Author: Endangered Species Coalition

Article republished with permission from the League of Conservation Voters.

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The Endangered Species Act (ESA) is facing unprecedented attacks that threaten some of our nation’s most important species. At the same time, the climate crisis and irresponsible development are leading to catastrophic losses of plant and animal species. Some biologists estimate that 35% of animals and plants could become extinct in the wild by 2050 due to climate change alone. While working to curb our emissions and ensure a livable planet for every species on Earth, we must also ensure that those most at risk and their habitats are protected. This year, on the 50th anniversary of the ESA’s passage, it is more important than ever to uphold this foundational environmental law in the face of continued threats.

The ESA’s 50 Years of Success

President Nixon signed the ESA into law in 1973 with overwhelming bipartisan support. The ESA ensures that species in danger of extinction, as well as the ecosystems that support those species, benefit from comprehensive protections. Since its passage, the ESA has secured the survival of iconic species including our nation’s emblem, the bald eagle.

Indeed, the ESA has been credited with saving 99% of listed species from extinction, and this achievement is due to the essential collaboration between federal agencies and state, local, and tribal governments. Success stories include the survival of the Florida manatee, seven species of sea turtles, the Channel Island fox, and the gray wolf. Importantly, these species and their habitats are not separate from us. These creatures inhabit the same coasts, forests, bays, and grasslands we do. Often, their loss is an indicator of a broader habitat decline which affects all of us – from the water we drink, the soil we grow our food in, to the larger balance of ecosystems we too are a part of.

Today’s Unprecedented Attacks on the ESA

There has long been opposition to the ESA’s protections for vulnerable species and habitats, primarily in the name of agricultural development and economic growth. The Trump administration undertook various efforts, both executive and administrative, to prioritize economic development, prevent the use of the best available science, narrow the definition of “habitat,” and overall to interfere with federal agencies’ abilities to prevent species’ extinction. Now, the Biden-Harris administration is taking steps to reverse those actions and strengthen regulations to protect threatened species.

However, the attacks continue in Congress. In May, the Senate took an unprecedented step of voting to remove protections for an individually protected species, the critically imperiled lesser prairie chicken, using a deregulatory tool called the Congressional Review Act (CRA). The CRA is an extreme anti-regulatory law, passed under Speaker Gingrich’s leadership in the 90’s, that allows Congress to overturn rules made by an administration and explicitly bans any “substantially similar” rules from being pursued in the future. Historically, this has been abused by anti-environmental members of Congress who want to permanently strip away protections for our environment, wildlife, and natural heritage. In this case, it could prevent the Fish and Wildlife Service from ever protecting the lesser prairie-chicken under the Endangered Species Act in the future, even if its populations collapsed or just a handful of individual birds remained.

The Senate’s May CRA vote was quickly followed by two more votes to remove protections for the northern long-eared bat and to rescind the Biden administration’s expanded definition of “habitat,” which would severely curtail which lands or waters could be considered in ESA designations. President Biden has vowed to veto both resolutions should they pass the House, stating that they would undermine our country’s proud tradition of wildlife conservation and risk the extinction of many critical species.

This is part of a larger pattern of attacks on the ESA driven primarily by development and gas and oil interests. Just last week, House Republicans held a hearing “evaluating the costs of the Endangered Species Act” and advocating for individual landowners to make decisions about the future of these species, over scientists and experts. House Republicans also released their interior and environment appropriations bill which proposes funding for everything from the Environmental Protection Agency to the Department of Interior for the Fiscal Year 2024. The bill includes specific provisions rescinding protections under the ESA for critical species like the gray wolf, lesser prairie-chicken, northern long-eared bat, and sage grouse. And we expect to see additional amendments attacking endangered species and their habitats throughout this process.

What Can You Do?

Contact your Representative and tell them to oppose these attacks on the Endangered Species Act.

It’s here again – the 18th annual, international Endangered Species Day will be taking place on Friday, May 19th, 2023! 

Find out how you can celebrate Endangered Species Day this May.

Endangered Species Day is an opportunity for people of all ages to celebrate and learn about endangered species and how to protect them. 2023 is particularly special because it’s also the 50th Anniversary of the Endangered Species Act, a landmark piece of conservation legislation protecting our nation’s fish, plants, and wildlife. Thousands of organizations and individuals will hold special events and take action for Endangered Species Day this year – and we hope you’ll join in! 

Here are just two exciting ways that you can participate in Endangered Species Day this May:
  • Large Carnivore Trivia Night (May 17): Join us for a fun trivia game night with four rounds of questions featuring our favorite large carnivores – gray wolves, orcas, and grizzly bears! We’ll be hosting the trivia night over Zoom, so you can take a break from trekking to your local bar and play from the comfort of your own home. Questions will range from ecology and biology to history, politics, and pop culture, and prizes will be given out to the winners. 
  • Endangered Species Chalk Art Event (May 19 – 21): For the third year in a row, we’re holding an all-ages chalk art competition. You’re invited to create chalk art in your neighborhood depicting threatened or endangered species. If you post a photo of your chalk art on Instagram you can win prizes, including a $250 grand prize – and raise awareness of the importance of protecting wildlife. 
Join one of these events or find another Endangered Species Day activity near you!  This Endangered Species Day is a chance to celebrate the biodiversity all around us, take action to protect our most cherished wildlife species, and commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the

In celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Endangered Species Act we’ve launched a new, collaborative call for youth artists grades K-12: Collaborating for Wildlife and Plants: ESA at 50.

To support your participation, we’ve been working on a set of helpful resources and ideas for media and lessons for groups of two or more K-12 youth. You can use these resources to develop projects celebrating the successes and importance of the Endangered Species Act for our irreplaceable wildlife and plant species.

You’ll find those resources at Collaborating for Wildlife and Plants: ESA at 50, along with suggestions for media to use for your artwork and creative, collaborative possibilities..

Please visit our webpage for complete eligibility guidelines, wildlife and plant lists, and image requirements for the submission of artworks. You can submit artwork using the linked form on that page!

The Call to Artist submission platform closes to entries on April 21st, 2023.

May 19th, 2023 Endangered Species Day launch of virtual gallery of multimedia works included in Collaborating for Wildlife and Plants: ESA at 50

We can’t wait to see the collaborative projects you create! Thank you for your participation in this important celebration of the Endangered Species Act 50th Anniversary.

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

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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…