***Native Plant Conservation Campaign News***
September 11, 2015

Speak Out to Protect the Endangered Species Act!

The current 114^th Congress has set a new record in proposing bills that would dismantle, defund or otherwise weaken the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA), one of the most popular and effective environmental laws in U.S. history. Dozens of anti-ESA bills have been proposed so far in 2015.

September is a time when unpopular bills may be passed under cover of the legislative rush to pass a budget and prevent a government shutdown. In the face of this and the unprecedented attacks in Congress on the ESA, several organizations are circulating petitions and sign on letters asking elected officials to protect the ESA.

Unfortunately, the ESA provides inferior protection for imperiled plants than it does for animals (see the NPCC Equal Protection for Plants Project). Nevertheless, the ESA has been enormously effective in conserving imperiled species, both in the U.S. and elsewhere. 

• The Endangered Species Coalition is circulating a sign-on letter to President Obama asking that he reject any bills that would undermine the Endangered Species Act. You can sign your organization onto the ESC letter by Friday, September 18th. You can sign on this page with email and organization name
  
  
• The League of Conservation Voters has posted an e mail petition to protect the ESA
  
  
• Earthjustice has an e mail petition as well (note: Earthjustice failed to mention plants in their call to action - yet another example of why it is important for native plant conservation organizations to come together as a strong, united voice for plants!)

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