What if extinction didn't have to be the end of the story?

A new global conservation effort (with some big names attached) is betting that with enough time, money and determination, it doesn't have to be.

Enter: The Phoenix Species Project.

Led by Leonardo DiCaprio’s Re:wild and Jeff Bezos's Earth Fund, the project launched with an eye-popping $200 million commitment to help bring 100 of the world's most threatened species back from the brink of extinction.

It's the largest philanthropic initiative ever focused solely on recovering critically endangered wildlife.

The list of designated species includes everything from a rare North Carolinian salamander to a tiny succulent nicknamed the "fuzzy belly button."

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Why it matters

Many of you reading this are likely thinking, "why should I care about saving animals I may never see?" And it's a valid question.

The answer: Many of these species are the glue holding entire ecosystems together, including ones that we, as human beings, rely on.

Healthy forests, wetlands and oceans don't just benefit the wildlife that inhabit them. They help protect clean drinking water, support fisheries, store carbon that helps fight climate change and even create ecotourism opportunities that can boost local economies.

Protecting one species often means protecting an entire habitat that people depend on, too.

A unique strategy

Experts acknowledge there is no "quick fix" for the issues facing these species.

It will take years, maybe decades, for scientists and local communities involved in the project to restore habitats, breed endangered animals, manage disease and tackle invasive predators.

Meanwhile, many species on the list continue to face habitat loss, threats from climate change, pollution and illegal poaching. 

Still, conservationists say there's reason to be hopeful.

Research shows that populations reduced to even single digits can recover when given enough resources and support, which is why it's worth watching The Phoenix Species Project, and its progress, in the years to come.