Eagle's Return Shows Species Law Works
The dramatic recovery of America's icon leads to 'graduation' from the endangered list
Posted: 28-Jun-2007; Updated: 05-Feb-2008
America's landmark wildlife law, the Endangered Species Act, was key to bringing back the eagle. Now a new law aims to build on the ESA's success.
A generation ago, the bald eagle, America’s national symbol, had nearly disappeared from our skies. From fewer than 500 nesting pairs, the eagle has now resurged to nearly 10,000 pairs.
On June 28, 2007, the federal government announced that the American bald eagle is being removed from the endangered species list.
- Environmental Defense celebrates the bald eagle's graduation from threatened status - "Environmental Defense Joins Interior Secretary to Celebrate American Bald Eagle's Removal from Endangered Species List," Environmental Defense press release (June 28, 2007)
- Latest eagle numbers show strong recovery - "Bald Eagle Numbers Soaring," Fish & Wildlife Service press release (May 14, 2007)
- Protecting the eagle after it leaves the endangered list - "Bald Eagle to Be Taken Off Endangered List," Washington Post article (December 25, 2006)
- The history and successes of America's landmark wildlife law - "The Endangered Species Act: A backgrounder" (April 27, 2004)
- How our group and a key law helped the eagle - "A Stunning Comeback for a National Symbol," Environmental Defense article (June 2007)
- Art Cooley co-founded Environmental Defense to save birds like the osprey and eagle. In this video Art tells how our organization got started. (June 2007)
- Read stories and share your own sightings of rare animals - Endangered Species Stories from Across the Country
New legislation aims to save species with 'carrots' not sticks
The groundbreaking Endangered Species Act (ESA), passed in 1973 to restore our dwindling plants and wildlife, provides a sturdy foundation to continue recovering species.
Today, new legislation proposed by Sen. Michael Crapo (R-ID) promises to complement and build on ESA’s good work by adding tax incentives to landowners who protect imperiled wildlife
- How the tax code can help rare species - "Tax incentives offered to help endangered species," Sacramento Bee op-ed co-written by Environmental Defense chief Fred Krupp (May 27, 2007)
- Why our organization is in favor of new tax incentives - "Environmental Defense Supports Introduction of Endangered Species Recovery Act of 2007" - Environmental Defense news release (February 28, 2007)
Other incentive-based solutions to strengthen species protection
- Two initiatives could serve as models for helping rare species - Our Wildlife Chair Michael Bean, a leading expert on wildlife law, explains.
- Ways to improve the Endangered Species Act [PDF] - "Building on Success": a white paper setting forth an agenda for improving the effectiveness of this powerful law.
