news

Representatives Debbie Dingell (MI-06), Raul M. Grijalva (AZ-07), and Don Beyer (VA-08), co-chairs of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) Caucus, today introduced a resolution recognizing Friday, May 17 as Endangered Species Day. The resolution recognizes the strong role that the ESA has played in safeguarding America’s environmental heritage and the need to prioritize conservation efforts to address the biodiversity crisis impacting plants and wildlife worldwide. 
 
“For over five decades, the Endangered Species Act has been our most successful tool to protect America’s imperiled wildlife, preventing the extinction of some of our most beloved animals like the bald eagle, grizzly bear, and Florida manatee,” said Dingell. “Healthier wildlife populations mean healthier ecosystems, which results in stronger shorelines, less intense wildfires, better water quality, and fewer pests, among many other benefits. As the United States continues to face a worsening and unprecedented biodiversity crisis, the protections of the ESA are more critical than ever, and we remain committed to preserving them.”
 
“This year, as we celebrate more than 50 years of conservation successes through the Endangered Species Act, we also face the daunting dual threats of climate change and mass extinction on global biodiversity and a sustainable environment,” said Grijalva. “Let us recognize this important day as an opportunity to reinvigorate our efforts to protect species and support science-based decision-making for a world that is healthier and more resilient for generations to come.”
 
"For decades the Endangered Species Act has been the centerpiece of conservation efforts to prevent extinction and rehabilitate populations of at-risk species,” said Beyer. “As policymakers concerned about the future of the planet’s biodiversity, it is essential that we continue to preserve this landmark law and take action to protect endangered species.”
 
In the United States and around the world, more than 2,300 species are recognized as at risk of extinction now or in the foreseeable future, and many more are experiencing declines in populations and future viability. Many scientists categorize our planet’s current biodiversity crisis as the sixth mass extinction event, with plant and wildlife species across the globe facing heightened risk of extinction that is largely driven by human activity.
 
Dingell has long worked to protect endangered species across America, fighting to prevent the rollback of the critical safeguards in the Endangered Species Act.
 
View the full text of the resolution here. Learn more about the ESA Caucus here.