May 21, 2021 – There are 715 species of animals listed as threatened or endangered and 942 species of plants listed as threatened or endangered, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).

In 1962, Rachel Carson published a book – A Silent Spring – that launched the environmental movement in the United States. In her book, she warned that the extensive use of pesticides was killing wildlife. She formerly worked for the USFWS. Her warning came true, particularly for the bald eagle. The bald eagle population had declined significantly so that there was concern the species would become extinct. As the national symbol, the idea of the bald eagle becoming extinct was unthinkable. Scientists learned that DDT, a pesticide widely used at the time, caused eagles’ egg shells to weaken and crack befor the eaglets could hatch.

In addition to the more than 400 national park sites covering more than 85 million acres, the national wildlife refuge system consists of 567 refuges and 38 wetland management districts covering 95 million acres.

That’s a total of more than 180 million acres of land and water protected to support wildlife conservation and preservation.

The second week of October is annually set aside to celebrate the wildlife refuge system. It’s also a time to celebrate efforts to protect certain species from extinction. Two success stories are the bald eagle and the Kirtland’s warbler.

Bald eagle
Bald eagles, the nation’s symbol, can be seen soaring in the skies over many national wildlife refuges and flying to nests on protected land.

Bald and golden eagles have been protected since 1940 when Congress passed the Bald Eagle Protection Act and later amended it to include Golden eagles.

In 1966 the Endangered Species Act was passed calling attention to many species deemed threatened or endangered of becoming extinct.

In 1972, the bald eagle was covered under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act is the law that mplements treaties for the protection of shared migratory bird resources signed by the United States with Canada, Japan, Mexico and Russia.

In 1973, the bald eagle was added to the list of endangered species. Years of protection worked. By 1999, the population of bald eagles recovered enough that it was suggested the eagle be removed from the list. In 2007, the bald eagle was officially removed from the list. But it is still illegal to kill or injure a bald eagle.

Kirtland’s warbler
In the 1970s, the Kirtland’s warbler, a small and beautiful migratory bird, was threatened with extinction. Only 167 pairs of this warbler were believed to be alive.

    In 2013, Student News Net spotted this Kirtland’s warbler in jack pine forests of central Michigan. (Photo: Student News Net)

The species has a very specific requirement for habitat in that its preferred habitat is young jack pine forests, primarily located in central Michigan with other forests in Wisconsin and Ontario, Canada. The species spends winters in the Bahamas and migrates north in the spring for summer breeding season.

After years of effort and action to support the growth of jack pine forests, the species is back. The most recent count estimates there are 2,000 pairs of Kirtland’s warblers.

On Oct. 8, 2019, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) announced that the Kirtland’s warbler was no longer threatened with extinction and has been removed from the endangered species list.

“The Kirtland’s warbler was one of the first species in the United States to be put on the federal list of endangered and threatened species, and today’s action by the U.S. Department of the Interior marks the latest chapter in a remarkable wildlife success story,” Dan Eichinger, director, Michigan Department of Natural Resources. said in a press release. “The bird’s recovery provides dramatic testimony to what conservation organizations, governments and businesses can accomplish when they come together for the good of the resource. We are grateful for the partnership of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and U.S. Forest Service in this effort. I sincerely believe conservation is a team sport, and today’s announcement is a big win for natural resources in Michigan and for all those involved.”

What a terrific message Dan expressed that conservation is a team sport. To find a national wildlife refuge near you, visit USFWS. Check for volunteer opportunities at the refuge to join a team.