Overview

• The Endangered Species Act (ESA) celebrates its 50th anniversary, with mixed reviews on its effectiveness in conserving endangered species.
• Since its enactment, the ESA has prevented the likely extinction of 291 species, and 39 species have fully recovered, no longer needing the ESA's protection.
• Success stories include the resurgence of the bald eagle, American alligator, peregrine falcon, and the loggerhead sea turtle.
• Despite these successes, critics argue that the ESA has done little to recover species from the brink of extinction, particularly on private land, and can discourage private land habitat conservation.
• Proposals for improving the ESA include fostering cooperative conservation efforts, adequately funding the direct acquisition and management of habitat, and revising regulatory restrictions on private landowners.