Conservation groups celebrate Endangered Species Act anniversary
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Conservationists in New York and nationwide will celebrate the 51st anniversary of the Endangered Species Act on Saturday.
Since its passage in 1973, more than 1,600 species in the U.S. have been protected by the law. New York's piping plover and numerous other grassland birds have seen their populations rebound and backers credit this legislation.
Susan Holmes, executive director of the Endangered Species Coalition, said bald eagles are a great example of the law's conservation impacts.
Gray Wolf. Courtesy U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
"There are, in New York State, 425 breeding pairs, which means that if you're taking the Amtrak north to say Croton or going north along the Hudson, there's a good chance that you'll see a bald eagle," Holmes pointed out. "All of this is thanks to the Endangered Species Act."
As beneficial as the law may be, barriers prevent it from working to its fullest extent. Holmes noted the biggest issue has been getting sufficient funding. This year, advocates asked Congress to raise its funding by more than $840 million, which would fully fund the program. The amount would ensure each species has at least $101,000 for conservation and protection efforts.
Beyond funding, Holmes feels more people getting involved in wildlife conservation can help strengthen the law. When it first passed, it had overwhelming bipartisan support from Congress and the public. Though public support for the Endangered Species Act remains high, Holmes noted lawmakers' support has waned.
"We've seen some polarization around the Endangered Species Act itself," Holmes observed. "That's not reflected by the public's concern for wildlife nor the public support for the law. So, I think it's true, we are not seeing the same kind of support among Republicans for endangered species protection that we saw back in 1973."
She added it applies more to elected officials who are Republicans than the party's voters. For 2025, Holmes stressed threats from climate change and habitat loss will linger but she hopes there will be a recommitment to fully funding the Endangered Species Act to ensure more threatened plants and animals are able to thrive.
