Words by Smiley Team
In the United States, there are more than 1,600 endangered or threatened species, according to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Animals ranging as widely from the grey wolf to the loggerhead turtle, to about 12 different arachnids, and many more are under threat of extinction. And yet, different state agencies have highlighted around 12,000 different species that require some conservation assistance.
To tackle the wildlife crisis the US House passed, with the goal of providing more funding to programs meant to protect the environment.
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“America’s wildlife are in crisis and now is the time for unprecedented on-the-ground collaboration,” said Collin O’Mara, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation.
“Fish, birds, mammals, reptiles and invertebrates are all losing ground. We owe it to our children and grandchildren to prevent these species from vanishing from the earth. Recovering wildlife is a win-win-win: strengthening our economy, improving public health, and making communities more resilient.”
The National Wildlife Federation has supported the bill and has been eyeing the concerning trend that animals in the US are facing.
“I have spent more than three decades looking at how wildlife in the United States are faring,” said Bruce Stein, Ph.D., chief scientist and associate vice president of the National Wildlife Federation.
“Although there have been some great conservation successes, many of our species continue to decline, and we are seeing the emergence of major new threats to America’s wildlife. It’s time to make sure that the scale of our conservation efforts match the scope of this problem.”
The bill would create an annual fund of more than $1.3 billion, given to states, territories, and tribal nations for wildlife conservation on the ground. The 1973 Endangered Species Act had similar wording but didn’t provide a framework for funding.
“Too many people don't realize ... that roughly one-third of our wildlife is at increased risk of extinction,” lead House sponsor Debbie Dingell, a Democrat from Michigan, told NPR.
DONATE: The National Wildlife Federation, referenced above, offer support and science to conservation efforts in the US. Consider donating.
SUPPORT: Think of your time in nature. If you’re on a trail consider picking up trash, or participating in beach cleanups. Just think about maintaining the natural environments around us.
