SALT LAKE CITY— Author Terry Tempest Williams, scientists, and a coalition of organizations and community members will hold a press conference and rally Thursday to announce the filing of an Endangered Species Act listing petition for Wilson’s phalaropes, migratory birds whose fate is intricately linked to that of the embattled Great Salt Lake.

Wilson’s phalaropes are threatened by the collapse of saline lake ecosystems essential to their survival. Great Salt Lake is the most important of these. More than 60% of the entire population lands on the shores of Utah’s largest lake during their migratory journey; a healthy Great Salt Lake is critical to the species’ survival.

What: Rally and press conference announcing the filing of an Endangered Species Act listing petition for Wilson’s phalarope.

When: Thursday, March 28, 11 a.m.

Where: Utah State Capitol, 350 State St., Salt Lake City, Utah, south steps

Who: Concerned community members, along with the Center for Biological Diversity, Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment, Utah Youth Environmental Solutions, Grow the Flow, Utah Sierra Club, Great Salt Lake Interfaith Action Coalition, Great Basin Water Network, Youth Coalition for Great Salt Lake, Save Our Great Salt Lake, River Writing, Making Waves and Oikonos Ecosystem Knowledge. The event will also feature the Great Salt Lake vigil bird puppets.