By Grace Yaros, Houston Audubon Coastal Conservation Technician
This Friday, May 17th marks a very special holiday– Endangered Species Day! Celebrated annually on the third Friday in May, Endangered Species Day was created to raise awareness about endangered species and the threats they’re facing, as well as to celebrate conservation efforts that have led to the successful recovery of many species. In the United States alone, there are currently 487 species and subspecies of animals and 764 species of plants that are federally listed as Endangered under the Endangered Species Act.
In Texas, there are 24 species of native plants that are listed as Endangered under state and/or federal law, including Texas poppy-mallows and Texas snowbells. Texas is also home to several endangered birds, including Golden-cheeked Warblers, Whooping Cranes, and Red-cockaded Woodpeckers.
Human causes, especially habitat loss and fragmentation, are the primary causes behind the declines of most endangered species. Federal protection and successful conservation efforts are the reason that species such as Bald Eagles and Brown Pelicans still grace our skies, after their populations plummeted dangerously. Their recovery reminds us of the importance of these protective measures, so that declining species can rebound and continue to thrive for generations to come.
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