to conserve and recover threatened and endangered species.

The conservation organizations granting the awards are: American Bird Conservancy, Audubon, Buffalo Field Campaign, Dona ana Village Association, Center for Biological Diversity, Defenders of Wildlife, Earthjustice, Endangered Species Coalition, The Endangered Species Conservation Site, Environment America, Four Paws, Friends of Blackwater, Humane Action Pittsburgh, International Fund for Animal Welfare, Lobos of the Southwest, National Wildlife Federation, NYC Plover Project, Ocean Preservation Society, Oregon Wild, Rocky Mountain Wild, Save the Manatee, Sierra Club, The Humane Society of the United States, Western Watersheds Project, Western Wildlife Outreach, WildEarth Guardians, Wolf Conservation Center and World Wildlife Fund.

“For 50 years, the Endangered Species Act has been our safety net for fish, plants and wildlife on the brink of extinction,” said Leda Huta, executive director of the Endangered Species Coalition. “As we look to the next 50 years, we owe it to future generations to strengthen our wildlife conservation legacy.

Passed with bipartisan support and signed into law in 1973, the Endangered Species Act is a landmark law that has prevented 99% of the species it protects from going extinct and has put hundreds more on the path to recovery. More than 50 species have been recovered and are thriving in the wild once again, including the bald eagle, the peregrine falcon and more than 50 others.

The Nez PerceTribe is recognized for being the first tribe to work with the federal government to oversee the statewide recovery of an endangered species, and for their work to recover and monitor gray wolves, bring Coho salmon back to the Clearwater River and protect imperiled wolverine and lynx. The Nez Perce Tribe has also been an instrumental leader in the fight to breach the lower four Snake River dams to save salmon populations from extinction.

Additionally, their Camas to Condors program (a landscape-scale climate resilience initiative) is in the early stages of reintroducing California condors to Nez Perce ancestral territory. This is focused on whole-systems restoration for resilience, justice and cultural survival.

“The value of the reserved treaty rights of the Nez Perce Tribe are inextricably linked with the health and abundance of the flora and fauna on the land and in the water,” stated Mr. Shannon F. Wheeler, Chairman of the Nez Perce Tribal Executive Committee. “The protections provided under the Endangered Species Act have been pivotal in protecting against extinction of many keystone species and are an invaluable tool in helping fulfill the Tribe’s obligation to preserve and protect the fish, plants, and animals who cannot speak for themselves.”

The Yurok Tribe is recognized for its leadership reintroducing the iconic California condor into Yurok ancestral territory in Northern California after over a century-long absence on the landscape. The current reintroduction partnership between the Yurok Tribe, National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is a great example of how working together can begin to restore the balance and biodiversity that existed prior to Euro-American colonization to promote a thriving ecology for the benefit of wildlife and humans.

The Yurok Tribe is also a key player in the fight to breach dams in the Klamath River Basin. This multi-dam deconstruction is the world’s largest fish restoration project and will free hundreds of miles of habitat for endangered salmon populations.

“Tribes have long been champions for species conservation and restoration and the Yurok Tribe is pleased to see growing recognition of the critical role Tribes play in it. We are happy to celebrate this milestone for the ESA, the partnerships it fosters, and all it has brought to biodiversity conservation,” said Tiana Williams-Claussen, director of the Yurok Tribe Wildlife Department.

For their long history of championing imperiled species and the Endangered Species Act in our nation’s capital, Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ), Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA), Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-AZ) and Rep. Jared Huffman (D-CA) were also recognized.

“The destiny of humanity is intertwined with the destiny of our fellow creatures. Over the past 50 years the Endangered Species Act has been a lifeline for dozens of species on the brink of extinction. This is a moment both for celebration and to rededicate ourselves to the preservation of this critical law,” said Senator Cory Booker.

“Our planet faces an unprecedented biodiversity crisis, closely linked to both our planet’s health and our future as a species. This is why Congress must continue taking bold action to enhance our conservation efforts, including by strengthening the Endangered Species Act which has been a vital tool in preserving our wildlife and ecosystems. I’m deeply honored to receive this award recognizing my commitment to biodiversity protection, and look forward to continue advocating for full funding for the Endangered Species Act so that our country can adequately address the biodiversity crisis. As stewards of this planet, it is our duty to preserve its biodiversity for future generations and I’m proud to lead on this issue in the US House as co-chair of the Congressional Endangered Species Caucus,” said Rep. Don Beyer.

“The Endangered Species Act has been our most successful tool to protect America’s imperiled wildlife, preventing the extinction of 99 percent of the species it covers, including beloved animals like the bald eagle, grizzly bear, and Florida manatee. But 50 years later, there are people who want to undermine these cornerstone protections and return us to the times when we were destroying our natural treasures. We must always remain vigilant to defend and expand the protections of the Endangered Species Act, and we can never take our environmental safeguards for granted,” said Rep. Debbie Dingell.

“This year, as we celebrate 50 years of the Endangered Species Act, its role in maintaining biodiversity is more important than ever, especially as we face the dual crises of climate change and mass extinction. From safeguarding critical habitat to creating recovery plans, the Endangered Species Act has facilitated the recovery of species like the humpback whale and bald eagle, while also protecting iconic species like grizzly bears, sea turtles and jaguars. This milestone is certainly a time for celebration, but let it also stand as a reminder to reinvigorate our fight for species and their habitats for the next 50 years and beyond,” said Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva.

“For 50 years, the ESA has been a critical tool for recovering dwindling species populations. Every community in our country has this law to thank for protecting iconic plants and animals in their region. In my home state of California, Chinook salmon, the Northern Spotted Owl, the California condor, and countless other creatures and plants are still around because of the ESA,” said Rep. Huffman. “Despite an impressive record of success, the ESA is constantly under attack by House Republicans’ extinction agenda. The last thing we should be doing is trying to tear down the ESA. As long as I’m in Congress, I will continue to be a fervent supporter of this consequential law and do everything within my power to protect it.”

Bat Conservation International is working with a diverse network of partners to bring the federally endangered Mexican long-nosed bat (Leptonycteris nivalis) back from the brink of extinction. By protecting roosts and increasing nectar forage resources along their migratory pathway from the Southwest U.S. to Mexico, their initiatives work at a landscape-scale to protect and restore healthy, functioning, biodiverse ecosystems that support local livelihoods through community enterprises and sustainable agriculture.

“On this 50th Anniversary of the ESA we are proud to stand together with the conservation community and celebrate the many species we have helped bring back from the brink of extinction,” said Dr. Jon Flanders, Director, Endangered Species Intervention for Bat Conservation International. “One example is the lesser long-nosed bat which was delisted in 2018 due to the success of recovery efforts.”

Hawai‘i’s Plant Extinction Prevention Program is a highly successful program that focuses on emergency actions, captive propagation and reintroduction efforts for those species closest to the brink of extinction — Hawaiian plants that have 50 or fewer individuals left in the wild. More than 200 of the rarest plant species in the world receive emergency-room actions under this program. No plant has gone extinct since its inception. The Plant Extinction Prevention Program has already saved dozens of species from extinction and helped reintroduce more than 110 species into native forests.

“The success of our program results from the hard work of countless passionate individuals and the highly collaborative efforts among the different local communities, NGO’s, and state, county, and federal organizations,” said Dr. Cliff Morden, Deputy Director of the Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit.

“Although Hawaii has long been regarded as the endangered species capital of the world, through our conservation actions we hope to one day be recognized as the biosecurity capital of the world,” said Scott Heintzman, Manager at the Kauai Plant Extinction Prevention Program.

Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE, founder of the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) and UN Messenger of Peace, is a world-renowned ethologist and activist inspiring greater understanding and action on behalf of the natural world. Dr. Goodall is known for groundbreaking studies of wild chimpanzees in Gombe Stream National Park, Tanzania, which forever changed our understanding of our relationship to the rest of the animal kingdom. The transformative research continues today as the longest running wild chimpanzee study in the world. Goodall’s work builds on scientific innovations, growing a lifetime of advocacy including trailblazing efforts through her international organization the Jane Goodall Institute which advances community-led conservation, animal welfare, science and youth empowerment through JGI’s Roots & Shoots program. Dr. Goodall is a global icon spreading hope and turning it into meaningful positive impact to create a better world for people, other animals and the planet we share.

Sea Turtle Conservancy (STC) is the world’s oldest sea turtle conservation and research organization. Since 1959, the organization’s research programs have yielded much of what is now known about sea turtles and the threats they face, to improve conservation and recovery of these marine and coastal species. The Sea Turtle Conservancy has a strong focus on research and public education and is working to understand and combat major threats to sea turtles, such as beach lighting impacts, coastal armoring, international harvest for consumption and bycatch in fisheries.

“On behalf of the STC, we are tremendously honored to be recognized for our decades of work on behalf of threatened and endangered marine turtles,” said David Godfrey, STC Executive Director. “Without question, the Endangered Species Act is the single most effective tool for protecting sea turtles in the United States and giving them a chance to survive. As we mark the 50^th anniversary of the ESA, it is important to celebrate the progress made in recovering sea turtle populations in the U.S. In fact, just this year we are seeing record levels of nesting by both green turtles and loggerhead turtles, which is a testament to the effectiveness of the ESA.”

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A Closer Look at the Visionary U.S. Endangered Species Act

Posted on March 27, 2023 by Defenders of Wildlife

By Andrew Carter and Chris Parsons, Defenders of Wildlife

This year, the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA) turns 50. This landmark law was passed in 1973 and set up a framework to identify, protect and aid the recovery of species threatened with extinction. To date, 54 U.S. species have been delisted from the ESA because they have recovered to the point that they are no longer threatened with extinction. A further 56 species have been downlisted from endangered to threatened, as ESA-related actions have reduced threats upon a species and a significant recovery in their populations. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is currently considering another60 species for downlisting due to an increase in their numbers and ranges. The ESA is a unique law. There are many factors that make this law both visionary and highly effective. The law first reduces threats to imperiled species and then sets into action conservation efforts to help the wild population recover. Some of the factors that make the law so effective include:

The ESA is science-based

When a proposal is submitted to list a species under the ESA, or when the Services decide to evaluate a species, a review is conducted using ““the best scientific . . . data available.” Part of the ESA process is to designate and protect certain areas as ““critical habitat”” for most species that are listed (specific areas with the physical and biological features essential for the species’ conservation) – again, using science to assess and designate this habitat. Crucially, the law dictates that listing decisions must rely on science alone. The science-driven approach to listing, protecting and aiding the recovery of species and their habitats is an essential factor in the Act’s success and the rigorousness by which decisions are typically made. Unfortunately, there are frequent attempts made in Congress to redefine what is meant by “the best scientific . . . data available” and to weaken the scientific rigor of the process, as well as political pressure on agency staff to avoid listing decisions that are thought to adversely impact some industrial processes.

The ESA was written by an expert

Many of the ESA’s strongest substantive provisions were written largely by Dr. Lee Talbot, a visionary ecologist and experienced conservation scientist. Lee’s research helped with the creation of the Serengeti National Park, the Masai Mara National Reserve, and many more protected areas. He also ran the Office of Ecology for the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History before going on to serve as Senior Scientist and Director of International Affairs for the Council of Environmental Quality (CEQ) under President Nixon. During his tenure in the CEQ, he helped write the ESA and took the lead in writing several other environmental laws and treaties. Dr. Talbot’s scientific knowledge and practical “boots on the ground” conservation experience played a vital role in drafting this groundbreaking law. Dr. Talbot also served as a science advisor to Defenders of Wildlife and sat on the organization’s Board of Directors for many years.

The ESA was strongly bipartisan

On February 8, 1972, republican President Richard Nixon called on Congress to pass “a stronger law to protect endangered species of wildlife”. The bill that became the ESA was unanimously approved in the U.S. Senate. In the U.S. House of Representatives, the first draft of the bill was approved with 390 votes and just 12 against it. After a joint conference committee was convened to reconcile the Senate and House versions of the bill, the Senate again voted unanimously for the revised bill, and the House voted 355 in support and just 4 against the bill. President Nixon signed the ESA into law on December 28, 1973.

The ESA has been a success

Many species have been saved from extinction thanks to the ESA. There are many high-profile success stories where species have been brought back from the brink — such as the southern sea otter, the California condor, the brown pelican, the humpback whale, the piping plover, the American alligator, the peregrine falcon, the green sea turtle and even the symbol of America: the bald eagle. Critics of the ESA often focus on the low percentage of species that have been delisted – but Rome wasn’t built in a day!

However, more than 95 percent of species listed under the Act are still with us today, whereas if they had not been listed, many could already be extinct. Many of the species listed on the ESA are slow-breeding mammals and recovering from near extinction to a stable population can take decades, especially given that many of the threats facing these species have continued or worsened. These critics include many of the same policymakers that have tried to hamstring the ESA by denying funding to enforce the law or to implement recovery plans.

It ensures that government activities don’t imperil listed species

The U.S. government is a major landowner and a major funder of and permitting authority for construction and development in the U.S. Section 7 of the ESA requires that agencies consult with the FWS to ensure activities the government funds, conducts or authorizes do not jeopardize the existence of, or adversely modify the critical habitat of, threatened and endangered wildlife. Critics often claim that these consultations lead to development being canceled and jobs being lost. However, researchers at Defenders found that out of nearly 90,000 FWS Section 7 consultations (between 2008 and 2015), no projects were stopped or extensively altered. They concluded that federal agencies have learned to design projects with minimal impacts on endangered species and that they’ve been able to work through potential conflicts and make suitable adjustments to proposals. Unfortunately, there have been many attempts to change the law to exclude various government activities from Schedule 7 consultations, especially in recent years.

The ESA was visionary

The ESA is a truly visionary law and has become a model and inspiration for endangered species protection in other nations. Many provisions in the ESA were especially prescient, particularly its recognition of the importance of protecting habitats as well as the species they contain and the best available science mandate, which in the years since has become a component of numerous other laws and treaties. The ESA still works because when it passed, the ESA was far ahead of its time: it was a law for the 21st century written in the 1970s. It is a law that is widely supported among the American public, with a majority of Americans from all ideological backgrounds supporting it. It’s also a law that is a central weapon in the United States’ fight against the biodiversity crisis.

The Endangered Species Act: Celebrating 50 Years of Success in Wildlife Conservation

Posted on February 14, 2023 by Endangered Species Coalition

Authored by the U.S. Department of the Interior. (https://www.doi.gov/blog/endangered-species-act-celebrating-50-years-success-wildlife-conservation)

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act, providing the opportunity to reflect on the progress made and the work ahead for protecting our nation’s endangered species and their habitats. The Act has saved hundreds of species from extinction and continues to protect and preserve some of our most beloved animals and plants. It has also helped to create a better understanding of how human activities can impact the environment and how we can work together to protect it. Perhaps most importantly, this anniversary is a reminder that conservation efforts are essential for stemming the worsening impacts of climate change, protecting biodiversity and preserving our planet for ourselves and future generations.

The ESA was enacted in 1973 as a response to the declining populations of many species of animals and plants. The Act was designed to protect and recover species at risk of extinction and to promote the conservation of ecosystems and habitats necessary for the survival of those species. Each of these species is a part of the web of life, each with a unique cultural and biological community, performing services that are essential to our combined well-being. By conserving them, guided by the best-available science, we help protect healthy air, land, and water for everyone. Read more…

Celebrating 50 Years of Endangered Species Act Success

Posted on February 2, 2023 by Endangered Species Coalition

Landmark Law Continues to Save Wildlife From Extinction

WASHINGTON— Conservation and wildlife advocacy groups are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the passage of the Endangered Species Act this year, commemorating five decades of effective and crucial protection for imperiled animals and plants.

Passed nearly unanimously by Congress and signed into law by Richard Nixon on Dec. 28, 1973, the Endangered Species Act continues to be a bedrock environmental law for the United States. The Act has been tremendously successful at preventing species that are protected under it from going extinct. The Act has saved countless imperiled species, and 90% of the plants and wildlife listed under the law are recovering on schedule to meet the timetables in their recovery plans.

“This year, as we celebrate 50 years of the Endangered Species Act, we know its role in maintaining biodiversity is more important now than ever, especially as we face a worsening climate crisis and mass extinction,” said House Natural Resources Ranking Member Raúl M. Grijalva. “From protecting critical habitat to creating recovery plans, the Endangered Species Act has facilitated the recovery of species like the humpback whale and bald eagle, while also protecting iconic species like grizzly bears, sea turtles and jaguars. We know this milestone is also a time to reinvigorate our defense of Endangered Species Act protections. Each year, Republicans ramp up their attacks to undermine science-based decisions about listing, delisting, habitat protections and recovery, so they can more easily dole out favors for polluters. We stand ready to continue our fight for species and their habitats over the next 50 years and beyond.”

“For 50 years, the Endangered Species Act has been our safety net for fish, plants and wildlife on the brink of extinction,” said Bob Stanton, former director of the U.S. National Park Service. “As we look to the next 50 years, we owe it to future generations to fully fund and strengthen the law that protects our nation’s wildlife heritage.”

More than 1,747 imperiled species of plants, fish and wildlife in the United States were protected by the Endangered Species Act as of 2019, according to a peer reviewed study. Only 26 have gone extinct or are possibly extinct after being placed on the list of protected species. However, many other plants and animals — like the Bishop’s ʻōʻō, Guam broadbill and Tacoma pocket gopher — have disappeared while waiting for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to make decisions on whether to protect them.

Despite its strong track record, and the support of 90% of American voters, the Endangered Species Act continues to face political threats. In 2017 more than 400 organizations signed a letter to members of Congress opposing efforts to weaken the law. This year provides an opportunity to reflect on the law’s successes, as well as find ways to strengthen it to protect imperiled plants and animals.

In celebration of the Endangered Species Act, conservation and animal advocacy organizations will be hosting events, releasing reports and launching a website to honor this historic law. These include holding an awards ceremony for people and organizations working to save imperiled animals, educating members of Congress about the importance of the Endangered Species Act and sponsoring a series of murals highlighting endangered species.

Endangered Species Act at 50

Posted on January 5, 2023 by Endangered Species Coalition

The Endangered Species Act turns 50 in 2023! President Nixon signed this groundbreaking and successful conservation safeguard into law on December 28th, 1973. We will share ways that you can take action to keep this law working as intended and opportunities for you to be a part of the celebration throughout the year.