50 years of the Endangered Species Act | Talk of Alaska

Two juxtaposed photos, one of a beluga, and one of a polar bear.
Cook Inlet belugas and polar bears are two iconic Alaskan species that have been protected by the Endangered Species Act. (Beluga photo by Paul Wade/NOAA, Polar Bear photo by Matt Faubion/Alaska Public Media)

Environmental legislation that was passed in the 1970s has aimed to protect air, water, soil and animals. One of the largest laws, the Endangered Species Act, is 50 years old, and through the decades the Act has helped numerous species recover and thrive. How has a rapidly changing climate affected listing petitions and the way plans are developed for recovery? What are the effects on the economy when species are listed? What success stories does the Act have in protecting Alaskan animals? We discuss the legacy of the Endangered Species Act on this Talk of Alaska

Listen:

HOST: Lori Townsend

GUESTS:

  • Dr. Steve Amstrup, Professor Emeritus, Polar Bears International, Former USGS Polar Bear Researcher
  • Verena Gill, Supervisory Biologist, NOAA Fisheries Protected Resources Division

Related:

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LIVE Broadcast: Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. on APRN stations statewide.

Lori Townsend

Lori Townsend is the chief editor, senior vice president of journalism and senior host for Alaska Public Media. You can send her news tips and program ideas for Talk of Alaska and Alaska Insight at ltownsend@alaskapublic.org or call 907-550-8452. Read more about Lori here.

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