Diverse groups celebrate Endangered Species Day
Speaking before an audience of delegates to the International Wildlife Film Festival on Endangered Species Day (May 16), Earthjustice attorney Jenny Harbine described her organization’s efforts to protect the grizzly bear, just one of the regional species impacted by global warming. Scientific data points to global warming as a leading cause of species extinction in the coming decades and Montana lies within a region where entire wildlife communities are at particular risk, such as the grizzly bear, Canada lynx, wolverine, American pika and the bull trout. Jenny Harbine was joined by representatives from the science and faith communities.
“The Endangered Species Act is a safety net for our nation’s wildlife. We saw this very important law put into action this week, when the federal government listed the polar bear as threatened,” Harbine said. “At Earthjustice we are also working to protect the grizzly, our region’s own iconic bear, whose critical food sources are being impacted by the rising temperatures and increasing droughts brought by global warming.”
“If you’re a snow-dependent species like the wolverine, the absence of snow has serious and potentially dire consequences,” said Len Ruggiero, biologist and Deputy Program Manager, Wildlife and Terrestrial Ecosystems Program for the Rocky Mountain Research Station. “Similarly, some species are adapted to turn white in the winter, like the least weasel. If you turn white at inappropriate times you’ll be more conspicuous, with obvious implications regardless as to whether you’re a predator, prey, or both.”
“Today we are given this wonderful exhibit of beautiful creatures to remind us of the goodness of all that God has created,” said Reverend Amy Carter, pastor of Missoula’s University Congregational Church. “But that is not all that this exhibit is about. It is also a painful reminder to us that we have not been good stewards of the gifts of God's creation and that it is time to repent, to change our ways, and to take action."
