The Endangered Species Act: 50 Years of Extraordinary Success

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act, the United States' most successful law for protecting animals and plants from extinction. The Act is the reason there are bald eagles on the wing from coast to coast, grizzly bears roaming the Rocky Mountains, sea turtles swimming in the ocean, American alligators sunning in the Southeast, whooping cranes flying across the Great Plains, and black-footed ferrets playing on the intermountain prairies.

The passage of the Endangered Species Act marked a key inflection point — a moment representing the country's collective commitment to fighting extinction against all odds.

Join us on Thursday, April 20 at 4 p.m. PT/ 7 p.m. ET as we celebrate both Earth Day and the Act's stunning record of success. You'll hear from Center staff who'll share stories of protecting some of the most iconic species and their journeys toward recovery.

This work is far from over, but the Endangered Species Act still shows the best path forward for saving life on Earth — for the next 50 years and beyond.