Missouri Removes Animals From the Endangered Species

Most of us know about the federal Endangered Species Act, but until this week, I didn't realize that each state also has one of its own as well.
This week, Missouri removed three animals from the state endangered species list. Those include the bald eagle, barn owl and western fox snake.
If not politically motivated, removing animals from the endangered species lists signals that the conservations efforts have been sucessful, and that's a good thing. What can you do to help? Find out what animals are on your state's endangered species list and teach your children about the importance of conservation. If you don't live in the country, take your kids camping - fall is a beautiful time to do it - and look for wild animals. Make a game of it by seeing how many wild animals you can spot and list, or photograph. I spent an hour last week following and photographing a tarantula who has taken up residence near our house. It's fun and provides you with documentation of your outing.
Here are the websites for the endangered species lists in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. For my friends and readers who live outside of these states, the lists are usually on your state's fish and wildlife conservation page, you can find them by googling your state and "endangered species list."

Arkansas: www.agfc.com/wildlife-conservation/endangered.aspx
Kansas:www.kdwp.state.ks.us/news/Other-Services/Threatened-and-Endangered-Species
Missouri: www.fws.gov/midwest/Endangered/lists/missouri-cty.html
Oklahoma: www.wildlifedepartment.com/endanger.htm

I will be out of the office traveling on business next week to the beautiful Smoky Mountains in Tennessee, and then heading to a writer's conference in Wisconsin, where the trees should be in full autumn color.
I will return with new posts and tips on October 20.