Endangered and Threatened Species

According to a recent survey, one-third of bird species in the U.S. are endangered, threatened or in serious decline – especially in grasslands and coastal areas.

While many species recover programs have been successful, it takes a great deal of financial resources and partnerships between multiple agencies and organizations to restore endangered and threatened species. Federal and state agencies in the United States reported spending $1.66 billion on species restoration in 2007. There are many endangered and threatened species here in Minnesota, let alone the rest of the world. Take a moment to learn more about which species are endangered and threatened by visiting the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (www.fws.gov/endangered) web site.

Why is it so important to save endangered species?

No creature exists in isolation. Therefore, the removal of a single species can set off a chain reaction affecting many others. The full significance of the extinction of a species is seldom apparent. Much remains to be learned, and the long-term impacts are difficult to predict.

Preventing habitat loss, addressing the damages of non-native exotic species, and curbing the spread of disease are keys to preventing the loss of species. Learn more about this topic at the following web sites:

MN Department of Natural Resources (www.dnr.state.mn.us)

The Nature Conservancy (www.nature.org)

World Wildlife Fund (www.worldwildlife.org)

Religion and Nature (www.religionandnature.com)

Audubon Society of Minnesota (http://mn.audubon.org)  

Endangered

A species is considered endangered if the species is threatened with extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range within Minnesota.

Threatened

A species is considered threatened if the species is likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range within Minnesota.

Special concern

A species is considered a species of special concern if, although the species is not endangered or threatened, it is extremely uncommon in Minnesota, or has unique or highly specific habitat requirements and deserves careful monitoring of its status. Species on the periphery of their range that are not listed as threatened may be included in this category along with those species that were once threatened or endangered but now have increasing or protected, stable populations.