Did you know that every third Friday of May, May 16 this year, is observed as Endangered Species Day? The day was designated by Congress in 2006. In Illinois alone, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources has listed over 400 such species, ranging from birds, mammals, reptiles, insects and more! Wildlife refuges, gardens, schools, libraries, museums, community groups, nonprofits, and individuals will hold special programs or events on this day.

Each species plays an important role in Illinois’ ecosystem. By bringing awareness to these species, both threatened and endangered, the day reminds the public of the importance in supporting conservation organizations, encouraging action to protect wildlife and advocating for policy changes to ensure that the state’s ecosystem is environmentally stable.

Here are a few of the most prolific endangered species conservationists across the state are dedicated toward protecting:

• Birds: (23 endangered) Short-eared owl, Black Tern, Greater Prairie-Chicken, Snowy Egret
• Fish: (19 endangered) Lake Sturgeon, Greater Redhorse, Northern Madtom, River Chub
• Mammals: (5 endangered) Radinesque’s Big-eared Bat, Indiana Bat, Southeastern Myotis, Gray Bat, Gray/Timber Wolf
• Insects: (44 endangered) Leafhopper, Rusty Patched Bumble Bee, and Hines Emerald Dragonfly.
• Amphibians: (3 endangered) Hellbender, Silvery Salamander, Spotted Dusky Salamander
• Reptiles: (9 endangered) Spotted turtle, Alligator Snapping turtle, Great Plains Ratsnake
• Invertebrates: (47 endangered) Iowa Pleistocene Snail, Hydrobiid Cave Snail, Onyx Rocksnail, Shawnee Rocksnail, Fanshell, Sheepnose, Fat Pocketbook, Bigvlaw Crayfish, Isopod
• Plants: (264 Endangered) Leafy Prairie Clover, Sangamon Phlox, and various other native plant species

To learn more about Endangered Species Day, check out the Endangered Species Coalition’s website here.