Washington, D.C. – On Friday, May 16, thousands of Americans will participate in Endangered Species Day events and activities nationwide, recognizing the public’s commitment to protecting and restoring our disappearing wildlife. This is the 20th annual Endangered Species Day, which is held on the third Friday of May. 

Immensely, popular and successful, the Endangered Species Act has been at the core of our country’s commitment to protecting wildlife and the natural world for our children and grandchildren since 1973. Ninety-nine percent of species protected under the Endangered Species Act have been saved from extinction, including the humpback whale and bald eagle. The Endangered Species Act protects over 2,000 species of plants and animals that are threatened or endangered. 

This year, Endangered Species Day occurs as thousands of people across the United States speak out against billionaire-backed proposals to weaken environmental protections, including the Endangered Species Act, and call on their elected officials to uphold safeguards for biodiversity.

“Endangered Species Day honors our national responsibility to future generations to be good stewards of nature,” stated Susan Holmes, Executive Director of the Endangered Species Coalition–the primary sponsor of Endangered Species Day. “The Endangered Species Act is our safety net for fish, plants, and wildlife on the brink of extinction. Because of the Endangered Species Act, gray whales still swim our oceans, peregrine falcons still soar our skies, and polar bears roam the arctic tundra.”

Endangered Species Day was first created by the U.S. Senate in 2006, when it unanimously designated May 11, 2006, as the first ever “Endangered Species Day” to encourage “the people of the United States to become educated about, and aware of, threats to species, success stories in species recovery, and the opportunity to promote species conservation worldwide.”

The Endangered Species Act was passed because Americans believed then, as they do now, that protecting our wildlife is a moral imperative and a responsibility to future generations. It protects more than our fellow creatures; it also safeguards our nation’s environmental health and the heart of the American way of life. 

Congress, states, and towns across the country also recognize Endangered Species Day. In Boone and Chapel Hill, NC, the towns will vote on proclamations tomorrow designating May 16th, 2025, as Endangered Species Day to show their support for the Endangered Species Act and its protections of our most vulnerable wildlife, like the Hellbender. 

On May 16th, and throughout the month, wildlife refuges, zoos, aquariums, parks, botanic gardens, schools, libraries, museums, and community groups will hold Endangered Species Day events. Some highlights include:

• A nationwide chalk art contest, hosted by the Endangered Species Coalition;
• Colorado Endangered Species Week, a week of free educational events and fun advocacy opportunities to protect the plant and animal species at risk in Colorado, including a discussion about Colorados Wolverine reintroduction an evening bat walk, a celebration of CO public lands, and an auction, hosted by Rocky Mountain Wild and Bat Conservation International; 
• Special exhibits and activities at zoos nationwide are part of AZA’s Party for the Planet celebrations. Party for the Planet offers families unique opportunities to visit their local AZA-accredited zoo and aquarium, celebrate the Earth’s biodiversity, and learn how they can take action to make a difference. This year, they focus on three action areas: Conserve, Create, and Connect to nature.
• Pollinator garden plantings in states across the U.S. to create habitat for native bees, butterflies, and other pollinator species.
• Community Science projects involve volunteers using a phone app to find and record as many species as possible in a specific location. 
• Film screenings and postcard parties- ESC put together a list of films on endangered species and their habitats for individuals to organize events for their friends and families, and take action to protect them afterward.

These and other events are listed in an event directory on the Endangered Species Day website. 

In addition to the Endangered Species Coalition, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), numerous conservation, education, community and youth organizations have also supported and participated in Endangered Species Day, including the Girl Scouts USA, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the Smithsonian, National Wildlife Federation, Sierra Club, and many more. 

Visit www.EndangeredSpeciesDay.org for more information on Endangered Species Day, including event locations and a variety of educational resource materials.

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Bees, birds, butterflies and even bats are a few important animals for pollinating native plants. But as a result of habitat loss, invasive weeds and the spraying of pesticides, many of the plant species that pollinators need have been in decline for decades—and accordingly—the pollinators themselves. Thanks to a grant we received in support of our Pollinator Protectors program, we were able to help the CSKT purchase native plants and further expand work on a habitat restoration site along U.S. Highway 93 in the Mission Valley. Our staff spent a couple of days leading up to Endangered Species Day to work in the field with Tribal biologists and staff to place more than 200 native plants in the ground. Some of the native species we planted include Arrowleaf Balsamroot, Wild Bergamot, Showy Milkweed, Indian Paintbrush and more. All of the species we planted will help attract and provide habitat for some of western Montana’s native pollinators. Some local neighbors and community members dropped by to learn about pollinators and the help us put some plants in the ground, including Peter from Senator Tester’s office! 

We are appreciative of all the planning and on-the-ground work the CSKT does to protect wildlife, including pollinators. We look forward to being able to provide additional financial assistance for this restoration site in the years to come. 

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Events Planned Across the U.S. Honoring Commitment to Wildlife Conservation 

Washington, D.C. – On Friday, May 17, thousands of Americans are participating in Endangered Species Day events and activities across the country, in recognition of our nation’s commitment to protecting and restoring our disappearing wildlife. This is the 19th annual Endangered Species Day, which occurs on the third Friday of May. 

This Endangered Species Day follows a year-long commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act. The immensely popular, successful, and historic piece of legislation has been at the core of our country’s commitment to protecting wildlife and the natural world for our children and grandchildren since 1973. 99 percent of species protected under the Endangered Species Act have been saved from extinction, including the humpback whale, grizzly bear, and bald eagle. The Endangered Species Act is currently helping protect more than 2,000 species of plants and animals that are threatened or endangered. 

“Endangered Species Day honors our national responsibility to future generations to be good stewards of nature,” stated Susan Holmes, Executive Director of the Endangered Species Coalition–the primary sponsor of Endangered Species Day. “The Endangered Species Act is our safety net for fish, plants and wildlife on the brink of extinction. Thanks to the Endangered Species Act, gray whales still swim our coasts, peregrine falcons still soar our skies, and polar bears still roam the arctic tundra.”

Endangered Species Day was first created by U.S. Senate in 2006, when it unanimously designated May 11, 2006 as the first ever “Endangered Species Day,” to encourage “the people of the United States to become educated about, and aware of, threats to species, success stories in species recovery, and the opportunity to promote species conservation worldwide.”

The Endangered Species Act was passed because Americans believed then–as they do now–that protecting our wildlife is a moral imperative and a responsibility to future generations. It protects more than our fellow creatures; it also safeguards our nation’s environmental health and the heart of the American way of life. President Biden, a Senator in 1973, was an original co-sponsor of the Endangered Species Act, as well as a sponsor of the 2006 Senate resolution creating Endangered Species Day.

Congress, states, and towns across the country recognize Endangered Species Day as well. In Washington, Governor Jay Inslee signed a proclamation that, “recognizes May 17th, 2024 as Endangered Species Day and underscores that the people of Washington state recognize that a healthy planet is an integral part of our state’s economy, society and culture”.

On May 17th, and throughout the month, wildlife refuges, zoos, aquariums, parks, botanic gardens, schools, libraries, museums, and community groups will hold Endangered Species Day events. Some highlights include:

• A nationwide chalk art contest, hosted by the Endangered Species Coalition;
  
• Colorado Endangered Species Week, a week of free educational events and fun advocacy opportunities to protect the plant and animal species at risk in Colorado, including a discussion about boreal toads, a bat walk, and an auction, hosted by Rocky Mountain Wild and other organizations; 
• Special exhibits and activities at zoos around the country as part of AZA’s Party for the Planet celebrations including the Staten Island Zoo, Audubon Zoo in New Orleans, the Saint Louis Zoo, and Zoo Atlanta; 
• Pollinator garden plantings in states across the U.S. to create habitat for native bees, butterflies, and other pollinator species.
• Community Science projects where volunteers use an app on their phone to find and record as many species as possible in a specific location. 

These and other events are listed in an event directory on the Endangered Species Day website. 

In addition to the Endangered Species Coalition, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), numerous conservation, education, community and youth organizations have also supported and participated in Endangered Species Day, including the Girl Scouts USA, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, National Wildlife Federation, Defenders of Wildlife, Sustainable Ocean Alliance, the Humane Society of the United States, and many more. 

For more information on Endangered Species Day, including event locations and a variety of educational resource materials, visit www.endangeredspeciesday.org.

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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. 2024 is particularly special because it comes just after the 50th Anniversary of the Endangered Species Act in December of last year. The Endangered Species Act is a landmark piece of conservation legislation protecting our nation’s fish, plants, and wildlife and we celebrate it–and the species it safeguards–every day.

Here are just two exciting ways that you can participate in Endangered Species Day this May:

• Endangered Species Chalk Art Event (May 11 – 19): For the fourth 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.
• Community Science (Throughout May): Participate in science at home or in your neighborhood through apps including iNaturalist, E-Bird, and Merlin Bird ID, or take part in the City Nature Challenge and other events to empower yourself and those around you to be community conservation scientists!

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 and take action to protect our most cherished wildlife species. We hope you’ll join in on May 17th and throughout the month of May!  

Thank you in advance for being a part of Endangered Species Day.

Sincerely,

Tara Thornton
Director of Institutional Engagement
Endangered Species Coalition

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Contact: Sarah Starman, sstarman@endangered.org
Derek Goldman, dgoldman@endangered.org

U.S. Celebrates a Special Endangered Species Day this Friday

Events Planned Nationwide Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Endangered Species Act

Washington, D.C. – On Friday, May 19, thousands of Americans are participating in Endangered Species Day events and activities across the country, in recognition of our nation’s commitment to protecting and restoring our disappearing wildlife. This is the 18th annual Endangered Species Day, which occurs on the third Friday of May. 

This Endangered Species Day will also commemorate an important milestone: the 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act. The immensely popular, successful, and historic piece of legislation has been at the core of our country’s commitment to protecting wildlife and the natural world since 1973. 99% of species protected under the Endangered Species Act have been saved from extinction. The Endangered Species Act is currently helping protect more than 2,000 species of plants and animals that are threatened or endangered. 

“Endangered Species Day and 50th Anniversary of the Endangered Species Act both celebrate our national responsibility to future generations to be good stewards of nature,” stated Leda Huta, Executive Director of the Endangered Species Coalition, primary sponsor of Endangered Species Day. “The Endangered Species Act is a declaration to the world that we will not rob our children of the opportunity  to hear the cry of the bald eagle or enjoy the clean air and water upon which people and wildlife depend.”

The Endangered Species Act was passed because Americans believed then – as they do now – that protecting our wildlife is a moral imperative and a responsibility to future generations, our nation’s environmental health, our fellow creatures, and the heart of the American way of life. President Biden, a Senator in 1973, was an original co-sponsor of the Endangered Species Act, as well as a sponsor of the 2006 Senate resolution creating Endangered Species Day.

On May 19th, and throughout May, wildlife refuges, zoos, aquariums, parks, botanic gardens, schools, libraries, museums, and community groups will hold Endangered Species Day events, many with an Endangered Species Act 50th Anniversary theme. Some highlights include:

• A nationwide chalk art contest, hosted by the Endangered Species Coalition; 
• Colorado Endangered Species Week, a week of free educational events and fun advocacy opportunities to protect the plant and animal species at risk in Colorado, including a discussion about boreal toads, a bat walk, and an auction, hosted by Rocky Mountain Wild and other organizations; 
• A series of virtual conservation career panels for high school and college students; 
• Special exhibits and activities at zoos around the country, including Zoo Idaho, the Saint Louis Zoo, and Zoo Atlanta; 
• The unveiling of the Southwestern Mural – the first of a series of murals planned for the Endangered Species Act 50th Anniversary –  in Doña Ana County, New Mexico. 
• Pollinator garden plantings in states across the U.S. to create habitat for native bees, butterflies, and other pollinator species.

These and other events are listed in an event directory on the Endangered Species Day website. 

In addition to the Endangered Species Coalition, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), numerous conservation, education, community and youth organizations have also supported and participated in Endangered Species Day, including the Girl Scouts USA, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, National Wildlife Federation, Defenders of Wildlife, Sustainable Ocean Alliance, the Humane Society of the United States, and many more. 

For more information on Endangered Species Day, including event locations and a variety of educational resource materials, visit www.endangeredspeciesday.org.

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Large carnivores play a key role in healthy and thriving ecosystems. They’re also some of the most beautiful, iconic, and beloved species in our country. At the Endangered Species Coalition, we work every single day to protect large carnivore species, and we wanted to do something special this month to celebrate them. So we decided to host a trivia night featuring three of our favorite large carnivore species: orcas, gray wolves, and grizzly bears!

Learn more and sign up for Large Carnivore Trivia Night now!

What: Large Carnivore Trivia night will have four rounds of questions about gray wolves, orcas, and grizzlies, and the questions will range from ecology and biology to history, politics, and pop culture.

Date: Wednesday, May 17th

Time:5pm – 6:30pm Pacific (8pm – 9:30pm Eastern)

Where:We’ll be hosting our Large Carnivore 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!

Save your spot and get ready to test your knowledge of these iconic and beautiful large carnivores!

Prizes will be given out to trivia winners, including a first place prize of three Endangered Species Chocolate Company chocolate bars and a $25 Patagonia gift card.

Money from ticket sales will support Endangered Species Coalition’s work to protect wolves, orcas, and grizzly bears, and the habitats that they call home. So join us to have some fun for the benefit of our large carnivores!

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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 Endangered Species Act. We hope you’ll join in on May 19th and throughout the month of May!  

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Your collaboration in this Call to Artists can work in many different ways. At the Collaborating for Wildlife and Plants: ESA at 50 webpage, you’ll find suggestions for ways to collaborate, as well as a list of media that you may choose to work with, with additional resources and ideas to be added over the coming months. The purpose of this Call to Artists is inclusion of many visions in celebration of the Endangered Species Act at 50. Therefore, submitted works will not be juried, but will be presented in a virtual, online gallery that will launch on Endangered Species Day, May 19th, 2023. Please visit our webpage for complete eligibility, wildlife and plant lists, and image requirements for the submission of artworks. 

To help you plan your art submission, here are key dates for the Collaborating for Wildlife and Plants Call to Artists:

January 24th, 2023 Collaborating for Wildlife and Plants: ESA at 50 Call to Artist submission platform opens

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

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.

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