As the Endangered Species Act (ESA) enters its 50th year protecting endangered plants and animals across the United States, Scarborough Land Trust celebrates the conservation law for its continued wildlife protection. Nationally, implementation of the ESA is led by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and U.S. National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration.
In 1975, the State of Maine passed the Maine Endangered Species Act (MESA) – its own legislation for the protection of endangered species in the state. The MESA works to conserve threatened animal species while rare and endangered plants are conserved under the Maine Natural Areas Program.
While Federal and State programs have been largely successful in the protection of endangered plant and animal species throughout their histories, introductions of invasive species and reduced habitat ranges still threaten the survival of many species across the country. Upholding the value of the ESA and the MESA is the shared responsibility of organizations and individuals as we continue to work toward the protection of all endangered species.
For more information on the ESA and the MESA, please visit the links below.
Cover photo via Town of Scarborough.