News Release

Fish and Wildlife Service Celebrates Endangered Species Day

In Illinois, focus on an imperiled river fish

 

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service News Release
May 14, 2009

 

Contact:

Valerie Fellows 703/358 2285

Jody Millar 309-757-5800 x 202

 

On May 15, 2009, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will honor Endangered Species Day and the numerous nationwide conservation programs underway aimed at protecting America’s threatened and endangered species.

 

The Endangered Species Act (ESA), one of the most important environmental laws in history and is credited with saving 99.9 percent of species protected by the ESA from extinction. Co-administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the purpose of the ESA is to conserve imperiled species and the ecosystems upon which they depend.

 

When Congress passed the ESA in 1973, it formally established that our rich natural heritage is of “esthetic, ecological, educational, recreational, and scientific value to our Nation and its people.”  It also expressed concern that many of our nation’s native fish, wildlife, and plants were in danger of becoming extinct.

 

“The Endangered Species Act is the nation’s premier law protecting biodiversity today,” said Acting Fish and Wildlife Service Director Rowan Gould.  “Without this law, we would probably not see bald eagles soaring in our skies or grizzlies in Yellowstone.  Endangered Species Day provides an opportunity to celebrate our shared successes and look forward to a strengthened partnership with the American public to conserve our natural treasures of fish, wildlife, and plants.” 

 

The Fish and Wildlife Service in Marion, Illinois, is working with partners, including the Army Corps of Engineers and the Missouri Department of Conservation, to restore populations of pallid sturgeon to Illinois and Missouri waters of the Middle Mississippi River.  Growing up to 6 feet in length, pallid sturgeon are among the rarest fish in the Middle Mississippi, threatened by changes to its riverine habitat.  Research and restoration efforts are ongoing and will continue until pallid sturgeon are reproducing naturally and the population is self-sustaining.

 

The Service works with other federal agencies, State and tribal governments, environmental organizations, industry groups, species experts, academia, the scientific community, and other members of the public to conserve our Nation’s threatened and endangered fish, wildlife, and plants. 

 

The bald eagle, grizzly bear, American alligator and gray wolf are all species which once found themselves on the list, facing the brink of extinction but have successfully rebounded.  The wood stork, Kirtland’s warbler, Louisiana black bear and Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle are listed species that are showing good progress towards achieving recovery – the ultimate goal of the ESA.  These recovered and recovering species are just a few examples of those benefiting from the protections afforded by the ESA and the dedicated people who work to ensure their continued existence.

 

There are 24 federally threatened and endangered species in Illinois, along with three candidates for listing.  Nationally, there are 1,317 species listed in the U.S.: 746 plants and 571 animals.  To find out more about endangered species in Illinois and around the country, visit www.fws.gov/midwest/endangered

 

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.

 

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Last updated: July 29, 2009