Question

The example in class about the designation of species or subspecies of the California Gnatcatcher (plus the intervention of our guest speaker John McCormack), makes an important point about the role of science in informing the public about conservation. Was was the name of the Act that protected this species?

Answer 1

Answer -

The name of the act was the ' Endangered species act' which protected the california Gnatcatcher from threats posed by transmission line that would extend through the gnatcatcher habitat and increase the risk of fire. The california gnatcatcher was listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. California gnatcatchers are a focal species in many regional habitat conservation planning efforts. Thus the critical habitat under the Endangered Species act has been designated for the california gnatcatcher. The science was clear: the california gnatcatcher deserves endangered species act protection.