Rare: Portraits of America's Endangered Species

The new book by National Geographic photographer Joel Sartore Rare: Portraits of America’s Endangered Species has arrived at PCL.
Stunning photographs with brief passages of carefully worded text emphasize the plight of the plants, animals, and insects portrayed. The cute fuzzy baby birds and docile Woodland Caribou are likely to garner more sympathy than the snakes or creepy crawly bugs, but the message for all these creatures is the same: they are all vital within the food chain, in which we, as humans, are critically involved, both as caretakers and consumers.

Currently 1,101 domestic species are on the endangered list and 301 are classed as threatened by the Endangered Species Act. Passed by President Nixon in 1973, this act was the result of increased environmental awareness stemming from exposure like Rachel Carson’s 1962 Silent Spring and the 70’s public service announcement featuring the teary Indian.

Sartore’s book begins with one of the last of a species, Bryn, the Columbia Basin Pygmy Rabbit. She died in 2008, shortly after being photographed and her companion followed her with months. Following this is the Dusky Seaside Sparrow, photographed in a jar labeled ‘Last One.’ This species was declared extinct in 1987. The images in this volume are important in maintaining high environmental concern and working toward the greening of the Earth.