# Rare, Threatened, or Endangered Species Part of the Environmental Science Merit Badge Digital Resource Guide: [Introduction & Overview](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/environmental-science/guide/index.md) *6. Endangered Species* > **6.** Do ONE of the following and discuss with your counselor: **Choose one of the three options below.** Each one explores a different side of species conservation — from species in danger, to success stories, to hands-on habitat restoration. --- ## Understanding the Terms Before diving into the options, make sure you understand the key terms: - **Endangered** — A species in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant part of its range. - **Threatened** — A species likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future. - **Rare** — A species with a small population that is not yet threatened or endangered but is at risk because of its limited numbers. The **Endangered Species Act (ESA)**, passed in 1973, protects listed species and their habitats. It is one of the strongest wildlife protection laws in the world. > **Did You Know?** > > The Endangered Species Act has a success rate of over 99% — fewer than 1% of species listed under the ESA have gone extinct. Without protection, many of these species would have disappeared entirely. --- ## Option A: An Endangered Species in Your State > **6a.** Do research on one endangered species found in your state. Learn about its natural habitat, why it is endangered, what is being done to preserve it, and how many individual species are left in the wild. Prepare a 100-word report about the species and include a drawing or photo. Present your report to your patrol or troop. ### How to Choose a Species Every state has endangered species — often more than you would expect. To find species in your state: - Visit the **U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service** Environmental Conservation Online System (ECOS) and search by state - Check your state's **Department of Natural Resources** or wildlife agency website - Search for "[your state] endangered species list" When choosing a species, pick one that interests you. It could be a mammal, bird, fish, reptile, amphibian, insect, or even a plant. Plants can be endangered too. ### What to Research Your research should cover: - **Natural habitat** — Where does this species live? What does it need to survive (food, shelter, climate, water)? - **Why it is endangered** — Habitat loss? Pollution? Overhunting? Invasive species? Disease? Climate change? - **Conservation efforts** — What is being done to protect it? Breeding programs? Habitat restoration? Legal protections? - **Population numbers** — How many individuals remain in the wild? Is the population stable, increasing, or declining? ### Writing Your Report The requirement asks for 100 words — that is about one short paragraph. Be concise and focus on the most important facts. Include a drawing you make or a photo you take (photos from wildlife agencies are also acceptable if you cite the source). > **Tip** > > Practice presenting your report to a family member before you present to your patrol or troop. A 100-word report takes about 30–45 seconds to read aloud. Make eye contact and speak clearly. Video: [Most Endangered Species in Every U.S. State](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhj1WmVdi3o) --- ## Option B: A Conservation Success Story > **6b.** Do research on one species that was endangered or threatened but that has now recovered. Learn about how the species recovered, and what its new status is. Prepare a 100-word report on the species and include a drawing or photo. Present your report to your patrol or troop. ### Recovery Stories Worth Knowing Some of conservation's greatest achievements are species that were brought back from the edge of extinction. Here are a few to consider: - **Bald Eagle** — Nearly wiped out by DDT and hunting. After DDT was banned and protections were put in place, the population rebounded from 417 nesting pairs in 1963 to over 71,000 pairs today. Removed from the endangered list in 2007. - **California Condor** — Dropped to just 22 birds in 1987. A captive breeding program has brought the population to over 500, with more than 300 flying free. - **Gray Wolf** — Once nearly eliminated from the lower 48 states. Reintroduction to Yellowstone in 1995 sparked one of the most famous ecological recovery stories in history. - **Whooping Crane** — Declined to just 21 birds in 1941. Through careful breeding and habitat protection, the population has grown to over 800. - **American Alligator** — Listed as endangered in 1967 due to overhunting and habitat loss. Recovery was so successful it was delisted in 1987 and now numbers in the millions. ### What Made Recovery Possible? Look for common themes in your chosen species' recovery: - **Legal protection** (Endangered Species Act, hunting bans) - **Habitat preservation or restoration** - **Captive breeding programs** - **Removal of the original threat** (banning a pesticide, stopping hunting) - **Public awareness and support** Video: [Top 10 Most Remarkable Wildlife Conservation Success Stories](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrrdDYmzoME) Video: [California Condor Recovery: A Soaring Success Story](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prU4UdQv9P4) --- ## Option C: Habitat Restoration Site Visit > **6c.** With your parent or guardian and counselor's approval, work with a natural resource professional to identify a completed project that has been designed to improve the habitat for a threatened or endangered species in your area. Visit the site and report on what you saw to your patrol or troop. ### Finding a Habitat Restoration Project This option gets you out into the real world to see conservation in action. Here is how to find a suitable project: - **Contact your local U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service office** — They can point you to completed restoration projects in your area. - **Reach out to your state's Department of Natural Resources** — They manage many habitat restoration projects. - **Contact local conservation organizations** — Groups like The Nature Conservancy, Audubon Society chapters, or local land trusts often manage restored habitats. - **Ask at nature centers or national wildlife refuges** — Staff can direct you to restoration sites open to the public. ### What to Look For During Your Visit - What species is the project designed to help? - What did the habitat look like before restoration? - What changes were made (planting native species, removing invasive plants, restoring water flow, building nesting structures)? - Are the target species using the restored habitat? - What ongoing maintenance does the site need? > **Safety First!** > > Always visit restoration sites with a parent or guardian. Stay on designated paths — restored habitats can be fragile, and some may include protected nesting areas that should not be disturbed. Video: [Largest Ecosystem Restoration Project in the World — The Florida Everglades](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98d8p49XJGM) [U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service — Endangered Species](https://www.fws.gov/program/endangered-species): Search for endangered and threatened species by state and learn about recovery plans and conservation efforts. ![A bald eagle soaring over a river valley with a healthy forest below, symbolizing species recovery](https://ik.imagekit.io/doulacoop/tr:w-800/mbu-assets/merit-badges/environmental-science/guide/bald-eagle-recovery?v=6aa4ed8b) ![Scouts in work clothes planting native seedlings at a habitat restoration site along a stream, with a natural resource professional guiding them](https://ik.imagekit.io/doulacoop/tr:w-800/mbu-assets/merit-badges/environmental-science/guide/scout-habitat-restoration?v=489e3a9a) --- Species need healthy ecosystems. Healthy ecosystems need us to reduce pollution and use resources wisely. --- - Previous: [Land Pollution](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/environmental-science/guide/req5/index.md) - Next: [Pollution Prevention & Conservation](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/environmental-science/guide/req7/index.md)