Why is the Endangered Species Act under attack? The 1973 law, passed under a Republican administration with full bipartisan support, is considered the cornerstone of the modern conservation movement. It's described as one of the world's most significant environmental laws.

The ESA has been wildly successful in preventing the extinction of endangered wildlife in America. It has accomplished this by making it illegal to kill listed species and by establishing recovery plans which set aside critical habitat. Approximately 1,300 species have been listed for protection over the last 30 years, and over 99 percent are still with us today. That success story includes such well-known species as the grizzly bear, timber wolf, bald eagle, American alligator, peregrine falcon and California condor.

Despite its success, some in Washington want to drastically change the ESA. Backers of current efforts to amend it seem to assign no social value to preserving America's plants and animals as a legacy for future generations. Their version of a new Endangered Species Act would have political appointees evaluating the threat of extinction for a species, instead of trained biologists. In essence, their new ESA would make complying with the law a voluntary decision by landowners, requiring the government to pay those who choose not to kill our endangered species.

The proposed changes would effectively eliminate wildlife conservation from the American agenda.

The Endangered Species Act is important to San Diego County.

We have more endangered and threatened species than any other county in the continental United States. As an alternative to enacting numerous individual species recovery plans, San Diego County is using a new approach to wildlife conservation -- the creation of Multiple Habitat Conservation Plans. A MHCP preserves the large connected parcels of habitat needed for the survival of numerous sensitive species. At the same time it also ensures landowners receive fair returns on their holdings, including guaranteed development rights on portions of their property. Large parcels of quality wildlife habitat are being set aside, while lands more suitable for development are being identified for expedited permitting. Everyone wins.

We're blessed in North County to have several ecological reserves which offer a protected home to many sensitive species of wildlife. As many as 10 different species of critically endangered or threatened birds can be found at the San Elijo Lagoon.

The Buena Vista Audubon Society and San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy will be co-hosting an "Endangered Species Hunt" at San Elijo Lagoon on Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon. All are welcome to join in the walk. We'll meet at the trail head at the north end of Rios Avenue in Solana Beach. Call the conservancy office at (760) 436-3944, or visit www.bvaudubon.org for more information.

It's not just our native wildlife that benefits from the Endangered Species Act. As we protect the last remaining nesting sites of the gnatcatcher, we also preserve large swaths of natural open space, enhancing our own quality of life. When we help nature, we help ourselves.

Andy Mauro is conservation chairman of the Buena Vista Audubon Society and past president of the San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy.