WILDLIFE CONSERVATION
What is Wildlife Conservation?
Wildlife conservation is the practice of protecting animal species and their habitats. It is achieved partially through legislation such as the Endangered Species Act, the establishment and protection of public lands, and responsible public practices that conserve wild animal populations.
What does the Endangered Species Act do?
The Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973 is our nation’s strongest law protecting wild plants and animals. It is enforced by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the National Marine Fisheries Service. Under the ESA, a species can be designated as “threatened” or “endangered.” Threatened and endangered species are protected under the provisions of the ESA, which restricts human activities that may harm these species and their habitats. Due in part by protections under the ESA, many species have been brought back from the brink of extinction.
How do public lands promote wildlife conservation?
In order to survive, a species requires adequate food, water, shelter, space, and opportunities to reproduce. In the United States, as elsewhere in the world – habitat destruction is a primary threat to the continued survival of species. Without the existence of suitable habitat, a species will eventually face extinction. Public lands include parks managed by The National Park Service and national wildlife refuges operated by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. These lands are set aside to be protected for animal and plant species, as well as future generations.
Other threats to wildlife
The introduction of invasive species from far away continents introduced by humans can wreak havoc on native plant and animal species. The proliferation of chemicals in the environment including pesticides, PCBs, and oil spills, has the potential to poison wild animals and inhibit their reproductive capacities. Wild animal populations can also be threatened by poaching, wildlife trafficking, and military weapons testing.
Ways to promote wildlife conservation
Wildlife conservation is the practice of protecting animal species and their habitats. It is achieved partially through legislation such as the Endangered Species Act, the establishment and protection of public lands, and responsible public practices that conserve wild animal populations.
What does the Endangered Species Act do?
The Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973 is our nation’s strongest law protecting wild plants and animals. It is enforced by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the National Marine Fisheries Service. Under the ESA, a species can be designated as “threatened” or “endangered.” Threatened and endangered species are protected under the provisions of the ESA, which restricts human activities that may harm these species and their habitats. Due in part by protections under the ESA, many species have been brought back from the brink of extinction.
How do public lands promote wildlife conservation?
In order to survive, a species requires adequate food, water, shelter, space, and opportunities to reproduce. In the United States, as elsewhere in the world – habitat destruction is a primary threat to the continued survival of species. Without the existence of suitable habitat, a species will eventually face extinction. Public lands include parks managed by The National Park Service and national wildlife refuges operated by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. These lands are set aside to be protected for animal and plant species, as well as future generations.
Other threats to wildlife
The introduction of invasive species from far away continents introduced by humans can wreak havoc on native plant and animal species. The proliferation of chemicals in the environment including pesticides, PCBs, and oil spills, has the potential to poison wild animals and inhibit their reproductive capacities. Wild animal populations can also be threatened by poaching, wildlife trafficking, and military weapons testing.
Ways to promote wildlife conservation
- Reduce, reuse, and recycle to protect wildlife habitat in the United States and abroad
- Adopt a plant-based diet; millions of acres of wildlife habitat are degraded in the U.S. and abroad to raise livestock for slaughter and crops to feed livestock prior to slaughter.
- Don’t participate in sport hunting
- Write your legislators to express your support for laws that protect wild animals and habitat.
- Learn about invasive species–both plant and animal and do your part to stop their spread. Only plant native and non-invasive plants in your yard and garden.
