“I also think, from the recovery planning side the act envisioned in the first place that states would take a huge leadership role in ESA implementation. And I don’t think it’s ever met its full intent in that way. And one place where where we could see that happen more is really empowering states to lead on recovery planning, if they want to take it and run with it and build a recovery team and lead that recovery team and work with the Fish and Wildlife Service [to] build a system to allow that to happen. For example, because if we can get these recovery plans in place, and start implementing them like I told you that they’re those recovery plans that are in place, metrics are being met, and you’re moving towards recovery.”  — David Willms, co-host of the Your Mountain podcast

In Episode 339 of District of Conservation, Gabriella welcomes back David Willms onto the podcast. David is a lawyer, former advisor to Wyoming Governor Matthew Mead, and co-host of the Your Mountain podcast with Nephi Cole. David joins Gabriella to discuss the Endangered Species Act’s 50th anniversary of becoming law, where the law stands today, how the ESA carries out species conservation, why more listed species aren’t delisted and recovered, how lawsuits complicate the ESA from working as intended, ESA modernization efforts, and more. Tune in!

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