Scientists Join Religious Community in Calling for a Strong Endangered Species Act

Defenders of Wildlife today shared a letter from over 600 scientists around the country urging Congress to uphold the Endangered Species Act. The letter delivers a clear message that policy decisions must be based on science when addressing imperiled wildlife. This letter comes a day after calls from more than 10,000 individuals from various faith traditions encouraged Congress to affirm the nation’s commitment to stopping extinction through a strong and effective ESA.  

Despite the ESA’s proven track record in saving 99% of listed species, the planet remains on course for a sixth mass extinction. Endangered species are vanishing at the most rapid rate in human history, yet the Trump administration and Congress have proposed numerous harmful revisions and rollbacks that would dismantle the ESA.  

“Amid escalating legislative and administrative attacks, we are urging Congress to uphold the ESA and its highly effective science-based framework,” said Dr. Alison Gainsbury, director of the Center for Conservation Innovation at the Defenders of Wildlife. “These letters underscore the widespread support for Endangered Species Act protections, which are vital to stopping extinction. Ongoing attempts to weaken this crucial law are deeply concerning.”

“Scientists across the country are working to prevent extinctions and recover endangered species. We recognize the Endangered Species Act’s essential role in achieving these goals and upholding the scientific framework that guides wildlife conservation efforts in every state," said conservation biologist Dr. Tom Sisk, advisor to the 50 Voices for Endangered Species scientific community and a lead signer of the letter.  

Yesterday, various faith traditions including Jewish, Evangelical, Mainline Protestant and Black Church, led by the National Religious Partnership for the Environment (NRPE) called-on Congress to protect the ESA. NRPE sent policymakers two separate letters, the Faith Leader Petition and the Evangelical Petition, both signed by thousands in the religious community.

“This message couldn’t be timelier. This Congress, 56 bills, amendments and riders have been advanced to eviscerate the ESA, the nation’s most successful law for preventing extinction, and now, the Trump administration is seeking public comments on proposals that severely undermine the implementation of the ESA,” said Dr. Gainsbury. “The proposed rules could impact every species currently listed, any species considered for future listing and the habitats they depend on.”

In addition to the signatories of these letters, most Americans are in full support of the ESA. Nationwide polling conducted by Defenders of Wildlife in 2025 revealed that 95% of voters support the ESA and understand caring for wildlife means caring for ourselves.  

The scientists’ letter to Congress was organized through a collaboration between Defenders of Wildlife, 50 Voices and the Endangered Species Coalition.  

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