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Coloradans Celebrate National Endangered Species Day at Denver Zoo and Denver Botanic Gardens

Students and residents celebrate Endangered Species Conservation in Colorado

Today, while America is celebrating endangered species success stories that include the recovery of the American bald eagle, peregrine falcon and grey wolf, Coloradans will celebrate the return of the Canada lynx and black-footed ferret to Colorado and the protection of dozens of other threatened and endangered species throughout the state. Endangered species events will be held at Denver Zoo and Denver Botanic Gardens.

Boulder second grader proudly displays black-footed ferret trading card.

Denver – Today, May 18, 2007, students and residents of Denver will celebrate Endangered Species Day by attending events at Denver Zoo and Denver Botanic Gardens.

“Endangered Species Day gives us a chance to celebrate our unique natural heritage in Colorado and the important role the Endangered Species Act has played in protecting and recovering our wildlife,” said Brian Hires, Center for Native Ecosystems. “Endangered Species Day is also a great way for Coloradans to learn about threatened and endangered plants and wildlife in Colorado and the ways they can get involved in protecting endangered species and their habitat.”

Today, while America is celebrating endangered species success stories that include the recovery of the American bald eagle, peregrine falcon and grey wolf, Coloradans will celebrate the return of the Canada lynx and black-footed ferret to Colorado and the protection of dozens of other threatened and endangered species throughout the state. Endangered species events will be held at Denver Zoo and Denver Botanic Gardens.

The Endangered Species Day table at the Denver Zoo’s Polar Bear exhibit will highlight not only Colorado's threatened and endangered wildlife but also climate change’s impact on our environment. For the many students expected on this day, there will be informative endangered species coloring books, endangered species day stickers and other handouts. The Endangered Species Day table at the Denver Botanic Gardens will highlight Colorado's threatened, endangered and rare plants and what’s being done to protect them.

“We should all give thanks that America had the foresight to take the steps necessary to ensure that our children and grandchildren will continue to be thrilled by our nation’s unique wildlife,” said Brian Hires. “With more than 1,800 species worldwide now listed as threatened and endangered, and thousands more similarly threatened with extinction unless they are protected, America’s commitment to protecting wildlife is more important than ever.”

The goal of Endangered Species Day is simple—to educate people about the importance of protecting our rare, threatened, and endangered animal and plant species. Endangered Species Day will provide an opportunity for schools, libraries, museums, zoos, botanical gardens, agencies, businesses, community groups and conservation organizations to educate the public about the importance of protecting endangered species and highlight the everyday actions that individuals and groups can take to help protect our nation’s wildlife, fish and plants. 

“Endangered Species Day also gives us an opportunity to learn about threats faced by fish, plants and wildlife from global warming,” said Megan Corrigan, staff biologist at Center for Native Ecosystems. “For example, the polar bear is literally on thin ice due to the impacts of global climate change to their Arctic sea ice habitat.  As the sea-ice melts, bears are drowning and starving, fewer cubs survive and polar bear populations continue to decline.”

“Closer to home, shifting temperature patterns have lead to shifts in timing of breeding and hatching of many bird species, to earlier in the spring,” said Corrigan. “Loss of bird species due to extinction will cause disruption in human activities.   Birds are responsible for pollination of plants, seed disbursement and insect control.”

The U.S. Senate has unanimously proclaimed May 18th as “Endangered Species Day,” providing for the second annual national celebration of America’s commitment to protecting our unique wildlife. The Senate resolution encourages all Americans to “become educated about, and aware of, threats to species, success stories in species recovery, and the opportunity to promote species conservation worldwide.”  Last year, students in classrooms from Boulder to Castle Rock participated in educational events about Colorado’s endangered species.

“Endangered Species Day provides opportunities for young people, students, and the general public to learn more about the more than 1,800 species in the U.S. and abroad, which are designated as ‘at risk’ for extinction,” said Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) who led the effort to pass the resolution. Additional cosponsors were Senators Susan Collins (R-ME,) Russ Feingold (D-WI,) Carl Levin (D-MI,) Olympia Snowe (R-ME,) John Kerry (D-MA,) Joseph Biden (D-DE,) Maria Cantwell (D-WA,) Joseph Lieberman (I-CT,) Ron Wyden (D-OR,) Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY,) and Mike Crapo (R-ID,) Daniel Akaka (D-HI,) Barbara Boxer (D-CA,) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH).

Endangered Species Day was endorsed by over seventy diverse organizations across the country including: National Audubon Society, Sierra Club, Natural Resources Defense Council,  National Wildlife Federation, Endangered Species Coalition,  Center for Biological Diversity,  National Association of Biology Teachers, Presbyterians for Restoring Creation, Restoring Eden-Christians for Environmental Stewardship, American Zoo and Aquarium Association,  Society for Conservation Biology, and Environmental Defense.

The event at the Denver Zoo will be held in front of the polar bear exhibit from 9 AM to 3 PM.  The event at the Denver Botanic Gardens will be held the special Endangered Species Day booth in the Gardens from 9 AM to 3 PM.

You can learn more about Endangered Species Day and see other events around the nation at www.stopextinction.org/endangeredspeciesday.

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