To help address the amphibian and reptile extinction crisis, the Center for Biological Diversity recently filed an Endangered Species Act petition seeking federal protection for 53 amphibian and reptile species across 45 states. I am writing to ask you to sign a letter of support for the petition. Renowned scientists E.O. Wilson and Thomas Lovejoy and several prominent herpetologists including Michael Lannoo already added their names. A strong showing of support from the scientific community would help draw attention to the amphibian and reptile extinction crisis and help ensure that the petitioned species receive a full status review from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Here is the text of the letter of support: We the undersigned scientists are writing in support of the petition submitted on July 11, 2012 by the Center for Biological Diversity to protect 53 species of amphibians and reptiles under the Endangered Species Act. The petitioned species have been classified as G1, G2 or G3 by NatureServe or are included on the IUCNs Red List as Near Threatened or worse, and they are facing threats to their survival, such as habitat loss, pollution, introduced predators and climate change. Therefore, we believe that the petitioned species are at risk and deserve a status review by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. We have an interest in protecting amphibians and reptiles and the habitats they need to survive, and we ask that you accept this letter of support for the petition. A copy of the 450-page petition is available here: http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/campaigns/amphibian_conservation/pdfs/Mega_herp_petition_7 -9-2012.pdf Learn more about the petition and the Centers campaign to protect amphibians and reptiles here:http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/news/press_releases/2012/amphibians-and-reptiles-07- 11-2012.html Please understand that submission of the petition triggers an initial review by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which must determine if the petition presents substantial information that listing may be warranted. If so, those species will receive a full status review by the Service. If you would like to add your name to the letter of support, please let me know. Then please forward this email to others that may be interested in signing. Feel free to call or email me with any questions. Thank you, Collette Adkins Giese ______________________________ Collette L. Adkins Giese Herpetofauna Staff Attorney Center for Biological Diversity 651-955-3821 [email protected] http://www.BiologicalDiversity.org
