FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Denver Area Schools Celebrate First Endangered Species Day

Paul Marinari, wildlife biologist with Fish & Wildlife Service's Black-footed Ferret Conservation Center, and Bandit, a black-footed ferret, visited Palmer Elementary in Denver and Bear Creek Elementary in Boulder today to deliver a unique endangered species message on the first-ever Endangered Species Day.

Paul Marinari, wildlife biologist with Fish & Wildlife Service’s Black-footed Ferret Conservation Center, and Bandit, a black-footed ferret, visited Palmer Elementary in Denver and Bear Creek Elementary in Boulder today to deliver a unique endangered species message on the first-ever Endangered Species Day.

Marinari spoke of the importance of children in protecting endangered species. "It’s up to the younger generations to determine what kind of world we’re going to live in," said Marinari of the importance of kids connecting with endangered species. "So, it’s up to you! You can never be too young to know what’s going on in the world."

"It’s important to know what’s going on in our own backyard," said Marinari. "There are a lot of plants and animals who are in trouble. By helping species and protecting their habitats we’re saving our own biological heritage."

Last month, the U.S. Senate unanimously proclaimed May 11 "Endangered Species Day," providing for the first-ever national celebration of America’s commitment to protect plants and animals facing extinction. The Senate resolution encourages all Americans to "become educated about, and aware of, threats to species, success stories in species recovery, and the opportunity to promote species conservation worldwide."

In 1973, Congress passed the Endangered Species Act as a safety net for plants and animals on the brink of extinction.

"The Endangered Species Act is important because it gives important protections to species in trouble," said Marinari. "To improve that protection, there needs to be better funding."

The Endangered Species Day resolution, S.R. 431, passed unanimously April 5, was introduced by Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), and cosponsored by Senators Biden (D-DE), Byrd (D-WV) Cantwell (D-WA), Chafee (R-RI), Clinton (D-NY), Crapo (R-ID), Dodd (D-CT), Feingold (D-WI), Levin (D-MI), Lieberman (D-CT), Reed (D-RI), and Snowe (R-ME).

Endangered Species Day was endorsed by a wide array of national organizations including: National Audubon Society , Sierra Club, World Wildlife Fund, The Humane Society of the United States, Natural Resources Defense Council, National Wildlife Federation, Endangered Species Coalition, Center for Biological Diversity, The Ocean Conservancy, National Association of Biology Teachers, National Science Teachers Association, American Zoo and Aquarium Association, Society for Conservation Biology, The League of Conservation Voters, and Environmental Defense.

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