FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

U.S. Senate Unanimously Passes Second National Endangered Species Day

Endangered Species Events will happen at Denver Zoo and Denver Botanic Gardens

On Tuesday the U.S. Senate dedicated May 18, 2007 as the second national day of education on and celebration of endangered species issues, conservation successes and highlight ways everyday Americans can make a difference.

For Immediate Release              

Thursday, May 3, 2007    

Contact:  Brian Hires

Center for Native Ecosystems

(303) 546-0214

United States Senate Unanimously Declares May 18^th as the Second National Endangered Species Day

Denver Zoo and Denver Botanic Gardens to host events that celebrate Colorado's  unique environmental heritage,

and ways that threatened and  endangered species are being conserved.

 
Washington, D.C. — On Tuesday May 2, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed a resolution declaring May 18, 2007 as the second national “Endangered Species Day.”  Zoos, aquariums, parks, wildlife refuges, schools, museums, libraries, conservation organizations, and community groups across the country are planning events to promote protection of our nation’s wildlife, fish, and plants on the brink of extinction.

Center for Native Ecosystems and the Denver Zoo will host an event at the zoo's polar bear exhibit on May 18th that educates visitors to the Zoo about endangered species  issues, including the  threat to  endangered species, such as the polar bear, that climate change poses.   The Denver Botanic Gardens will also host an event that educates the parks visitors on Colorado's threatened and endangered plants and what is being done to conserve them.

 “Endangered Species Day will provide 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).

"By designating May 18th as Endangered Species Day, the U.S. Senate encourages the people of the United States to become educated about success stories in endangered species conservation, aware of threats to their recovery and opportunities to promote conservation worldwide,” said Brian Hires, Center for Native Ecosystems Field Coordinator.  "Endangered Species Day offers our people young and old an occasion to discover more about endangered species through such activities as attending workshops, library lectures, field trips, and having students and others actually interact with endangered species."

The purpose of the nationwide observance is to educate the public about the importance of protecting threatened and endangered species and highlight the everyday actions that individuals and groups can take. Last year, thousands of people throughout the country participated in various activities.  In Colorado, students got to learn about endangered species issues up close and personal when a black-footed ferret from the Black-footed Ferret Conservation Center in Wellington, Colorado visited classrooms in Denver and Boulder.

Center for Native Ecosystems is dedicated to conserving and recovering the native species and ecosystems of the Southern Rockies.  We value the clean water, fresh air, healthy communities, sources of food and medicine, and recreational opportunities provided by native biological diversity.  We also passionately believe that all species and their natural communities have the right to exist and thrive.  We use the best available science to forward our mission through participation in policy, public outreach and organizing, administrative processes, legal action, and education.

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