Native Plant Conservation Campaign News: Forbes Review Finds Federal Endangered Species Act Is a Success

April 30, 2018

In celebration of Earth Day, Forbes magazine recently reviewed of the status and trend of species listed under the Federal Endangered Species Act. The review found that the law is working.

Among the indicators of this sucess: once a species is federally listed its chance of becoming extinct is reduced to less than one percent. The magazine also published an infographic displaying Endangered Species Act statistics.

Despite the Act's success, the current Congress has engaged in attacks on the law that are unprecedented both in number and scope. So far, overwelming oposition from the public and the scientific and conservation communities has successfully defeated nearly all Congressional anti-Endangered Species Act efforts. See April 7 NPCC News for more information.

The Forbes review did point out that more work is needed. For example, of the 1662 species in the United States today that are threatened or endangered, only 1162 have active recovery plans.

If you would like to SPEAK OUT to your elected officials or local newspaper about the Endangered Species Act or native plant conservation, find helpful tools and links on the NPCC Speak Out for Plants! page.