Author Archives: Endangered Species Coalition

Zinke’s Interior Dept. Seeks to Undermine Protections for Endangered Species

Washington, DC —  In response to today’s release by the Sec. Ryan Zinke’s Department of Interior of draft regulations to weaken protections for America’s most at-risk fish, plants and wildlife, the Endangered Species Coalition released the following statement from Program Director Tara Thornton: “Under the guise of “reform,” we are seeing a full-on assault on imperiled wildlife and the Endangered Species Act. From these Trump-Zinke administrative regulations, to a Rep. Rob Bishop-led barrage of bills in the House, to a draft bill to… Continue reading →

House Unleashes Barrage of Bills to Weaken Endangered Species Act

“Rep. Bishop and other anti-wildlife Republicans in Congress are not content to try and sell our beloved public lands, but have been relentless in their efforts to undermine our most important safety net for fish and wildlife on the brink of extinction. The Endangered Species Act is one of our most successful conservation laws, having prevented the disappearance of hundreds of imperiled species. Thanks to Endangered Species Act, humpback whales still swim our coasts and bald eagles still soar our skies. It sad that some members of Congress and the special interests they take money from wish to deny future generations of Americans the opportunity to enjoy our amazing wildlife.”

Continue reading →

Wyoming GOP Senator Introduces Discussion Draft to Weaken Endangered Species Act

Today Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) introduced a bill that would undermine one of America’s bedrock wildlife conservation laws, the Endangered Species Act. While the Act requires the best available science to be used in wildlife protection decisions, Senator Barrasso’s bill would subject wildlife protection decisions to political interference.

Continue reading →

Endangered Species Coalition and Native Plant Conservation Campaign Launch Voter Toolkit

Effort Aims to Inform, Mobilize Conservation Voters in 2018 Washington, D.C. – A national wildlife conservation organization, the Endangered Species Coalition, together with their member groups from across the country, unveiled a new voter education and mobilization toolkit today. The “Get Out the Wild Vote” toolkit is intended to educate and mobilize voters whose top concerns are environmental and wildlife conservation issues. “We know from research that environmentally-conscious Americans are not voting nearly as much their neighbors,” said Leda Huta,… Continue reading →

U.S. Celebrating Endangered Species Day on Friday

Over 130 Events Planned at Zoos, Nature Centers and other Venues Washington, DC – On Friday, May 18, thousands of Americans are gathering to participate in Endangered Species Day events across the country, in recognition of our nation’s commitment to protecting and restoring our disappearing wildlife. This is the 13th annual international Endangered Species Day, which occurs on the third Friday of May, celebrating our wildlife and wild places. “Endangered Species Day celebrates America’s vision,” stated Leda Huta, Executive Director… Continue reading →

U.S. Congress Rejects More than a Dozen Provisions to Weaken the Endangered Species Act

  Today the House of Representatives voted and passed an Omnibus appropriations bill that largely rejected new policy provisions or amendments that would have weakened the Endangered Species Act. The bill’s release follows weeks of intense pressure from conservation groups on behalf of imperiled wildlife and late-night negotiations in the House and Senate. 

Continue reading →

“Wolf” Delivers Letter from Businesses to U.S. Lawmakers Opposing Anti-wildlife Appropriations Riders

Conservation Groups Aim to Thwart Congressional Attack on Endangered Species Washington, DC – Representatives of conservation groups on Wednesday–along with Journey, the wolf mascot –delivered to lawmakers on Capitol Hill a letter opposing efforts to weaken protections for imperiled wildlife. The letter, which remains open, has already been signed by approximately 80 businesses expressing support for the Endangered Species Act and opposition to “any bill that would weaken protections for endangered species and their habitat.” The letter delivery comes as lawmakers debate several,… Continue reading →

241 Conservation Groups Urge Lawmakers to Reject Anti-Wildlife Riders

Wildlife Advocates Call on Congress to Defend Endangered Species Act WASHINGTON (February 7, 2018) – More than 240 environmental, animal welfare and conservation organizations sent a letter to House and Senate leadership today, calling on them to reject riders in 2018 Interior Department and Environmental Protection Agency appropriations legislation that would erode the Endangered Species Act and other safeguards for wildlife. The letter comes as Congress is poised to pass yet another continuing resolution that could pave the way for… Continue reading →

Taking it to the Streets!

In response to the Trump Administration’s anti-environmental policies, the Endangered Species Coalition has launched a grassroots initiative to fight back.  “Taking it to the Streets” aims to get more Americans to stand up, speak out, and take action! We know that 90 percent of Americans support protections for threatened and endangered species. Yet many of the new policies coming out of the Department of the Interior under this Administration are decreasing protections for imperiled species. In fact, this Administration threatens… Continue reading →

Report: Science Suppressed, Ignored Due to Political Pressure

“How Politics Drowned Out Science for Ten Endangered Species” Washington, D.C. – A new report out today shows that the best available science in imperiled plant and wildlife decisions isn’t always followed, despite the requirements of the Endangered Species Act. Pressure from politically-powerful special interests often unduly influences these decisions, undermining science and wildlife conservation, according to the Endangered Species Coalition. Now, under the Trump Administration, that pressure is worsening, as industry officials have infiltrated the leadership positions within the… Continue reading →