Today is National Endangered Species Day. It’s the result of the America’s Endangered Species Act of 1973; the act sparked domestic and international conservation by providing a framework for protection. Protecting endangered species is crucial for the preservation of biodiversity and the maintenance of healthy ecosystems. Every species plays an essential role in maintaining the balance of their ecosystems; 881 animal species have gone extinct since around 1500. We need to protect the ones that are left.
Unfortunately, endangered species are currently under attack due to the America’s Wildlife Habitat Conservation Act. Currently up for voting in Congress, this act masquerades as positive wildlife conservation while actually working to revoke funding from critical conservation programs. The Act also seeks to weaken the Endangered Species Act by tightening the definition of “critical habitat” under the law. By tightening the definition, the Act will keep crucial areas from being protected and increase the danger to endangered animals.
Do you want to help your favorite endangered species? Giant pandas, sea turtles, polar bears, and whales are just some of the over 1,300 endangered species under threat by this Act. Sign the Ocean Conservacy’s Protect the Endangered Species Act petition, call your elected officials, and share the crisis with friends and family.