“The brown pelican is known for its fishing displays, plunging headlong from the air into the water and rising with a mouthful of fish. In the same dramatic fashion, the pelican has pulled off an amazing recovery after a steep plunge toward extinction,” said Secretary Kempthorne at a press conference on Friday. Hi-Res

Secretary Kempthorne Announces Proposal to Remove the Brown Pelican from the Endangered Species List

Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne celebrated the brown pelican’s remarkable recovery from the brink of extinction by formally proposing to remove the remaining protected populations of the bird along the Gulf and Pacific coasts, and in the Caribbean, and Central and South America from protection under the Endangered Species Act. Kempthorne announced the proposal at the Louisiana Governor’s Mansion in Baton Rouge during a joint appearance with Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal.

“Thanks to decades of coordinated efforts on the part of state and federal agencies, conservation organizations and private landowners, the pelican has rebounded to historic levels,” said Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne. “I’d like to thank Governor Jindal and the State of Louisiana for their contributions to the pelican’s recovery and for inviting me here to mark this milestone in conservation history.” more en Español

• Brown Pelican Fact Sheet
• Brown Pelican Q & A

Entries Now Being Accepted for
2008 Junior Ranger Essay Contest
Mrs Laura Bush, National Park Service Director Mary Bomar and National Park Foundation President Vin Cipolla Gather at Everglades for Announcement

National Park Foundation Honorary Chairwoman Mrs Laura Bush, National Park Service Director Mary Bomar and National Park Foundation President and CEO Vin Cipolla gathered at Everglades National Park to announce the National Park Foundation 2008 Junior Ranger Essay contest. This year's contest poses the question: What can you do now to turn over a new leaf for the environment and help preserve our national parks?

The contest is open to children 9-12 years old, and the grand prize winner will travel with his or her family to the Everglades on Earth Day to star in an Electronic Field Trip – an educational “virtual” outing that will later be viewed in schools across the U.S. ” more

• Fact Sheet
• Read Mrs. Bush's Remarks
• View Additional Photos

About the Department of the interior
The Department of the Interior (DOI) is the nation’s principal conservation agency. Interior is a large, decentralized agency with over 80,000 employees and 180,000 volunteers located at approximately 2,400 operating locations across the United States, Puerto Rico, U.S. territories, and freely associated states. more
Mission Statement	History
Key Officials	Past Secretaries
Organizational Chart	Quick Facts
DOI In the News	Strategic Plan
DOI en Español
Below are links to some DOI sites that may be of interest:
Water	Science
Floods	Astrogeology at USGS
Supply in the West	Hurricanes
Conservation	Earthquakes
Resources	Energy
Land	Wildlife
Fire	Endangered Species
Maps	Habitats & Conservation
Parks / Refuges / BLM Lands	Wild Horse & Burro Adoption
Offshore Lands/Volcanoes	Duck Stamps
Communities	InfoLinks
Special Trustee	www.HealthyForests.gov
Indian Trust	Avian Influenza Information
Territories and Islands	2005 Hurricane Recovery