White, J. (2016, November 1). Yellow-Faced Bees Added to Endangered Species List. Retrieved November 20, 2016, from http://pacifictribune.com/2016/11/01/yellow-faced-bees-endangered-species/

Seven different types of bees native to Hawaii, including the Yellow-Faced Bees, are now protected under the Endangered Species Act. This is important because it is the first time bees have been federally protected, despite their key role in our ecosystem. Populations of all bees have declined rapidly over recent years due to habitat loss, competition of invasive species, pesticides, wildfires, and loss of genetic diversity. Conservationists hope that the protection of Yellow-Face Bees will help bring awareness and replenishment to these important insects.

The Yellow-Face Bees along with numerous other species of bees are in need of protection. Many do not realize the crucial role bees play in the food industry. Bees pollinate plants of fruits and vegetables so we can harvest them. Other organisms in the wild depend on the pollination of plants by bees so plants can grow. Bees are so important and need to be saved so the placement of some species of bees under the protection of the Endangered Species Act is a step in the right direction.

New 5-mile cat-proof fence protects endangered species from feral cats on Mauna Loa. (2016, October 26). Retrieved November 20, 2016, from http://www.hawaii247.com/2016/10/26/new-5-mile-cat-proof-fence-protects-endangered-species-from-feral-cats-on-mauna-loa/

Workers have just completed the largest cat-proof fence in the United States, constructed in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the big island. This five-mile-long fence was constructed to keep feral cats from preying on Hawaiian petrel, a bird native to the island. The species has faced large drops in population due to cats killing the birds and getting into their nests when they lay their eggs. The National Park Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service, American Bird Conservatory, Hawaii Pacific Parks Association, and the Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit at the University of Hawaii all teamed up to make this possible and hope their efforts will allow the Hawaiian petrels and feral cats to live peacefully and separately.

The construction of a cat-proof fence seems like a simple solution to this problem, without causing national controversy. People do not want to see the Hawaiian petrel population be hurt, and making sure the species is undisturbed is difficult because it is only found on the Hawaiian Islands. The Hawaiian petrel plays a role in managing populations of the smaller organisms it eats and if it is wiped out by feral cats, this would be troublesome for the islands.

Deng, Y. (2016, November 07). UW professor leads petition to save venus flytraps. Retrieved November 20, 2016, from http://www.dailycardinal.com/article/2016/11/uw-professor-leads-petition-to-save-venus-flytraps

Ecologists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison led by professor Donald Waller began a petition with the US Fish and Wildlife Service, mandating that Venus Flytraps be recognized on the Endangered Species List. Wild populations of Venus Flytraps only grow on the Carolina coasts, but their populations are decreasing. The plant has lost 95% of its original population size, and more than 50% of its original population locations. Although the petition only required one signature, 25 botanists and ecologists from the US and UK filed and signed the petition with Waller. If it is validated by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, it will take a year to review.

Adding the Venus Flytrap as an Endangered Species that would be protected under law would be a great thing. This plant has been around for so many years and has been such a helpful part of evolution, as it was even recognized by Charles Darwin. The Venus Flytrap is a unique species and without it, insect populations could skyrocket and be a burden to other species. We need the Venus Flytrap and it deserves to be recognized as endangered for its environmental impact.

Beck, C. (2016, November 16). Yellowstone grizzlies might finally come off endangered species list. Retrieved November 20, 2016, from http://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/2016/1116/Yellowstone-grizzlies-might-finally-come-off-endangered-species-list

After years of protection on the Endangered Species List, grizzly bear populations have experienced large population growth, especially around the Yellowstone National Park area. The discussion of their removal from the list is seen as beneficial to some, while others are concerned this will cause the grizzlies to lose all of the progress they made over the years in a short amount of time, if they fall victim to hunting. Despite the view of conservationists, study was published last November indicating that bear populations have grown significantly enough to stabilize genetic diversity and grow outside park boundaries.

Removing the grizzly bears from the Endangered Species List is a big decision. After being protected for decades, the species would be at risk of being hunted by individuals who finally have the chance to make the bears their game. A decrease in grizzly bear population is an inevitable affect and could hurt economies of areas around Yellowstone, because while hunting is not allowed within the boundaries of the park, people can hunt the bears around it and less tourists and revenue could come in if there are less bears.

Baldwin, T. (2016, November 18). Washington should act on Wisconsin’s wolf problem. Retrieved November 20, 2016, from http://www.wisfarmer.com/story/opinion/2016/11/18/washington-should-act-wisconsins-wolf-problem/94089914/

Wisconsin’s grey wolf population has grown due to the species’ presence on the Endangered Species List. The grey wolf species are no longer threatened, but they are thriving. Grey wolves are straying close to herds of livestock and residential areas, causing concerns for farmers and Wisconsin families as they are put in danger. People wish to have grey wolves removed from the Endangered Species list in hope that this will decrease conflict between humans and wolves. Senator Tammy Baldwin acknowledges the concern of her people, and states that she is working with the Congressional leadership and her fellow Senate-members to delist the grey wolf as an endangered species.

I believe the Endangered Species List is so important for its role in replenishing threatened species. I think it is a valid proposition to remove the grey wolf from the list because the species was on the list for many years and it was able to recover, but it is now posing a threat to other species around it. For an ecosystem to function optimally, species will interact without one over-dominating the others keeping the numbers of populations relatively consistent. If grey wolves over populate, they could hurt other species such as livestock which would be detrimental to the environment, as well as the economy.