Help protect the earth and her natural resources by becoming a Steward of the Earth. Take action by writing to your local government officials about environmental issues that affect you. You can make a difference! Your government officials will consider each letter that you send as the voice of many people who think like you do but are silent. So, you have a lot of power to create a positive change.

Listed below is a current issue that needs your support. Topics will be updated quarterly with sample letters and suggestions for which officials to send them to, but remember, you can write about these or any other environmental issue.

Current Issue:
Threat to Endangered Species Act

Background
In 1973 the United States Congress signed into law the Endangered Species Act, or ESA, to protect plant and animal species from becoming extinct. The ESA is the reason why we still have the Bald Eagle, the California Condor, the Gray Wolf, the Pacific Salmon, and many other endangered species.

An endangered species is a type of animal, such as the Bald Eagle, that is in danger of becoming extinct throughout all or a significant part of its range because of its extremely small population. A threatened species is a kind of animal that is likely to become an endangered species in the near future.

The Problem
Now, a group of politicians led by Congressman Richard Pombo are trying to change the Endangered Species Act in several ways that will weaken the power of this law to protect endangered and threatened species. Congressman Pombo is proposing a bill, a potential new law, that will weaken the ESA in these ways:

1) The ESA gives the United States government the responsibility to protect land that is crucial, or extremely important, to the health of endangered species. Congressman Pombo's changes to the ESA would greatly limit the government's responsibility to protect this land, and it would give permission to loggers and developers, or builders, to destroy important wildlife habitat.

2) Congressman Pombo's bill would force the government to pay developers if the developers' projects would harm or kill endangered wildlife on their land. There are no limits on how many times a developer could receive money in this situation, so a developer could propose project after project in order to keep receiving money from the government. This would be extremely costly to the government.

3) The current version of the ESA protects from harm all species listed as threatened. However, the new version of the ESA would not automatically protect all threatened species. Instead, the Fish and Wildlife Service, the government agency in charge of protecting wildlife, would have to issue a separate law to protect each and every threatened species. Many threatened species could lose protection.

Take Action Now
Let your lawmakers know that you care about all endangered and threatened species and that you want them to continue to protect these species under the current Endangered Species Act. You can speak up for the animals that can't speak for themselves!

Mail, email, or fax your representative in Congress. You may read the sample letter below if you're not sure how to start your letter. Some representatives' information is listed below. If you are not sure who your representative is, ask your parents to help you.

US Congressional Representatives in Santa Clara Valley

Capitol Switchboard: (202) 224-3121
Ask for your Member of Congress's office.

Senator Dianne Feinstein
United States Senate
331 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
phone: 202-224-3841
fax: 202-228-3954
email: click here

Senator Barbara Boxer
1700 Montgomery Street, Suite 240
San Francisco, CA 94111
phone: 202-224-3553
fax: 415-956-6701
email: click here

Sample Letter
Dear Congressman/woman/Senator XX,

I ask you to stand firmly against Congressman Pombo's bill that will weaken the Endangered Species Act (H.R. 3824)*. The ESA is one of our country's most important laws for wildlife and nature. It protects the birds and wildlife in the most danger, including our nation's symbol, the Bald Eagle.

Congressman Pombo's bill gives up responsible protection of habitat and wildlife to help wealthy developers and logging companies. The changes to the ESA would take away habitat protection for endangered species, put unlimited costs on the government, and end protection for threatened species.

The Endangered Species Act is a proud part of our American heritage. It helped to recover America's symbol, the Bald Eagle, and is still very important to the recovery of the California Condor, the Gray Wolf, and the Grizzly Bear among many other species.

Please vote against Congressman Pombo's "Extinction Bill," and help protect our most vulnerable wildlife for their own sakes and for future generations to enjoy.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely, Susie Smith

* H.R. 3824 stands for House Resolution. This number helps government officials and citizens identify the bill about which you are writing.