Endangered Species Conservation
30 Years of Protection
Featured Species of the Month - 2003
In 2003 New Jersey marked the the 30th anniversary of the NJ Endangered
Species Conservation Act of 1973. This landmark legislation established
laws to protect and restore endangered and threatened
wildlife in the Garden State. As a result of the legislation, the Division
of Fish and Wildlife established the Endangered and
Nongame Species Program to carry out the work necessary to restore and maintain
The Act was signed into law on December 14, 1973, two weeks
before President Nixon signed the federal
Endangered Species Act. The law is designed to protect species whose survival
in New Jersey is imperiled by loss of habitat, over-exploitation, pollution,
or other impacts. New Jersey currently lists more than 35 species as endangered
and more than 25 species as threatened.
Now, more than 30 years later, we can celebrate many success stories
resulting from the work of dedicated staff and volunteers.
During 2003 we featured 12 "Species of the Month" to illustrate the work being done. The first of these species represented one of our greatest success stories, the bald eagle, and others illustrate the range of species we work with.
the Month 2003