A six-minute viral video showed a recent tense encounter between a mountain lion and a runner who came too close to her cubs on a trail in Utah. Although sensationalist headlines claimed the lion was stalking the man, wildlife experts point out she was just protecting her offspring. These types of conflicts become more common as sprawling urban development continues to encroach on wildlands. Learn more about the Center's work to protect mountain lions in our recent Saving Life on Earth webinar.

Remembering Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Before she became a cultural icon, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a reproductive rights and gender-equality hero. She fought against gender discrimination in schools, workplaces, the military and civil service, and unapologetically defended the right to safe, legal abortion. Even when she was not in the majority, her powerful dissents set the stage for advancing civil rights. Her death last month was a loss for the court and the country.

While we're still mourning Ginsburg, the Senate has wasted no time pushing through her replacement. Amy Coney Barrett has consistently ruled against abortion rights and opposed every progressive cause that has come before her. Her confirmation would be not only a blow to Justice Ginsburg's legacy, but a trigger for staggering rollbacks of civil rights, healthcare, LGBTQIA+ rights and the health of our planet.

Here's one thing you can do: Take action to demand your senators vote no on Barrett.

Roots of Injustice

From dangerous, exploitative jobs held primarily by Latinx, Black and immigrant workers in meatpacking plants and slaughterhouses to financial discrimination against Black farmers, the U.S. food system is rotten with racism and inequality that must be dismantled. Yet, even as they're surrounded by this toxic landscape, Black and Latinx communities are replanting a food system rooted in farming independence and traditional cultures.

Read Senior Food Campaigner Jennifer Molidor's essay about the white supremacy that underlies American agriculture and how activists are working toward a safe, fair, healthy and sustainable system.

Here's one thing you can do: If you missed our virtual film festival last month, you can still watch our panel interviews with food justice activists, filmmakers and community leaders to learn more about their work and follow them on social media.

New Girl Scout Patches

After bringing our interactive outreach programs to 45 museums, science centers, zoos and aquariums to help people better understand how population pressure and consumption affect wildlife, we're expanding our partnerships to an inspiring new audience: Girl Scouts. We're working with Girl Scouts of Western New York to offer two new patches that will allow girls to explore local wildlife, threats to biodiversity and actions they can take to protect the wild. The Healthy People, Healthy Planet patch will be offered this winter and the Conscious Consumer patch will launch in the spring. Both programs have been adapted for virtual participation to ensure a safe, engaging experience.

Here's one thing you can do: If you're involved with your local Girl Scouts and would like to find out how to add these patches to your troop's program, email Sarah Baillie.

Wolf Lover's Webinar

Sedona Wolf Week is an annual event that aims to transform the way people see wolves and foster appreciation and advocacy for wildlife. The event presents a series of films, presentations and workshops to increase awareness, dispel myths and educate people on how to take effective action.

On Friday, Nov. 13, our Population and Sustainability staff will present a free session called “The Wolf Lovers Guide to Changing the World: Everyday Actions to Help Protect Wild Wolves.” This presentation, followed by a Q&A, will discuss how everyday choices affect wildlife and what advocates can do to support a more sustainable and ecologically friendly relationship between humans and wolves. Other Center staff will present throughout the week.

View the full schedule and register.

Condoms and Conservation

World Environmental Health Day raises awareness about the link between humans' well-being and that of the planet. World Contraception Day highlights the need for everyone to have access to modern contraception. And they both happen to take place on the same day, Sept. 26.

While most people may have missed these holidays last month, both days honored efforts to support people and the planet. Population and Sustainability Campaigner Kelley Dennings writes about the connection between environmental health and contraception and and why we must address the threats to each.

Here's one thing you can do: Learn more about how COVID-19 has affected reproductive health and rights, including access to contraception.

Wildlife Spotlight: Giraffe

From the moment they're born, giraffes are taller than most people. They grow up — and up — to become the tallest land mammals on Earth, with six-foot-long necks and special valves to help regulate blood pressure when they lower their heads to drink. Each giraffe's distinctive skin pattern is as unique as a fingerprint. Although giraffes are one of the most easily identified animals in the world, they're suffering a silent extinction.

As a top importer of giraffe trophies and products, the United States has to put its neck out to save these amazing animals. The Center and our allies petitioned for Endangered Species Act protection for giraffes in 2017, but even though the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service determined they may deserve protection, the agency has failed to act. This month the Center filed a notice of intent to sue the Service to protect giraffes before it's too late.