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Celebrate Endangered Species Day on May 11!
It’s time to celebrate!
The Senate has unanimously passed a resolution designating May 11, 2006, “Endangered Species Day.” This is America’s first national celebration of its commitment to protecting endangered species. This day will provide an opportunity for concerned citizens, businesses, organizations, and educational institutions to connect, collaborate, and communicate the message that we care about endangered species and their habitat.
This is an important recognition of the value of America’s wildlife. We hope it will help in the battle to save the Endangered Species Act. Please take this opportunity to thank your senators for making this important day happen! Then, learn more about how you can celebrate Endangered Species Day where you live.
| Sample Letter for Campaign |
Subject: Thank you for supporting Endangered Species Day!
Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,
I am writing to thank you for helping to pass S. Res. 431, designating May 11, 2006, "Endangered Species Day." I believe this celebration of America's commitment to wildlife protection will help to increase awareness of the plight of endangered species.
As a responsible American, I cherish our diverse wildlife and want to ensure the survival of endangered species. Since there are more than 1,800 endangered or threatened species in this world, we need to continue to work hard to keep them safe.
Senator, I greatly appreciate your support of this resolution, and ask you to continue to do everything in your power to ensure that all endangered species and their habitats are well protected.
Sincerely,
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Campaign Launched:
May 05, 2006
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| Photo: Galen Rowell/Mountain Light |
A resolution seeking to designate an "Endangered Species Day" was originally introduced in 2005 by Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), along with 22 co-sponsors. The resolution was reintroduced by Senator Feinstein in 2006, and on April 5 was unanimously approved by the Senate. Co-sponsors of the resolution included Senators Biden (D-DE), Byrd (D-WV) Cantwell (D-WA), Chafee (R-RI), Clinton (D-NY), Crapo (R-ID), Dodd (D-CT), Feingold (D-WI), Levin (D-MI), Lieberman (D-CT), Reed (D-RI), Collins (R-ME), and Snowe (R-ME).
The resolution states that the purpose of the day is 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.”
May 11 will be a day of education and awareness for Americans on the plight of endangered species. There will also be celebrations of endangered species success stories, such as the comeback of the American bald eagle, the peregrine falcon, and the gray wolf. The battle, however, is far from over. There are more than 1,800 species listed as endangered or threatened in the world today. Earthjustice hopes that Endangered Species Day will also encourage the public, organizations, and businesses to collaborate on projects aimed at helping endangered species. Please take this opportunity to thank your senators for making this important day happen!
 We also hope Endangered Species Day will draw attention to the current attacks on the Endangered Species Act itself. This vital conservation law has been an overwhelming success, but unfortunately, it is now being challenged in Congress. Learn more about threats to the Endangered Species Act here.
Endangered Species Day will include a variety of activities in schools and communities across the country. Keep your eyes open for an event near you -- or plan your own! Here are a few suggestions of activities for this special day:
- Sign the Endangered Species Act Legacy Pledge!
- Learn about endangered species in your area
- Write a letter to the editor to your local paper about Endangered Species Day
- Plan a field trip to a local park, zoo, aquarium, or endangered species habitat in your town
- Attend an Endangered Species Day event in your area. For a list of events, click here!
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