(by Zoe Dawson)

Today marks the 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act officially being enacted into law, a critical measure for the conservation of America’s wildlife. This legislation has proven to be an example of bipartisan success, passing unanimously in the Senate and with just twelve representatives (out of over four hundred) in opposition in the House. The ESA put in place protections for plants and animals that increased conservation efforts and trust in scientific research. This has led to the recovery of hundreds of species across the country. In celebration of 50 years of the ESA, we must recognize the continued need for legislative action to support organizations like NH Audubon in their work to protect threatened and endangered species.

Learn more about the ESA’s history, impact, and future by reading articles from our ESA 50th Anniversary series:

• An Introduction to the Endangered Species Act
• The Origins of New Hampshire’s work with Endangered Species
• The Future of the ESA