In just over thirty years, the Endangered Species Act has saved hundreds of plants and animals from extinction. Now Congress wants to revise the law, and scientists aren't happy. Join guest host Joe Palca on Science Friday for the latest on the Endangered Species Act--and one of its success stories, the condor.

Plus, why setting aside land for conservation may actually undermine biodiversity -- and a new question over whether the ivory-billed woodpecker, long thought to be extinct, has really been rediscovered. Call in with your questions and comments at 1-800-989-8255 (3-4 Eastern). Teachers, find more information about using Science Friday as a classroom resource in the Kids' Connection.

Why are some scientists concerned about the future of the Endangered Species Act?

Guests:
John Nielsen
Author, “Condor: To the Brink and Back —The Life and Times of One Giant Bird” (2006, HarperCollins)
Environment Correspondent
National Public Radio
Washington, DC

Chris Joyce
Science Correspondent
National Public Radio
Washington, DC

J. Michael Scott
Editor, “The Endangered Species Act At Thirty: Renewing the Conservation Promise” (2005, Island Press)
Professor, Wildlife Resources
Leader, Idaho Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit
University of Idaho
Moscow, Idaho

Paul Armsworth
Lecturer, Department of Animal and Plant Sciences
The University of Sheffield
Sheffield, United Kingdom

Books/Articles Discussed:

“Condor: To the Brink and Back —The Life and Times of One Giant Bird” by John Nielsen. HarperCollins, 2006.

“The Endangered Species Act At Thirty: Renewing the Conservation Promise,” co-edited by Michael Scott. Island Press, 2005.

(find books discussed on previous broadcasts)

Search by keywords:

This segment produced by Karin Vergoth