{"id":32703,"date":"2023-05-17T13:21:38","date_gmt":"2023-05-17T17:21:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.endangered.org\/?p=32703"},"modified":"2024-08-01T16:42:21","modified_gmt":"2024-08-01T20:42:21","slug":"u-s-celebrates-a-special-endangered-species-day-this-friday","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.endangered.org\/u-s-celebrates-a-special-endangered-species-day-this-friday\/","title":{"rendered":"U.S. Celebrates a Special Endangered Species Day this Friday"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

For Immediate Release: May 17, 2023<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Contact: Sarah Starman, sstarman@endangered.org<\/a>
Derek Goldman, dgoldman@endangered.org<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

U.S. Celebrates a Special Endangered Species Day this Friday<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Events Planned Nationwide Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Endangered Species Act<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Washington, D.C. \u2013 On Friday, May 19, thousands of Americans are participating in Endangered Species Day<\/a> events and activities across the country, in recognition of our nation\u2019s commitment to protecting and restoring our disappearing wildlife. This is the 18th annual Endangered Species Day, which occurs on the third Friday of May. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This Endangered Species Day will also commemorate an important milestone: the 50th anniversary<\/a> of the Endangered Species Act. The immensely popular, successful, and historic piece of legislation has been at the core of our country\u2019s commitment to protecting wildlife and the natural world since 1973. 99%<\/a> 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEndangered Species Day and 50th Anniversary of the Endangered Species Act both celebrate our national responsibility to future generations to be good stewards of nature,\u201d stated Leda Huta, Executive Director of the Endangered Species Coalition, primary sponsor of Endangered Species Day. \u201cThe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Endangered Species Act was passed because Americans believed then \u2013 as they do now \u2013 that protecting our wildlife is a moral imperative and a responsibility to future generations, our nation\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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:<\/p>\n\n\n\n