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- Magazine
As the Endangered Species Act marks its 50th anniversary, the National Geographic Society CEO reflects on how to help protect species around the world.
Published December 12, 2023
3 min read
Tick. Tick. Pzzzz. The song of the Florida grasshopper sparrow is unusual and surprisingly insect-like. But it almost fell silent forever. In 2012 National Geographic Explorer and Photo Ark founder Joel Sartore received a call from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: The songbird, an important ecological link in Florida’s dry prairies, was teetering on extinction. With only a few dozen males showing up in counts, it was among North America’s most endangered bird species.
Funded by a National Geographic Society grant, Sartore flew to Florida to photograph the bird and work with conservationists to raise awareness of the species’ plight. The story appeared in Audubon magazine and other outlets, helping boost government funding for a breeding program. Thanks to these steps, there are now as many as 180 adults in the wild, and researchers are working hard to bring the species back from the brink of extinction.
(Bringing back the ‘most endangered bird’ in the U.S.)
Like other examples of species survival, the push to save the sparrow is “a remarkable story of conviction and collaboration,” says Sartore. It also shows what it takes to protect an endangered species: research, compelling narratives, partnerships, resources, and time.
This journey embodies the Society’s mission to illuminate and protect the wonder of the world. Over the past 136 years, we’ve developed a unique Explorer-led model, combining science, exploration, education, and storytelling to drive impact. We support Explorers in more than 140 countries, including Sartore and others whose work appears in this issue: biologist André Green II; photographers Lynsey Addario, Jasper Doest, and Jaime Rojo; and education advocate Ara Kusuma.
The issue also celebrates those who’ve spent years galvanizing change for endangered animals. A half century after the passage of the Endangered Species Act, the Society remains deeply committed to inspiring action and hope for decades to come.
(Joel Sartore photographs five essential animals protected by the Endangered Species Act.)
Sartore is now 17 years into his quest to create an “ark” of animal photos. Portraits of more than 15,000 species invite audiences to connect and care. With the Society’s support, the images have graced iconic landmarks and U.S. postage stamps, prompting on-the-ground conservation efforts such as National Geographic’s Photo Ark Species Impact Initiative.
As Sartore says, “The sounds of birds are the sounds of a healthy planet. When we save a bird or another species, we’re actually saving ourselves.”
The National Geographic Society is committed to illuminating and protecting the wonder of our world. Learn more about the Society’s support of its Explorers.
This story appears in the January 2024 issue of National Geographic magazine.