Endangered Species Life List

After a long and difficult summer field season, I recently visited three islands of Hawaii with my wife (Amanda) for vacation; Oahu, Kauai, and Maui. And it was during this expedition/vacation trip that I stumbled upon several federally listed species. Since the state of Hawaii has the greatest number of extinct species in the US and a large number of the remaining native species are declining fast, finding listed species during our visit was not too difficult. However, after encountering these rare species and researching several of them I came to realize that what I have been doing my entire biological career has been chasing rare and endangered plants and animals. Not necessarily always to catch them, although there is nothing that compares to the excitement of seeing up close and personal an endangered species, but rather to know them! To know what chain of events has resulted in their decline, their habitat requirements and special adaptations that have prevented them from thriving, what impacts they have endured, and if possible capture a glimpse of them in their natural settings. I have enjoyed meeting those that conduct research with the species and are as passionate as I, and hear their stories. As importantly, I seek to understand the impacts that the protections afforded by the Endangered Species Acts pose on local industries. These impacts affect our daily lives in ways many never know or try to understand.
During this trip to Hawaii I began to think of the many species I have worked with over the years or seen working with other biologists, and I have decided I need to start a life-list, a life-list similar to those that birders keep of all the birds they have seen. I want to start making note of all the endangered species, that I have encountered, such as the Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis), a species that I have worked intimately with for several years. My field books from years past will later reveal that info. For now I will look to the present and to the future of those species that I may possibly encounter as I travel both far and wide for work or pleasure.