Every single day on the planet, dozens of species are disappearing. That means by the year 2050, anywhere from a third to a half of the species we know today could become extinct. Hundreds of species are threatened, and almost a thousand plant and animal species are endangered. It’s clear that something has to be done soon, or humanity may find itself facing extinction at some point in the future.

There is a holiday that attempts to educate the public about the importance of protecting endangered species, and that holiday is National Endangered Species Day. This day is observed annually on the third Friday in May and encourages everyone to get involved in saving endangered species before it’s too late.

The History of National Endangered Species Day

This holiday was first created in the United States by the U.S. Senate in 2006. While it started as an American holiday, it has since spread around the world, and people across the globe are beginning to take up the banner to protect the endangered species of planet Earth.

Facts About Extinction & Endangered Species

Below are some facts about global extinction and endangered species that we feel everyone should know about.

• The five major causes of declining wildlife biodiversity include habitat loss, pollution, invasive species, human population growth, and overhunting.
• When one plant or animal species goes extinct, it can cause a domino effect that endangers other species.
• Approximately 99% of currently threatened species are due to human activities, such as habitat loss and climate change.

Observing National Endangered Species Day

On this holiday, everyone is encouraged to not only learn more about the animals and plants facing extinction but also to do something about it. This can be something as simple as spreading the word about the problem using the hashtag #NationalEndangeredSpeciesDay, or it can involve working towards improving conservation in a particular area of the world. People can also observe this holiday by donating their money and time to conservation and wildlife groups.