Why Save Endangered Species?

A species is endangered when it is threatened with extinction.

If extinction is a natural process, why should we make an effort to save endangered species? Because we can
no longer attribute the accelerating extinction of plants and animals to natural causes. Today most species of
plants and animals become extinct because of habitat destruction (loss of living space to development or
pollution), introduction of non-native organisms, and direct killing (poaching, over-harvesting, poisoning).

Certain species are especially important as indicators of environmental quality. Endangered species act as our
miner's canary, they tell us when something is wrong in our life-support system.

What You Can do

The conservation and management of threatened and endangered species is a tremendous challenge. Because
of efforts of federal, state, regional, and local agencies--sometimes in cooperation with private interests--some
endangered species now have a better chance of survival. The involvement of every individual, especially
private citizens is essential. The following list includes some of the things you can do to help save endangered
species:
• Support the Nongame Program of the Florida Game and Freshwater Fish Commission
• Visit a national, state or local park where resident naturalists describe local ecosystems. Look into volunteer
activities at these locations.
• Attend public hearings concerning land and water use decisions. Regional planning Councils, water
management districts, and county and city commissions are all charged with the responsibility of making
decisions affecting biological diversity. Become informed, then involved.
• Report violations of conservation laws to federal and state authorities
• Plant a refuge for wildlife (and energy and water conservation). Contact your local County Extension Office for
more information on landscaping for wildlife.

Species Conservation

The global extinction crisis is escalating: habitat destruction, poaching, wildlife trafficking, climate change and
other destructive human activities have led to an extinction rate that is 100 to 1,000 times higher than the
expected natural rate.

Working at the local level directly combats the impacts of global forces such as wildlife trafficking and
deforestation. Local people are the best stewards of their natural resources. Empower communities to better
their futures through nature conservation while also reducing the effects of human-wildlife conflict and eliminating
poaching.

Landscape Level. Focus on larger landscapes occupied by both people and species. Track animals to learn
about movement patterns, ecology and the impact of threats such as habitat fragmentation and climate change.
These scientific analyses inform where and how best to invest in actions that help humans and animals coexist.

Regional Level. Fight wildlife trafficking at the regional level by working to strengthen national wildlife protection
laws, facilitating formal international agreements and helping countries bolster enforcement on porous national
borders. Address shifting habitat and other effects of climate change on species by finding ways to help wildlife
adapt to the inevitable impacts.

Global Level. Engage with industry to influence global market forces in order to reduce the human footprint and
create a sustainable marketplace. Partner with governments to strengthen policies that affect wildlife. This work
on the global stage feeds directly into our local efforts to reduce poaching and encourage environmentally
sustainable economic activities.

http://www.defenders.org/programs_and_policy/wildlife_conservation/index.php?
utm_source=B_Version_NoFlash&utm_medium=DOW_At_Work&utm_content=WC&utm_cam
paign=HP_AB_Round2

http://www.worldwildlife.org/species/