Conservation Law

Conservation law refers to the laws that protects and safeguards natural environments and the wildlife they contain. Many countries have created agencies that issue regulations and laws that protect their indigenous wildlife. A few examples include the United States' Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Environment Management Authority of Kenya, and the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources. Internationally, the United Nations has addressed the issue with the creation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and several conventions. Multilateral treaties such as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) are designed to ensure that international trade in animals and plants does not threaten their survival in the wild

North America, alone, has a massive and diverse landscape which serves as a home for thousands of animals. Several of these animals are endangered and require protective laws to ensure their survival. In 2020, North America was revealed to house over 457 species of mammals, 2,059 birds, 662 reptiles, more than 300 amphibians, and over 51,241 species of plants. In July 2022, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service listed twenty-two North-American animal species (and 1 plant species) extinct. Despite this macabre revelation, there are a litany of laws, organizations, and governmental agencies that protect the diverse North-American fauna and flora.