Why Save Endangered Species?

In the preamble of the Endangered Species Act, Congress recognized that our diverse assemblage of plants and animals are of 鈥渆sthetic, ecological, educational, recreational, and scientific value to our nation and its people.鈥 It further expressed concern that many of the nation鈥檚 native species were in danger of becoming extinct.

The authors of the ESA made an unmistakable strong statement regarding the preservation of our nation鈥檚 natural heritage.  For 50 years, the law has protected America's imperiled plants and animals鈥攆rom the carnivorous green pitcher plant of southeastern wetlands, to the western snowy plover of northwestern beaches, to the iconic polar bear of the Arctic.

Learn more about the benefits of conserving these and other species:

Two bald eagle chicks look into camera from their nest.
If more organisms have gone extinct over time than are alive today, why should we try to prevent species extinctions?