ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE ENDANGERED SPECIES

HISTORY Lacey Act Forbids interstate transport/commerce of illegally killed wildlife Oldest wildlife protection statute in the US

HISTORY Lacey Act It was first enacted in 1900 to combat impact of: hunting to supply commercial markets interstate shipment of unlawfully killed game introduction of harmful exotic species killing of birds for feather trade Amended in 1981, 1988, and 2008 expands Lacey protection to broader range of plants now encompasses products, including timber, derived from illegally harvested plants

MANAGEMENT Agency in charge US Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS) Required to do Recovery Plan for all endangered species Money! Spend $150 million per year on endangered species recovery plans Most of the money goes to the “popular” ones Currently around animals on the list

ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT The purpose of the ESA is to protect and recover imperiled species and the ecosystems upon which they depend. Outlines how to make the list and what is done to help

ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT To make the list: Present or threatened destruction of habitat Utilization for commercial, sporting, scientific, or education at elevated levels Disease or predation Absence of regulatory mechanisms to prevent decline Other natural or man-made factors affecting their existence

ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT “Expired” in 1992 (The funding levels in the present Act were authorized through Fiscal Year 1992.) Congress has annually appropriated funds since that time. Two factions developed 1.Stengthen – focus on habitat Habitat Conservation Plans (HCP) Want to call it Endangered Species Recovery Act 2.Weaken – allow for more development by making “safe harbors”

COLORADO SUCCESS STORY Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis) The lynx ranged from Alaska to eastern Canada, and extended down into the Rocky Mountains and Colorado. For reasons that are not completely understood, the lynx is believed to have disappeared from Colorado by The cat was listed as state endangered in In 1999, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), began a reintroduction program by releasing 96 lynx into southwestern Colorado's San Juan Mountains. Listed as a federally threatened species in the lower 48 states in By 2006, over 200 had returned to Colorado.

SUCCESS STORY Black-footed ferret In the early 1900s, the United States was home to more than 5 million ferrets. Wiped out early in the 20th century after agriculture and rodent poisons devastated prairie dog populations (their source of food and shelter) – listed as endangered 1979 – thought to be extinct in North America 1981 – a small relic population was discovered in a Wyoming prairie dog colony to 1999 – 1,200 ferrets were released in Wyoming, Montana, South Dakota, Arizona and along the Utah/Colorado border. Biologists estimate there are now a total of about 1,410 black-footed ferrets living in the wild.

CITES Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species International agreement between governments. Its aim is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival. Started in the 1960’s when it was really needed, but still serves a purpose today. Protects over 30,000 species from illegal trade.

IUCN International Union for the Conservation of Nature Oldest and largest global environmental organization founded in Maintains the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species but also catalogs all species and tracks their status.

OTHER Federal Marine Mammal Protection Act Prevents the “taking” of marine mammals in US waters. International Whaling Commission Charged with the conservation of whales and the management of whaling. Migratory Bird Treaty Act US works with countries like Great Britain, Mexico, and Japan to protect migratory birds and ensure their health and survival.