Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today issued a statement in recognition of the Fourth Annual Endangered Species Day. Senator Feinstein was the sponsor of a Senate resolution, which was unanimously approved by the Senate earlier this week, to designate Friday, May 15, 2009, as Endangered Species Day.

This commemorative day will help to raise awareness about the threats to endangered species and the success stories in species recovery. It provides an opportunity for schools, libraries, museums, zoos, botanical gardens, agencies, businesses, community organizations and conservation organizations to educate the public about the importance of protecting the more than 1,900 endangered species that are protected under the Endangered Species Act, and highlight the everyday actions that individuals and groups can take to help protect our nation’s wildlife, fish and plants.

Endangered Species Day was held for the first time in 2006 with events held across the country, thanks to the efforts of Senator Feinstein and others to establish this educational event.

Following is the statement issued today by Senator Feinstein:

“The United States Senate unanimously resolved that today, May 15, 2009, will be designated as the Fourth Annual Endangered Species Day.

It is my hope that this Fourth Annual event will bring much-needed attention to the more than 1,900 rare wildlife, fish and plant species that are protected under the Endangered Species Act.

Last year, more than 100 events were held across the country to highlight endangered species success stories, and even more are slated for today. Educational activities were held at zoos, aquariums, libraries, and schools across the country, including Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Florida, the San Diego Zoo in California, the Port Defiance Zoo and Aquarium in Tacoma, Washington, and the Bronx Zoo in New York City.

Every year, this event grows larger and the turnout increases. Based on the success of last year, I am confident that this year’s Endangered Species Day will continue to foster increased awareness about endangered species by encouraging educational activities such as school field trips to the zoo or attending an art fair at a local library. Events will be held in California and all across the country to commemorate the Fourth Annual Endangered Species Day on May 15 and throughout the month of May. I am proud to report that the conservation movement has had some remarkable success stories.

In my home state of California, endangered species recovery programs are excellent examples of the conservation and management efforts that have helped to restore populations of the California condor and the California gray whale, which had been on the brink of extinction. Over 300 species classified as either endangered or threatened live in California, and efforts to protect them will ensure that they continue to do so well into the future. 

But our work is not done. There are more than 5,000 threatened species that receive protection in the United States and abroad. One small but important step to preventing further threats and endangerment of wildlife is to increase awareness about the seriousness of the problem and education our youth on what can be done.

As we take today to educate our youth about the importance of protecting Earth’s fish, plant, and wildlife, we must make it our goal to fight the extinction and endangerment of more species every day of the year.

And this, the Fourth Annual Endangered Species Day, can serve as a time when we spread that message to our children who will be the ones to continue that fight.”

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