The Endangered Species Act
The Endangered Species Act (ESA) was 
originally enacted in 1973, and today remains one of the most effective legislative tools we have to protect both imperiled plant and animal species, preserve biodiversity on American lands, preserve critical habitat for imperiled species, and ensure the survival of all threatened and endangered species.
How the ESA Works
Once a species is designated “threatened” or “endangered” under the Endangered Species Act, the species is legally protected against any harmful action, be it hunting, destruction of habitat, or harassment that has the potential to threaten the survival of the species. The ESA’s key component is its ability to designate critical habitats, thus ensuring a space for an endangered or threatened species to survive, and eventually thrive. (The leading cause of extinction is loss of natural habitat.) Studies have shown that species with designated critical habitats are twice as likely to recover from the threat of extinction than those without. In short, the ESA is crucial to ensuring both species diversity and survival, as well as the conservation of critical habitats for those species. The ESA has proven itself successful again and again, ensuring the protection of over 1,200 species and 43 million acres of critical habitat.
The Endangered ESA
Currently, the ESA itself is under attack, from members of both the House and the Senate. Representative Rich Pombo (R-CA) has spearheaded the attack against the ESA, with his harmful bill, HR 3824: the “Threatened and Endangered Species Recovery Act” (aka “The Extinction Bill”). Unfortunately, this bill passed in the house, and a similar bill (S. 2110) was put forth in the Senate by Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID). S. 2110 is currently under review, but many informed activists believe it will be revived in another session this year. For more information on the Endangered Species act and current Congressional legislation, please visit the sites below. The Wilderness Study Group, along with CU Wildlife Initiative, has been campaigning since the fall of 2005 to save the Endangered Species Act. We will continue to campaign to save the ESA this year, with letter-writing campaigns, ESA slideshows, guest lecturers, and much more.
How You Can Help
Write a letter to your Senators urging them to vote against any bill in the coming session that seeks to dismantle the ESA. To find your Senators’ contact information click here.
Colorado Senators
Senator Ken Salazar
702 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: 202.224.5852
Fax: 202.228.5036
Senator Wayne Allard
521 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: 202.224.5941
Fax: 202.224.6471