The James G. Teer Conservation Leadership Institute fellows of the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society held a symposium commemorating the 50th anniversary of the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA). At the symposium, a diverse panel of wildlife and conservation professionals from across the nation, representing agency, industry, non-profit, and university backgrounds, reflected on topics like the ESA’s evolution, conservation successes, and persistent challenges. Key takeaways to ESA implementation, particularly in private landscapes, include transformation conservation through genuine, trusting relationships among landowners, agencies, and conservation organizations, and the implementation of tangible incentives.
