Observe Endangered Species Day the Third Friday in May

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On the 3rd Friday in May we recognize that many of earth’s species are in danger of disappearing forever. It’s Endangered Species Day.

We’ve recognized the need to help conserve species for decades. First with the Endangered Species Conservation Act (ESA) of 1969. Then with the Endangered Species Act of 1973, signed by President Nixon on December 28, 1973.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) administers the Act jointly with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

And sadly, the Act lists more than 2,300 species as endangered or threatened. This includes land animals and marine species.

The Act doesn’t just cover species found in America, though. It also lists foreign species, found only outside our country. There’s currently more than 650 foreign species listed.

Endangered Species Day is an official day in the United States. Congress proclaimed the day in 2006.

Scroll down for some ideas on celebrating this unofficial holiday.

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Ideas for Observing Endangered Species Day

You might wonder how you can help endangered species. After all, you’re just one person. And you probably think you don’t live near any endangered species. But you might be surprised.

The Endangered Species Coalition offers an Endangered Species Day toolkit with a brochure, activity book, list of 10 easy things you can do and more.

 

Attend Events

For this year’s Endangered Species Day, why not take part in one of the events being held around the country? Zoos, parks, schools, and other organizations hold events on or near the day.

An internet search for Endangered Species Day events will likely turn up some near you.

 

Learn More About Endangered Species

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service offers an Endangered Species 101 podcast program, with information on reasons species are declining, species that are recovering and ideas for how you can help. Listen to the podcasts or read the transcripts.

Learn more about how the NOAA administers the ESA.

You can also find some good books about endangered species. Consider:

• Listed: Dispatches from America’s Endangered Species Act
• The Atlas of Endangered Species. It’s from 2008, but if anything the situation for most animals has only gotten worse.
• Rare: Portraits of America’s Endangered Species. Photos of some of our most endangered animals.

 

If you have kids (ages 8-12), they might like DK Eyewitness Books: Endangered Animals.

If you prefer video, there’s Endangered Species: Extinction’s Cost. It’s just 30 minutes, but contains lots of good information. You might also like America’s Endangered Species: Don’t Say Goodbye, from National Geographic.

 

Join Conservation Efforts

Are there any conservation projects near you? Consider joining one.

And conservation isn’t limited to the big, well-known species like elephants or tigers. Restoring prairies and reintroducing native plants and animals also counts as conservation.

There’s probably more going on near you than you realize.

Find out about the conservation programs the Association of Zoos and Aquariums manages.

 

Future Dates for Endangered Species Day

Of course the actual date for the third Friday in May changes every year. Here’s a little “cheat sheet” of the dates for the next few years.

• 2019 – Friday, May 17
• 2020 – Friday, May 15
• 2021 – Friday, May 21
• 2022 – Friday, May 20
• 2023 – Friday, May 19
• 2024 – Friday, May 17
• 2025 – Friday, May 16
• 2026 – Friday, May 15
• 2027 – Friday, May 21
• 2028 – Friday, May 19

 

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