Why protect threatened species

In 4 seconds , you will be redirected to nwfactionfund. The National Wildlife Federation. What is an "Endangered Species"? Why We Protect Them The Endangered Species Act is very important because it saves our native fish, plants, and other wildlife from going extinct. When deciding whether a species should be added to the Endangered Species List, the following criteria are evaluated: Has a large percentage of the species' vital habitat been degraded or destroyed?

Has the species been over-consumed by commercial, recreational, scientific or educational uses? Is the species threatened by disease or predation? Do current regulations or legislation inadequately protect the species? Are there other man-made factors threatening the long-term survival of the species? Species Protections Once a species becomes listed as "threatened" or "endangered," it receives special protections by the federal government.

Endangered Species Day Endangered Species Day, which falls on the third Friday in May each year, is a day to celebrate endangered species success stories and learn about species still in danger. Six Stories of Success Endangered Species. Read More. Contact Us Site Map. Endangered Species. More importantly, all living species, including people, depend on other species for survival.

For example, if a fish such as the shortnose sturgeon becomes extinct, all of the species that rely on it will also suffer and may become threatened or endangered. We all depend upon plants and wildlife.

From studying them, we have learned new ways of growing food, making clothing, and building houses. Scientists have discovered how to use certain plants and animals as medicine.

If we fail to protect threatened or endangered species, we will never know how they might have improved our lives. Endangered and threatened species need our help. Government agencies, such as the U. Environmental Protection Agency, the U. Department of. Agriculture , the U. Fish and Wildlife Service , NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service , and the National Park Service , along with state fish and wildlife agencies and private groups are making information available so people can better protect endangered and threatened species and their habitats.

You can contact these agencies for information and join the challenge in helping to protect endangered and threatened species, and all wildlife, from extinction. Skip to main content. Endangered Species.

Contact Us. Learn more about Threatened and Endangered Species. Scientists estimate that one third of all U. Habitat loss, invasive species, and severe weather have all taken a severe toll on birds, mammals, fish, amphibians, reptiles, butterflies, and bees. All types of wildlife are declining—in many cases dramatically. We need urgent action to protect vulnerable wildlife. The National Wildlife Federation works to defend, strengthen, fund, and ensure effective implementation of the Endangered Species Act and other core wildlife protection laws.

One of the best ways to protect endangered species is to prevent their decline and deterioration in the first place. Toward that end, National Wildlife Federation works to maintain healthy populations of fish, wildlife, and plant species through promoting broad-based conservation efforts such as State Wildlife Action Plans. Climate change is making the protection of endangered species increasingly challenging. Climate change not only affects our plants and animals directly —through changes in temperature and precipitation for instance—but can worsen the impact on endangered species of traditional threats, such as invasive species, wildfires and diseases.

The National Wildlife Federation is playing a leadership role in developing and promoting innovative approaches for climate-smart conservation that can safeguard endangered species and other wildlife in the face of a changing climate. A groundbreaking bipartisan bill aims to address the looming wildlife crisis before it's too late, while creating sorely needed jobs.