Category Archives: endangered species act

Trump administration again reauthorizes wildlife-killing ‘cyanide bombs’ despite strong opposition

Via Western Environmental Law Center The Trump administration today announced it will reauthorize use of sodium cyanide in wildlife-killing devices called M-44s. These “cyanide bombs” have received approval from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency despite inhumanely and indiscriminately killing thousands of animals every year. They have also injured people. “While it is encouraging that the EPA is taking at least some minimal action to protect the public from deadly M-44s, updating a few use restrictions –– nearly impossible to enforce and commonly… Continue reading →

Congress can protect endangered species by passing the PAW and FIN Act

Countless species, such as New Mexico’s native Mexican Gray Wolf, are edging closer to extinction. Despite a growing biodiversity emergency, the Trump Administration has launched numerous regulatory changes that critically undermine the Endangered Species Act and the imperiled plants and animals that need it to evade extinction. Among other changes, these revisions bias listing decisions with unreliable economic analysis and make it much more difficult to protect species impacted by climate change. We simply cannot afford to go backward by weakening the Endangered Species Act and the protections it provides… Continue reading →

Poisoned: New Report Highlights 10 Species Threatened by Pesticides

Chemical pesticides applied to lawns, gardens, and industrial agriculture operations are a major threat to imperiled wildlife, according to a new report released today. “Poisoned: 10 American Species Imperiled by Pesticides” details how domestic and commercial pesticides—including herbicides, insecticides, and rodenticides—are contributing to the decline of many common and lesser known species of wildlife.

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Statement on Bills to Block Trump ESA Rollback:

Today, leaders in the U.S House and Senate introduced bills to block the Trump Administration’s recent rules weakening the Endangered Species Act – our most effective law for protecting wildlife in danger of extinction. The bill. H.R. 4348, is called the ‘‘Protect America’s Wildlife and Fish in Need of Conservation  Act of 2019’’ or the ‘PAW and FIN Conservation Act of 2019 (H.R. 4348)’’ (House cosponsors and Senate cosponsors).  Here is our statement supporting these critical efforts by Congressional leaders: … Continue reading →

Rep Seth Moulton: “I’d undo all of these rules that have undermined a historic and bipartisan Act.”

Congressman Seth Moulton of Massachusetts was, until very recently, running for President. On Saturday, August 17th he was asked at the Iowa State Fair after his stump speech on the famous soap box, before the media and public, about the biodiversity crisis and the Endangered Species Act. Here was his response.

Hundreds of activists to tell the Senate to protect endangered species during the Stop Extinction Challenge

The Endangered Species Coalition is organizing the fourth-consecutive Stop Extinction Challenge this August when activists around the country will show up at their local Senate offices to speak out about their reasons for supporting endangered species protections. This year’s Stop Extinction Challenge comes shortly after the release of the 2019 IPBES report showing that one million animal and plant species are now threatened with extinction, many within decades, more than ever before in human history. There is hope, however. Legislation… Continue reading →

Senator Gillibrand promises to prioritize endangered species if elected

Joe Wilkinson from Iowa Wildlife Federation spoke with Senator Kirsten Gillibrand when she was campaigning in Iowa this summer. The senator promised that, if elected president, her administration will fully fund the Endangered Species Act and also increase the funding. Senator Gillibrand added that in her role as a U.S. Senator she has fought very hard for the gray wolf, saying, “the truth is they haven’t recovered fully and they need more protection.” Listen to the entire statement below. ESC… Continue reading →

For Wildlife, There’s No App for That

This is a guest post from Trisha White at the National Wildlife Federation.   Thanks to smartphones and applications (apps), we can easily swipe and tap for everything we need right from the comfort of our couch and have it delivered to our door. From food to friends to fantasy vacations, we humans now have it all at our fingertips. But wildlife can’t be slackers–no one delivers to a nest or den. Turtles don’t have Tinder to find mates, they… Continue reading →

Creating Connections for People and Wildlife

What is habitat connectivity and why does it matter? What is your favorite natural area- the one that makes you feel welcomed, calm, and connected? I’m privileged to have my favorite spot right outside my house- a beautiful gulch with a crystal-clear, 6-foot waterfall. Living in the mountains outside of Boulder, CO is sometimes too good to be true. Last night, I watched a herd of mule deer sneak up the ridge behind my home (and subsequently had the opportunity… Continue reading →