<div><span style="color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)">From FWS Director, Dan Ashe...</span></div><br clear="all"><div><div>Patricia S. De Angelis, Ph.D.</div><div>
Botanist, Division of Scientific Authority-US Fish & Wildlife Service-International Affairs</div><div>Chair, Medicinal Plant Working Group-Plant Conservation Alliance</div><div>4401 N. Fairfax Dr., Suite 110</div><div>
Arlington, VA 22203</div><div>703-358-1708 x1753</div><div>FAX: 703-358-2276</div><div><br></div><div>Promoting sustainable use and conservation of our native medicinal plants. </div><div><<a href="http://www.nps.gov/plants/medicinal" target="_blank">www.nps.gov/plants/medicinal</a>></div>
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<br><br><div class="gmail_quote">---------- Forwarded message ----------<br>From: <b class="gmail_sendername">Director, FWS</b> <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:fws_director@fws.gov">fws_director@fws.gov</a>></span><br>
Date: Thu, May 16, 2013 at 9:59 AM<br>Subject: Subject: Happy Endangered Species Day!<br>To: <br><br><br><div dir="ltr"><p><span style="font-size:16pt;line-height:115%">On May 17, 2013, we’ll celebrate the eighth annual </span><a href="http://www.fws.gov/endangered/ESDay/index.html" style="font-size:16pt;line-height:115%" target="_blank">Endangered Species Day</a><span style="font-size:16pt;line-height:115%">.</span><br>
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<p><span style="font-size:16pt;line-height:115%">And celebration is especially in order as we approach the 40th
anniversary of the <a href="http://www.fws.gov/endangered/ESA40/index.html" target="_blank">Endangered
Species Act</a>. During the last 40 years, plants and animals have continued to
face a barrage of threats – habitat loss, invasive species, pollution and
climate change – but the ESA reflects an unwavering national commitment to
prevent species extinctions and to protect the habitat and ecosystems essential
to species recovery. </span><span style="font-size:16pt;line-height:115%">It is one of the world’s most powerful and successful conservation
laws.</span><br></p>
<p><span style="font-size:16pt;line-height:115%">That success in saving species from extinction and helping
them recover is fueled by the dedication and hard work of our employees. </span><span style="font-size:16pt;line-height:115%">Because of
your commitment to conservation, gray wolves in the Northern Rocky Mountains
and Western Great Lakes, <span style="color:rgb(22,22,22)">the American
alligator, bald eagle and Tennessee purple coneflower have all fully recovered
and no longer need federal protection. We can also celebrate that many other
species, such as the black-footed ferret, whooping crane, karner blue butterfly
and California condor have been brought back from the very brink of extinction
and are making major strides in their path to recovery. <span> </span></span></span><br></p>
<p><span style="font-size:16pt;line-height:115%">We have much to be proud of, so please take a moment to
celebrate success. But we have much more work to do. The challenges we face are
daunting and growing, calling us to be more innovative, to create more
conservation incentives and to work even more closely with our partners.</span><span style="font-size:16pt;line-height:115%"> </span><span style="font-size:16pt;line-height:115%"> </span><br></p>
<p><span style="font-size:16pt;line-height:115%">This Endangered Species Day, I encourage you to honor the great
work of the many Service employees, partners and private citizens who have made
this great law work for species and people. Consider visiting a school,
community group or other organization to talk about the unique natural
resources our agency protects. Another way to show support is to participate in
local </span><a href="http://www.stopextinction.org/esd.html" style="font-size:16pt;line-height:115%" target="_blank">events</a><span style="font-size:16pt;line-height:115%"> and other
venues that will educate and motivate others to support endangered species
conservation.</span><span style="font-size:16pt;line-height:115%"> </span><br></p>
<p><span style="font-size:16pt;line-height:150%">The Endangered Species Act reflects the special value our
society places upon conservation of our native treasure of fish, wildlife and
plants. Carrying out this charge, to preserve these species for future
generations, is the highest calling of wildlife professionals. We
have been fortunate it has been there for the past 40 years. Let’s work to
ensure it is around for many more.</span><br></p>
<p><span style="line-height:115%;font-size:16pt">Thank you for your hard
work to make the ESA the proud success it is. Happy Endangered Species Day!</span><br></p>
<p><span style="line-height:115%;font-size:16pt">Dan</span><br></p>
<p><span style="line-height:115%;font-size:16pt"> </span></p></div>
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