Endangered Species Day History
Endangered Species Day serves to educate the public, particularly young people, about the importance of protecting endangered species and the habitats they require for their survival. It is also a celebration of the nation's robust wildlife and a reminder of the constant need to conserve biodiversity for future generations.
This vital commemorative day was first observed in 2006 when the United States Senate unanimously passed a resolution designating a specific day to raise awareness about endangered species. Since then, the Endangered Species Day has grown exponentially, with schools, libraries, museums, zoos, botanical gardens, businesses, and community groups orchestrating and participating in hands-on wildlife conservation activities.
Endangered Species Day highlights the ongoing efforts and key issues related to endangered species conservation. It provides a premier platform for individuals, organizations, and agencies to collaborate on local, national, and international levels and work towards a common goal: preventing the extinction of the world's most at-risk species. Endangered Species Day is typically commemorated on the third Friday in May.
Endangered Species Day facts
According to Earth Justice, there are 3 major causes for declining wildlife biodiversity: 1) Destruction of habitat 2) Pollution of land, air, and water 3) Over-exploitation of wildlife
There are currently over 41,000 species on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, and of those, over 16,000 are considered endangered.
The current rate of extinction is estimated to be 100 to 1,000 times higher than the natural rate of extinction.
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, more than 37,000 plant and animal species are threatened with extinction.
Biodiversity hotspots are regions around the world that contain large numbers of species that do not live anywhere else. They make up less than 2% of the Earth. Many of these regions face habitat destruction caused by human impact.
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