Endangered Species Act: 50 years of saving species

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Successes

The Endangered Species Act is more than 99 percent effective at stopping extinction. See some of its success stories.

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Events

Events are being organized around the country as a part of the 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act.

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Take Action

Help to assure that the Endangered Species Act continues to be able to save species for decades to come by taking action.

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Nothing is more priceless and more worthy of preservation than the rich array of animal life with which our country has been blessed. It is a many-faceted treasure, of value to scholars, scientists, and nature lovers alike, and it forms a vital part of the heritage we all share as Americans.

I congratulate the 93d Congress for taking this important step toward protecting a heritage which we hold in trust to countless future generations of our fellow citizens. Their lives will be richer, and America will be more beautiful in the years ahead, thanks to the measure that I have the pleasure of signing into law today.

Signing statement from President Richard Nixon on signing the Endangered Species Act into law on December 28, 1973