Leaving with a positive note

I have been writing about the politics of the ESA, the conflicts between species protection and property rights, and the challenges to apply science in protecting endangered/threatened species. Although there were some positive outcomes, most of the findings, especially during the last decade, have been quite disappointing.

In the spirit of the Earth Day and to leave with a positive note, I set out to search for some upbeat news regarding endangered species.

My first search on the FWS website showed that “scientists in Hawaii have captured some of the first images ever taken of six rare species tiny, brilliantly colored shrimp”. These are the anchialine pool shrimps. Their habitats are threatened by non-native invasive species, and they are being over-collected for aquarium trades. On 4/16, the FWS announced that three of the six shrimp species are added to the candidate list for protection under the ESA. More information is available at http://www.fws.gov/news/newsreleases/showNews.cfm?newsId=58902A43-9F83-CFD3-28220C1FE25CC71C

On 3/27, H. Dale Hall, director of FWS, announced the sixteen recipients of the Service's 2007 Recovery Champion award. This award is to honor “extraordinary conservationists dedicated to protecting and restoring our nation's wildlife and ensuring that future generations of Americans enjoy the national treasures we experience today”. These scientists work to protect the not widely known species, and their dedications have not been interfered by the changing political climate. The 2007 award recipients are listed on http://www.fws.gov/endangered/recovery/champions/index.html.

The Jan-Feb 2008 Audubon magazine has been sitting on my coffee table for a while. When I finally got a chance to flip through it, I encountered a picture of Bush holding a screech owl. According to the article, the editor-in-chief received a phone call from the White House to cover an event that Bush would announce major bird initiatives. At the event, Bush “announced a grab bag of policies to benefit birds”; the full article is available at http://magazine.audubon.org/fieldnotes/fieldnotes0801-whiteHouse.html. I agree with the author that Laura Bush, a bird watcher, has major influences on pushing these policies. Even though I am skeptical, I look forward for the Bush administration to prove me wrong.

No matter who is going to enter the White House next January, the direction on environmental policies is going to change. Will the ESA restore some of its losing status? Will property rights trump everything? Will science once again take the front seat in driving protection and recovery policies? Will the once endangered Bald Eagle continue to fly high?

All these questions are relying on your vote, so please be informed about the candidates’ positions and cast your vote conscientiously.