Leads Congressional Resolution Supporting Endangered Species Day, Pens Sarasota Herald-Tribune Op-Ed
Today, Congressman Vern Buchanan, co-chair of the Congressional Animal Protection Caucus, joined Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) and Congressman Don Beyer (D-Va.) to introduce a resolution supporting the designation of May 15, 2026, as “Endangered Species Day.”
“Florida’s endangered species are critical to our cultural heritage, our local economy and our way of life,” said Buchanan. “I’m proud to lead this resolution to designate today as ‘Endangered Species Day’ and to highlight the importance of proactive conservation measures.”
“The Endangered Species Act is among the most effective conservation legislation ever passed, and its protections are crucial to conserving the species we know and love, like the American bald eagle. It has a 99 percent success rate and has brought back many of our beloved species from the brink of extinction,” said Dingell. “Habitat destruction and climate change are accelerating species extinction to alarming rates, and we must continue working to uphold and strengthen the ESA.”
“For over 50 years, the Endangered Species Act has proven to be one of our most successful conservation laws, protecting the wide range of biodiversity that sustains our planet,” said Beyer. “Thanks to the ESA, iconic species once on the brink of extinction – including the bald eagle, our national symbol – have recovered and once again thrive in the wild. By designating Endangered Species Day, we celebrate these remarkable stories of renewal and resurgence and work to strengthen the ESA so future generations can continue to witness the richness and diversity of America’s wildlife.”
The resolution recognizes the cultural and economic value of preserving endangered plant and animal species, as well as the successful conservation and protection efforts implemented under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. The resolution also calls for the continuation of conservation measures to protect threatened and endangered species and address the biodiversity crisis.
Buchanan also penned an op-ed in the Sarasota Herald-Tribune highlighting his work in Congress to protect endangered species and support local businesses and communities that benefit from Florida’s unique ecosystems.
Read the full op-ed here or below:
Let’s keep working to protect Florida’s endangered species | Opinion
Congressman Vern Buchanan
As we mark Endangered Species Day today, it is worth recognizing its importance here in Florida.
Protecting endangered species is about more than protecting vulnerable animal populations; it includes protecting the habitats our community grow up around, work in and spend their weekends enjoying.
On Florida’s Gulf Coast, it is not unusual to see a manatee surface near a dock or to spot a sea turtle nest marked off in the sand after a walk on the beach.
These moments are reminders that we are living alongside species that have been here long before us and depend on the choices we make today.
Florida’s ecosystems are unique to our country.
Our rivers, coastal waters, wetlands and forests support wildlife that cannot be replaced if they are destroyed.
The Florida panthers moving through remote stretches of land, manatees gathering in warm water during winter and sea turtles returning to the same beaches year after year are crucial to our state’s identity.
When water quality improves in our bays and estuaries, local fishermen notice it in the size and health of their catches.
When seagrass beds are healthy, manatees return to familiar areas and bolster local sightseeing opportunities.
I reintroduced the Manatee Protection Act (H.R. 135) to strengthen safeguards for manatees and support long term conservation efforts in Florida’s waters while supporting the local industries that drive our region’s prosperity.
We have also seen how quickly water quality challenges can escalate, such as harmful algal blooms that impact coastal communities, recreation and marine life.
That is why I introduced the Protecting Local Communities from Harmful Algal Blooms Act (H.R. 2408) to strengthen monitoring and response efforts for harmful algal blooms, so communities have better tools to protect water resources.
It’s also critical that we protect both animal habitats and Florida’s growing population as our state continues to expand.
One tool that we can use to accomplish both goals is building more wildlife corridors.
As our state’s undeveloped land is increasingly broken up by roads and development, local species are pushed into smaller, more isolated areas that make survival more difficult and increase the likelihood of traffic accidents.
Recently, I co-led the bipartisan Wildlife Corridors and Habitat Connectivity Conservation Act (H.R. 8438) with Congressman Don Beyer to expand and improve wildlife corridors, helping connect critical habitats across our state and country while protecting drivers and pedestrians.
Clean water and healthy ecosystems are part of our local economy.
Local guides, bait shops, charter captains, hotel owners and restaurant workers all benefit when conditions in the water are strong and are harmed when they are not.
In Congress, I will continue working on policies that strengthen habitat protection, improve water quality and support the long-term health of Florida’s natural resources.
That includes protecting manatees, safeguarding wetlands, addressing harmful algal blooms and building wildlife corridors that keep ecosystems connected across the state.
Florida is a special place.
Anyone who lives here understands that.
Keeping it that way depends on steady work and a clear understanding of what is at stake.
On Endangered Species Day, that responsibility is worth keeping in mind.
Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.) is the vice chairman of the Ways and Means Committee and the chair of the Health Subcommittee. He is also co-chair of the Congressional Animal Protection Caucus. Prior to serving in Congress, Buchanan was in business for more than 30 years and chaired both the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce and Florida Chamber of Commerce.
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