Appeal Challenges Gold Drilling in California’s Eastern Sierra Nevada

SAN FRANCISCO— Conservation groups filed an appeal Tuesday in the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals challenging a lower court ruling allowing exploratory drilling in California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains that threatens an endangered fish and a dwindling population of bi-state sage grouse.

California Takes Important Steps Alongside Tribes to Protect Clear Lake Hitch

CLEARLAKE, Calif.— The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has announced a list of commitments aimed at protecting Northern California’s imperiled Clear Lake hitch.

Lawsuit Targets Federal Deforestation Project Near Nevada National Park

RENO, Nev.— Western Watersheds Project and the Center for Biological Diversity sued the U.S. Bureau of Land Management today to challenge a massive vegetation removal project near Great Basin National Park that violates several environmental laws.

Legal Agreement Will Bring New Protections From Logging to Oregon Coast Coho Salmon

PORTLAND, Ore.— Resolving multiyear litigation over the harms of logging to coho salmon, conservation groups reached an agreement today with the Oregon Department of Forestry to greatly expand stream buffers across more than half a million acres of the Tillamook and Clatsop state forests.

New Eastern Monarch Butterfly Count Indicates Pollinator Still Threatened

WASHINGTON— The annual count of migratory monarchs that spend the winter in Mexico is once again dismal for the iconic orange-and-black butterflies. This year’s count showed a 22% decline from 2022, leaving the butterfly highly vulnerable to extinction.

Lawsuit Launched Over Denial of Endangered Species Protection to Gopher Tortoise

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— The Center for Biological Diversity and Nokuse Education, Inc. filed a formal notice today of their intent to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for denying Endangered Species Act protections to the eastern population of gopher tortoises. The decision left the beleaguered reptiles without lifesaving federal safeguards in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and most of Alabama.

Lawsuit Launched Targeting Grazing Destruction of Arizona’s San Pedro Conservation Area

TUCSON, Ariz.— The Center for Biological Diversity and Maricopa Audubon Society filed a formal notice of their intent to sue the U.S. Bureau of Land Management today for failing to protect endangered species in the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area from rampant trespass livestock grazing.

Rare Daisy Imperiled by Gold Mining Moves Closer to Federal Protection

SACRAMENTO, Calif.— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today that the rare Inyo rock daisy may require federal protection under the Endangered Species Act, kicking off a year-long review of threats to the plant.

Tiny Virginia Fish Moves Toward Endangered Species Act Protection

RICHMOND, Va.— In response to a legal petition from the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today that the roughhead shiner, an olive minnow found only in the upper James River watershed in western Virginia, may warrant protection under the Endangered Species Act.

Two Southern Freshwater Mussels Proposed for Endangered Species Protection

DALLAS— In response to a Center for Biological Diversity lawsuit, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today proposed protection for two freshwater mussels in five southern states and designated 1,860 river miles as critical habitat.

Events in Arizona, New Mexico to Mark Silver Anniversary of Mexican Gray Wolves in Wild

SILVER CITY, N.M.— Public events throughout the Southwest this spring will mark the 25th anniversary of the first release of Mexican gray wolves into the wild.

Protections Sought for Rare Mojave Desert Wildflower Threatened by Urban Sprawl, Energy Development

LAS VEGAS— The Center for Biological Diversity today petitioned the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to protect a rare desert wildflower under the Endangered Species Act.

Expanded Habitat Protections Sought for Imperiled Desert Fish in Arizona

TUCSON, Ariz.— The Center for Biological Diversity filed a formal petition today urging the federal government to expand the critical habitat designation for the Sonora chub, a small desert fish facing major threats.

Another Wild Wolf Killed in New York, Radio-Isotope Test Confirms

ALBANY, N.Y.— Conservation groups announced today that testing by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the New York State Museum revealed that a wolf killed in upstate New York in 2021 was eating a wild diet and was a wild wolf.

New York Moth Receives Endangered Species Protections After 30 Years

WASHINGTON— After more than 30 years of consideration, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today finalized the listing of the rare bog buck moth as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. But the agency failed to designate any critical habitat for the moth, despite habitat protections being critical to the species’ survival.

Nevada Bill Would Let State Wildlife Agency Conserve Monarchs, Other Pollinators

RENO, Nev.— Nevada’s Assembly Natural Resources Committee will consider a bill today that would give the state’s Department of Wildlife authority to manage pollinators and other insects that need conservation.

Legal Challenge Filed to Halt Caltrans’ Richardson Grove Project

EUREKA, Calif.— Conservation groups and Humboldt residents filed a legal challenge this week to a fourth attempt by Caltrans to approve the controversial Richardson Grove Project.

Struggling Freshwater Mussels Protected Under Endangered Species Act

LEXINGTON, Ky.— Responding to a petition and lawsuit from the Center for Biological Diversity and allies, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today listed the round hickorynut and longsolid freshwater mussels as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The agency also set aside 2,136 river miles of critical habitat from Pennsylvania to Mississippi.

Lawsuit Filed to Protect Imperiled Alligator Snapping Turtles

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— The Center for Biological Diversity sued the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today to force it to ensure protections for 12 plants and animals under the Endangered Species Act, including the alligator snapping turtle and Suwannee alligator snapping turtle.

Lawsuit Filed to Protect Imperiled Fishes in Utah, Nevada

TUCSON, Ariz.— The Center for Biological Diversity filed a lawsuit today against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to force it to decide whether to protect Utah’s least chub and Nevada’s Fish Lake Valley tui chub under the Endangered Species Act.

Petition Seeks to Protect Pygmy Rabbits Under Endangered Species Act

SALT LAKE CITY— Conservation organizations submitted a petition to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today requesting protection of pygmy rabbits under the Endangered Species Act.

Caltrans Again Approves Richardson Grove Project

EUREKA, Calif.— Caltrans is attempting to approve the controversial Richardson Grove Project for a fourth time. The project would realign portions of Highway 101 through Richardson Grove State Park to facilitate passage of oversized commercial trucks, risking damage to a grove of ancient redwoods up to 3,000 years old. To realign the road, Caltrans proposes cutting and paving over roots of adjacent old-growth redwood trees.

Frecklebelly Madtom Receives Endangered Species Protections in Georgia, Tennessee

ATLANTA— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today issued a final rule that protects a population of frecklebelly madtom in the Upper Coosa River of Georgia and Tennessee as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The agency also proposed to designate 134 miles of the Etowah and Conasauga rivers as protected critical habitat, but the proposal would allow logging to continue.

Motion Filed to Defend Forest Service Removal of Feral Cows From Gila National Forest

SILVER CITY, N.M.— The Center for Biological Diversity filed a motion today to intervene in a New Mexico Cattle Growers Association lawsuit that seeks to stop the U.S. Forest Service from removing feral cows from the Gila Wilderness in New Mexico.

Florida Rule to Protect Diamondback Terrapins From Recreational Crab Traps to Take Effect Wednesday

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.— A new rule aimed at protecting diamondback terrapin turtles from drowning in recreational blue crab traps will go into effect Wednesday, March 1.

Rare Milkweed Gains Endangered Species Protection, Critical Habitat

RIO GRANDE CITY, Texas— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today protected the prostrate milkweed as endangered. Only 24 populations of the plant survive, in south Texas and northern Mexico, where they serve as an important food source for pollinators like bees and imperiled monarch butterflies.

California Spotted Owl Gets Endangered Species Act Protections After 23 Years

SAN FRANCISCO— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today that it will protect the California spotted owl under the Endangered Species Act. The owls have seen their numbers dwindle because of logging and climate change, among other threats.

Florida Commissioners Advance Rules Aimed at Curbing Bird Deaths at Skyway Pier

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.— The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission voted today to move forward with proposed regulations meant to address bird deaths and injuries at the Skyway Fishing Pier State Park. But commissioners directed staff to consider significantly limiting the proposal, which wildlife advocates say already fails to truly protect thousands of birds from deadly fishing gear entanglements.

Forest Plan Fails Pisgah-Nantahala National Forest

ASHEVILLE, N.C.— The U.S. Forest Service released the Pisgah-Nantahala National Forest Plan today, quadrupling logging and reducing protections for the most visited national forest in the country.

Petition Seeks Oregon Endangered Species Protection for Southern Resident Orcas

PORTLAND, Ore.— The Center for Biological Diversity, Defenders of Wildlife, and Whale and Dolphin Conservation filed a petition today to protect Southern Resident orcas under the Oregon Endangered Species Act. As of the most recent census, just 73 Southern Resident orcas remain, divided among three family groups.

18,000 People Urge Federal Officials to Boost Manatee Protections

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service received more than 18,000 letters today supporting a petition to increase protections for West Indian manatees. The imperiled animals have been dying in record numbers in Florida waters.

Expertos se oponen a eliminar la protección a la boa puertorriqueña

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico— Expertos puertorriqueños están denunciando la propuesta del Servicio de Pesca y Vida Silvestre (FWS en inglés) de los Estados Unidos de quitar protecciones federales a la boa puertorriqueña. No hay información poblacional de estas serpientes tímidas y endémicas, sin embargo, las amenazas que llevaron a su designación como una especie en peligro de extinción continúan en la isla.

Experts Oppose Proposed Removal of Puerto Rican Boa Protections

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico— Puerto Rican snake experts are denouncing the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s proposal to remove federal protections from the Puerto Rican boa and plan to oppose the move during a Feb. 16 public hearing.

Faith Communities to Hold Thursday News Conference to Urge Utah Legislature to Save Great Salt Lake

SALT LAKE CITY— Utah religious leaders will hold a news conference Thursday at the Utah State Capitol to urge Utah lawmakers to do everything in their power to restore the Great Salt Lake to ecological health.

Recovery of Once Rare Wood Stork Is Latest Endangered Species Act Success

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today that it’s proposing to remove the wood stork from the endangered species list because the bird has recovered.

Florida’s Proposal to Curb Bird Deaths at Skyway Pier Falls Short

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission announced proposed regulations today to address bird deaths and injuries at the Sunshine Skyway Fishing Pier State Park. The move comes after nonprofit rescuers, wildlife groups and academics highlighted the thousands of birds rescued from entanglement at the pier over the past two years.

Snake Experts to Oppose Removing Federal Protections From Puerto Rican Boa

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will hold a virtual public meeting on Thursday about its proposed rule to remove Endangered Species Act protections from the Puerto Rican boa. The Puerto Rican boa is currently listed as an endangered species.

New Joshua Tree Bill Spurs California Commission to Delay Decision on Protecting Iconic Plants

SACRAMENTO, Calif.— The California Fish and Game Commission voted unanimously today to postpone a decision on whether to permanently protect western Joshua trees under the California Endangered Species Act. The commission agreed to wait to see whether a new bill proposed by Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration becomes law.

Wildlife Agency Fails to Address Extinction in Changes to Endangered Species Regulations

WASHINGTON— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today it will be revising regulations governing the process for issuing permits under Section 10 of the Endangered Species Act. The changes are a huge missed opportunity because they afford no new protections to threatened and endangered plants and animals, conservationists say.

Lawsuit Challenges Federal Failure to Protect Rare Wildlife From South Florida Development

MIAMI— Conservation groups sued the National Park Service today for failing to protect the endangered Florida bonneted bat, Miami tiger beetle, Bartram’s scrub-hairstreak, endangered plants and globally imperiled pine rocklands from the destructive effects of the Miami Wilds water park and retail development in South Florida.

Lawsuit Launched Over Delay of Endangered Species Act Protection for 15 Animals, Plants

WASHINGTON— The Center for Biological Diversity filed a formal notice today of its intent to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for delaying critically needed Endangered Species Act protection for 15 imperiled plants and animals. The species range from cactus ferruginous pygmy owls in the Sonoran Desert to tall western penstemons in Oregon’s Willamette Valley.

New Analysis: 40% of U.S. Wildlife, Ecosystems Are Imperiled

WASHINGTON— A new report on the status of U.S. wildlife conservation reveals that 40% of animals, 34% of plants and 40% of ecosystems nationwide are at risk. Released today, the analysis — Biodiversity in Focus: United States Edition — was compiled by NatureServe, a nonprofit organization that assembles conservation data from a national network of scientists and organizations.

Celebrating 50 Years of Endangered Species Act Success

WASHINGTON— Conservation and wildlife advocacy groups are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the passage of the Endangered Species Act this year, commemorating five decades of effective and crucial protection for imperiled animals and plants.

Two Ohio Waterways Nominated for Strongest Clean Water Act Protections

COLUMBUS, Ohio— The Center for Biological Diversity and its partners filed a formal request today with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency seeking protective designations for the Big and Little Darby creeks near Columbus. The Outstanding National Resource Waters designations would afford the creeks the strongest level of protection under the Clean Water Act.

Lawsuit Seeks to Protect Few Remaining Streaked Horned Larks As Endangered

PORTLAND, Ore.— The Center for Biological Diversity and the Audubon Society of Portland sued the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today to protect streaked horned larks, once-numerous birds found in Washington and Oregon, as endangered.

Federal Officials Miss Deadline to Protect Ghost Orchid As Endangered

HOLLYWOOD, Fla.— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has missed the statutory deadline to make a decision on protecting the iconic ghost orchid, leaving the species in a regulatory limbo without crucial safeguards. The deadline was Jan. 24, but currently the Service is not scheduled to make a decision until 2026.

Lawsuit Seeks Lifesaving Protections for Montana’s Arctic Grayling

GREAT FALLS, Mont.— Conservationists sued the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today seeking protections for Montana’s Arctic grayling population under the Endangered Species Act. The parties — the Center for Biological Diversity, Western Watersheds Project and Butte resident Pat Munday — are represented by Earthjustice.

New Mexico Butterfly Gains Endangered Species Act Protection

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.— In response to multiple petitions and lawsuits from the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today protected the Sacramento Mountains checkerspot butterfly as an endangered species.

Lawsuit Aims to Protect Imperiled Southern Hognose Snakes

WASHINGTON— The Center for Biological Diversity sued the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today to gain Endangered Species Act protection for southern hognose snakes in Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas.

San Clemente Island Bell’s Sparrow Flies Off Endangered Species List

LOS ANGELES— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today that it’s removing the Bell’s sparrow and four plants found only on San Clemente Island from the endangered species list due to recovery.

24 Groups Urge Federal Overhaul of Weak Habitat Protections for Florida Bat

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— More than twenty environmental organizations have urged the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to provide additional habitat protections for the Florida bonneted bat. The endangered native bats face devastating habitat loss from climate change and urban sprawl.

Sickle Darter Receives Critical Habitat Protection in Tennessee, Virginia

KNOXVILLE, Tenn.— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced a proposed rule today to protect 104 miles of rivers as critical habitat in Tennessee and Virginia for a fish called the sickle darter under the Endangered Species Act. The Service designated the sickle darter as a threatened species in November.

U.S. Tags Mining Company for Trespassing in Protected Tiehm’s Buckwheat Habitat

RENO, Nev.— The U.S. Bureau of Land Management issued a trespassing notice today to Australian mining company Ioneer after the Center for Biological Diversity documented harm from drilling operations to the critical habitat of an endangered plant called Tiehm’s buckwheat.

Potter Valley Eagle Tree Still Stands

POTTER VALLEY, Calif.—Pacific Gas and Electric has agreed to a temporary reprieve for a bald eagle’s nest proposed for removal in Mendocino County while negotiations continue between the company, the Coyote Valley Band of Pomo Indians, and environmental groups.

Lawsuit Launched to Protect Oregon Spotted Frogs in Upper Deschutes River

BEND, Ore.—The Center for Biological Diversity filed a formal notice today of its intent to sue two federal agencies for approving a habitat conservation plan in the upper Deschutes River that fails to ensure the Wickiup Dam won’t drive the threatened Oregon spotted frog extinct.

Oregon Butterfly Is Endangered Species Act Success

PORTLAND, Ore.— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today that the Fender’s blue butterfly will be downlisted from endangered to threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act. This action is based on the recovery of butterfly populations in Oregon’s Willamette Valley.

Oregon, Northern California Coastal Chinook Salmon Move Closer to Endangered Species Protection

PORTLAND, Ore.— In response to a petition by the Native Fish Society, Center for Biological Diversity and Umpqua Watersheds, the National Marine Fisheries Service determined today that the Oregon Coast and southern Oregon/Northern California Coast Chinook salmon may warrant protection under the Endangered Species Act.

Lawsuit Launched to Protect Tiehm’s Buckwheat From Cattle Trampling

RENO, Nev.— The Center for Biological Diversity filed a notice today of its intent to sue the U.S. Bureau of Land Management to protect the rare Nevada wildflower Tiehm’s buckwheat from destruction due to cattle grazing. The notice seeks to remove cattle from the buckwheat’s federally protected critical habitat.

Hawai‘i’s Iconic ‘I‘iwi Receives Habitat Protections

HONOLULU— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today it plans to designate more than 275,000 acres as protected critical habitat for the threatened ‘i‘iwi, the best known of Hawai‘i’s imperiled honeycreepers.

Nearly 4,200 Acres of Habitat Protected for Endangered Florida Fern

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today protected 4,195 acres of critical habitat for the endangered Florida bristle fern. The fern, found in small patches in Miami-Dade and Sumter counties, is acutely threatened by historic and ongoing habitat loss from development and sea-level rise.

BLM Starts Permitting for Nevada Lithium Mine That Threatens Rare Wildflower

RENO, Nev.— The U.S. Bureau of Land Management announced the start of environmental review today for a Nevada lithium mine that jeopardizes an endangered wildflower, kicking off a 30-day scoping comment period that spans the holidays.

Southeast Freshwater Champion Receives 2022 E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Award

GAINESVILLE, Fla.— Jim Williams, Ph.D, an icon of research and advocacy for endangered species in the American Southeast, is the 2022 recipient of the Center for Biological Diversity’s annual E.O. Wilson Award for Outstanding Science in Biodiversity Conservation.

Federal Officials Urged to Save Coastal Birds at Florida State Park

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— Conservation groups sent a letter today urging the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to enforce the Migratory Bird Treaty Act if Florida doesn’t swiftly rein in threats to protected coastal birds at the Sunshine Skyway Fishing Pier State Park.

Whitebark Pine Protected as Threatened Under Endangered Species Act

PORTLAND, Ore.— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today that the whitebark pine will be listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The pine is the most widespread tree to receive such protection. It occurs in high-elevation areas of Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and Nevada.

Tiehm’s Buckwheat Protected as Endangered Species

RENO, Nev.— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service finalized Endangered Species Act protection today for the rare wildflower Tiehm’s buckwheat, responding to a petition and litigation from the Center for Biological Diversity.

Lawsuit Aims to Protect Highly Endangered Amargosa Voles in California

LOS ANGELES— The Center for Biological Diversity sued the U.S. Bureau of Land Management today to protect highly imperiled Amargosa voles from unmanaged recreational use within their federally protected critical habitat. The voles’ small range is limited to dense bulrush marshes near a popular hot spring in the Mojave Desert outside Tecopa, California.

Emergency Endangered Species Act Protections Sought for Clear Lake Hitch

CLEARLAKE, Calif.— Together with the Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians, Robinson Rancheria of Pomo Indians, Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake and the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians, the Center for Biological Diversity urged Interior Secretary Debra Haaland and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today to provide emergency protections to the Clear Lake hitch.

Lawsuit Launched to Seek Federal Protections for Two Turtles, Rare Flower

WASHINGTON— The Center for Biological Diversity filed a formal notice of intent today to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for failing to protect the alligator snapping turtle, Pearl River map turtle and bracted twistflower under the Endangered Species Act.

Dixie Valley Toad Receives Final Endangered Species Protections

RENO, Nev.— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced it has finalized Endangered Species Act protections for the highly imperiled Dixie Valley toad. The toad was protected under a rare emergency order in April, and those emergency protections expire Dec. 2.

Florida Strengthens Manatee Protections in Boater Safety Courses

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— In response to a petition from conservation organizations, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission voted today to amend its boater safety course to protect imperiled manatees and other marine life.

Endangered Wildlife Win Protections From Lead on National Wildlife Refuges

WASHINGTON— A federal judge today ordered the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to take measures to protect endangered wildlife harmed by expanded hunting and fishing on national wildlife refuges. The protections include phasing out the use of poisonous lead ammunition and tackle at several refuges across the country.

Two California Plants Saved From Extinction by Endangered Species Act

LOS ANGELES— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today proposed to remove two Channel Islands plants from the endangered species list because they have successfully recovered.

Northern Long-Eared Bats Win Endangered Species Protection

PORTLAND, Ore.— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service listed northern long-eared bats as endangered today, reversing a previous “threatened” listing that allowed destructive activities like clearcutting to proceed in the bats' habitat.

Critical Habitat Proposed for Endangered Florida Bonneted Bat

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— Following a court-ordered agreement, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on Monday proposed protecting nearly 1.2 million acres of ­­critical habitat for the endangered Florida bonneted bat. The native bat faces devastating habitat loss from climate change and urban sprawl.

Petition Urges Fish and Wildlife Service to Protect Manatee as Endangered

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— The Center for Biological Diversity, Harvard Animal Law & Policy Clinic, Miami Waterkeeper, Save the Manatee Club and Frank S. González García today petitioned the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to increase protections for West Indian manatees. The petition urges the Service to reclassify the species from threatened to endangered under the Endangered Species Act.

Petition Seeks California Endangered Species Protection for Sage Grouse

SAN DIEGO— The Center for Biological Diversity filed a petition today to protect greater sage grouse in the state under the California Endangered Species Act. The petition, filed with the California Fish and Game Commission, demonstrates that most of the greater sage grouse populations in California have declined significantly and are at imminent risk of being wiped out.

Lesser Prairie Chicken Protected Under Endangered Species Act

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.— In a victory for lesser prairie chickens, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today it would protect the iconic grassland bird under the Endangered Species Act.

Lawsuit Aims to Protect Critical Habitat for Rare South Florida Beetle

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— Conservation groups sued the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today to push the agency to protect endangered Miami tiger beetles by designating lifesaving critical habitat. The proposed critical habitat includes areas in Miami’s Richmond Pine Rocklands, which are under imminent threat from development.

Judge Allows Biden Administration to Delay Restoring Critical Endangered Species Act Protections

WASHINGTON— In a major setback for wildlife protection and conservation, a federal district court today sided with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service, delaying the restoration of comprehensive Endangered Species Act protections for hundreds of species and the places they call home.

Historic Announcement Ends Net Pen Fish Farms in Washington

SEATTLE— In an announcement late Monday night, the Washington Department of Natural Resources revealed it would not be renewing any of Cooke Aquaculture’s permits for in-water fish net pens in Washington state.

Lawsuit Challenges Army Corps Decision Imperiling Wetlands Near Okefenokee Swamp

WASHINGTON— On behalf of four conservation groups, the Southern Environmental Law Center today challenged, in federal court, a decision by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to unlawfully reinstate jurisdictional determinations that removed Clean Water Act protections from almost 600 acres of wetlands on the doorstep of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge.

Lawsuit Launched to Protect Rare Nevada Fish

RENO, Nev.— The Center for Biological Diversity today filed a formal notice of intent to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for failing to protect the Fish Lake Valley tui chub under the Endangered Species Act.

Lawsuit Launched to Protect Utah’s Least Chub

TUCSON, Ariz.— The Center for Biological Diversity filed a formal notice today of its intent to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for failing to protect the imperiled least chub under the Endangered Species Act.

Lawsuit Launched to Protect Imperiled Southern Hognose Snake

WASHINGTON— The Center for Biological Diversity filed a formal notice today of its intent to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for denying Endangered Species Act protections to the southern hognose snake. The species lives in coastal plain habitat in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina. It used to also be found in Alabama and Mississippi, but populations there have disappeared.

Female Horseshoe Crabs Protected From Bait Harvest in Delaware Bay

LONG BRANCH, N.J.— The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission voted today to temporarily halt the harvest of female horseshoe crabs in Delaware Bay, a crucial nesting area and stopover habitat for endangered red knots and other migratory shorebirds that feed on the crabs’ eggs.

15 Turtle Experts Back Florida’s Continued Ban on Breeding Diamondback Terrapins for Profit

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.— A group of 15 leading turtle experts sent a letter today urging Florida wildlife commissioners to maintain rules that prohibit for-profit breeding of native diamondback terrapin turtles.

Lawsuit Launched to Protect Endangered Species From Cattle Grazing in Arizona’s Tonto National Forest

TUCSON, Ariz.— The Center for Biological Diversity and Maricopa Audubon filed a notice today of their intent to sue the U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for their repeated failure to control cows illegally grazing in endangered species critical habitat, primarily along the Salt River and its tributaries.

Sickle Darter Protected as Threatened Under Endangered Species Act

KNOXVILLE, Tenn.— In response to a 2010 petition and 2015 agreement with the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced a final rule to protect the sickle darter as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. But in today’s decision, the agency failed to designate critical habitat for the fish.

Fish and Wildlife Service Drops Ball on Protecting 42 Species

PORTLAND, Ore.— For the sixth fiscal year in a row, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has failed to follow its own workplan for addressing a backlog of plants and animals waiting for protection decisions under the Endangered Species Act. Among those left in the lurch are the Suwannee alligator snapping turtle, Mt. Rainier white-tailed ptarmigan and whitebark pine.

Pacific Fisher to Gain 41,000 Additional Acres of Protected California Habitat

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, Calif.— Following years of efforts by the Center for Biological Diversity and other conservation groups, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today proposed increasing the amount of protected critical habitat for Pacific fishers in the southern Sierra Nevada by 41,041 acres.

Appeal Challenges Plain City Wastewater Permit to Protect Ohio’s Big Darby Creek

COLUMBUS, Ohio— The Ohio Environmental Council, Center for Biological Diversity and Darby Creek Association appealed a Plain City Wastewater Treatment Plant permit Wednesday that would double the amount of polluting discharge the facility is allowed to release into Big Darby Creek.

Environmentalists Seek to Join Federal Fight Against Arizona Shipping Containers Along Border

TUCSON, Ariz.— The Center for Biological Diversity asked a federal judge today for permission to join the Biden administration as a defendant in Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey’s lawsuit challenging federal authority along the Arizona-Mexico border.

Maui Hotel, Conservation Groups Reach Agreement to Protect Endangered Hawaiian Petrel

WAILEA, Hawai‘i— In accordance with a recent settlement agreement, the Grand Wailea Resort on Maui has implemented protective measures, including reducing lighting, to help protect the endangered ‘ua‘u, or Hawaiian petrel. The agreement, which was finalized on Oct. 21, resolves an Endangered Species Act case brought by Conservation Council for Hawai‘i and the Center for Biological Diversity, which were represented by Earthjustice.

New Tulsa Mural Will Highlight Endangered American Burying Beetle

TULSA, Okla.— The Center for Biological Diversity will host a community event in Tulsa on Saturday, Nov. 5, to celebrate a new mural of the American burying beetle, a vibrant endangered insect.

Lawsuit Launched to Protect Streaked Horned Larks as Endangered

PORTLAND, Ore.— The Center for Biological Diversity and the Audubon Society of Portland filed a formal notice today of their intent to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to better protect the streaked horned lark, a rare bird found in Washington and Oregon.

Maui Lighting Ordinance Victory for Seabirds, Turtles

KAHULUI, Hawai‘i— In a victory for seabirds and turtles, Maui today approved an ordinance regulating the amount of blue light that outdoor lighting fixtures can emit on the island. The ordinance, which was supported by the Center for Biological Diversity, Conservation Council of Hawai‘i and Earthjustice, will help endangered sea turtles and Hawaiian petrels.

Lawsuit Launched Seeking Final Endangered Species Protection for Nevada’s Rare Tiehm’s Buckwheat

RENO, Nev.— The Center for Biological Diversity filed a formal notice today of its intent to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to force it to finalize Endangered Species Act protections for the rare Nevada wildflower Tiehm’s buckwheat.

Lawsuit Aims to Protect Lesser Prairie Chickens Under Endangered Species Act

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.— The Center for Biological Diversity sued the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today for failing to protect lesser prairie chickens.

Emperor Penguins Win U.S. Endangered Species Act Protection

WASHINGTON— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today granted the emperor penguin protection under the Endangered Species Act because of threats from sea-ice loss driven by the climate crisis. The decision follows a petition and lawsuit from the Center for Biological Diversity.

Lawsuit Launched to Protect Montana’s Arctic Grayling

GREAT FALLS, Mont.— Conservationists filed a formal notice today of their intent to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for once again denying Montana’s Arctic grayling population Endangered Species Act protections. The parties — the Center for Biological Diversity, Western Watersheds Project, and Butte resident Pat Munday — are represented by Earthjustice.

Lawsuit Launched Against Arizona Plan to Block Jaguar Migration With Shipping Containers

TUCSON, Ariz.— The Center for Biological Diversity today filed a notice of intent to sue Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey’s administration to challenge plans to obstruct a critical jaguar and ocelot migration corridor with shipping containers along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Rare Oregon Wildflower Moves Closer to Endangered Species Act Protection

PORTLAND, Ore.— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today that they would consider protecting the tall western penstemon under the Endangered Species Act. The agency now has 12 months to decide whether to protect the imperiled flower.

Rare Southern Bog Turtle Moves One Step Closer to Endangered Species Protection

ASHEVILLE, N.C.— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today that it would consider protecting the southern population of the imperiled bog turtle under the Endangered Species Act. The agency now has 12 months to decide whether to protect the turtle, which lives in Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia.

Famed Ghost Orchid Moves One Step Closer to Endangered Species Act Protection

HOLLYWOOD, Fla.— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today that it will consider granting Endangered Species Act protection to the ghost orchid, a critically endangered flower. Under federal law, the agency now has until January 2023 to make a decision.

Two California Salamanders Proposed for Endangered Species Protections

CARLSBAD, Calif.— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today proposed protecting two species of salamander in Southern California under the Endangered Species Act, while denying protections to a third. The Kern Canyon slender salamander will be protected as threatened and the relictual slender salamander as endangered. The agency declined to protect the Kern Plateau salamander.

Eight South Florida Plants Get Proposal for Critical Habitat Protection

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— In response to litigation filed by the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed today to protect more than 570,000 acres of habitat for eight imperiled Florida plants. All eight plants can be found in the few remaining pockets of pine rockland habitats, which have been reduced by at least 98%.

Two South Florida Snakes Proposed for Endangered Species Act Protections

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— In response to a petition and lawsuit from the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed today to list the Key ringneck snake and Rim Rock crowned snake as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. The Service also proposed to protect 2,604 acres and 5,972 acres of critical habitat for the ringneck and crowned snake, respectively.

Gopher Tortoise Denied Lifesaving Endangered Species Act Protection

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— Following a petition and lawsuit by the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today denied Endangered Species Act protections to the eastern population of gopher tortoise. The eastern population of animals are found in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and most of Alabama.

Legal Victory Speeds Habitat Protection for Endangered Florida Bonneted Bat

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agreed today to propose critical habitat for the endangered Florida bonneted bat by Nov. 15, 2022, marking a legal victory for the Center for Biological Diversity, Miami Blue Chapter of the North American Butterfly Association and Tropical Audubon Society. The indigenous bat faces devastating habitat loss from sea-level rise and urban sprawl.

Imperiled San Francisco Bay Fish One Step Closer to Protection

SAN FRANCISCO— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today proposed protecting the San Francisco Bay population of longfin smelt as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act. The formerly abundant native fish has seen its population plummet in recent decades.

Critical Habitat Proposed for Louisiana Pinesnake in Louisiana, Texas

NEW ORLEANS— In response to litigation by the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed today to protect 209,520 acres of critical habitat for the Louisiana pinesnake in central Louisiana and east Texas.

Alpine Flower in Northern California Proposed for Endangered Species Protection

EUREKA, Calif.— In response to a petition from the Center for Biological Diversity and allies, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed today to protect the Lassics lupine under the Endangered Species Act with 512 acres of critical habitat in California’s Humboldt and Trinity counties.

Snail Darter Swims Off Endangered List

WASHINGTON— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today removed the snail darter from the endangered species list because the fish has recovered. Thanks to collaborative conservation efforts since it was protected in 1975, the little fish is no longer in danger of extinction.

Hurricane Ian Reveals Dangers of Proposal to Use Toxic Phosphogypsum in Road Construction

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— Following Hurricane Ian’s path of destruction across Florida, demolished roads and collapsed bridges highlight the danger of proposals to use toxic, radioactive phosphogypsum waste in road construction. For years, lawmakers have attempted to allow this dangerous practice.

Forest Service to Hold Public Hearing on Controversial Holland Lake Lodge Expansion

MISSOULA, Mont.— The U.S. Forest Service is holding a public hearing Tuesday in Condon, Montana, to take public comment on a controversial proposal by ski industry giant POWDR Corp. to triple the size of the historic Holland Lake Lodge and expand its use to include winter recreation. Originally built in 1925, and then rebuilt in 1947 following a fire, the Holland Lake Lodge currently accommodates 50 people for small summer events.

Lawsuit Seeks Protection for Central Tennessee’s Imperiled Barrens Darter

WASHINGTON— The Center for Biological Diversity sued the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today over the agency’s denial of Endangered Species Act protections to the Barrens darter. Named for its home on the Barrens Plateau of central Tennessee, the darter is one of the rarest fish in North America.

Rare Florida Keys Lizard Proposed for Endangered Species Protection

MIAMI— Following a 2020 legal victory by the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today proposed protecting the Florida Keys mole skink as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The agency also proposed designating 7,068 acres of protected critical habitat.

Army Corps to Revoke Permit for Lake Pend Oreille Marina, Housing Development in Idaho

SANDPOINT, Idaho— In response to litigation from the Center for Biological Diversity and Idaho Conservation League, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plans to revoke its permit for the Idaho Club’s marina and lakeside housing development at the mouth of Trestle Creek on Lake Pend Oreille. The creek accounts for more than half of the annual bull trout spawning sites in the Pend Oreille Basin, a species protected as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

Manchin Pushes Most Significant Environmental Rollback in Decades

WASHINGTON— After weeks of keeping the public and virtually all members of Congress in the dark, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Sen. Joe Manchin today released the details of their secret deal that Manchin demanded as payment for voting to pass the Inflation Reduction Act.

Dozens of Groups Urge Interior Department to Greenlight Okefenokee World Heritage Bid

ATLANTA— More than 30 national, state and local organizations urged Secretary of the Interior Debra Haaland and the U.S. Department of the Interior today to formally authorize the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge’s bid for World Heritage listing.

Appeal Challenges Arizona Fort’s Fake Groundwater Pumping Credits That Threaten San Pedro River

TUCSON, Ariz.— Conservation groups have appealed a federal court ruling to challenge the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s granting groundwater credits to the U.S. Army’s Fort Huachuca that fail to return water to the imperiled San Pedro River.

Lawsuit Aims to Force Biden Administration to Protect Red Squirrel, Nation’s Most Endangered Mammal, From Extinction

TUCSON, Ariz.— Conservation groups have sued the Biden administration to force two federal agencies to comply with the Endangered Species Act and protect imperiled Mount Graham red squirrels in southeastern Arizona from extinction.

Tricolored Bats Proposed for Endangered Species Act Protection

ASHEVILLE, N.C.— In response to a petition and lawsuit from the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today proposed to protect tricolored bats as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. But the agency failed to designate critical habitat for the imperiled bats.

Lawsuit Aims to Protect West Coast Fisher

PORTLAND, Ore.— The Center for Biological Diversity and allies sued the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today for denying endangered species protection to West Coast fishers. Fishers are relatives of mink, otters and wolverines and live in old-growth forests.

Lawsuit Launched to Protect Critical Habitat for Rare South Florida Beetle

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— Conservation groups notified the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today that they intend to sue over the agency’s failure to make a timely designation of lifesaving critical habitat for the endangered Miami tiger beetle.

Rigorous New Study Finds Significant Water Pollution From Cattle Ranching at Point Reyes National Seashore

POINT REYES, Calif.— The most rigorous independent water quality report ever conducted in Point Reyes National Seashore has just been released by Turtle Island Restoration Network. It reveals that water pollution dangerous to public health and the environment persists at the seashore. The report, produced by geoenvironmental engineer Douglas Lovell, documents consistent and significant water quality pollution in this national park unit caused by subsidized private ranching.

Legal Agreement Moves Dunes Sagebrush Lizard One Step Closer to Protection

SILVER CITY, N.M.— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agreed yesterday to decide by June 29, 2023, whether to protect the imperiled dunes sagebrush lizard under the Endangered Species Act. The lizard has been waiting for protection for four decades.

Lawsuit Challenges Marina, Housing Development on Idaho’s Lake Pend Oreille

SANDPOINT, Idaho— The Center for Biological Diversity and Idaho Conservation League, or ICL, filed suit today against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Army Corps of Engineers for approving the Idaho Club’s lakeside marina and housing development along Lake Pend Oreille near Trestle Creek. The creek is one of the most important spawning streams for federally protected bull trout in the Pacific Northwest.

Federal Protection Sought for Rare Salamander in Coal Country

CHARLESTON, W.Va.— The Center for Biological Diversity and 10 partner organizations petitioned the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today to protect the yellow-spotted woodland salamander under the Endangered Species Act. Only a few hundred of these salamanders likely remain.

Nevada Legislative Committee Advances Bill Request for Managing Butterflies, Other Invertebrates

CARSON CITY, Nev.— The Nevada Legislative Joint Interim Standing Committee on Natural Resources today advanced a recommendation for a bill draft request to give the Nevada Department of Wildlife authority to manage and protect terrestrial invertebrates, including monarch butterflies and bees.

Rare Nevada Fish Advances Toward Endangered Species Protection

RENO, Nev.— In response to a Center for Biological Diversity petition, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today that the Fish Lake Valley tui chub may qualify for protection under the Endangered Species Act. The Service has one year to complete a full status review and decide whether to protect the fish.

Magnificent News for Endangered North Carolina Snail

WILMINGTON, N.C.— In response to a petition and lawsuit from the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today proposed protecting North Carolina’s magnificent ramshorn snail as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. The agency also designated two ponds in the Cape Fear River watershed as critical habitat for the snail.

Agencies Warned for Failing to Protect Endangered Species From South Florida Water Park Development

MIAMI— Conservation groups notified the National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today that they intend to sue the agencies for failing to protect the federally endangered Florida bonneted bat, Miami tiger beetle, Bartram’s scrub-hairstreak and other imperiled species from the destructive effects of the Miami Wilds water park and retail development in south Florida.

Lawsuit Launched to Protect Habitat for Tennessee’s Endangered Barrens Topminnow

MANCHESTER, Tenn.— The Center for Biological Diversity filed a formal notice today of its intent to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service over the agency’s failure to designate critical habitat for the highly endangered Barrens topminnow, found in only a handful of streams on the Barrens Plateau in middle Tennessee.

Lawsuit Seeks Protected Habitat for 49 Endangered Hawaiian Species

HONOLULU— The Center for Biological Diversity sued the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today for failing to protect critical habitat for 49 endangered Hawaiian Islands species.

Florida Petitioned to Protect Manatees by Improving Boater Safety

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— Conservation organizations petitioned the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission today to amend its boater-safety course to protect the state’s imperiled manatees, other marine mammals, sea turtles and coastal birds. Watercraft collisions killed at least 1,153 Florida manatees from 2010 to 2021, according to state officials.

Lawsuit Launched to Protect Lesser Prairie Chicken From Extinction

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.— The Center for Biological Diversity notified the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today that it would sue the agency for failing to protect lesser prairie chickens under the Endangered Species Act if it did not do so within 60 days.

Federal Officials Commit to Feral Cow Removal Throughout San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area in Arizona

TUCSON, Ariz.— The Center for Biological Diversity and Maricopa Audubon Society have reached a legal agreement with the U.S. Bureau of Land Management guaranteeing that the agency will remove all trespass cows from the entire San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area. The BLM has also agreed to inspect, repair and maintain the conservation area’s boundary fencing to keep the trespass cows out.

Viva El Jefe! Arizona’s Famous Jaguar Lives, But What’s His Future?

TUCSON, Ariz.— News that the beloved jaguar El Jefe has been spotted alive and well in Sonora, Mexico, is tempered by concerns that his potential pathway back to the United States could be blocked by the border wall and his last known territory in Arizona’s Santa Rita Mountains is threatened by the construction of a copper mine.

Legal Agreement Halts Construction at Nevada Geothermal Project to Weigh Harm to Rare Toad

RENO, Nev.— The Center for Biological Diversity and geothermal developer Ormat reached a legal agreement today to halt construction of the Dixie Meadows Geothermal Project until the risks to the endangered Dixie Valley toad can be fully evaluated. The Center’s co-plaintiffs, the Fallon Paiute-Shoshone Tribe, and the Department of the Interior were also parties to the agreement.

Asheville Rally Aims to Protect Country’s Most Popular National Forest

ASHEVILLE, N.C.— At a pivotal moment, the Center for Biological Diversity is organizing a rally on Monday, Aug.1, to protect the Pisgah-Nantahala National Forest from logging. The Pisgah is the country’s most-visited national forest.

Biden Administration Repeals Second Trump Rule Limiting Habitat Protections for Imperiled Species

WASHINGTON— The Biden administration today repealed a second Trump-era regulation that significantly weakened habitat protections for threatened and endangered species.

Lawsuit Aims to Protect Critical Habitat for Endangered Florida Bonneted Bats

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— Conservation groups sued the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today to push the agency to protect endangered Florida bonneted bats by designating lifesaving critical habitat. The bats face devastating habitat loss from sea-level rise and urban sprawl.

Federal Court Restores Critical Endangered Species Act Protections

WASHINGTON— In a win for wildlife protection and conservation, a federal district court today restored comprehensive Endangered Species Act regulatory protections to hundreds of species and the places they call home.

Alabama Mussel Gains Endangered Species Protection, 36 River Miles of Protected Habitat

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.— In response to a decade-long campaign by the Center for Biological Diversity and allies, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service protected the Canoe Creek clubshell today under the Endangered Species Act. The agency also protected 36 river miles of the Alabama mussel’s critical habitat in St. Clair and Etowah counties.

Legal Warning Challenges Plan to Log Thousands of Acres of Oregon’s Old-Growth Forest Reserves

MEDFORD, Ore.— A coalition of Oregon conservation organizations notified the Bureau of Land Management today it intends to sue the agency to protect marbled murrelets and coastal martens from a plan by the agency to log thousands of acres of old-growth forest in areas designated as late-successional reserves. The reserves were designated as part of the Northwest Forest Plan to protect the two threatened species, as well as hundreds of others.

Lawsuit Seeks to Protect Crucial Grizzly Habitat in Montana’s Oldest Forests

MISSOULA, Mont.— Conservation groups sued the U.S. Forest Service today to challenge its approval of a massive logging project that would clearcut thousands of acres and log mature and old-growth forest in the Kootenai National Forest in northwestern Montana.

Lawsuit Aims to Protect Critical Habitat for Eastern Black Rail

WASHINGTON— The Center for Biological Diversity and Healthy Gulf sued the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today for failing to designate critical habitat for the eastern black rail. The rail needs healthy and intact wetland habitat to survive.

Court Halts Logging of Elliott State Forest Tract Sold to Private Timber Company

EUGENE, Ore.— A U.S. District Court judge issued a ruling today preventing Scott Timber from clearcutting old-growth forest that was previously part of the Elliott State Forest. The court found that the proposed logging of the Benson Ridge parcel by the subsidiary of Roseburg Forest Products would harm and harass threatened marbled murrelets, in violation of the federal Endangered Species Act. The court’s ruling permanently enjoins logging of the occupied murrelet habitat.

Lawsuit Seeks Endangered Species Protections for Colorful Arizona Snake

TUCSON, Ariz.— The Center for Biological Diversity sued the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today for denying Endangered Species Act protections to the Tucson shovel-nosed snake for a second time. The snakes live only in a small area of southern Arizona.

Biden Administration Rescinds Trump Rule Limiting Habitat Protections for Endangered Species

WASHINGTON— The Biden administration finalized a rule today rescinding a Trump-era regulation that severely limited the government’s ability to protect habitat that imperiled animals and plants like wolverines and golden-winged warblers need to survive and recover.

Imperiled Southeast Flower Proposed for Endangered Species Protection

ATLANTA— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed today to protect the Ocmulgee skullcap as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Only 19 populations of this rare flower remain in Georgia and South Carolina, with many of these having fewer than 20 individual plants.

Oregon Commission Votes to Better Protect Wildlife From Trapping

PORTLAND, Ore.— The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission adopted new rules today that reduce some of the state’s trap check times, making it less likely that animals will suffer for extended periods of time and more likely that non-target wildlife can be safely released.

California Commission Deadlocks on Protecting Western Joshua Trees as Threatened Species

LOS ANGELES— The California Fish and Game Commission deadlocked today on whether to give western Joshua trees permanent protection under the state’s Endangered Species Act, delaying a final decision until at least October.

Agencies Warned for Ignoring Florida Nuclear Plant’s Harm to American Crocodiles

MIAMI— The Center for Biological Diversity warned the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that they’re violating the Endangered Species Act by failing to lawfully consult over the Turkey Point Nuclear Plant’s current harm to imperiled American crocodiles and their habitat. The violations relate to the federal approval of a 20-year operational extension for nuclear units 3 and 4 at Turkey Point.

Virgin Islands Flower Finally Gets Endangered Species Protections After 47 Years

BOQUERÓN, Puerto Rico— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today protected the marrón bacora as endangered under the Endangered Species Act and designated 2,548 acres as critical habitat. Marrón bacora is a 10-foot-tall flowering shrub that has been reduced to just seven fragmented populations on St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands, and one population on Tortola, British Virgin Islands.

Temblor Legless Lizard Wins California Endangered Species Act Protections

LOS ANGELES— In response to a petition from the Center for Biological Diversity, the California Fish and Game Commission unanimously agreed today to protect the Temblor legless lizard under the state’s Endangered Species Act. The move grants legal protection to the rare lizards for at least a year.

9th Circuit Court to Hear Arguments Wednesday Challenging Geothermal Plant Endangering Sacred Site, Rare Toad

SAN FRANCISCO— Attorneys for conservation advocates and the Fallon Paiute-Shoshone Tribe will present oral arguments Wednesday to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco challenging the government’s approval of a geothermal power plant. The plant threatens to destroy a Nevada sacred site and drive the rare Dixie Valley toad to extinction.

Commission Votes Wednesday on Protecting California’s Joshua Trees as Threatened Species

LOS ANGELES― The California Fish and Game Commission will vote Wednesday on whether to permanently protect western Joshua trees under the state’s Endangered Species Act.

Delayed Protection Imperils Oregon Beetle, Virgin Islands Plant, Two Southeast Mussels

SALEM, Ore.— The Center for Biological Diversity sued the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today for failing to determine if the Siuslaw hairy-necked tiger beetle warrants Endangered Species Act protection, and for failing to finalize protection for three other species, a plant called the marrón bacora and the longsolid and Canoe Creek clubshell mussels.

SpaceX’s Texas Site Needs Full Environmental Review, Conservationists Say

BROWNSVILLE, Texas— The Federal Aviation Administration today declined to conduct a full environmental review of the proposed expansion of SpaceX’s launch site at Boca Chica, Texas, despite calls from conservation organizations to take a closer look at the environmental impacts of the rocket launches.

Endangered Species Protection Sought for North Carolina’s Hickory Nut Gorge Green Salamanders

BAT CAVE, N.C.— Conservation groups petitioned the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today to protect Hickory Nut Gorge green salamanders under the Endangered Species Act.

Rare Southwest Wildflower Protected Under Endangered Species Act

TUCSON, Ariz.— In response to a petition from the Center for Biological Diversity and Maricopa Audubon Society, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today protected the Arizona eryngo under the Endangered Species Act. Only four populations of the critically imperiled wetland plant survive in Arizona and Mexico.

Lawsuit Seeks to Protect Wetland-Dependent Midwestern Snake

CHICAGO— The Center for Biological Diversity and Hoosier Environmental Council sued the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today for denying Endangered Species Act protections to the imperiled Kirtland’s snake.

Selkirk’s Piping Plover Mural Highlights Endangered Species

SELKIRK, Manitoba— The Center for Biological Diversity and Interlake Art Board will host a community event on June 15 to celebrate a new mural of the piping plover, an endangered shorebird that summers in Canada and the northern United States before flying south for the winter.

Legal Agreement Will Protect Critical Habitat for Threatened Florida Manatees

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— In a legal agreement with the Center for Biological Diversity, Defenders of Wildlife and Save the Manatee Club, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service committed today to revise critical habitat for the Florida manatee by September 2024. The manatee’s critical habitat has not been updated since its original designation in 1976.

Southern California Fish Move Closer to Endangered Species Act Protection

LOS ANGELES— In response to a lawsuit brought by the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agreed today to dates by which it will make decisions on whether Santa Ana speckled dace and Long Valley speckled dace warrant protection under the Endangered Species Act.

Lawsuit Launched to Stop Extinction of Guam’s Endangered Animals, Plants

HAGÅTÑA, Guam— The Center for Biological Diversity, Blue Ocean Law and Prutehi Litekyan: Save Ritidian notified the U.S. Navy and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today that they intend to sue to stop the ongoing construction of a machine gun range and the relocation of 5,000 U.S. Marines to Guam.

Lawsuit Launched to Seek Habitat Protection for 49 Endangered Hawaiian Species

HONOLULU— The Center for Biological Diversity today filed a formal notice of intent to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for failing to protect critical habitat for 49 endangered Hawaiian Islands species. These species include the ‘Akē‘akē, also known as the band-rumped storm-petrel, and the Nalo Meli Maoli, also called the Hawaiian yellow-faced bee.

Eastern Monarch Butterfly Population Up Slightly, Still Below Extinction Threshold

WASHINGTON— The yearly count released today of monarch butterflies that overwintered in Mexico continues to show imperilment for the migratory butterfly. This year’s count of 2.84 hectares (7 acres) of occupied winter habitat is up slightly from last year but still below the 6 hectare threshold scientists say is necessary for the iconic pollinator to be out of the extinction danger zone in North America.

Oregon’s North Coast Red Tree Voles Get New Shot at Crucial Protections

PORTLAND, Ore.— In a legal victory, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agreed today to reconsider whether red tree voles on Oregon’s North Coast need protection under the Endangered Species Act. The Service has until January 31, 2024, to make a decision.

Lawsuit Aims to Protect Dunes Sagebrush Lizard From Extinction

SILVER CITY, N.M.— The Center for Biological Diversity sued the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today for again stalling in making a decision on whether to grant Endangered Species Act protections to the dunes sagebrush lizard. The agency has delayed protecting the lizard for four decades.

Court Rules Federal Agency Wrongly Withdrew Bi-State Sage Grouse Protections

SAN FRANCISCO― A federal court has ruled that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service illegally withdrew its proposal to list the bi-state sage grouse as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

Rare Florida Lizard Back on Course for Endangered Species Protection

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— In response to a Center for Biological Diversity lawsuit, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has agreed to reconsider its denial of Endangered Species Act protections to the Cedar Key mole skink, a highly imperiled lizard found only on a few islands off Florida’s Nature Coast. The Service must make a new decision by July 31, 2024.

Lawsuit Launched Over Delay of Endangered Species Protections for 11 Species

WASHINGTON— The Center for Biological Diversity announced its intent today to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for delaying critically needed Endangered Species Act protections for 11 imperiled plants and animals. The species range from the Puerto Rico harlequin butterfly and the Suwannee alligator snapping turtle to a rare wetlands wildflower found only in Arizona and Mexico.

Lawsuit Expands Challenge to Damaging Grazing in Agua Fria National Monument in Arizona

TUCSON, Ariz.— The Center for Biological Diversity and Maricopa Audubon Society initiated new legal proceedings against the U.S. Bureau of Land Management today to stop cattle in four grazing allotments from further damaging streams and riparian areas of the Agua Fria National Monument in central Arizona.

Lawsuit: EPA Must Protect Manatees From Water Pollution

ORLANDO, Fla.— Three conservation groups sued the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today for failing to protect manatees and sea turtles from water pollution in Florida.

Proposed Montana Gypsum Mine Scrapped in Victory for Rare Plant

BILLINGS, Mont.— The mining company Grupo Cementos de Chihuahua has withdrawn its plan for gypsum mining exploration in southern Montana’s Pryor Desert. The plan would have disturbed Jurassic Period fossils, Crow and Northern Cheyenne archaeological sites, the imperiled greater sage grouse and many sensitive plant species, including the thick-leaf bladderpod.

Rare Southern Nevada Wildflower, Bee One Step Closer to Endangered Species Protections

LAS VEGAS— In response to litigation from the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agreed today to dates for decisions on endangered species protections for the Las Vegas bearpoppy and the Mojave poppy bee, as well as 25 other species across the United States.

Monarch Butterflies, Dozens of Other Species One Step Closer to Endangered Species Protections

WASHINGTON— In response to three lawsuits brought by the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agreed today to dates for decisions on whether 18 plants and animals from across the country warrant protection as endangered or threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. The Service will also consider identifying and protecting critical habitat for another nine species.

Federal Officials Forced to Reexamine Kentucky Pipeline’s Threats to Endangered Bats

CEDAR GROVE, Ky.— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today that it will return to the drawing board to ensure that a proposed methane gas pipeline will not jeopardize the survival of three imperiled bat species.

Biden Launches Process for Protecting Mature, Old-Growth Forests on Federal Lands

SEATTLE— President Joe Biden will issue an executive order today that directs federal agencies to conduct an inventory of mature and old-growth forests on America’s federal lands so that policies can be adopted to protect them. The administration framed the move as a key strategy to store carbon and address climate change.

Legal Action Defends Endangered Southwestern Willow Flycatcher

WASHINGTON— Longtime conservation partners the Center for Biological Diversity and Maricopa Audubon Society took to the courts today to fight once more to protect the endangered Southwestern willow flycatcher. This tiny, highly endangered songbird depends on the increasingly rare and threatened streamside forests of the arid southwestern United States.

Legal Victory Secures Habitat Protection for 23 Imperiled Micronesian Species

HAGÅTÑA, Guam— Following a successful legal challenge by the Center for Biological Diversity and Blue Ocean Law, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service must now identify and protect critical habitat for 23 endangered and threatened species located throughout greater Micronesia. The Service now has to act on critical habitat for these nine rare animals and 14 plants by June 26, 2025.

Appeals Court Upholds Habitat Protections for New Mexico Meadow Jumping Mouse

DENVER, Colo.— The 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected a challenge brought by two cattlemen’s associations seeking to overturn the endangered New Mexico meadow jumping mouse’s critical habitat designation. This decision gives this remarkable mouse a fighting chance of survival.

California’s Clear Lake Hitch Back on Track for Endangered Species Protections

CLEAR LAKE, Calif.— In a legal victory for the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agreed today to again consider Endangered Species Act protections for the Clear Lake hitch. This large minnow is found only in Northern California’s Clear Lake.

Temblor Legless Lizard Gets Closer to California Endangered Species Protection

SACRAMENTO, Calif.— The California Department of Fish and Wildlife today recommended that the Temblor legless lizard move toward protection under the state’s Endangered Species Act. The action came in response to a petition from the Center for Biological Diversity.

State Wildlife Agency Recommends Ending Protection for California’s Climate-Threatened Western Joshua Trees

SACRAMENTO, Calif.— In a report released today, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife recommended ending interim protections for imperiled western Joshua trees, opening the door for widespread destruction of one of California’s most iconic species.

Lawsuit Launched to Seek Federal Protection for Thick-Leaf Bladderpod

BILLINGS, Mont.— Three conservation groups today announced their intent to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for failing to protect the thick-leaf bladderpod, a rare plant found only at the base of the Pryor Mountains in southern Montana and northern Wyoming. The plant is under imminent threat from gypsum mining.

Endangered Species Act Protection Sought for Nevada’s Railroad Valley Toad

RENO, Nev.— The Center for Biological Diversity filed a petition today with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service seeking Endangered Species Act protection for the critically imperiled Railroad Valley toad, which is threatened by a proposed lithium production project and oil drilling.

New Dungeons & Dragons Book to Support Endangered Species Protection

PORTLAND, Ore.— The Center for Biological Diversity is partnering with Mage Hand Press and creator Lucas Zellers to resurrect the histories of extinct animals in a surprising new way: through the popular role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons.

Lawsuit Launched to Stop Power Plant Construction, Save Nevada Toad After Endangered Species Listing

RENO, Nev.— The Fallon Paiute-Shoshone Tribe and the Center for Biological Diversity filed a formal notice of intent today to sue the U.S. Bureau of Land Management to halt construction of the Dixie Meadows geothermal power plant. Federal wildlife managers say the plant poses a significant risk of extinction to the Dixie Valley toad.

Lawsuit Filed to Protect Redwood Forest in California From Logging

MENDOCINO, Calif.― Environmental groups have filed a lawsuit to stop the Mendocino Redwood Company from logging nearly 1,000 acres of redwood forest in a California watershed that provides habitat for threatened northern spotted owls and fish.

Federal Court Rejects Fort Huachuca’s Groundwater Pumping Plan for Fourth Time

TUCSON, Ariz.— A federal judge has rejected the latest plan by the U.S. Army and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service aimed at preventing damage to the San Pedro River and its endangered species from groundwater pumping to serve Fort Huachuca and the Fort’s population in surrounding areas.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Gives Rare Nevada Toad Emergency Endangered Species Protection

RENO, Nev.— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today it would immediately protect the rare Dixie Valley toad under the Endangered Species Act on an emergency basis. The toads face an acute threat of extinction from the construction of a geothermal power plant adjacent to their only home at Dixie Meadows, a hot spring-fed wetland in Churchill County, Nevada.

Alaska’s Ice Seals Gain Critical Habitat Protection

WASHINGTON— Following a legal victory by the Center for Biological Diversity, the National Marine Fisheries Service announced two final rules today to protect critical habitat for bearded seals and ringed seals, two types of Arctic ice seals in Alaska.

Coastal California Sunflower Is Latest Endangered Species Act Success

EUREKA, Calif.— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today changed the Endangered Species Act status of beach layia, a small sunflower that grows only in California’s coastal dunes, reclassifying it from endangered to threatened. The change is due to reduced impacts from offroad vehicles, grazing, and development throughout much of the species’ range.

Endangered Species Protection Sought for Tiny Virginia Fish

RICHMOND, Va.— The Center for Biological Diversity filed a legal petition today seeking Endangered Species Act protection for the roughhead shiner, an olive-colored minnow found only in the upper James River watershed in western Virginia.

Agreement Prohibits Military Spending on Border Wall, Requires Restoration, Damage Study

WASHINGTON— Several federal agencies and the Center for Biological Diversity, Defenders of Wildlife and Animal Legal Defense Fund reached an agreement today that prohibits military spending on border walls.

14,000 Objections Filed Against Pisgah-Nantahala Forest Plan

ASHEVILLE, N.C.— More than 14,000 objections have been filed in opposition to the federal plan for the Pisgah-Nantahala National Forest in North Carolina, marking the highest number ever received by the U.S. Forest Service over such a plan.

Lawsuit Aims to Protect California’s Temblor Legless Lizard

SACRAMENTO, Calif.— The Center for Biological Diversity filed a lawsuit today to force the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to decide whether the temblor legless lizard in California warrants protection under the Endangered Species Act.

Northern Long-Eared Bats Proposed for Endangered Species Protection

PORTLAND, Ore.— In a reversal of a previous “threatened” listing that exempted destruction of the northern long-eared bat’s habitat from protection, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today issued a proposal to list the bat as endangered. This change in legal status will afford the species far greater protection under the Endangered Species Act as it struggles to survive in the face of devastating white-nose syndrome and human development.

Rare Sand Dune-Dwelling Plant in Oregon, California Proposed for Endangered Species Act Protection

PORTLAND, Ore.— Following a lawsuit by the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed today to protect the sand dune phacelia as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Just 26 populations of this rare plant remain in the coastal dunes of southern Oregon and northern California.

Mining Company Nixes California Gold Exploration That Threatened Rare Daisy

LOS ANGELES— A Canadian mining company has announced it’s suspending a proposal to expand gold mining exploration and road building on California’s Conglomerate Mesa after the U.S. Bureau of Land Management required an environmental impact statement for the project.

Oregon Department of Forestry Moves Flawed Endangered Species Plan Forward

PORTLAND, Ore.— The Oregon Department of Forestry and the National Marine Fisheries Service issued a draft environmental impact statement today for a habitat conservation plan that regulates logging on more than 600,000 acres of state forest in western Oregon.

Two Appalachian Crayfish Gain 446 Miles of Lifesaving Critical Habitat

CHARLESTON, W.Va.— Following a petition and lawsuit by the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today designated 446 stream miles of critical habitat for the Big Sandy and Guyandotte River crayfish in West Virginia, Kentucky and Virginia.

Report Card: North Carolina’s Pisgah-Nantahala Forest Plan Flunks

ASHEVILLE, N.C.— A report card issued by the Center for Biological Diversity and endorsed by 100 organizations and businesses gives failing grades to the newly released Pisgah-Nantahala Forest Plan. The Forest Service plan would dramatically increase logging in the country’s most popular national forest while reducing protections for its most important recreation and conservation areas.

Oregon Passes Law to Prevent Spread of Diseases Linked to Wildlife Trafficking

PORTLAND, Ore.— Gov. Kate Brown signed a bill into law today to help Oregon prevent the spread of zoonotic diseases linked to the import, trade and handling of wildlife. H.B. 4128 passed with bipartisan support in the Oregon legislature.

Two Freshwater Mussels Proposed for Federal Protections in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Louisiana

ST. LOUIS— In response to a 2010 petition from the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed today to protect the western and Ouachita fanshell mussels under the Endangered Species Act. The Service also plans to designate 654 miles of protected critical habitat in Arkansas, Kansas and Missouri for the two species.

Lawsuit Launched to Protect Endangered Bats From Methane Gas Pipeline

CEDAR GROVE, Ky.— The Center for Biological Diversity and Kentucky Resources Council filed a formal notice of intent to sue two federal agencies for failing to protect imperiled bats from harm threatened by the construction of the proposed Bullitt County Transmission Line in Kentucky.

Peppered Chub Placed on Endangered List

SILVER CITY, N.M.— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service added a fish called the peppered chub to the endangered species list today. The agency also designated 872 river miles of critical habitat in New Mexico, Texas and Oklahoma for the chub, a 3-inch-long, torpedo-shaped fish of the Great Plains.

Lawsuit Targets EPA’s Failure to Protect Washington’s Endangered Salmon, Orcas, Trout From Cyanide Pollution

WASHINGTON— The Center for Biological Diversity and Western Environmental Law Center sued the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today over its failure to protect Chinook and coho salmon, Southern Resident killer whales, steelhead trout and bull trout from the effects of toxic cyanide in Washington’s waters.

Agreement Sets Swift Deadline for Decision on Dixie Valley Toad Protections

RENO, Nev.— The Center for Biological Diversity and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reached an agreement today requiring the agency to decide by April 4 whether Nevada’s rare Dixie Valley toad warrants protection under the Endangered Species Act.

Nevada Geothermal Project Breaks Ground While Court Battles Rage

RENO, Nev.— Bulldozers broke ground this week at geothermal developer Ormat’s Dixie Meadows Geothermal Project in Churchill County, Nevada, while court battles over the project’s fate continue.

Legal Intervention Backs California’s Authority to Protect Oceano Dunes From Off-Road Vehicles

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif.— Conservation, Native American and community groups filed a motion this week to intervene in a lawsuit to defend the California Coastal Commission’s March 2021 decision phasing out off-highway vehicle use at Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area.

Court Upholds Protections for California’s Western Joshua Trees

FRESNO, Calif.— A Fresno County Superior Court judge today rejected an effort by construction and real estate interests, along with the city of Hesperia, to strip away legal protections for the imperiled western Joshua tree.

Rare Plant in South Texas, Mexico Proposed for Endangered Species Protection

RIO GRANDE CITY, Texas— Following a lawsuit by the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today proposed to protect the prostrate milkweed as endangered. Just 24 populations of the plant survive in South Texas and northern Mexico, where they serve up large quantities of nectar to bees and tarantula hawks.

Lawsuit Launched to Secure Endangered Status for Secretive Eastern Black Rail

WASHINGTON— The Center for Biological Diversity and Healthy Gulf filed a formal notice today of their intent to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service over a Trump administration decision that the eastern black rail should have threatened rather than endangered status under the Endangered Species Act. The Service predicts that the critically imperiled marsh bird will likely be extinct by 2068.

Rare Montana Plant Moves Closer to Endangered Species Protection

BILLINGS, Mont.— In response to a 2021 petition from the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today that the thick-leaf bladderpod may qualify for protection under the Endangered Species Act. The Service will now begin a full status review of the species.

Maui Grand Wailea Resort Sued for Lights That Harm Endangered Seabirds

HONOLULU— Conservation groups in Hawai‘i, represented by Earthjustice, filed a lawsuit today against Maui’s Grand Wailea Resort for its bright lights that attract Hawaiian petrels, frequently leading to their grounding and death.

Lawsuit Launched to Protect Critical Habitat for Florida Bonneted Bat, Again

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— The Center for Biological Diversity, Tropical Audubon Society and the Miami Blue Chapter of the North American Butterfly Association filed a formal notice today of their intent to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for failing to designate lifesaving critical habitat for Florida’s largest bat.

Federal Court Invalidates Another Key Permit in Endangered Species Act Case, Casting Serious Doubt on Future of Mountain Valley Pipeline

WASHINGTON— The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit today invalidated the biological opinion and incidental take statement issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under the Endangered Species Act for the Mountain Valley Pipeline.

Critical Habitat Protections Proposed for Tiehm’s Buckwheat

RENO, Nev.— As a result of successful litigation by the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today proposed protecting 910 acres of critical habitat for Nevada’s Tiehm’s buckwheat, including the areas where all the flower’s populations live and a 500-meter protective buffer.

In Another Endangered Species Act Success, Central California Coast Snail On Road to Recovery

MORRO BAY, Calif.— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today formally changed the status of the Morro shoulderband snail from endangered to threatened, citing Endangered Species Act protections that have helped spur its recovery.

Federal, California Protections Sought for Rare Daisy Imperiled by Gold Mining

SACRAMENTO, Calif.— The Center for Biological Diversity, California Native Plant Society and a botanist who studies the rare Inyo rock daisy formally petitioned the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today to protect the rare daisy under the federal Endangered Species Act.

As Deaths Soar, Lawsuit Seeks to Protect Critical Habitat for Florida Manatees

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— Conservation organizations today filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for failing to revise outdated critical habitat for Florida manatees. A record number of manatees — more than 1,100 — died in 2021, with many of these deaths attributable primarily to pollution of manatee habitat.

Lawsuit Challenges Denial of Endangered Species Protection for Florida Lizard

MIAMI— The Center for Biological Diversity sued the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today for a Trump Administration decision to deny protection to the Cedar Key mole skink under the Endangered Species Act.

Agreement Reached to Ensure New Protections for Rare Mount Charleston Blue Butterfly as Nevada Ski Resort Expands

LAS VEGAS— The Center for Biological Diversity and Lee Canyon reached an agreement today to allow the proposed expansion of the Lee Canyon Ski Area to move forward with significant new protections in place for the endangered Mount Charleston blue butterfly.

Lawsuit Launched to Protect Rare Oregon Wildflower

PORTLAND, Ore.— The Center for Biological Diversity filed a formal notice today of its intent to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to force it to respond to a petition to protect a plant called the tall western penstemon under the Endangered Species Act. The species is one of the rarest vascular plants in the Pacific Northwest and is threatened by development, habitat degradation, climate change and competition from non-native species.

Lawsuit Aims to Protect Threatened Lynx, Bats From Massive Copper Mine in Superior National Forest in Minnesota

DULUTH, Minn.— Conservation groups sued the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers today, saying their approval of the PolyMet open-pit copper mine and land exchange in the Superior National Forest in northeastern Minnesota violates the Endangered Species Act.

Denied Protection for Two Decades, New Mexico Butterfly Finally Proposed for ‘Endangered’ Status

WASHINGTON— In response to a third legal petition from the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today proposed protection for the Sacramento Mountains checkerspot butterfly under the Endangered Species Act. The orange-and-black checkered butterfly is found only in high-elevation meadows around the village of Cloudcroft in the Lincoln National Forest in southern New Mexico. Only eight butterflies and no larval tents could be found in the latest survey.

Petition Aims to Protect Famed Ghost Orchids Under Endangered Species Act

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— Conservation organizations submitted a petition to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today requesting protection of the ghost orchid under the Endangered Species Act. The ghost orchid, one of the most famous and imperiled flowers in Florida, has declined by more than 90% globally.

Forest Service Proposes Quadrupling Timber Harvests in Country’s Most Popular National Forest

ASHEVILLE, N.C.— The long-awaited Pisgah-Nantahala National Forest Plan released today proposes a massive increase in timber harvests while weakening protections for old-growth forests and rare species.

Petition Seeks to Protect Southern Bog Turtle Under Endangered Species Act

ASHEVILLE, N.C.— The Center for Biological Diversity filed a petition today urging the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to protect the southern population of the bog turtle as a federal endangered species in Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia.

Lawsuit Challenges Destructive Grazing in Agua Fria National Monument

TUCSON, Ariz.— The Center for Biological Diversity and Maricopa Audubon Society sued the U.S. Bureau of Land Management today to challenge widespread, destructive cattle grazing in streams and riparian areas of the Agua Fria National Monument in central Arizona.

Lawsuit Challenges Point Reyes Ranching, Elk-Killing Plan

POINT REYES, Calif.— Three conservation groups today filed a federal lawsuit challenging the National Park Service’s controversial management plan for expanding private agriculture at California’s Point Reyes National Seashore, one of a handful of national parks that permits cattle grazing.

Lawsuit Launched to Protect Imperiled Kirtland’s Snake

CHICAGO— Conservation groups formally notified the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today of their intent to sue over a 2017 decision to deny the Kirtland’s snake protection under the Endangered Species Act.

Judge Halts Nevada Geothermal Energy Project Days Before Bulldozers Set to Start Destroying Sacred Springs

RENO, Nev.— A federal judge today halted the start of construction on the Dixie Meadows geothermal energy project in central Nevada. The judge found that the project posed significant risk of harm to the Fallon Paiute-Shoshone Tribe and the ecosystems there.

Florida’s Panama City Crayfish Protected Under Endangered Species Act

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today protected the Panama City crayfish as a threatened species with 4,138 acres of critical habitat.

Lawsuit Launched to Protect Tucson Shovel-Nosed Snakes Under Endangered Species Act

TUCSON, Ariz.— The Center for Biological Diversity filed a formal notice today of its intent to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for once again denying protection to Tucson shovel-nosed snakes under the Endangered Species Act. In response to a September 2020 petition from the Center, the Service denied protection to the species for the second time in September 2021.

Four California Frog Populations Proposed for Endangered Species Act Protection

SACRAMENTO— In response to a Center for Biological Diversity petition and lawsuit, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today proposed Endangered Species Act protection for four populations of foothill yellow-legged frogs in the Sierra Nevada and central and Southern California. This stream-dwelling frog species has disappeared from more than 50% of its historic habitat in the state.

Tecolote bajeño propuesto de nuevo para ser protegido bajo la Ley de Especies en Peligro de Extinción

TUCSON, Ariz.— Tras múltiples peticiones y demandas del Centro para la Diversidad Biológica y Defenders of Wildlife, el Servicio de Pesca y Vida Silvestre de EE.UU. propuso proteger al tecolote bajeño una vez más conforme la Ley de Especies en Peligro de Extinción, esta vez como una especie amenazada.

Lawsuit Launched to Protect Washington’s Endangered Salmon, Orcas, Trout From Cyanide Pollution

PORTLAND, Ore.— Conservation organizations filed a formal notice today of their intent to sue multiple federal agencies and Washington’s Department of Ecology for their failure to protect multiple populations of chinook and coho salmon, Southern Resident killer whales, steelhead trout and bull trout from the effects of cyanide in Washington’s waters.

Lawsuit Launched Against Biden Administration’s Texas Border Levee Wall Construction

WASHINGTON— The Center for Biological Diversity filed a formal notice of intent today to sue the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Customs and Border Protection for failing to protect endangered ocelots during construction of border levees along the Rio Grande Valley in Texas.

Cactus Ferruginous Pygmy Owls Proposed for Renewed Endangered Species Act Protection

TUCSON, Ariz.— Following multiple petitions and lawsuits by the Center for Biological Diversity and Defenders of Wildlife, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today proposed to protect cactus ferruginous pygmy owls once again under the Endangered Species Act — this time as a threatened species.

Rare Southern California Butterfly Protected as Threatened Under Endangered Species Act

SAN DIEGO, Calif.— After nearly 30 years of petitions and lawsuits by the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today protected one of Southern California’s rarest butterflies, the Hermes copper butterfly, as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act.

Lawsuit Filed to Stop Geothermal Project From Destroying Nevada Springs

RENO, Nev.— The Fallon Paiute-Shoshone Tribe and Center for Biological Diversity sued the U.S. Bureau of Land Management Wednesday over its approval of the Dixie Meadows geothermal energy project, which could dry up nearby springs and harm an extremely rare amphibian, the Dixie Valley toad.

Florida Approves Rule to Protect Diamondback Terrapin Turtles From Collection, Drowning in Recreational Crab Traps

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.— Following nearly two years of advocacy and a petition filed by conservationists and turtle experts, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission approved a final rule today to protect diamondback terrapins from wild collection and drowning in recreational blue crab traps.

New Global Extinction Assessment Highlights Imperiled Freshwater Species

WASHINGTON— An update released today by the International Union for Conservation of Nature found that more than a quarter of plants and animals around the globe are threatened with extinction.

California Botanist Named 2021 E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Award Recipient

CLAREMONT, Calif.— A conservation botanist and director of conservation at the California Botanic Garden, Naomi Fraga, Ph.D., is the 2021 recipient of the Center for Biological Diversity’s annual E.O. Wilson Award for Outstanding Science in Biodiversity Conservation.

Agreement Reached to Conduct New Status Review of California Spotted Owls

SAN FRANCISCO— Conservation groups reached an agreement today with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for the agency to conduct a new Endangered Species Act review of California spotted owls by Feb. 25, 2023.

Pearl River Map Turtles Proposed for Endangered Species Act Protection in Mississippi, Louisiana

NEW ORLEANS— As the result of a lawsuit by the Center for Biological Diversity and Healthy Gulf, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today proposed to protect Pearl River map turtles as a threatened species under the federal Endangered Species Act.

Florida Order Weakens Protections for Imperiled Gopher Tortoise

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has issued an executive order that weakens protections for tortoises displaced from development sites around the state and authorizes indefinite “temporary relocation” measures. The order comes as uncontrolled urban sprawl has caused a shortage of relocation sites for the rare and beloved tortoise.

Lawsuits Launched Over Denial, Delay of Federal Protections to 10 Species

WASHINGTON— The Center for Biological Diversity filed two formal notices of intent today to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for denying or delaying Endangered Species Act protections for 10 species.

Agencies Warned Alabama Coal Mine May Violate State, Federal Laws

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Two conservation groups today notified state and federal agencies, as well as Mays Mining Incorporated, that they intend to sue over the approval of a mine on the banks of the Mulberry Fork in Alabama.

Freshwater Mussel Gains Endangered Species Act Protection in North Carolina, Virginia

ASHEVILLE, N.C.— Following a petition and lawsuits by the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today listed the Atlantic pigtoe freshwater mussel as threatened under the Endangered Species Act and designated 563 river miles of protected critical habitat in North Carolina and Virginia.

After 46 Years, Rare Texas Flower At Last Proposed for Endangered Species Act Protection

AUSTIN, Texas— Following a lawsuit by the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today proposed to protect the beautiful but disappearing bracted twistflower, in central Texas, under the Endangered Species Act. With 16 remaining naturally occurring populations, plus one struggling introduced population, the twistflower will gain threatened status, protection of 1,606 acres as critical habitat, and eventually a recovery plan.

Endangered Species Protection Proposed for Alligator Snapping Turtle

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— Following a petition and legal victory from the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today proposed protecting the alligator snapping turtle under the Endangered Species Act as a threatened species.

Lawsuit Seeks Endangered Species Act Protection for Rare California Fish

LOS ANGELES— The Center for Biological Diversity sued the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today for failing to protect two populations of imperiled speckled dace under the Endangered Species Act. The Service failed to make required decisions on protection for the Santa Ana speckled dace, in Southern California, and the Long Valley speckled dace in Mono County, which is nearing extinction in the wild.

Biden Administration Drops Ball on Federal Protections for More Than 60 Species Facing Extinction

WASHINGTON— The Biden administration failed to make required protection decisions for 66 imperiled species in fiscal year 2021, violating promises in a workplan developed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The 2016 plan was intended to address a backlog of hundreds of species awaiting protection, including the Hermes copper butterfly, Florida bonneted bat, Rio Grande cooter turtle and 63 more.

Biden Administration to Rescind Trump Rules Limiting Habitat Protections for Endangered Species

WASHINGTON— The Biden administration announced today it will rescind two Trump regulations. One Trump rule severely limits the government’s ability to protect habitat that imperiled animals and plants need to survive and recover. The second opened up the exclusion of habitat from protection based on trumped-up economic claims.

Humboldt Martens to Gain More Than 1 Million Acres of Protected Critical Habitat in Oregon, California

PORTLAND, Ore.— Following more than a decade of efforts by the Center for Biological Diversity and Environmental Protection Information Center (EPIC), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today proposed to designate 1,413,305 acres in northwestern California and southwestern Oregon as critical habitat for Humboldt martens, also known as coastal martens.

Imperiled, Fish-Eating Snake Gains 447 Miles of Protected Streams in Arizona, New Mexico

SILVER CITY, N.M.— In response to nearly two decades of scientific and legal advocacy by the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today protected 447 stream miles in the Southwest as critical habitat for the narrow-headed garter snake. That amounts to 23,785 protected acres in Arizona and New Mexico.

Pacific Fishers to Gain Half Million Acres of Protected Critical Habitat in California

OAKLAND, Calif.— Following years of efforts by the Center for Biological Diversity and other conservation groups, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today proposed to designate 554,454 acres in the southern Sierra Nevada as critical habitat for a distinct and endangered population of Pacific fishers.

Secretary Haaland Urged to Sign Order to End Extinction Crisis

WASHINGTON— The Center for Biological Diversity, along with more than 100 other conservation groups, called on Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland today to issue a secretarial order to halt the extinction crisis by protecting biodiversity and restoring abundant wildlife and plant populations both in the United States and around the world.

Agreement Reached to Protect Endangered Species From Livestock on Arizona’s Verde River

PHOENIX— A federal judge approved an agreement today among the Center for Biological Diversity, Maricopa Audubon Society, U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife to protect the Verde River, its tributaries and streambanks from cattle grazing.

Lawsuit Challenges Agency’s Failure to Protect Imperiled Wildlife From Marine Highway Program

PORTLAND, Ore.— The Center for Biological Diversity filed a lawsuit today against the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration for failing to ensure that protected species are not jeopardized by the America’s Marine Highway Program. The program seeks to expand shipping on major rivers and coastal areas in Washington, Oregon, Virginia and other states where listed species are at risk.

Del Rio Endangered Species Mural to Be Painted This Week, Celebration Slated for Oct. 16

DEL RIO, Texas— The Center for Biological Diversity and Del Rio’s Casa de la Cultura will host a community event Oct.16 to celebrate a new mural of the Mexican blindcat, an endangered catfish found in underground aquifers on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border in south Texas and northern Coahuila. The 250-square foot painting will be the latest installment in the Center’s national endangered species mural project, which highlights imperiled plants and animals that are special to their regions.

Lawsuit Seeks to Protect National Conservation Area in Arizona From Destructive Cattle Grazing

TUCSON, Ariz.― The Center for Biological Diversity and Maricopa Audubon Society sued the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and Fish and Wildlife Service today to force them to protect critical habitat for threatened and endangered species in the Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area in southeastern Arizona.

Lawsuit Targets Trespass Grazing Destruction of Endangered Plant in Arizona’s San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area

TUCSON, Ariz.— The Center for Biological Diversity and Maricopa Audubon Society sued the U.S. Bureau of Land Management today for failing to protect a semi-aquatic endangered plant in the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area from rampant trespass livestock grazing.

Tiehm’s Buckwheat Moves Toward Endangered Species Act Protections

LAS VEGAS— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced a proposed rule today to list the rare wildflower Tiehm’s buckwheat as endangered under the Endangered Species Act.

Endangered Species Act Protection Sought for Utah’s Least Chub

TUCSON, Ariz.— The Center for Biological Diversity filed a petition with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today seeking Endangered Species Act protection for the imperiled least chub.

9 Species From Hawaiʻi Lost to Extinction

HONOLULU— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed today to remove eight birds and a plant in Hawai‘i from the endangered species list because of extinction. They join the list of 650 U.S. species that have likely been lost to extinction.

23 Species From 19 States Lost to Extinction

WASHINGTON— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed today to remove 22 animals and a plant from the endangered species list because of extinction. They join the list of 650 U.S. species that have likely been lost to extinction.

Oregon Coast Tiger Beetle Eyed for Endangered Species Act Safeguards

PORTLAND, Ore.— In response to a petition filed by the Center for Biological Diversity and the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today that the imperiled Siuslaw hairy-necked tiger beetle may qualify for protection under the Endangered Species Act.

Southern California Fish One Step Closer to Endangered Species Act Protection

MAMMOTH LAKES, Calif.— In response to a petition by the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service determined today that the Long Valley speckled dace may be extinct in the wild and warrant protection under the Endangered Species Act. The small fish formerly inhabited warm springs and creeks in the Upper Owens River watershed in Mono County.

Biden Administration Denies Protections to Imperiled Nevada Springsnails

LAS VEGAS— The Biden administration today denied Endangered Species Act protections to 10 rare species of Nevada springsnails, despite the dire threats of groundwater pumping and climate change faced by the tiny mollusks.

Lawsuit Targets Federal OK of Off-Road Routes, Grazing Threatening Imperiled Species in California Deserts

SAN FRANCISCO— Environmental groups sued the Interior Department, U.S. Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today for authorizing damaging activities in the California Desert Conservation Area, including a vast network of off-road vehicle routes in the West Mojave Desert. The routes are driving desert tortoises and other threatened and endangered species closer to extinction and destroying these protected public lands.

Maui Grand Wailea Resort Put on Notice for Lights That Kill Endangered Seabirds

HONOLULU— Conservation groups in Hawai‘i represented by Earthjustice sent a notice of intent today to sue the Grand Wailea Resort for violations of the Endangered Species Act if the hotel does not fix its lights that are killing native seabirds.

Wolves in Northern Rockies One Step Closer to Endangered Species Protection

VICTOR, Idaho— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today that wolves in the West may warrant protection under the Endangered Species Act. The decision comes in response to an emergency petition from the Center for Biological Diversity, the Humane Society of the United States, Humane Society Legislative Fund and Sierra Club.

Lake Sturgeon Will Get Endangered Species Decision in 2024

CHICAGO— A federal court has ordered the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to make a determination by 2024 whether imperiled populations of lake sturgeon will be protected under the Endangered Species Act. Millions of these giant, ancient fish once lived in the Great Lakes and Mississippi River Basin, but today the population is less than 1% of historic levels.

Federal Judge Blocks New Florida Law That Would Strip First Amendment Rights of Protesters

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— A federal judge blocked a new Florida law today that sought to dramatically curtail free speech and the right to assembly and slash legal protections for protesters.

Nevada Urged to Shut Down Upcoming Bear Hunt as Wildfires Rage

RENO, Nev.— Wildlife advocates called on the Nevada Department of Wildlife today to shut down the state’s bear hunt in units affected by or adjacent to the recent catastrophic wildfires that have wreaked havoc on Sierra Nevada communities.

Lawsuit Launched to Protect Rare Southeast Alaska Wolf

SITKA, Alaska— Conservation groups filed a formal notice today of their intent to sue the federal government for failing to act on a petition to protect Alexander Archipelago wolves in Southeast Alaska under the Endangered Species Act. Increased trapping and extensive logging have caused rapid population declines for these rare gray wolves.

Oregon Denies Key Authorization for Controversial Dam in Mt. Hood National Forest

PORTLAND, Ore.— The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has denied a water-quality certification for continued operations of Middle Fork Irrigation District’s water delivery system, including Clear Branch Dam, in Oregon’s Hood River basin. The decision came after conservation groups raised serious concerns about the project’s failure to comply with water-quality standards and its impact on threatened bull trout.

Alabama’s Slenderclaw Crayfish Gains Endangered Species Act Protection With 78 River Miles of Critical Habitat

HUNTSVILLE, Ala.— Following more than a decade of advocacy by the Center for Biological Diversity and allies, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today protected the slenderclaw crayfish as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. The tiny crayfish survives only in two creeks on Sand Mountain, near Lake Guntersville in DeKalb and Marshall counties.

Pyramid Pigtoe Mussel Proposed for Endangered Species Act Protection

NASHVILLE, Tenn.— Following more than a decade of advocacy by the Center for Biological Diversity and allies, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today proposed to protect the pyramid pigtoe mussel as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act.

Critical Habitat Proposed for Rare South Florida Beetle

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— Following litigation by the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today proposed critical habitat under the Endangered Species Act for the endangered Miami tiger beetle.

Historic Accomplishment: Snail Darter Recovered

WASHINGTON— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed today to remove the snail darter from the endangered species list due to recovery. Thanks to government and collaborative efforts, the little fish is no longer in danger of extinction.

Rare Arizona Plant Threatened by Rosemont Copper Mine Receives Endangered Species Act Protection

TUSCON, Ariz.— Following a petition and legal action from the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today that Bartram’s stonecrop, a succulent found in southern Arizona, will receive protection as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

EPA: Neonicotinoid Pesticides Harm Vast Majority of All Endangered Species

WASHINGTON— Three neonicotinoid insecticides likely harm all of the country’s 38 protected amphibians and roughly three fourths of all other endangered plants and animals, according to long-anticipated studies released today by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Washington Agency Issues Kill Order on Another Endangered Wolf Pack

OLYMPIA, Wash.— The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife issued a new order today authorizing the killing of up to two members of the Togo wolf pack in Ferry County. The Togo pack currently consists of at least five adults and four pups, according to the department.

Six Texas Freshwater Mussels Proposed for Endangered Species Act Protection

AUSTIN, Texas— Following litigation by the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today proposed to protect six species of Texas freshwater mussels under the Endangered Species Act. The Service also proposed designating 1,944 river miles as critical habitat for the mussels.

Oregon Renews Kill Order for Members of Lookout Mountain Wolf Pack

PORTLAND, Ore.— Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife officials today re-authorized the killing of up to two more members of the Lookout Mountain wolf pack. The department first issued a kill order July 29, and two days later shot and killed two of the pack’s 4-month-old pups.

Judge Rules Homeland Security Failed to Consider Environmental Harm of Ramping Up Border Militarization

WASHINGTON— A federal judge ruled today that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Customs and Border Protection violated federal law by failing to analyze potential environmental harms from escalating militarization along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Elusive Pacific Northwest Bumblebee Listed as Endangered

PORTLAND, Ore.— Following legal action by the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today listed Franklin’s bumblebee as endangered under the Endangered Species Act.

Chispa Florida Celebrará Conferencia de Prensa Sobre Marea Roja con Grupos Latinos y de Defensa del Medio Ambiente

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— El sábado 21 de agosto a las 10 a.m. el programa Chispa Florida de Florida Conservation Voters y líderes de comunidades latinas e indígenas ofrecerán una conferencia de prensa y un día de acción para alertar sobre cómo la marea roja está afectando el agua de nuestras comunidades en la costa oeste de Florida. El agua sucia tiene un impacto desproporcionado en la salud física y mental de las comunidades latinas, negras e indígenas, así como en la economía y el medio ambiente.

Chispa Florida to Hold Red Tide Press Conference With Latinx, Environmental Advocacy Groups

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— On Saturday, Aug. 21 at 10 a.m., Florida Conservation Voters’ Chispa Florida program and Latinx and Indigenous community leaders will host a press conference and day of advocacy. The event will share how red tide is affecting our communities' water on the west coast of Florida. Dirty water disproportionately impacts the physical and mental health of communities of color as well as the economy and environment.

Court Rules Minnesota Lawsuit to Protect Lynx From Fur Trapping Can Continue

MINNEAPOLIS— A Minnesota federal judge has ruled that a lawsuit brought by the Center for Biological Diversity that seeks additional protections for federally protected Canada lynx can move forward. The case challenges state-permitted fur trapping in Minnesota that injures and kills Canada lynx.

Lawsuit Launched to Stop Destruction of Endangered Amargosa Vole’s California Habitat

TECOPA, Calif.— The Center for Biological Diversity filed a formal notice today of its intent to sue the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for failing to protect critical habitat for Amargosa voles. The small, endangered mammals live only in marshes near increasingly popular desert hot springs in the Mojave Desert near Tecopa, Calif.

Agreement Reached to Protect Endangered Species From Livestock on Arizona, New Mexico Waterways

SILVER CITY, N.M.— The Center for Biological Diversity, U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reached an agreement today to protect rivers and streams in eastern Arizona and western New Mexico from cattle grazing. This agreement comes more than 20 years after the agencies first promised to keep cows off these riparian habitats to safeguard rare plants and animals.

Wisconsin Attorney General Files Suit to Remove Natural Resources Board Chair

MADISON, Wis.— Following a complaint by the Humane Society of the United States and Center for Biological Diversity, Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul has brought Natural Resources Board chair Frederick Prehn to court to oust him from his position. Prehn has refused to vacate his seat more than three months after his six-year term expired on May 1.

More Than 1,300 Acres of Critical Habitat Designated for Two Central Texas Salamanders

AUSTIN, Texas— Following a legal victory by the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today designated 1,315 acres in the Austin area as protected critical habitat for the Georgetown and Salado salamanders.

Lawsuit Seeks Protection for Northern California’s Clear Lake Hitch

CLEAR LAKE, Calif.— The Center for Biological Diversity filed a lawsuit today, in the Northern District of California, against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service challenging the agency’s failure to protect a fish called the Clear Lake hitch under the Endangered Species Act. Despite clear scientific evidence that the hitch is likely to become an endangered species due to many threats, including climate change, the Trump administration denied it protection in a December 2020 determination.

Changes Sought for Florida Manatee Critical Habitat as Deaths Set New Record

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— Conservation organizations today filed a formal notice of their intent to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for failing to revise outdated critical habitat for Florida manatees. More than 905 manatees have died in 2021, and those deaths are attributable primarily to habitat loss.

Lawsuit Launched to Finalize Habitat Protections for Two Appalachian Crayfish

CHARLESTON, W.Va.— The Center for Biological Diversity filed a formal notice of intent to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for failing to protect critical habitat in West Virginia, Virginia and Kentucky for the Guyandotte River crayfish and the Big Sandy crayfish.

Rep. DeFazio Introduces Bill to Ban Deadly ‘Cyanide Bombs’ on Public Lands

WASHINGTON— A bill introduced by Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.) seeks to ban the use of wildlife-killing M-44 devices, commonly known as ‘‘cyanide bombs,’’ on federal public lands. These deadly devices — spring-loaded capsules armed with cyanide spray — have injured people and inhumanely killed thousands of animals every year.

Cooke Aquaculture Secures Permit to Stock Risky Washington Fish Farm

SEATTLE— Despite ongoing litigation and timing questions regarding the lease for the facility, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has granted fish farming giant Cooke Aquaculture a permit to stock its Hope Island facility in-water net pens with steelhead.

Two of California’s Three Wolf Packs Confirmed to Have Pups

SAN FRANCISCO— Two of California’s three existing wolf families, the Lassen pack and the Whaleback pack, have produced pups this year, according to a new quarterly report published by the California Department of Fish and Game.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Delays Decision on Revising Critical Habitat for Mount Graham Red Squirrels

TUSCON, Ariz.— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has delayed providing urgently needed revisions to the critical habitat essential to the survival and recovery of southeast Arizona’s highly endangered Mount Graham red squirrels.

Sierra Nevada Red Fox Population Gains Endangered Species Act Protection

SACRAMENTO— In response to a petition and lawsuits from the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today granted endangered status to a population of one of North America’s rarest mammals, the Sierra Nevada red fox.

Lawsuit Launched to Protect Imperiled Fish in Death Valley Region

LOS ANGELES— The Center for Biological Diversity filed a notice of intent to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today to seek Endangered Species Act protection for three populations of speckled dace that inhabit desert springs and streams in California’s Death Valley region.

Endangered Orcas’ West Coast Habitat Receives New Federal Protection

SEATTLE— Responding to legal pressure from the Center for Biological Diversity, the federal government finalized a new rule today expanding critical habitat protection along the West Coast for critically endangered Southern Resident killer whales. The population of Southern Residents stands at just 74 orcas.

Congress Calls for Lasting Protections for Migratory Birds

WASHINGTON— Rep. Alan Lowenthal (D-Calif.) joined with Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) and 47 original co-sponsors today to introduce the Migratory Bird Protection Act, which reaffirms long-standing protections for migratory birds against industrial take, or the unintentional but predictable killing of birds.

House Hearing to Focus on Bills to Save Critically Endangered Species

WASHINGTON— The House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Oceans and Wildlife will hold a legislative hearing Thursday to review more than a dozen conservation bills, which would provide millions of dollars in long-overdue funding for protecting and recovering critically endangered species and ecosystems.

Lawsuit Threatened Over U.S. Failure to Protect Imperiled Wildlife From Marine Highway Program

PORTLAND, Ore.— The Center for Biological Diversity fired a shot across the bow of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration today for failing to ensure that protected species are not jeopardized by the America’s Marine Highway Program. The program seeks to expand shipping on major rivers and coastal areas in Washington, Oregon, Virginia and other states where listed species are at risk.

Rare Southeast Alaska Wolf One Step Closer to Endangered Species Protection

SITKA, Alaska— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today that Alexander Archipelago wolves in Southeast Alaska may warrant protection under the Endangered Species Act and started a year-long status review. The decision comes in response to a July 2020 petition from the Center for Biological Diversity, Alaska Rainforest Defenders and Defenders of Wildlife.

La UNESCO insta a poner fin al muro fronterizo que amenaza la vida silvestre en sitio de Patrimonio Mundial en México

FUZHOU, China— El Comité del Patrimonio Mundial de la UNESCO instó hoy a los Estados Unidos a detener la construcción del muro fronterizo, trabajar con México para evaluar los daños del muro en la Reserva de la Biosfera El Pinacate y Gran Desierto de Altar en México y en las tierras protegidas adyacentes en los Estados Unidos, y restaurar el paisaje y hábitat de la vida silvestre.

UNESCO Urges End to Border Wall Threatening World Heritage Site, Wildlife in Mexico

FUZHOU, China— The UNESCO World Heritage Committee today urged the United States to stop border wall construction. The committee also called on the United States to work with Mexico to assess damage from the wall to a World Heritage site in Mexico and adjacent protected lands in the United States and recommend ways to restore the landscape and wildlife habitat.

Wildlife Protection Groups Call on Wisconsin Attorney General to Remove Natural Resources Board Chair

MADISON, Wisc.— The Humane Society of the United States and the Center for Biological Diversity sent a letter today to Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul requesting legal action to remove Natural Resources Board Chair Frederick Prehn, who continues to hold office more than two months after his six-year term expired May 1.

Lawsuit Targets Wildlife Agency for Failing to Protect Habitat for 23 Endangered Micronesian Species

HAGÅTÑA, Guam— The Center for Biological Diversity sued the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today for failing to protect critical habitat for 23 endangered species in the U.S. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and the U.S. Territory of Guam.

Lawsuit Launched Over Idaho’s Harmful Wolf-Hunting Laws

BOISE, Idaho— Ten groups filed a notice of intent today to sue the state of Idaho to challenge the state’s new wolf-hunting laws, which also pose a serious risk to federally protected species like lynxes and grizzly bears.

Lawsuit Targets Hawai‘i Land Board’s Failure to Protect Reefs, Fish From Aquarium Pet Trade

HONOLULU— Conservation groups, Native Hawaiian fishers and cultural practitioners sued the Hawai‘i Board of Land and Natural Resources today to protect West Hawai‘i’s reefs and coastal areas from commercial extraction of fish and other wildlife for the aquarium pet trade.

517 River Miles of Lifesaving Habitat in Mississippi Proposed to Protect Threatened Pearl Darter

BILOXI, Miss.— Following nearly two decades of advocacy by the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today proposed to protect 517 river miles of critical habitat for the pearl darter, a threatened fish from Mississippi.

Oregon Approves Petition to Increase Marbled Murrelet Endangered Species Protection

SALEM, Ore.— The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission today approved a petition filed by five conservation groups to give marbled murrelets more protection by reclassifying them from threatened to endangered under the state’s Endangered Species Act. The 4-3 decision comes two years after an Oregon judge ruled that the commission had violated state law by denying the petition without explanation in 2018.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Rescinds Approval for Luxury Marina, Housing Development on Idaho’s Lake Pend Oreille

SANDPOINT, Idaho— In response to a formal notice of intent to sue filed by the Center for Biological Diversity, Lake Pend Oreille Water Keeper and Idaho Conservation League, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service called on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to reinitiate consultation under the Endangered Species Act and analyze the impacts of constructing a marina with 124 boat slips and five large luxury houses on Trestle Creek, an important spawning stream for bull trout.

Indigenous-Directed Short Film Asks Interior Secretary Haaland to Return Federal Protection to Gray Wolves

BOZEMAN, Mont.— The Global Indigenous Council today released Family, a short film highlighting the deep cultural connection Indigenous nations share with wolves and the major threats currently facing imperiled wolves in the lower 48 states.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to Reduce Razorback Sucker Protection Despite Lack of Successful Reproduction, Drying Colorado River

DENVER— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today proposed to reduce protection for a fish called the razorback sucker by reclassifying it from endangered to threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The move comes despite threats to the fish’s wild populations and despite dire forecasts for worsening climate-driven declines in Colorado River flows. The fish, which can grow up to 3 feet long and live for 40 years, is threatened by population fragmentation by dams, predation by non-native fish, altered river flows and climate change.

Lawsuit Filed to Overturn Denial of Endangered Species Protection to Eastern Hellbenders

NEW YORK— A lawsuit filed today by five conservation groups challenges a decision made by the Trump administration to deny Endangered Species Act protection to eastern hellbenders.

Environmentalists Set Deadline for Hawai‘i Department of Transportation to Fix Lights That Injure, Kill Rare Birds on Maui, Lāna‘i

HONOLULU— Two conservation groups today provided formal notice of their intent to sue the Hawai‘i Department of Transportation if it fails to take immediate steps to prevent bright lighting at state-operated airports and harbors on Maui and Lāna‘i from killing and injuring three species of critically imperiled seabirds.

Florida Freshwater Mussel Threatened by Phosphate Mine Receives 190 Miles of Lifesaving Critical Habitat

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— In response to several lawsuits brought by the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today designated 190 miles of stream channels as critical habitat for the Suwannee moccasinshell, a freshwater mussel found only in north Florida. The moccasinshell’s habitat in the Suwannee and Santa Fe rivers has been harmed by pollution and reduced water flows and is now threatened by a proposed phosphate mine in Bradford and Union counties.

Golden Paintbrush Is Latest Endangered Species Act Success Story

PORTLAND, Ore.— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed today to remove a flowering plant called the golden paintbrush, in the Pacific Northwest, from the endangered species list due to its recovery.

Members of Congress Urge Secretary Haaland to Use Emergency Authority to Save Western Monarchs

WASHINGTON— Fourteen members of Congress, led by Reps. Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.) and Salud Carbajal (D-Calif.), urged Interior Secretary Deb Haaland today to take immediate action to protect the western population of monarch butterflies from extinction using her emergency authority under the Endangered Species Act.

Congress to President Biden: Declare Extinction Crisis a National Emergency

WASHINGTON— Nine members of Congress led by Reps. Marie Newman (D-Ill.) and Chuy García (D-Ill.) today introduced the Extinction Crisis Emergency Act, which would direct President Biden to declare the global wildlife extinction crisis a national emergency. The legislation would spur action across the entire federal government to stem the loss of animals and plants in the United States and around the world.

Endangered Black-Footed Ferrets Proposed for Reintroduction Throughout Arizona

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz.— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed today to reintroduce endangered black-footed ferrets to four new areas in Arizona once their prey, prairie dogs, have increased sufficiently in numbers. A fifth area’s prairie dog population needs more growth and would be considered for ferret reintroduction later.

New Wolf Pack Confirmed in California’s Plumas County

SAN FRANCISCO— The California Department of Fish and Wildlife reported today that a new wolf pack has established itself in southern Plumas County. Named the Beckwourth pack, the group of three wolves was first confirmed in May but not officially announced until today.

Smooth Coneflower Recovering, Proposed for Downlisting

WASHINGTON— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today proposed downlisting the smooth coneflower from endangered to threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The proposal is based on increased occurrences of the flower and the growing number of populations in protected areas.

Groups File Legal Notice Over Montana Wolf Trapping’s Threat to Grizzlies, Lynx

BOZEMAN, Mont.— Citing the risk to other imperiled animals, Earthjustice sent a notice of intent to sue the state of Montana today for implementing new laws permitting snaring of wolves and expanding trapping seasons to reduce the wolf population.

Campaign Launched to Overhaul State Management of Wolves

PORTLAND, Ore.— A new set of planning guides and resources was released today by conservation groups working to improve state management of gray wolves and move agencies across the country away from traditional practices that largely focus on killing wolves.

Recovering Blue Butterfly Proposed for Downlisting in Oregon

PORTLAND, Ore.— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today proposed downlisting the Fender’s blue butterfly from endangered to threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act. The proposal is based on the recovery of butterfly populations in northwest Oregon’s Willamette Valley.

$15,000 Reward Offered for Info on Wolf Poaching in Stevens County

SEATTLE— Conservation groups announced today a combined $15,000 reward for information on the poaching of the breeding female of the Wedge wolf pack. The wolf was found dead of a gunshot wound May 26 in the Sheep Creek area of Stevens County in northeast Washington state.

Legless Lizard in California One Step Closer to Endangered Species Act Protection

McKITTRICK, Calif.— In response to a petition from the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today that the Temblor legless lizard may qualify for protection under the Endangered Species Act.

Southern California Fish Moves Closer to Endangered Species Act Protection

LOS ANGELES— In response to a petition by the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today that the Santa Ana speckled dace, a small minnow native to Southern California streams, may qualify for protection under the Endangered Species Act.

Lawsuit Launched to Overturn Approval of Destructive Coal Mine in Alabama

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.— Two conservation groups filed a formal notice today of their intent to sue the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, Alabama Surface Mining Commission and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service over a controversial open-pit coal mine on the banks of the Mulberry Fork of the Black Warrior River in Alabama.

More than 50 Conservation Groups Ask Biden Administration to Immediately Restore Protections to Wolves in Northern Rockies

WASHINGTON— As state wildlife agencies in Idaho and Montana work to implement legislation aimed at drastically reducing wolf populations, more than 50 wildlife conservation groups today asked the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to immediately restore Endangered Species Act protections to gray wolves in the northern Rocky Mountains.

Federal Report: More Than 260 Migratory Bird Species in Need of Conservation

WASHINGTON— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released a new report today on bird conservation that takes into account how human impacts on North American birds will intensify with ongoing climate change.

Coast Miwok Tribe Objects to Point Reyes Ranching, Elk-Killing Plan

POINT REYES, Calif.— The Coast Miwok Tribal Council, lineal descendants of the original inhabitants of Point Reyes, has sent Interior Secretary Deb Haaland a formal letter objecting to a National Park Service plan to prioritize cattle ranching and kill tule elk at Point Reyes National Seashore in Northern California.

Arizona Plant Threatened by Rosemont Copper Mine Receives Endangered Species Protection

TUSCON, Ariz.— Following a petition and lawsuit from the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today that the beardless chinchweed will receive protection as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. The Service designated 10,604 acres in Pima, Cochise and Santa Cruz counties in Arizona as protected critical habitat for the rare sunflower.

Threatened by Climate Change, Mt. Rainier Ptarmigan Proposed for Endangered Species Act Protections

SEATTLE— In response to a petition and litigation by the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed today to protect the Mt. Rainier white-tailed ptarmigan as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. Following a Trump administration regulation, the Service declined to identify and protect critical habitat for the ptarmigan.

Legal Action Taken to Defend Essential Black Pinesnake Habitat in Alabama, Mississippi

MOBILE, Ala.— The Center for Biological Diversity today intervened in a lawsuit filed by a conservative legal group that aims to strip federal protections from some of the last, best remaining habitat for the threatened black pinesnake.

Developers End Pursuit of World’s Largest Methanol Refinery Planned for Washington

TACOMA, Wash.— In a stunning climate victory, Northwest Innovation Works, which backs a controversial fossil fuel processing and export proposal in Kalama, Washington, officially abandoned its fracked gas refinery and pipeline proposal, terminating the company’s lease with the Port of Kalama. The decision comes after years of local and regional activism to stop the massive fracked gas refinery, resulting in a series of legal defeats for the project.

First New Wolf Pups In a Century Born In Northern Colorado

DENVER— At least three wolf pups have been born in the North Park area of Colorado, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife and Gov. Jared Polis. These are the first wolves known to have been born in the wild in the state since 1926 or 1927.

Lifesaving Habitat Protection Proposed for Vanishing Mussel in Texas, New Mexico

EL PASO, Texas— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed today to protect 463 miles of the Rio Grande and its tributaries in Texas and New Mexico as critical habitat for the endangered Texas hornshell, a large brown and green mussel.

Forest Service Protections Sought for Wolves in Idaho, Montana Wildernesses

BOZEMAN, Mont.— A coalition of wildlife advocacy groups, represented by the non-profit environmental law firm Earthjustice, today asked the U.S. Forest Service to issue new protections for wolves in designated wilderness areas following Idaho and Montana’s enactment of a rash of aggressive anti-wolf laws.

North Carolina Catfish, Salamander Protected Under Endangered Species Act

ASHEVILLE, N.C.— Following a petition and lawsuits from the Center for Biological Diversity spanning a decade, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today finalized protection for the Carolina madtom catfish and Neuse River waterdog salamander under the Endangered Species Act.

Lawsuit Launched to Protect Endangered Mouse, Riparian Areas in New Mexico’s Sacramento Mountains

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.— The Center for Biological Diversity filed a formal notice today of its intent to sue the U.S. Forest Service for failing to protect riparian areas in New Mexico’s Sacramento Mountains from cattle. The area is critical habitat for the endangered New Mexico meadow jumping mouse.

Biden Administration Promises to Rescind, Revise Trump Endangered Species Rules

WASHINGTON— The Biden administration announced today it will rescind or revise five regulations instituted by the Trump administration that sharply undercut protections for the nation’s endangered species. The rules opened the door to consideration of economic factors in decisions for species protections, weakened protections for critical habitat and left threatened species without guaranteed protections.

Tiehm’s Buckwheat Proposed for Endangered Species Act Protection

LAS VEGAS— In response to a petition and litigation from the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today proposed to protect Tiehm’s buckwheat under the Endangered Species Act.

Lawsuit Launched to Reverse Trump Administration Denial of Endangered Species Protection to West Coast Fishers

PORTLAND, Ore.— Conservation groups filed a formal notice today of their intent to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service over its denial of Endangered Species Act protection to the majority of fishers on the West Coast.

Agreement Reached to Speed Endangered Species Protection for Caribbean Lizards

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— The Center for Biological Diversity and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reached an agreement today that requires the Service to make endangered species decisions for eight rare species of skink — a type of lizard — by Dec. 12, 2024.The skinks are found on Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands and face extinction because of introduced predators, habitat destruction and climate change.

Lesser Prairie Chicken Proposed for Endangered Species Act Protection

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.— In response to a 2016 petition and lawsuit from the Center for Biological Diversity and partners, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today proposed to protect the lesser prairie chicken under the Endangered Species Act.

Endangered Species Act Protection Sought for Wolves in Northern Rockies

VICTOR, Idaho— The Center for Biological Diversity, the Humane Society of the United States, Humane Society Legislative Fund and Sierra Club today petitioned the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to restore federal protection under the Endangered Species Act to gray wolves, after Idaho and Montana passed legislation aimed at drastically reducing wolf populations in those states.

Wolf-Killing Could Disqualify Montana for $24 Million in Federal Funding, State Warned

BOZEMAN, Mont.— The Center for Biological Diversity called today for the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission to show restraint in implementing new legislation that could lead to the slaughter of more than 80% of the state’s wolves.

Congress Introduces Bill to Save Endangered Butterflies, Fish, Plants, Mollusks

WASHINGTON— Representative Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.) and Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) today reintroduced the Extinction Prevention Act of 2021, which would fund crucial conservation work for some of the most critically imperiled species in the United States.

Agreement Sets Swift Timeline for Federal Government’s Decisions on Tiehm’s Buckwheat Protection

LAS VEGAS, Nev.— The Center for Biological Diversity and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reached an agreement today that requires the agency to decide by May 31 whether Nevada’s rare Tiehm’s buckwheat warrants protection under the Endangered Species Act. The agreement is the result of litigation by the Center and a recent ruling by a federal judge that the Service must make a determination on protections for the imperiled plant.

115 Top U.S. Wolf Experts, Scientists Urge Biden Administration to Restore Federal Protections for Gray Wolves

WASHINGTON— More than 100 scientists today called upon Interior Secretary Deb Haaland and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to reinstate federal protections for gray wolves under the Endangered Species Act.

Suckley’s Cuckoo Bumblebee Takes Step Toward Endangered Species Act Protection

PORTLAND, Ore.— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today that Suckley’s cuckoo bumblebee, a critically imperiled species that has recently declined by more than 90%, may warrant Endangered Species Act protection. The announcement kicks off a one-year status assessment of the species.

Delaware Urged to Ban Commercial Trapping of Wild Turtles

DOVER, Del.— The Center for Biological Diversity and Delaware Riverkeeper Network petitioned the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control today to end commercial collection of the state’s common snapping turtles. Under current state law, turtle trappers can legally collect unlimited numbers of common snapping turtles to sell domestically or export for food and medicinal markets.

Bell’s Sparrow, Four Plants Found Only on San Clemente Island Are Latest Endangered Species Act Success

LOS ANGELES, Calif.— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed today to remove Endangered Species Act protection from the San Clemente Island Bell's sparrow and four plant species, all found only on San Clemente Island, one of the Channel Islands off the southern coast of California.

Army Corps Sued for Failure to Protect Waterways, Endangered Wildlife From Pipeline Construction

GREAT FALLS, Mont.— Environmental groups filed a lawsuit today against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers over a nationwide permit that allows streamlined development of oil and gas pipelines through wetlands, streams and rivers. The lawsuit was filed in federal district court in Montana by the Center for Biological Diversity, Sierra Club, Friends of the Earth, Waterkeeper Alliance and Montana Environmental Information Center.

Federal Officials Urged to End Idaho’s Wildlife Management Funding in Response to Extreme Wolf-Killing Legislation

BOISE, Idaho— In response to legislation recently approved by Idaho lawmakers that could lead to the slaughter of up to 90% of the state’s wolves, the Center for Biological Diversity today asked the U.S. Department of the Interior and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to disqualify Idaho from receiving federal funding under the Pittman-Robertson Act.

Members of Congress Request $50 Million to Save Monarch Butterflies

WASHINGTON— For the first time ever, 56 U.S. representatives have urged the House Appropriations Committee to spend $50 million per year to stabilize and help recover monarch butterflies. Today’s letter, led by Reps. Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.) and Salud Carbajal (D-Calif.), notes that the monarch population has plummeted more than 80% in the past two decades.

Video Shows NRA Leader Trying to Gun Down Imperiled African Elephant

WASHINGTON— Newly surfaced video shows Wayne LaPierre, the executive vice president of the National Rifle Association, trying to kill an endangered savanna elephant in Botswana during a trophy hunt.

$40,000 Reward Offered Over Illegal Shooting of Mother Grizzly Bear in Idaho

ISLAND PARK, Idaho— Five conservation organizations are offering rewards for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the illegal shooting of a female grizzly bear in Fremont County, Idaho. The Idaho Department of Fish and Game confirmed Monday that a 6-to-8-week-old cub also died in its den as a result of its mother’s death.

Bill Aimed at Killing 90% of Idaho’s Wolves Headed to Governor’s Desk

BOISE, Idaho— The Idaho House of Representatives today approved a bill allowing the state to hire private contractors to kill up to 90% of Idaho’s wolf population of approximately 1,500 wolves.

Northern Mexican Garter Snake Gains 20,326 Acres of Protected Critical Habitat in Arizona, New Mexico

TUCSON, Ariz.— In response to nearly two decades of action by the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today finalized critical habitat protection for the northern Mexican garter snake under the Endangered Species Act.

Washington’s Wolf Population Increased 22% in 2020

OLYMPIA, Wash.— Washington’s wolf population increased by 22% in 2020, according to figures released today by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. This is an increase of 24 wolves, three packs and three additional breeding pairs from 2019.

Oregon’s Wolf Population Grows to 173, But Pack Count Remains at 22

PORTLAND, Ore.— Oregon’s wolf population increased by 15 confirmed animals, from 158 to 173 wolves in 2020, according to a report released today by the state’s Department of Fish and Wildlife. But the number of packs — 22 — stayed the same as last year, while breeding pairs declined from 19 in 2019 to only 17 in 2020.

Legal Victory Compels Federal Government to Decide on Tiehm’s Buckwheat Protections

RENO, Nev.— As a result of litigation by the Center for Biological Diversity, a federal judge ruled today that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service must decide whether or not to protect Nevada’s rare Tiehm’s buckwheat under the Endangered Species Act.

Western Yellow-billed Cuckoo Gains 298,845 Acres of Protected Critical Habitat in Seven Western States

TUCSON, Ariz.— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today designated 298,845 acres in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, New Mexico, Texas and Utah as critical habitat for the western yellow-billed cuckoo.

Judge Rules Against Federal Sheep Station Grazing in Idaho’s Centennial Mountains

BOISE, Idaho— A federal court today ruled against a U.S. Department of Agriculture decision to reauthorize and expand domestic sheep grazing in and around the U.S. Sheep Experiment Station in the Centennial Mountains on the Idaho–Montana border.

Lawsuit Filed to Obtain Protection for Rare Southern Nevada Wildflower, Bee

LAS VEGAS— The Center for Biological Diversity sued the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service this week to force it to protect 19 imperiled species under the Endangered Species Act, including southern Nevada’s own Las Vegas bearpoppy and one of its main pollinators, the Mojave poppy bee.

Corte de Ecuador insta a proteger ranas en peligro de extinción de proyecto minero y hacer cumplir los 'derechos de la naturaleza' constitucionales

QUITO, Ecuador— Grupos ambientalistas presentaron hoy un escrito legal instando a la Corte Provincial de Imbabura en Ecuador a detener todos los permisos ambientales de un proyecto minero, porque el gobierno no consideró los efectos de la mina sobre dos ranas en peligro de extinción recientemente descubiertas, entre otras especies vulnerables.

Ecuador Court Urged to Protect Endangered Frogs From Mining Project, Enforce Constitutional ‘Rights of Nature’

QUITO, Ecuador— Environmental groups filed a legal brief today urging the Provincial Court of Imbabura in Ecuador to halt all environmental permits for a mining project because the government failed to consider the mine’s effects on two endangered, recently discovered frogs, among other vulnerable species.

Federal Court Halts Proposed Rock Creek Mine in Montana’s Cabinet Mountains

MISSOULA, Mont.— The federal district court in Montana on Tuesday invalidated the federal government’s approval of the first phase of the Rock Creek Mine, a major copper and silver mine proposed beneath the Cabinet Mountains Wilderness in northwest Montana.

Lawsuit Seeks Endangered Species Act Protections for 19 Species Left to Languish by Trump Administration

WASHINGTON— The Center for Biological Diversity sued the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today for failing to protect 19 imperiled species from across the United States under the Endangered Species Act.

Lawsuit Aims to Stop Post-Fire Logging on Oregon State Forest

PORTLAND, Ore.— A coalition of conservation groups filed a lawsuit today challenging the ongoing post-fire clearcutting in the Santiam State Forest east of Salem. The state forest has been closed to visitors since the Labor Day wildfires and is currently being extensively logged by the Oregon Department of Forestry.

Lifesaving Critical Habitat Protection Proposed for Panama City Crayfish

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— Following a lawsuit filed by the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed protection today for 7,177 acres of critical habitat for Panama City crayfishes. The Center and Service also reached an agreement today requiring the Service to finalize listing protection by December.

Congress Urged to Reform Freedom of Information Act

WASHINGTON— The Center for Biological Diversity and 40 other public-interest and conservation groups urged Congress today to take immediate action to correct federal agencies’ refusal to comply with the Freedom of Information Act.

Yellow Lance Mussel Gains 319 River Miles of Lifesaving Habitat in North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland

RALEIGH, N.C.— Following 10 years of advocacy and litigation by the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service finalized protection today for 319 river miles of critical habitat for the threatened yellow lance freshwater mussel in North Carolina, Virginia and Maryland.

Lawsuit Launched to Overturn Trump Administration Denial of Endangered Species Protection to 21 Species

WASHINGTON— The Center for Biological Diversity filed a notice today of its intent to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service over the agency’s denial of endangered species protection to 21 species under the Trump administration. From MacGillivray’s seaside sparrow on the Atlantic Coast to the Kirtland’s snake in the Midwest, these species face serious threats to their survival from habitat destruction, climate change, invasive species and pollution.

Endangered Species Protection Proposed for Suwannee Alligator Snapping Turtle

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— Following a petition and legal victory from the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today proposed protecting the Suwannee alligator snapping turtle under the Endangered Species Act as a threatened species.

Endangered Candy Darter Fish Wins 368 Stream Miles of Protected Critical Habitat in Virginia, West Virginia

CHARLESTON, W.V.— In response to a decade of action from conservation groups, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today finalized critical habitat protection for the candy darter, a small, brightly colored fish, under the Endangered Species Act.

Legal Victory Puts Arizona, New Mexico Fish Back On Path to Federal Protections

TUCSON, Ariz.— A federal judge on Thursday overturned the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s 2017 withdrawal of a proposed rule to protect the lower Colorado River basin roundtail chub as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. The judge ordered the agency to reconsider within a year whether the fish warrants protection.

Lawsuit Launched to Protect 10 Species Left in Regulatory Purgatory by Trump Administration

PORTLAND, Ore.— The Center for Biological Diversity filed suit today over the Trump administration’s failure to provide Endangered Species Act protection to 10 species it admitted needed them. The species that have been kept waiting are the monarch butterfly, eastern gopher tortoise, Peñasco least chipmunk, longfin smelt, three Texas mussels, magnificent ramshorn snail, bracted twistflower and northern spotted owl.

Federal Officials Discount Reintroduction, Recovery Proposals for Grizzly Bears in Long-Overdue Status Report

MISSOULA, Mont.— In response to a lawsuit brought by the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today released a status report on the threats facing grizzly bears in the lower 48 states that declines to evaluate reintroduction proposals for areas of the species’ historical range.

Court Halts Funding of Unwarranted Colorado Mountain Lion, Black Bear Cull

DENVER— The U.S. District Court of Colorado has ruled that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service violated the law by funding a Colorado Parks and Wildlife plan to kill hundreds of mountain lions and dozens of black bears without properly analyzing the risks to those animals’ populations and the rest of the environment.

Lawsuit Launched to Protect Oregon Coast Spring Chinook Salmon

PORTLAND, Ore.— The Center for Biological Diversity, Native Fish Society and Umpqua Watersheds filed a notice today of their intent to sue the National Marine Fisheries Service to force it to decide whether Oregon coast spring-run Chinook salmon warrant protection under the Endangered Species Act. The decision has been overdue since last September.

Petition Asks Federal Officials to Protect Rare Plant’s Habitat From Nevada Mine

LAS VEGAS— Conservationists submitted a petition to the Bureau of Land Management today nominating 4,015 acres of surrounding habitat for the rare plant Tiehm’s buckwheat as an “area of critical environmental concern.” This includes a one-mile buffer zone and would give the highly imperiled plant new management protection.

New Recovery Plans Will Help Save Southeast’s Critically Imperiled Salamanders

PANAMA CITY, Fla.— Following a lawsuit by the Center for Biological Diversity and Healthy Gulf, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today published draft recovery plans for the critically endangered reticulated and frosted flatwoods salamanders in Florida and other southeastern states.

Lawsuit Filed to Protect North Oregon Coast Red Tree Voles

PORTLAND, Ore.— Conservation groups filed a lawsuit today challenging a decision by the Trump administration to deny the north Oregon coast population of red tree voles protection under the Endangered Species Act.

Lawsuit Filed to Restore Endangered Species Protection to American Burying Beetles

WASHINGTON— The Center for Biological Diversity filed a lawsuit today challenging the Trump administration’s downlisting of the American burying beetle from endangered to threatened. The lawsuit asks for the reinstatement of the beetle’s status as endangered because the species continues to face threats from climate change and habitat destruction that are pushing it to the brink of extinction.

Lawsuit Challenges Trump Administration’s Denial of Crucial Habitat Protection to Endangered Rusty Patched Bumblebee

WASHINGTON—Conservation groups sued the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today for refusing to designate critical habitat for the highly endangered rusty patched bumblebee.

Report: Montana’s Governor Illegally Trapped, Killed Gray Wolf Outside Yellowstone

BOZEMAN, Mont.— In violation of state regulations, Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte trapped and killed a gray wolf on a ranch 10 miles north of Yellowstone National Park in February without first completing a state-required wolf-trapping certification class, according to the Mountain West News Bureau.

California’s Newest Wolf Reaches Fresno County

SACRAMENTO, Calif.— State wildlife agency officials announced late Monday that OR-93, a radio-collared wolf from Oregon who first entered California on Jan. 30, has now made it all the way south into Fresno County.

Lawsuit Seeks to Reinstate Protections on 3.4 Million Acres of Critical Northern Spotted Owl Habitat

PORTLAND, Ore.— Conservation groups in the Pacific Northwest filed a legal challenge today to reinstate federal protections on more than 3.4 million acres of federal old-growth forests, which are essential for the survival of the threatened northern spotted owl. The lawsuit asks the court to reject a rule issued in the last days of the Trump administration that eliminated one-third of the critical habitat protections for the species.

New Mexico House of Representatives Approves Bill to Outlaw Traps, Wildlife Poisons on Public Land

SANTA FE, N.M.— With a close 35-34 vote, the New Mexico House of Representatives yesterday approved the Wildlife Conservation and Public Safety Act, also known as “Roxy’s Law,” which would prohibit traps, snares and poisons on public lands.

California Coastal Commission Orders End to Off-Roading at Oceano Dunes

OCEANO, Calif.— The California Coastal Commission voted unanimously (10-0) last night to completely phase out off-road vehicle use at Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area over the next three years. The California Department of Parks and Recreation will be required to implement these coastal permit conditions, with a few minor amendments.

Study Finds Glyphosate in More Than Half of All Sampled Florida Manatees

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— A scientific study published this week concludes that Florida manatees are chronically exposed to glyphosate because of application of the pesticide to sugarcane and aquatic weeds.

Agreement Reached to Protect Endangered Mouse, Riparian Areas in Arizona’s White Mountains

TUCSON― Conservation groups and the U.S. Forest Service reached an agreement today to protect meadows and streams in eastern Arizona’s White Mountains from cows and horses. The riparian areas are home to the critically endangered New Mexico meadow jumping mouse.

$37,000 Reward Offered for Info on Slain Mexican Wolf in Arizona

TUCSON, Ariz.— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is offering a combined reward of up to $37,000 for information leading to a conviction in connection with the suspicious death of a Mexican gray wolf found in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, near Eagar, Arizona.

Killing of Native Wildlife by Federal ‘Wildlife Services’ Declined Sharply in 2020

WASHINGTON— The arm of the U.S. Department of Agriculture known as Wildlife Services reported killing 433,192 native animals in 2020, according to new data released by the program this week.

Congress Introduces Bill to Save Western Monarch Butterflies

WASHINGTON— A bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced legislation today that would provide $125 million in emergency funds over five years to save the western population of monarch butterflies from extinction.

Scientists Identify 20 Million Acre Habitat Area for Jaguars in Arizona, New Mexico

TUCSON, Ariz.— A team of scientists has identified a wide swath of habitat in Arizona and New Mexico — 20 million acres, or about 32,000 square miles — that could eventually support more than 150 jaguars.

Northwest Senators Urged to Reject Rep. Simpson’s Disastrous Plan for Endangered Salmon

PORTLAND, Ore.— A coalition of conservation, water policy, and agricultural sustainability groups representing millions of Americans is voicing the first environmental opposition to a proposed dam breaching deal that has, until now, garnered praise.

Forest Service Denies Heliskiing Permit Application in Centennial Mountains

BOZEMAN, Mont.— The U.S. Forest Service denied a permit application today for heliskiing in the Centennial Mountains, an important wildlife corridor for grizzly bears, wolves and other wildlife in southwest Montana and Idaho.

Mexican Gray Wolf Numbers Rose to 186 in 2020

SILVER CITY, N.M.— The U.S. population of endangered Mexican gray wolves grew by 23 animals, from 163 in in 2019 to 186 in 2020, according to a legal filing by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The March 10 filing is part of the agency’s request for an extension of time to rewrite its 2015 Mexican wolf management rule, which the U.S. District Court in Arizona struck down in 2018.

Endangered Species Act Protection Sought for Rare Montana Plant

BILLINGS, Mont.— Conservation groups filed a petition today with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to protect the thick-leaf bladderpod under the Endangered Species Act. The rare plant is found in a small area of southern Montana’s Pryor Desert, where it is supposed to be protected, but instead is under imminent threat by gypsum mining.

Endangered Species Act Protection Sought for Nevada’s Fish Lake Valley Tui Chub

TUCSON, Ariz.— The Center for Biological Diversity filed a petition with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today seeking Endangered Species Act protections for the critically imperiled Fish Lake Valley tui chub.

Congress Urged to Provide $100 Million Per Year to Save Monarch Butterflies

WASHINGTON— More than 80 groups today called on Congress to provide $100 million per year for the conservation of monarch butterflies to help stem their rapid population decline and prevent them from slipping further towards extinction.

Missouri Population of Eastern Hellbenders Granted Endangered Species Protection

WASHINGTON— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today designated the Missouri distinct population of the eastern hellbender salamander as endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act.

Willamette Valley Prairie Flower Is Latest Endangered Species Act Success

PORTLAND, Ore.— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today that Bradshaw’s desert parsley, a wet-prairie wildflower found in Oregon’s Willamette Valley and adjacent southwestern Washington, has fully recovered and can be removed from the endangered species list.

Study: Climate Change Contributing to Widespread Butterfly Decline Across Western United States

WASHINGTON— A study published today in Science found that climate change is contributing to widespread butterfly decline across the western United States. Using three different long-term datasets from the western U.S., the authors found downward trends in a majority of butterflies, including historically common species like the west coast lady.

Lawsuit Launched to Overturn Denial of Endangered Species Protection for Eastern Hellbenders

NEW YORK— Conservation groups filed a formal notice of intent today to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service over its decision in April 2019 to deny Endangered Species Act protection to eastern hellbenders. These river-dwelling salamanders can grow longer than 2 feet and live in clear, fast-flowing mountain streams in 15 southeastern, midwestern and northeastern states. They have now been eliminated from much of their historic range.

Endangered Species Act Protection Proposed for Rare Arizona, Mexico Wildflower

TUCSON, Ariz.— In response to a petition from the Center for Biological Diversity and Maricopa Audubon Society, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today proposed Endangered Species Act protection for Arizona eryngo, a critically imperiled wetland plant with only four surviving populations in Arizona and Mexico. The eryngo formerly also lived in one place in New Mexico but is now gone from the state.

Lawsuit Aims to Protect Threatened Iconic Hawaiian Forest Bird

HONOLULU— The Center for Biological Diversity today sued the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for failing to designate critical habitat and develop a recovery plan for the threatened ‘i‘iwi, the best known of Hawai‘i’s imperiled honeycreepers.

Lawsuit Launched to Obtain Protected Critical Habitat for Secretive Eastern Black Rail

WASHINGTON— The Center for Biological Diversity and Healthy Gulf filed a formal notice today of their intent to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service over a Trump administration decision that protecting critical habitat for a threatened bird called the eastern black rail was “not prudent.” Under Trump the agency absurdly claimed that such a designation would expose the species to threats from “overzealous birders.”

Court Orders U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to Determine Whether Northern Long-eared Bat Warrants Listing as Endangered Species

WASHINGTON— A federal judge has ordered the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to determine whether the northern long-eared bat warrants listing as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act by December 2022 after remanding the Service’s flawed threatened listing last year.

Congress Urged to Boost Funding for Endangered Species Conservation by $300 Million

WASHINGTON— More than 170 groups today urged Congress to significantly increase the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s budget for endangered species conservation from $291.7 million to $592.1 million — an increase of about $300 million over last year’s budget.

Endangered Species Act Protection Sought for Sacramento Mountains Checkerspot Butterfly

WASHINGTON— The Center for Biological Diversity filed a petition today seeking Endangered Species Act protection for imperiled Sacramento Mountains checkerspot butterflies. The orange-and-black checkered butterflies are found only in high-elevation meadows around the village of Cloudcroft, in the Lincoln National Forest in southern New Mexico.

California’s Newest Wolf Travels Far South to Mono County

SACRAMENTO, Calif.— State wildlife agency officials announced late on Thursday that wolf OR-93, a radio-collared wolf from Oregon who first entered California on Jan. 30, has traveled far south, reaching Mono County, east of Yosemite National Park in the central Sierra Nevada, on Feb. 25. This is the farthest south a wolf has traveled in California in modern times.

Eastern Monarch Butterfly Population Falls Again

WASHINGTON— The yearly count of monarch butterflies overwintering in Mexico, released today, continues to show a dramatic decline in this imperiled species. Today’s count of 2.10 hectares (5.2 acres) of occupied winter habitat is down 26% from last year’s count. The minimum population threshold needed to be out of the danger zone of extinction is six hectares.

Lawsuit Launched to Protect Imperiled California Fish

CLEAR LAKE, Calif.— The Center for Biological Diversity filed a notice of intent today to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service seeking Endangered Species Act protection for the Clear Lake hitch, a large minnow found only in Northern California’s Clear Lake and its tributaries. The Trump administration denied the fish protection in a December 2020 determination.

Online Rally for Snake River Restoration, Dam Removal to Be Held Feb. 25

SEATTLE— A coalition of conservation groups will hold a large virtual rally Feb. 25 to encourage national leaders to support restoration of the Snake and Columbia River ecosystems, which includes removal of the four lower Snake River dams.

Court Upholds Protection for California’s Western Joshua Trees

FRESNO, Calif.— A Fresno County Superior Court judge has rejected an effort by construction and real estate interests, along with the city of Hesperia, to strip away legal protections that currently apply to the imperiled western Joshua tree.

Colorado Governor, Wildlife Officials Urged to Adopt Clearer, Quicker Wolf Restoration Plan

DENVER— Dozens of organizations and scientists sent a letter to Gov. Jared Polis and the leaders of Colorado Parks and Wildlife today warning of a “perilously cumbersome process” already underway in developing a wolf restoration and management plan.

Biden Urged to Pull Unlawful Trump, G.W. Bush Endangered Species Act Rules

WASHINGTON— More than two dozen leading scientists and law professors led by Harvard Law School’s Animal Law & Policy Program and the Center for Biological Diversity petitioned President Joe Biden today to immediately rescind key policies that restrict the government’s consideration of harms from greenhouse gas emissions on animals such as the polar bear under the Endangered Species Act.

Lawsuit Launched Over Army Corps’ Failure to Protect Endangered Wildlife From Nationwide Permit Program

PORTLAND, Ore.— The Center for Biological Diversity, Waterkeeper Alliance and allies issued a formal notice today of their intent to sue the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for failing to ensure that Nationwide Permits reissued during the final days of the Trump administration will not jeopardize endangered species and critical habitat across the country. These Nationwide Permits allow for streamlined industrial development such as oil pipelines, coal mines, and marine aquaculture facilities through waterways across the country, resulting in the destruction of tens of thousands of acres of streams, rivers and wetlands.

EPA Petitioned to Protect Communities, Environment From Radioactive Phosphogypsum Stacks, Wastewater

WASHINGTON— Conservation and public-health groups petitioned the Environmental Protection Agency today to improve federal oversight of the radioactive waste produced by phosphogypsum facilities, including wastewater from phosphoric acid production.

Burnett Oil Seeks Permit to Drill in Florida’s Big Cypress National Preserve

MIAMI– Conservation groups sent a letter to state and federal agencies today opposing Burnett Oil Company’s request to the state of Florida for permits to develop oil infrastructure to facilitate new oil drilling in the Everglades, inside Big Cypress National Preserve.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Ignores Biden Executive Order to Review Trump Wolf Delisting

WASHINGTON— Just one week after President Biden ordered a broad review of the Trump administration’s anti-wildlife policies, including the decision to strip Endangered Species Act protections from gray wolves, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service summarily asserted today that the previous administration’s decision to delist the gray wolf was valid in a cursory, three-paragraph letter to conservation groups.

Washington OKs Controversial Training Program for Hound Hunting

SEATTLE— The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission voted 4-3 today to finalize new rules allowing hunters to use hounds to chase cougars and other wildlife. The controversial new rules specify which hunters can participate in the program and which requirements they must follow.

Biden Executive Order Pushes for Protection of 30% of America’s Land, Oceans

WASHINGTON— President Joe Biden will issue an executive order today directing federal officials to protect 30% of the country’s lands and ocean waters by 2030, part of an effort to slow the wildlife extinction crisis and curb global warming.

Washington Rejects Massive Methanol Refinery

TACOMA, Wash.— The Washington Department of Ecology denied permits today for the massive fracked gas-to-methanol Kalama Methanol Refinery. The department nixed the fossil fuel processing and export proposal after deciding it would have a significant negative impact on the climate, Washington’s shorelines and the public interest.

Lawsuit Launched to Secure Critical Habitat for Rare Southeast Minnow

NEW ORLEANS— The Center for Biological Diversity filed a formal notice today of its intent to sue to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service over the agency’s failure to designate critical habitat for the Pearl darter.

Lawsuit Challenges Trump Administration’s Gutting of Federal Protection for Migratory Birds

NEW YORK— National environmental groups filed a lawsuit today in the Southern District of New York challenging the Trump administration’s reinterpretation of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, which eliminated longstanding, vital protections for more than 1,000 species of waterfowl, raptors and songbirds.

Lawsuit Launched to Finalize Endangered Species Act Protection for Sierra Nevada Red Fox, Hermes Copper Butterfly, Two Southwestern Plants

OAKLAND, Calif.— The Center for Biological Diversity filed a formal notice today of its intent to sue the Trump administration for failing to protect four imperiled species under the Endangered Species Act.

Lawsuits Challenge Trump Administration’s Latest Assaults on Endangered Species Act

HONOLULU— Earthjustice filed two lawsuits today in the District of Hawai‘i in response to the outgoing administration’s most recent attacks on the Endangered Species Act, the law that serves as the last safety net for animals and plants facing extinction.

Earthjustice Sues on Behalf of Conservation Groups to Stop EPA Rubber-stamping Florida Wetlands Destruction

WASHINGTON— Earthjustice filed suit today to stop an attempt by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to allow Florida to fast-track wetlands permits for construction projects that will degrade and ruin Florida’s natural landscape, all in violation of federal environmental laws.

Lawsuit Challenges Trump Administration Over Gray Wolf Delisting

SAN FRANCISCO— Six environmental groups filed a lawsuit today against the Trump administration’s rule that removed Endangered Species Act protections for gray wolves in the lower-48 states (except for a small population of Mexican gray wolves in Arizona and New Mexico). The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service made its decision despite the science that concludes wolves are still functionally extinct in the vast majority of their former range across the continental United States.

New Congress Called on to Fix Public Records Delays, Political Manipulation

WASHINGTON— More than a dozen conservation and transparency groups called on the new Congress today to fix systemic issues and close loopholes that allow federal agencies to delay releases of public records under the Freedom of Information Act.

Feds Dramatically Cut Northern Spotted Owl Protected Habitat

PORTLAND, Ore.— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today published a final revised critical habitat designation for the northern spotted owl that excludes nearly 3.5 million acres, mostly in Oregon, from federal protections. This is a massive increase from the 204,653 acres in Oregon the Service proposed to exclude in August.

Lawsuit Launched to Protect Endangered Fish From Drilling, Fracking in Nevada

LAS VEGAS— The Center for Biological Diversity issued a formal notice today of its intent to sue the Bureau of Land Management for failing to protect the endangered Railroad Valley springfish from oil drilling and fracking in central Nevada.

Lawsuit Challenges Trump Administration Failure to Develop Recovery Plans for Two Critically Imperiled Salamanders

PANAMA CITY, Fla.— The Center for Biological Diversity and Healthy Gulf sued the Trump administration today for failing to issue recovery plans for the critically endangered reticulated and frosted flatwoods salamanders.

Lawsuit Launched to Protect American Burying Beetle From Extinction

WASHINGTON— The Center for Biological Diversity filed a formal notice today of its intent to sue the Trump administration’s U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for downlisting the American burying beetle from endangered to threatened. The Service reduced the species’ level of federal protection despite its own admission that climate change and habitat destruction have put it on the brink of extinction.

Interior Least Tern Is Latest Endangered Species Act Success

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today that the interior least tern, a small bird that nests along major rivers in the midwestern and southern United States, has fully recovered and can be removed from the endangered species list.

Lawsuit Launched to Secure Critical Habitat for Florida Freshwater Mussel

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— The Center for Biological Diversity filed a formal notice today of its intent to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service over the agency’s failure to designate critical habitat for the Suwannee moccasinshell, found in north Florida.

$5,000 Reward Offered for Info on ‘TRUMP’ Writing on Florida Manatee’s Back

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— The Center for Biological Diversity today announced a $5,000 reward for information leading to a conviction in an incident involving a threatened Florida manatee in north Florida’s Homosassa River. A statement issued late today by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service indicates that someone apparently scratched the word TRUMP into algae on the animal's back.

Scientists, Conservation Groups, Politicians Urge Biden Administration to Immediately Protect Tiehm’s Buckwheat

LAS VEGAS— More than 100 scientists, 15 conservation and botany groups, and three prominent Nevada politicians urged the incoming Biden administration today to immediately protect the rare wildflower Tiehm’s buckwheat under the Endangered Species Act.

Feds Launch New Assault on Endangered Species, Public Lands

WASHINGTON— The Trump administration proposed a rule today that would cripple protections for endangered species on public lands across the country.

Florida Legislature Proposes to Strip First Amendment Rights of Protestors

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— Identical bills proposed by the Florida Senate and House would dramatically curtail free speech and the right to assembly and slash legal protections for protestors while increasing penalties for damaging a “memorial.”

Lawsuit Launched to Protect Firefly, Bees, Poppy Under Endangered Species Act

OAKLAND, Calif.— The Center for Biological Diversity filed a formal notice today of its intent to sue the Trump administration for failing to protect four imperiled insects and one plant under the Endangered Species Act.

Report: Cattle Destroying Threatened Frog Habitat in Four Arizona Forests

TUCSON, Ariz.— Cattle have caused immense damage to critical habitat designated to help threatened Chiricahua leopard frogs recover throughout four national forests in Arizona, based on field surveys by the Center for Biological Diversity that show few sites still support frogs.

Lawsuit Launched to Protect Eight Florida Plants Threatened by Sea-level Rise, Development

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— The Center for Biological Diversity filed a formal notice today of its intent to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service over the agency’s failure to designate critical habitat for eight Florida plants, including one called the Everglades bully and a flowering shrub found only in the lower Florida Keys.

Lawsuit Launched to Protect 11 Species Kept on Waiting List by Trump Administration

PORTLAND, Ore.— The Center for Biological Diversity filed a formal notice today of its intent to sue outgoing Interior Secretary David Bernhardt for delaying protection for 11 species that have been identified as warranting endangered status but placed on a candidate list instead.

593 Florida Manatees Died in 2020, Including At Least 90 From Boat Strikes

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— Florida wildlife officials have proposed new boating safety education requirements after another year of accidents and collisions took a deadly toll on people and the state’s imperiled manatees. At least 593 Florida manatees died in 2020, including 90 from boat strikes, according to records obtained from state officials.

Feds Agree to Protect Nassau Grouper Habitat

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— As a result of a lawsuit filed by the Center for Biological Diversity, WildEarth Guardians and Miami Waterkeeper, the National Marine Fisheries Service agreed today to protect critical habitat for the Nassau grouper.

Biden Urged to Sign Executive Order to End Extinction Crisis

WASHINGTON— More than 135 groups today called on president-elect Joe Biden to take immediate action to confront the extinction crisis by signing an executive order that would declare the extinction crisis to be a national emergency, among other steps.

New Documents: New Mexico Rancher Who Pleaded Guilty to Bludgeoning Endangered Wolf Admitted Trapping, Beating One More

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz.— New documents obtained by the Center for Biological Diversity show that a New Mexico rancher confessed to trapping and beating at least one other endangered Mexican gray wolf in 2015. In 2018 rancher Craig Thiessen pleaded guilty to brutalizing a wolf he had trapped in violation of the Endangered Species Act.

Washington Finalizes Rules to Better Protect Orcas From Vessel Noise

SEATTLE— Washington’s Fish and Wildlife Commission voted today to finalize new rules that will apply to the state’s commercial whale-watching vessels. While the rules seek to protect endangered Southern Resident killer whales from vessel noise and disturbance from whale-watching boats, they still allow for watching during the summer months when the whales are foraging in the Salish Sea.

Diamondback Terrapin Among 10 Species Threatened by Wildlife Trade

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— Wildlife trafficking and unsustainable trade are driving species’ decline and, in some cases, posing a threat to human health, according to a report released today by the Endangered Species Coalition.

Trump Administration Further Limits Habitat Protections for Endangered Species

WASHINGTON— Just two days after the Trump administration finalized a rule limiting the government’s ability to protect habitat that endangered species need to survive and recover, the administration today finalized yet another rule that will deprive even more imperiled species of protections for the places they live.

Lawsuit Aims to Protect Minnesota’s Rare Lynx From Trapping

MINNEAPOLIS— The Center for Biological Diversity sued the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources today for permitting trapping that harms Canada lynx.

Lawsuit Filed Against Trump Administration for Terminating Plan to Recover North Cascades Grizzly Bears

SEDRO-WOOLLEY, Wash.— The Center for Biological Diversity filed a lawsuit today challenging the Trump administration’s recent termination of a program aimed at restoring grizzly bears to the North Cascades in Washington. In the past decade, biologists have documented only four grizzly bears in the region.

Clemson Ornithologist Named 2020 E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Award Recipient

CLEMSON, S.C.— Dr. J. Drew Lanham, a Clemson ornithologist who has worked tirelessly to make conservation science more compelling, relevant and inclusive, is the 2020 recipient of the Center for Biological Diversity’s annual E.O. Wilson Award for Outstanding Science in Biodiversity Conservation.

Monarch Butterflies Put on Waiting List for Endangered Species Act Protection

WASHINGTON— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today that protection for monarch butterflies under the Endangered Species Act is warranted but precluded. This puts the imperiled butterfly on a waiting list for listing but confers no protection in the meantime.

Trump Administration Finalizes Rule Limiting Habitat Protections for Endangered Species

WASHINGTON— The Trump administration finalized a rule today that severely limits the government’s ability to protect habitat that imperiled animals and plants like grizzly bears and whooping cranes will need to survive and recover.

Conservation Groups Sue Feds Over Failure to Protect Wolverines

MISSOULA, Mont.— A coalition of conservation groups filed a lawsuit today challenging the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s decision to withhold Endangered Species Act protection from wolverines in the lower 48 states, where no more than 300 wolverines remain. Without the new conservation efforts that would be triggered by the Endangered Species Act listing, wolverines face localized extinction as a result of climate change, habitat fragmentation and low genetic diversity.

Updated ‘Redlist:’ 20 Frogs and Fish Declared Extinct

WASHINGTON— An updated assessment released today by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature found that 28% of evaluated species of plants and animals around the globe are now at risk of extinction.

Oregon Department of Forestry Drops Two Timber Sales, Inches Toward Habitat Conservation Plan

PORTLAND, Ore.— As part of ongoing litigation brought by the Center for Biological Diversity and partners, the Oregon Department of Forestry has dropped two timber sales in exchange for the case being stayed through July 15, 2021.

Lawsuit Filed to Protect Colorado’s Critically Imperiled Gunnison Sage Grouse

DENVER— The Center for Biological Diversity and Western Watersheds Project today sued the Bureau of Land Management, Forest Service, National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for failing to protect the Gunnison sage grouse from harmful livestock grazing in the Gunnison Basin, where the largest surviving population has been in steep decline.

Endangered Species Protection Sought for Rare Oregon Wildflower

PORTLAND, Ore.— The Center for Biological Diversity and Native Plant Society of Oregon submitted a petition to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today to protect the tall western penstemon (Penstemon hesperius) under the Endangered Species Act. The species is one of the rarest vascular plants in the Pacific Northwest and is threatened by development, habitat degradation, climate change and competition from non-native species.

Congress Urged to Provide $100 Million for Critically Endangered North Atlantic Right Whale

WASHINGTON— More than 55 organizations urged leaders of Congress today to provide $100 million in emergency funding for the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale. Right whales are one of the most endangered species on the planet, with about 360 individuals remaining, of which only about 70 are breeding females.

Trump Administration Denies Protection to Imperiled Northern California Fish

CLEAR LAKE, Calif.— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today that Endangered Species Act protections for the Clear Lake hitch, a large minnow found only in Northern California’s Clear Lake and its tributaries, are not warranted.

Whitebark Pine Proposed for Endangered Species Act Protection

PORTLAND, Ore.— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed threatened species protection today for the whitebark pine. The pine occurs at high elevations across seven western states, including Oregon, Washington, California, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and Nevada, making it the most widely distributed tree to gain protection under the Endangered Species Act.

Second Lawsuit Aims to Finalize Endangered Species Protection for North Carolina Catfish, Salamander

ASHEVILLE, N.C.— The Center for Biological Diversity today sued the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for the second time for failing to protect two imperiled aquatic species in eastern North Carolina under the Endangered Species Act.

Disappearing Great Plains Fish Proposed for Federal Protection

SILVER CITY, N.M.— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed today to protect the peppered chub, a once-widespread fish in the Arkansas River and its tributaries, as an endangered species. The Service plans to designate 1,068 river miles in four stretches that flow through grasslands in New Mexico, Texas, Kansas and Oklahoma as critical habitat for the fish.

Lawsuit Targets Feds’ Failure to Protect Endangered Mount Graham Red Squirrel Habitat

TUCSON, Ariz.— The Center for Biological Diversity and Maricopa Audubon sued the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today for failing to protect habitat essential to the survival and recovery of southeast Arizona’s highly endangered Mount Graham red squirrels.

Federal Court Rejects Permits for Kalama Methanol Refinery

TACOMA, Wash.— A federal district court today vacated the federal permits required for the Kalama Methanol Refinery, sending the proposed fracked gas-to-methanol project back to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for a full and transparent environmental review.

Appeal Challenges Approval of Puget Sound Fish Farm

SEATTLE— Conservation and environmental groups today appealed a ruling by the King County Superior Court to uphold a state permit allowing Cooke Aquaculture to raise domesticated steelhead in its Puget Sound net pens.

Lawsuit Filed to Save Endangered Nevada Butterfly From Ski Resort Expansion

LAS VEGAS— The Center for Biological Diversity filed a lawsuit today against the U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to save a rare Nevada butterfly from extinction. The Mount Charleston blue butterfly is threatened by the agencies’ approval of a major ski area expansion.

Frecklebelly Madtom Fish Proposed for Endangered Species Act Protections in Georgia, Tennessee

ATLANTA— In response to a 2010 petition and 2015 agreement with the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today proposed to protect a population of the frecklebelly madtom in the upper Coosa River of Georgia and Tennessee as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The agency also proposed to designate 134 miles of the Etowah and Conasauga Rivers as protected critical habitat.

Oregon Rejects Proposal to Ban Beaver Trapping, Hunting on Federal Lands

PORTLAND, Ore.— The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission today rejected a petition filed by the Center for Biological Diversity, scientists, and other conservation groups to permanently close commercial and recreational beaver trapping and hunting on the state’s federally managed public lands. Beavers are Oregon’s official state animal, but they can be legally hunted and trapped with few limits.

$10,000 Reward Offered for Information on Illegal Killing of Mother Grizzly Bear, Cub in Montana

BOZEMAN, Mont.— The Center for Biological Diversity is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for illegally killing a sow grizzly bear and her cub and dumping their bodies on Bear Creek Road near Bigfork, Montana. This marks the third confirmed grizzly bear poaching incident in Montana this year, with several other deaths under investigation.

Sickle Darter Proposed for Endangered Species Act Protection in Tennessee, Virginia

KNOXVILLE, Tenn.— In response to a 2010 petition and 2015 agreement with the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed today to protect the sickle darter under the Endangered Species Act.

Senate Republicans Ignore Extinction Crisis, Pandemic in Funding Legislation

WASHINGTON— Republicans on the Senate Appropriations Committee today released a partisan funding bill for the U.S. Department of the Interior that continues to underfund endangered species conservation and ignores the wildlife extinction crisis happening around the world.

Federal Court Suspends Mountain Valley Pipeline Construction

RICHMOND, Va.— The 4th Circuit Court of Appeals today sided with conservation groups and issued an immediate stay of Mountain Valley Pipeline’s stream and wetland crossing permits in southern West Virginia and Virginia.

Endangered Species Act Protection Sought for Oregon Coast Tiger Beetle

PORTLAND, Ore.— The Center for Biological Diversity and the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation filed a petition today seeking Endangered Species Act protection for the imperiled Siuslaw hairy-necked tiger beetle.

Colorado Voters Approve Reintroduction of Gray Wolves

DENVER— An unprecedented state ballot initiative requiring wildlife officials to reintroduce endangered gray wolves in Colorado passed Tuesday’s election with a 20,000-vote majority and hundreds of pro-wolf precincts left to be counted. Opponents conceded today that the measure has passed.

Legal Step Challenges Trump Administration’s Removal of Gray Wolf Protection

WASHINGTON— A coalition of wildlife conservation groups today notified the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service of its intent to file a lawsuit challenging the recent decision to strip gray wolves of Endangered Species Act protection across nearly all the lower 48 states.

Deschutes River Conservation Plan Fails to Restore River, Fish, Frogs

BEND, Ore.— A final habitat conservation plan and environmental impact statement announced today by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for the Upper Deschutes River, Whychus Creek and Crooked River largely preserves existing management of the river in the near term and fails to adequately help threatened bull trout, steelhead and Oregon spotted frogs.

$7,600 Reward Offered for Info on Wolf Poaching in Eastern Oregon

PORTLAND, Ore.— Conservation groups are boosting by $7,300 the reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the poaching of a 1.5-year-old female wolf in Baker County around Oct. 29. This is the second known wolf poaching in Baker County and the Wallowa Whitman National Forest in the past five weeks.

Alabama Mussel Proposed for Endangered Species Act Protection, Protected Critical Habitat

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.— In response to a petition and 2016 lawsuit from the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed today to protect the Canoe Creek clubshell under the Endangered Species Act, with 36 river miles of proposed critical habitat in St. Clair and Etowah counties.

Endangered Species Act Protections Stripped From Gray Wolves

WASHINGTON— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service finalized a rule today that removes protection from all gray wolves in the lower 48 states except for a small population of Mexican gray wolves in Arizona and New Mexico. The Service made its decision despite the fact that wolves are still functionally extinct in the vast majority of their former range across the continental United States.

California-born Wolf Disperses to Oregon for First Time

SAN FRANCISCO— The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has reported that a subadult male member of the state’s only known wolf family, the Lassen pack, has dispersed into Oregon. This is the first confirmed instance of a wolf born in California dispersing to Oregon.

Court Invalidates Use of Bait, Hounds by Private Hunters to Kill Washington’s Bears on Timberlands

OLYMPIA, Wash.— In response to a lawsuit filed by the Center for Biological Diversity, an appellate court ruled today that the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife can no longer issue permits to private hunters to use bait and hounds to kill black bears on timberlands.

Lawsuit Launched to Stop Damaging Hunting Practices From Killing Endangered Wildlife on Refuges

WASHINGTON— The Center for Biological Diversity filed a formal notice today of its intent to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service over the agency’s new rule expanding hunting and fishing on 2.3 million acres, in 147 wildlife refuges and national fish hatcheries across the United States. The rule authorizes damaging practices like the use of lead ammunition and killing of ecologically important top predators such as mountain lions.

$6,150 Reward Offered for Info on Wolf Poaching in Eastern Oregon

PORTLAND, Ore.— Conservation groups and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife are offering a $6,150 reward for information concerning the poaching of a male radio-collared wolf in Baker County on or around Sept. 24.

Proposal Filed With Federal Court to Ensure U.S. Army Corps Addresses Harm to Endangered Species From Toxic Lake Okeechobee Discharges

FORT PIERCE, Fla.— Conservation groups filed a proposal in federal court today to ensure that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ discharges from Lake Okeechobee don’t harm protected wildlife.

Reward Increased to $25,000 for Info on Killings of Six Endangered Florida Sawfish

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— The Center for Biological Diversity today increased to $25,000 the reward for information leading to a conviction for the illegal killing of six critically endangered smalltooth sawfish in Everglades City, Florida.

South Carolina Governor Signs Bill to Protect Wild Turtles From Poaching, Trade

COLUMBIA, S.C.— Gov. Henry McMaster has signed a bill that bans the commercial trade of native turtles in South Carolina. Following advocacy by the Center for Biological Diversity, Turtle Survival Alliance, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, the IUCN SSC Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group and South Carolina residents, this bipartisan measure will end years of extensive poaching, which was a particular threat to freshwater turtles due to the state’s weak conservation laws.

Endangered Species Protection Sought for Snake-like Central California Lizard

McKITTRICK, Calif.— The Center for Biological Diversity submitted a petition today to protect the Temblor legless lizard under the Endangered Species Act. The lizard is a rare sand-swimming reptile that occupies a very small area of habitat near the Temblor Range in Kern County, California, and is jeopardized by oil and gas development.

Legal Action Supports North Carolina’s Denial of Water Permit for Destructive Southgate Gas Pipeline

RICHMOND, Va.— The Center for Biological Diversity, Appalachian Voices and Sierra Club filed a motion Tuesday with the U.S. 4th Circuit Court of Appeals to defend the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s denial of a key water permit for a major fracked gas pipeline.

Judge Rejects Challenge to Critical Habitat for New Mexico Meadow Jumping Mice

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.— A federal judge today dismissed a lawsuit filed by two cattlemen’s associations that sought to overturn the designation of critical habitat for the endangered New Mexico meadow jumping mouse.

Lawsuit Launched to Force Critical Habitat for Threatened Hawaiian Forest Bird

HONOLULU— The Center for Biological Diversity today filed a formal notice of intent to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for failing to designate critical habitat and develop a recovery plan for the threatened ‘i‘iwi, the best known of Hawai‘i’s imperiled honeycreepers.

Forest Service Review Would Greenlight Extreme Sports in Rare Nevada Butterfly Habitat

LAS VEGAS— A final environmental impact statement released by the U.S. Forest Service claims that a proposed Lee Canyon Ski Area expansion is “likely to be beneficial” for the endangered Mount Charleston blue butterfly despite crisscrossing its most important habitat with a network of high-speed downhill mountain biking trails and a mountain coaster.

Governors Band Together for Salmon, Orcas After Federal Plan Falls Flat

SEATTLE— The governors of Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana have announced a regional collaboration on salmon recovery in the Columbia River Basin that includes strategies for the states to engage with tribal nations and federal agencies and address the concerns of communities who depend on the river.

Puerto Rican Harlequin Butterfly Proposed for Endangered Species Act Protection

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today a proposal to list the Puerto Rican harlequin butterfly as threatened under the Endangered Species Act and to designate 41,266 acres of critical habitat.

Lawsuit Launched Over Federal Refusal to Protect Wolverines

MISSOULA, Mont.— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service denied protection today to the rare and elusive wolverine under the Endangered Species Act, prompting a coalition of conservation groups to announce their intention to file a notice of intent to sue as soon as the final rule is published in the Federal Register.

Regulators Warned of Champlain Hudson Power Express Project’s Environmental Impact

NEW YORK— Conservation and social justice groups and First Nations today filed a formal notice letter with the U.S. Department of Energy over its failure to fully address the environmental impacts of the proposed Champlain Hudson Power Express Canadian hydropower transmission corridor.

Lawsuit Seeks Documents Tied to Cover-up of Groundwater Pumping at Arizona Army Base

TUCSON― The Center for Biological Diversity sued the U.S. Army, Fort Huachuca and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today for failing to release public records relating to the base’s coverup of a 2010 report showing groundwater pumping was harming the San Pedro River. The lawsuit also seeks documents related to the base’s new attempt to thwart river and endangered species protections.

Agriculture Department’s ‘Wildlife Services’ Killed Approximately 1.2 Million Native Animals in 2019

WASHINGTON— The arm of the U.S. Department of Agriculture known as Wildlife Services killed approximately 1.2 million native animals in 2019, according to new data released by the program this week.

Rare, Elusive Marsh Bird Receives Endangered Species Protections

WASHINGTON— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today that the eastern black rail will receive protection as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act.

Rare Nevada Fish One Step Closer to Endangered Species Protection

RENO, Nev.— As a result of legal action by the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has agreed to decide by Nov. 30, 2020 whether an isolated population of relict dace — a small, minnow-like fish that lives only in springs in eastern Nevada — warrants protection under the Endangered Species Act.

Legal Victory Secures New Recovery Plan for Endangered Red Wolves

WASHINGTON— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service must update its plan for saving critically endangered red wolves in the next two and a half years, according to a legal agreement reached as a result of a lawsuit brought by the Center for Biological Diversity. Red wolves, which are native to the southeastern United States, have dwindled to just nine known individuals in the wild, living in the eastern part of North Carolina.

Lawsuit Challenges Federal Failure to Protect Panama City Crayfish

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— The Center for Biological Diversity sued the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today for failing to finalize Endangered Species Act protections for the Panama City crayfish. Today’s lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C.

Lawsuit Aims to Compel Fish and Wildlife Service to Protect Bi-state Sage Grouse

SAN FRANCISCO― Conservation groups sued the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today for failing to protect the imperiled bi-state sage grouse under the Endangered Species Act despite ongoing population declines.

Lawsuit Seeks Emergency Protections for Rare Nevada Wildflower

LAS VEGAS— The Center for Biological Diversity sued the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Bureau of Land Management today seeking protection for the rare Nevada wildflower Tiehm’s buckwheat.

Coastal California Sunflower Is Latest Endangered Species Act Success

EUREKA, Calif.— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed today to change the Endangered Species Act status of beach layia, a small sunflower that grows only in California’s coastal dunes, from endangered to threatened.

Trispot Darter Fish Gains Protected Critical Habitat in Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today designated just over 175 river miles, including 9,924 acres, as protected critical habitat for the threatened trispot darter in Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee.

Rare Flower in New Mexico’s High Desert Proposed for Federal Protection

SILVER CITY, N.M.— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed today to protect Wright’s marsh thistle, an imperiled wetland plant in New Mexico, as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act and to designate 159 acres as protected critical habitat.

Two Eastern Freshwater Mussels Proposed for Endangered Species Act Protection

LEXINGTON, Ky.— In response to a petition and lawsuit from the Center for Biological Diversity and allies, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today proposed to protect the round hickorynut and longsolid freshwater mussels under the Endangered Species Act, with more than 2,000 river miles of proposed critical habitat from Pennsylvania to Mississippi.

Red-cockaded Woodpecker Is Latest Endangered Species Act Success

WASHINGTON— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today that the red-cockaded woodpecker has recovered enough to be downlisted from endangered to threatened. The bird once occurred across much of the southeastern United States in long-leaf pine forests but was federally protected as endangered in 1970.

Petition Aims to Protect Tucson Shovel-nosed Snake Under Endangered Species Act

TUCSON, Ariz.— The Center for Biological Diversity today again petitioned the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to protect the Tucson shovel-nosed snake as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act.

Endocrine-disrupting Pesticide Atrazine to Be Banned in Hawaii, Five U.S. Territories, Prohibited on Conifers, Roadsides

WASHINGTON— The Environmental Protection Agency has announced that the endocrine-disrupting pesticide atrazine will be banned in Hawaii and in the U.S. territories of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the North Mariana Islands.

Lawsuit Launched to Protect Colorado’s Critically Imperiled Gunnison Sage Grouse

DENVER— The Center for Biological Diversity and Western Watersheds Project notified the Bureau of Land Management, Forest Service, National Parks Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today of their intent to sue over the agencies’ failure to adequately protect the Gunnison sage grouse in the Gunnison Basin, where the majority of remaining birds survive.

Lawsuit Challenges Federal Failure to Protect Caribbean Lizards as Endangered

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— The Center for Biological Diversity sued Interior Secretary David Bernhardt and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today for failing to protect eight rare species of skink, a type of lizard, under the Endangered Species Act. The skinks are found only on Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands and face extinction because of introduced predators, habitat destruction and climate change.

California Commission OKs Petition Protecting Joshua Trees Under State’s Endangered Species Act

SACRAMENTO, Calif.— The California Fish and Game Commission agreed today to accept a petition protecting western Joshua trees under the state’s Endangered Species Act, granting legal protection to the iconic trees for at least a year.

Fate of Puget Sound Commercial Fish Farms to Be Decided at Thursday’s Virtual Hearing

SEATTLE— A challenge to permits allowing continued commercial fish farming in Puget Sound will be heard via Zoom on Thursday in King County Superior Court. The complaint, filed in February by four conservation groups, demands the repeal of the permits and robust environmental review of this harmful practice. The decision could potentially affect seven commercial fish farms.

Agreement Reached to Protect Endangered Rusty Patched Bumblebee at Minnetonka’s Lone Lake Park

MINNEAPOLIS— The Center for Biological Diversity and the city of Minnetonka have reached an agreement to protect the endangered rusty patched bumblebee at Lone Lake Park, the site of a planned multi-use mountain-bike trail. Under the agreement, the city will implement numerous conservation measures, including creation of habitat for the bees and other pollinators.

Park Service Finalizes Disastrous Point Reyes Plan to Kill Native Wildlife, Prioritize Commercial Livestock Grazing

POINT REYES, Calif.— The National Park Service released a management plan amendment today for Point Reyes National Seashore that would enshrine commercial cattle ranching in the California park at the expense of native wildlife and natural habitat. It also calls for the killing of native tule elk and would authorize new agricultural uses that will put other wildlife at risk.

Lawsuit Seeks to Protect Arizona’s Verde River From Ravages of Illegal Grazing

PHOENIX― The Center for Biological Diversity and Maricopa Audubon sued the U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today to stop widespread damage from cattle grazing along the Verde River, its tributaries and streambanks.

Federal Protection Proposed for Two Missouri Crayfishes, Colorado Flower

DENVER— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed today to protect a rare plant in southwestern Colorado and two crayfishes in a single watershed in Missouri as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

Lawsuit Launched to Seek New Critical Habitat for Endangered Mount Graham Red Squirrels

TUCSON, Ariz.— The Center for Biological Diversity and Maricopa Audubon today filed a notice of intent to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to expand critical habitat for Arizona’s highly endangered Mount Graham red squirrels.

Legal Victory Puts Keys Lizard Back on Track for Endangered Species Protection

MIAMI— In response to a lawsuit by the Center for Biological Diversity, a federal judge found today that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s 2017 denial of Endangered Species Act protection to the Florida Keys mole skink was arbitrary and unlawful.

More Than 17,000 Rare Nevada Wildflowers Destroyed

LAS VEGAS— Conservationists discovered over the weekend that someone had dug up and destroyed more than 17,000 Tiehm’s buckwheat plants, a rare Nevada wildflower the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said this summer may warrant protection under the Endangered Species Act.

Lawsuit Challenges Logging Threat to Endangered Wildlife in Northern California Redwoods

GUALALA, Calif.— Conservation groups filed an Endangered Species Act lawsuit today against the Gualala Redwood Timber Company to protect threatened and endangered fish, birds and frogs from a logging project in a redwood forest near Northern California’s Gualala River.

More Than 1,500 Acres of Critical Habitat Proposed for Two Central Texas Salamanders

AUSTIN, Texas— Following a legal victory by the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today proposed 1,519 acres in the Austin area as protected critical habitat for the Georgetown and Salado Springs salamanders.

Idaho Documents Reveal Weeks-old Wolf Pups Among 570 Maimed, Slaughtered Wolves

BOISE, Idaho— As the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced last week that the removal of wolves from Endangered Species Act protection nationwide is “very imminent,” new data from Idaho show the ugly face of state wolf-management there.

Washington Bans Cruel Wildlife-killing Contests

SEATTLE— The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission voted today to ban wildlife-killing contests, making it the seventh state to enact such a measure.

Oregon Urged to End Beaver Trapping, Hunting on Federal Lands

PORTLAND, Ore.— Conservation groups filed a petition today asking the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission to permanently close commercial and recreational beaver trapping and hunting on the state’s federally managed public lands and the waters that flow through them. Beavers are Oregon’s official state animal, but they can be legally hunted and trapped with few limits.

Killing of Three Wolves Dims Hopes for New Colorado Population

DENVER— At least half of the six wolves spotted moving into northwestern Colorado earlier this year were recently shot and killed just over the border in Wyoming. The remaining wolves’ status and whereabouts are uncertain.

Survey Finds Subsidies Don’t Decrease Ranchers’ Hostility to Mexican Gray Wolves

TUCSON, Ariz.— A new survey of Arizona ranchers finds that government subsidies to compensate for livestock losses caused by Mexican gray wolves do little to change the broad dislike for the predators within the industry. Further, the survey showed that the strongest antipathy is held by those ranchers who have never lost stock to wolves.

Gov. Inslee Orders Rework of Washington’s Wolf-killing Policies

SEATTLE— In a win for wolf advocates, Gov. Jay Inslee directed the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission today to draft new rules governing the killing of wolves involved in conflicts with livestock. This action reverses the commission’s denial of a petition filed by advocates in May that called for reforms of the state Department of Fish and Wildlife’s lethal wolf-management policies.

American Burying Beetle Loses Endangered Status Despite Major Threats From Oil Development, Climate Change

TULSA, Okla.— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has announced the downlisting of the American burying beetle from endangered to threatened despite the absence of the beetle from most of its range, ongoing habitat destruction from the oil and gas industry, and new information that climate change is decimating the species in the southern Plains.

Trump Administration Further Weakens Habitat Protection for Endangered Species

WASHINGTON— The Trump administration proposed new regulations today that radically alter the existing process for deciding when to exclude a particular area from a critical habitat designation for wildlife or plants protected by the Endangered Species Act.

Analysis: Proposed Washington Methanol Refinery Would Produce Massive Pollution

LACEY, Wash.— A new environmental analysis by the Washington Department of Ecology of the proposed fracked gas-to-methanol refinery in Kalama, Washington found the plant would rank as one of the state’s largest sources of climate pollution if constructed.

Trump Administration Hastening Review to Expedite Sprawl in Florida

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— In response to a presidential executive order, the Department of the Interior is considering sidestepping key conservation laws to fast-track a Collier County development that threatens to destroy 45,000 acres of essential Florida panther habitat, according to documents obtained by the Center for Biological Diversity.

Humboldt Martens Receive Long-awaited Endangered Species Act Protection

PORTLAND, Ore.— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today that the Humboldt marten will receive protection as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. The decision comes after two conservation groups sued the Trump administration for its long delay in finalizing protections for this rare species.

SEC Complaint Charges Misleading Claims by Australian Company Over Nevada Mine

LAS VEGAS— The Center for Biological Diversity filed a complaint with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission today asserting that the Australian mining company Ioneer provided materially misleading statements to investors.

National Park Service Pressed to Tear Down Elk Barrier, Ensure Water Supply for Point Reyes Elk

POINT REYES, Calif.— In response to reports of tule elk dying amid an ongoing drought, the Center for Biological Diversity and Harvard Animal Law & Policy Clinic today demanded that the National Park Service remove a fence from Tomales Point in northern Point Reyes National Seashore that confines elk on a peninsula with inadequate water.

Lawsuit Launched Against Fort Lauderdale Hilton for Harming Sea Turtles

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.— Conservation groups filed a notice today of their intent to sue the Bahia Mar Resort and Yachting Center and Hilton Hotels for lighting practices that harm nesting and hatchling sea turtles.

Lawsuit Seeks to Restore Protection for Wolves, Grizzly Bears on Alaska’s National Preserves

ANCHORAGE, Alaska— Thirteen groups filed a federal lawsuit today to restore Obama-era protections for Alaska’s wildlife on national preserves managed by the National Park Service.

TC Energy Warned That Construction of Keystone XL Poses Unlawful Harm to Endangered Species

SAN FRANCISCO— Conservation groups filed a supplemental notice letter today warning TC Energy that construction of the Keystone XL pipeline must not continue while analysis of the harm to imperiled wildlife remains incomplete.

Rare Virgin Islands Flower Proposed for Endangered Species Protection

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today proposed listing the marrón bacora, a plant native to the Virgin Islands, as endangered and identified 2,549 acres of potential critical habitat under the Endangered Species Act.

Lawsuit Launched to Save Rare Southern Nevada Butterfly

LAS VEGAS— The Center for Biological Diversity launched a lawsuit today to block a proposed ski-resort expansion in southern Nevada that could drive the endangered Mount Charleston blue butterfly to extinction.

Legal Action Seeks Endangered Species Protection for Giant California Fly

FRESNO, Calif.— The Center for Biological Diversity filed a notice of intent today to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for improperly denying Endangered Species Act protection to the critically imperiled San Joaquin Valley giant flower-loving fly.

Federal Agency Revokes Protections for Wildlife on Scores of National Wildlife Refuges Across Country

WASHINGTON— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today approved the single-largest expansion ever of hunting and fishing in national wildlife refuges, including allowing bears, mountain lions and other top predators to be killed in more places.

Lawsuit Challenges Trump Administration’s Suspension of Pollution Monitoring

WASHINGTON— Conservation groups sued the Trump administration today over the Environmental Protection Agency’s suspension of pollution monitoring and reporting requirements during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lawsuit Challenges Trump Administration’s Refusal to Protect California Spotted Owl

SAN FRANCISCO— Conservationists sued the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today for refusing to protect California spotted owls under the Endangered Species Act.

Washington State Kills Last Two Members of Wedge Wolf Pack

SEATTLE— Washington’s Department of Fish and Wildlife announced today that it killed the remaining two members of the Wedge wolf pack Aug. 13. The killing comes after another summer fraught with livestock-wolf conflict and public outcry over the need for changes in how the agency manages this state endangered species.

Gov. Inslee Urged to Act After Washington Wolf Advisor’s Removal

SEATTLE— Environmental groups called on Gov. Jay Inslee today to reform wolf management in Washington after the sudden removal of conservationist Tim Coleman from the state Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Wolf Advisory Group.

Court Overturns Trump Administration Policy That Sharply Curtailed Protections for Migratory Birds

NEW YORK— A federal court today overturned a Trump administration reinterpretation of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act that had upended decades of enforcement and let industry polluters entirely off the hook for killing birds.

Legal Petition Urges U.S. to Certify That China’s Pangolin Trade Violates Wildlife Treaty

WASHINGTON— Conservation organizations filed a legal petition today urging the U.S. secretary of the Interior to formally certify China for illegally trading in critically imperiled pangolins. If certification under the Pelly Amendment is granted, the U.S. government can sanction China, including banning all wildlife imports from the country.

Lawsuit Launched to Protect Minnesota’s Endangered Rusty Patched Bumblebee

MINNEAPOLIS— The Center for Biological Diversity filed a formal notice today of its intent to sue the city of Minnetonka for failing to protect endangered rusty patched bumblebees from a planned mountain-bike course in Lone Lake Park, home to one of the largest populations of the bee in Minnesota.

Trump Administration Proposes New Limits on Protecting Endangered Species Habitat

WASHINGTON— The Trump administration issued a new proposal today that will severely limit the government’s ability to protect habitat that imperiled animals and plants will need to survive and recover.

Federal Review of Columbia River Dams Fails to Protect Salmon, Orcas

SEATTLE— A federal analysis of dams in the Columbia River basin released today fails to move toward the only viable alternative for saving salmon and the Southern Resident killer whales that rely on them for food: the removal of the four lower Snake River dams.

Critical Habitat Designated for Threatened Idaho Plant

BOISE, Idaho—The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service designated critical habitat today for slickspot peppergrass, a rare and threatened plant found only in southwestern Idaho. The decision proposes approximately 42,129 acres of protected habitat in Ada, Elmore, Gem, Payette and Owyhee counties in Idaho. The designation is roughly 20,000 acres less than the acreage proposed in 2014.

Washington Wildlife Agency Issues Kill Order on Another Endangered Wolf Pack

OLYMPIA, Wash.— The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife issued a new order today authorizing the killing of one member of the Wedge wolf pack in Stevens County — the latest in a long series of kill orders in this area.

Central California Coast Snail Is Latest Endangered Species Act Success

MORRO BAY, Calif.— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today proposed changing the Endangered Species Act status of the Morro shoulderband snail from endangered to threatened.

Washington Governor Urged to Order New Rules to Reduce Wolf-killing

SEATTLE— Conservation groups petitioned Gov. Jay Inslee today to order the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission to draft enforceable rules that limit when the state can kill endangered wolves for conflicts with livestock.

Trump Administration Denies Montana Grayling Endangered Species Protection

BUTTE, Mont.— The Trump administration denied protection today to the Montana arctic grayling, a member of the salmon family now found in just 4% of its historic range.

Lawsuit Launched to Finalize Endangered Species Protection for North Carolina Catfish, Salamander

ASHEVILLE, N.C.— The Center for Biological Diversity filed a formal notice today of its intent to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for failing to finalize protection for two imperiled aquatic species in eastern North Carolina under the Endangered Species Act.

Lawsuit Challenges Trump Administration’s Failure to Release Records on End of North Cascades Grizzly Bear Recovery Plan

WASHINGTON— The Center for Biological Diversity sued the Trump administration today for failing to release public records on the termination of a program to restore grizzly bears to the North Cascades in Washington.

Two Rare Nevada Wildflowers Move Toward Endangered Species Protection

LAS VEGAS— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today that two imperiled Nevada wildflowers may warrant protection under the Endangered Species Act. The agency initiated a one-year review for Tiehm’s buckwheat and the Las Vegas bearpoppy. Today’s finding comes in response to petitions submitted by the Center for Biological Diversity in 2019.

California’s Lassen Wolf Pack Has Pups for Fourth Straight Year

SAN FRANCISCO— California’s only known wolf family, the Lassen pack, has produced its fourth litter of pups. The pups’ father joined the pack recently, after the pack’s first breeding male disappeared last summer.

Endangered Species Protections Sought for Rare Wolf in Southeast Alaska

SITKA, Alaska— The Center for Biological Diversity, Alaska Rainforest Defenders and Defenders of Wildlife petitioned the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today to give Endangered Species Act protections to the Alexander Archipelago wolf in Southeast Alaska.

Lawsuit Launched to Force Trump Administration to Restore North Cascades Grizzly Bears

SEDRO-WOOLLEY, Wash.— The Center for Biological Diversity initiated a lawsuit today to challenge the Trump administration’s recent termination of a program aimed at restoring grizzly bears to the North Cascades in Washington. In the past decade, biologists have documented only four grizzly bears in the region.

Dunes Sagebrush Lizard One Step Closer to Endangered Species Protections

SILVER CITY, N.M.— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today that the dunes sagebrush lizard may warrant protection under the Endangered Species Act and initiated a year-long status review.

Keystone XL Faces New Legal Challenge Over Faulty Federal Review

GREAT FALLS, Mont.— Conservation and landowner groups filed a new lawsuit today challenging the Trump administration’s approval of the Keystone XL tar-sands pipeline to be constructed on federal lands.

Lawsuit Filed to Ensure Water for Rare Nevada Fish

LAS VEGAS— The Center for Biological Diversity sued the Nevada state engineer today for allowing groundwater pumping that reduces spring flows and endangers the rare Moapa dace.

Updated ‘Redlist:’ More Than 1 in 4 Evaluated Species Facing Extinction

PORTLAND, Ore.— An updated assessment released today by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature found that 27% of evaluated species of plants and animals around the globe are threatened with extinction.

Appeals Court Victory Maintains Protections for Yellowstone Grizzlies

SAN FRANCISCO— The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals today affirmed a federal court’s 2018 ruling that the Trump administration illegally stripped Endangered Species Act protections from Yellowstone’s grizzly bears. The decision spares the grizzlies from previous plans for trophy hunts in Wyoming and Idaho.

California Coastal Commission Orders Oceano Dunes to Remain Closed to Vehicles to Protect Nesting Shorebirds

OCEANO, Calif.— The California Coastal Commission has ordered State Parks officials to keep significant portions of Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area closed to vehicles and camping through the end of September to protect western snowy plovers.

Gunnison Sage-Grouse in Dire Straits as Population Numbers Continue to Decline

DENVER, Colo. ­– A new survey of the Gunnison sage-grouse by Colorado Parks and Wildlife shows the imperiled bird’s three-year running average count has hit a historic low, with fewer than 1,600 birds remaining in 2020.

In Yet Another Blow to Keystone XL, Supreme Court Rejects Bid to Revive Key Water-crossing Permit

WASHINGTON— The U.S. Supreme Court today declined a request from TC Energy and the Trump administration to allow the Keystone XL pipeline to proceed under Nationwide Permit 12, a key water-crossing permit for pipelines that a district court found unlawful. The court also issued a partial stay of the district court’s decision as it applies to other pipelines while a full appeal of the decision moves forward.

Two Map Turtles Species Move One Step Closer to Endangered Species Act Protection in Mississippi, Louisiana

NEW ORLEANS—As the result of a lawsuit by the Center for Biological Diversity and Healthy Gulf, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has agreed to decide on Endangered Species Act protection for Pascagoula and Pearl River map turtles by Oct. 29, 2021.

Feds Agree to Decide on Endangered Species Protection for Wolverines by Aug. 31

MISSOULA, Mont.— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will be required to decide whether wolverines in the lower 48 states should be protected under the Endangered Species Act by Aug. 31, 2020, in accordance with a legal agreement filed in court today with conservation groups.

Petition Seeks California Endangered Species Protection for Quino Checkerspot Butterfly

SAN DIEGO— The Center for Biological Diversity and Endangered Habitats League filed a petition today to protect Quino checkerspot butterflies under the California Endangered Species Act.

27,488 Acres of Critical Habitat Designated for Elfin-woods Warbler

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— Following litigation brought by the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today designated critical habitat for the elfin-woods warbler. This small, black-and-white bird, found only in Puerto Rico, has lost a significant amount of habitat to urban and agricultural development. Today’s measure designates 27,488 acres of forested land on the island.

Lawsuit Launched to Force Recovery Plans for Two Southeastern Salamanders

PANAMA CITY, Fla.— The Center for Biological Diversity and Healthy Gulf today filed a formal notice of intent to sue the Trump administration for failing to develop recovery plans for the endangered reticulated and frosted flatwoods salamanders.

Feds Kill Another Endangered Mexican Gray Wolf

SILVER CITY, N.M.— A federal gunman killed the alpha male of the Saffel pack of Mexican gray wolves in Arizona last week for preying on livestock, according to a memo released yesterday by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Washington Commission Rejects Petition for New Rules to Prevent Wolf Killing, Conflicts

SEATTLE— The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission rejected a petition today that called for new rules to limit when the state can kill endangered wolves for conflicts with livestock.

Newly Discovered Wetland Flower in North Carolina Already Extinct

NORTH CAROLINA— Scientists in North Carolina have determined that a species of riverbank wildflower conservationists have fought to protect since 2010 is actually two separate species — and the “new” flower has been extinct for a century. This marks the 53rd plant known to be lost to extinction in the United States and Canada.

Critical Habitat Finalized for Endangered Arizona Mud Turtle

TUCSON, Ariz.— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced final critical habitat protection today for the endangered Sonoyta mud turtle. These highly aquatic turtles are found only in Pima County, Arizona and Sonora, Mexico.

Washington Agency Issues Kill Order on Another Endangered Wolf Pack

OLYMPIA, Wash.— The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife issued a new order today authorizing the killing of up to two members of the Togo wolf pack in Ferry County. This may leave the pack with just one or two surviving members, according to the department’s annual wolf report released in April.

Trump Administration OKs Beaver Killing in Oregon, Despite Harm to Endangered Salmon, Steelhead

PORTLAND, Ore.— Despite recognizing that restoring beaver populations is key to the recovery of imperiled salmon and steelhead species, a federal agency just gave the go-ahead to keep killing beavers in Oregon.

Lawsuit Launched to Protect Tiny Florida Crayfish

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— The Center for Biological Diversity has filed a formal notice of its intent to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service over the agency’s failure to finalize protections for the Panama City crayfish. The rare crayfish is threatened by habitat loss.

Lawsuit Launched to Compel Trump Administration to Protect Bi-state Sage Grouse

SAN FRANCISCO― Conservation groups filed a formal notice today of their intent to sue the Trump administration for failing to protect an imperiled bird, the bi-state sage grouse, under the Endangered Species Act despite ongoing population declines.

Rural Residents, Hunters Join Nationwide Effort to Save Mexican Wolves

SILVER CITY, N.M.— Hunters, rural residents and thousands of others in New Mexico and Arizona today joined a call to dramatically restrict trapping and shooting of endangered Mexican gray wolves in the Southwest. Instead, they said, the focus should be on recovering the species — among the most endangered mammals in North America — and releasing more captive-born wolves into the wild.

Report: Nearly 90% of Minnesotans Recognize Importance of Maintaining State’s Wolf Population

MINNEAPOLIS— The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources released a report today analyzing Minnesotans’ attitudes toward wolves. A key finding is that 87% of residents agree that maintaining the state’s wolf population is important.

Oregon Wildlife Commission Keeps Cruel Trapping Practices in Place

PORTLAND, Ore.— After a contentious 12-hour meeting, the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission rejected conservation proposals to adopt a uniform 24-hour trap check time for all wildlife and to ban beaver trapping on federally managed public lands.

Nevada Takes Important Step to Protect Endangered Fish

LAS VEGAS, Nev.— The Nevada state engineer today restricted groundwater pumping from a remote desert groundwater basin, throwing a lifeline to an endangered fish and crippling plans for a sprawling planned community 50 miles northeast of Las Vegas.

Trump Administration Seeks to Thwart Resident Reporting of Coal-mining Violations

WASHINGTON— More than 36 organizations have joined a chorus of lawmakers and regulatory officials calling for an extended public comment period on a major overhaul to coal-mining oversight that would hinder citizen and federal monitoring of state programs.

Lawsuit Halts Border Road Construction in Key Grizzly Bear Habitat

SANDPOINT, Idaho— In response to a lawsuit filed by five conservation groups, federal agencies today agreed to forego planned summer construction on the Bog Creek Road project in northern Idaho.

Tiny Oregon Lake Fish Is Latest Endangered Species Act Success

PORTLAND, Ore.— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today that the Borax Lake chub, a 2-inch fish found only in Borax Lake in southeast Oregon, has made a full recovery and no longer needs the protections of the Endangered Species Act.

Trump Administration Revokes Protections for Brown Bears, Other Wildlife in Alaska’s Kenai National Wildlife Refuge

ANCHORAGE, Alaska— The Trump administration today continued efforts to repeal protections for brown bears and other wildlife on public lands in Alaska. In this latest step, the administration proposed to repeal an Obama administration rule that prohibited numerous ecologically harmful hunting methods on Alaska’s Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, such as gunning down brown bears at bait stations.

Lawsuit Launched Targeting Trump Administration’s Suspension of Pollution Monitoring

WASHINGTON— Conservation groups today filed a notice of intent to sue the Trump administration over the Environmental Protection Agency’s suspension of monitoring and reporting requirements for major pollution during the COVID-19 pandemic. This follows confirmation from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service that the EPA failed to contact the wildlife agencies to discuss how the policy will comply with the Endangered Species Act.

Lifesaving Critical Habitat Proposed for Florida Bonneted Bat

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— In response to a legal agreement with the Center for Biological Diversity and allies, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today proposed to protect 1.5 million acres as critical habitat for the Florida bonneted bat. The bat is only found in South Florida and has seen its forest and wetland habitats plowed over and sprayed with pesticides for decades.

Endangered Status Sought for Death Valley Region Fish

BISHOP, Calif.— The Center for Biological Diversity petitioned the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today to protect three populations of speckled dace in the Death Valley region under the Endangered Species Act. These small, minnow-like fish live in freshwater streams and springs in the desert and dry environments of Amargosa Canyon, Long Valley and Owens Valley, California.

Legal Action Halts Federal Use of Strangulation Snares in Washington

SEATTLE— A lawsuit filed by the Center for Biological Diversity has forced a federal agency to curb its killing of beavers, bears and other wildlife across Washington state.

Trump Administration Releases Draft Plan to Allow Widespread Bird-killing at Industrial Sites

WASHINGTON— The Trump administration released a draft environmental impact statement today for a rule to allow indiscriminate killing of birds at industrial sites across the country, including oil and gas operations.

Rare Gray Wolf Found in Utah Targeted by State Trappers

SALT LAKE CITY— For the first time in nearly five years, a gray wolf is thought to be present in Utah, according to state authorities. But the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food says it is setting traps to kill the wolf on behalf of the state’s livestock industry.

New Study Warns of Dire Human Impacts if Wildlife Extinction Crisis Continues

WASHINGTON— A scientific study published today concludes that natural life-support systems crucial to the survival of humanity could collapse if action isn’t taken to save wildlife populations.

Lawsuit Challenges Trump Administration’s Delay in Protecting Rare Nevada Fish

RENO, Nev.— The Center for Biological Diversity filed a lawsuit today against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for unlawfully delaying action on a petition to protect a population of small, minnow-like fish under the Endangered Species Act.

Court Rejects Koch Brothers-funded Group’s Attack on Rare Texas Arachnid

AUSTIN, Texas— The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals today rejected an attack on the Endangered Species Act’s constitutionality brought by a special interest group financed by the Koch brothers.

Southern California Flower Recovered, No Longer Needs Endangered Species Protection

VENTURA, Calif.— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today proposed removing the San Benito evening primrose from the federal list of threatened species based on recovery of the plant, which occurs in the central coast range of San Benito, Monterey and Fresno counties.

Appeals Court Upholds Order Blocking Keystone XL’s Water-crossing Permit

SAN FRANCISCO— The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit today left in place a district court decision blocking a key water crossing permit for Keystone XL and other oil and gas pipelines while a full appeal of the decision moves forward.

Lawsuit Challenges Federal Approval of Jordan Cove Natural Gas Project

WASHINGTON— Conservation organizations filed a lawsuit Wednesday challenging the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s approval of the Jordan Cove LNG export terminal and Pacific Connector fracked gas pipeline.

Public Outcry Prompts Minneapolis Park Board to Prioritize Nonlethal Responses to Wildlife Conflicts

MINNEAPOLIS— The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board last night unanimously passed a resolution directing staff to prioritize nonlethal methods to mitigate conflicts with wildlife. The vote addresses concerns voiced by dozens of Minneapolis residents who objected to the city’s decision last month to contract with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services program to kill beavers, coyotes and other wildlife within the city’s parklands.

Reward Increased to $3,500 for Info on Illegal Poisonings of Wolves, Family Dogs

MADISON, Wis.— The Center for Biological Diversity today added $2,500 to the reward for information leading to an arrest for the poisonings of wildlife and dogs on public lands in northern Wisconsin, bringing the total reward to $3,500.

California Lawsuit Challenges Federal Water Contracts That Imperil Delta, Fish, Wildlife

SACRAMENTO— Three environmental groups sued the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation today to dispute the award of permanent federal water contracts to water users supplied by the Central Valley Project.

New Mexico Wolf Pack Destroyed After Alpha Female Killed, Yearling Flees

SILVER CITY, N.M.— A pack of endangered Mexican gray wolves has been eliminated in the Gila National Forest through a combination of private trapping and federal shooting on behalf of the livestock industry.

To Revive Economy, Congress Should Invest $25 Billion in Protecting Wildlife, Restoring Public Lands

WASHINGTON— As Congress works to restart the American economy, 200 wildlife, conservation and environmental justice groups today requested $25 billion in funding for a broad array of new and existing wildlife and public-lands conservation programs that will create hundreds of thousands of jobs and benefit people, communities and the environment.

Trump Administration Forced to Review Coal-mining Threats to Endangered Species Nationwide

WASHINGTON— In response to a lawsuit from the Center for Biological Diversity and allies, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement agreed today to consult with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service by October 16 to review the impacts of coal mining across the country on endangered species and ensure their survival is not being jeopardized.

New Study Finds Broad Public Support For Wolf Reintroduction In Colorado

FORT COLLINS, Colo.— A peer-reviewed study authored by 11 researchers in public opinion, biology and economics at Colorado State University and the U.S. Department of Agriculture shows 84% support among Colorado’s public for Proposition 107 to reintroduce gray wolves. The proposition will appear on November’s ballot.

Trump Administration Denies Endangered Species Protection for Pacific Fisher Across Most of Species’ Range

PORTLAND, Ore.— The Trump administration today denied Endangered Species Act protections to Pacific fishers from Northern California to the Canadian border, but granted them endangered status in the southern Sierra Nevada. The decision reversed a 2019 proposal to list fishers as threatened throughout their West Coast range.

Federal Court Upholds Ruling Blocking Permit Critical to Keystone XL, Other Oil and Gas Pipelines

GREAT FALLS, Mont.— A federal judge today largely upheld an April 15 ruling vacating Nationwide Permit 12, a key water-crossing permit used by TC Energy’s Keystone XL tar sands pipeline and many other pipelines nationwide.

Legal Petition Seeks New Rules to Reduce Washington Wolf-killing

SEATTLE— Conservation groups petitioned the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission today for rules limiting when the state can kill endangered wolves over conflicts with livestock. The state has killed 31 wolves since 2012, relying on a protocol that skews heavily toward lethal and ineffective outcomes.

Protection Sought for Southern California Freshwater Minnow

LOS ANGELES— The Center for Biological Diversity petitioned today to protect the Santa Ana speckled dace, a small minnow native to Southern California streams, under the Endangered Species Act.

Humboldt County Agrees to Prioritize Nonlethal Solutions to Wildlife Conflict

EUREKA, Calif.—Humboldt County approved a new contract with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services program today that will reduce its killing of wildlife involved in conflicts with residents by prioritizing non-lethal measures. The contract also prohibits the killing of beavers.

Lawsuit Seeks Endangered Species Act Protections for Humboldt Marten

PORTLAND, Ore.— Two conservation groups sued the Trump administration today for its failure to finalize Endangered Species Act protection for the Humboldt marten.

Colorado Bans Cruel Wildlife-killing Contests

DENVER— The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission voted yesterday to ban wildlife-killing contests for various furbearing and small game species in the state. Colorado is the sixth state to prohibit these cruel events.

Public Records Sought After Federal Agents Kill Four Wolves in New Mexico

SILVER CITY, N.M.— The Center for Biological Diversity today filed Freedom of Information Act requests to determine what led federal agencies in March to kill four endangered Mexican gray wolves in New Mexico, including whether the kill orders were influenced by the state’s powerful livestock industry.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to Consider Endangered Listing for Dunes Sagebrush Lizard

WASHINGTON— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agreed today to decide by June 30 whether to consider a proposal to list the dunes sagebrush lizard under the Endangered Species Act. If the petition to list is accepted, the agency will launch a one-year review to determine whether to actually protect the rare lizards, which live in Texas and New Mexico.

Federal Court to Hold Video Hearing on Future of Yellowstone Grizzly Bears

LAS VEGAS— The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals will hear arguments May 5 to determine whether to uphold a Montana federal district court 2018 decision vacating the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s rule removing Yellowstone grizzly bears from the Endangered Species Act.

Legal Action Prompts New Review of Ski Resort Expansion’s Impact on Southern Nevada Butterfly

LAS VEGAS— In response to legal action initiated by the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will re-examine the effects of the proposed expansion of the Lee Canyon Ski Area on critically endangered Mount Charleston blue butterflies.

Lawsuit Challenges California’s Failure to Address State Water Project’s Threat to Bay Delta, Salmon Runs

SAN FRANCISCO— Four environmental groups sued the California Department of Water Resources today over its approval of the long-term operation of the State Water Project, the massive system of dams, pumps and aqueducts responsible for siphoning water from Northern California to Southern California. The project approval also failed to analyze the environmental harms of building a new diversion tunnel to send water south.

Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Bungles Lesser Prairie Chicken Conservation Effort

PORTLAND, Ore.— The Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies has failed to properly manage the conservation program for the highly imperiled lesser prairie chicken, wasting funds on an unneeded building in Idaho and wrongfully paying staff salaries out of the program’s endowment, according to a third-party audit of WAFWA’s efforts.

Critical Habitat Proposed for Threatened Snakes in Arizona, New Mexico

TUCSON, Ariz.— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed today to protect 18,701 acres of critical habitat for narrow-headed garter snakes and 27,784 acres of critical habitat for the northern Mexican garter snakes in Arizona and New Mexico.

Southeastern Flower Recovers in Latest Endangered Species Act Success Story

WASHINGTON— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced the recovery of the Cumberland sandwort, a small, white flowering plant primarily found in the Big South Fork National Recreation Area in Kentucky and Tennessee. As a result of this recovery, the Service is proposing to remove Endangered Species Act protections for the plant.

Earth Day Webinar to Highlight Plan to Protect 50% of America’s Wildlands

PORTLAND, Ore.— An Earth Day webinar led by one of the founders of the Center for Biological Diversity will explore a plan for protecting 30% of America’s wildlands and waters by 2030 and half of them by 2050.

Endangered Species Lawsuit Launched Over Trump Administration’s Suspension of Pollution Monitoring

WASHINGTON— The Center for Biological Diversity filed a notice today of its intent to sue the Trump administration over the Environmental Protection Agency’s decision last month to suspend monitoring and reporting requirements for major pollution during the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular today’s notice urges the agency to ensure that endangered and threatened species, such as salmon, are not harmed by the suspension.

Washington Wolf Population Increased Only 11% After Another Season of Killing

OLYMPIA, Wash.— Washington’s wolf population increased by just 11% in 2019, according to figures released today by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife — dramatically less than what is needed to sustain the healthy growth of a wolf population into additional good wolf habitat across the state.

Legal Victory Secures Habitat Protection for 14 Imperiled Hawaii Island Species

HONOLULU— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service must designate protected critical habitat for 14 endangered Hawaii Island species because of a legal victory by the Center for Biological Diversity.

Oregon’s Wolf Population Grows to 22 Packs, 158 Animals

PORTLAND, Ore.— Oregon’s wolf population increased by 21 confirmed animals from 137 to 158 wolves in 2019, according to a report released today by the state’s Department of Fish and Wildlife. The state also added six new packs, for a total of 22. The overall population increase marks an annual growth rate of 15% above last year’s numbers.

Federal Court Invalidates Key Permit for Keystone XL

GREAT FALLS, Mont.—A federal judge today ruled that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers violated the law when it approved Nationwide Permit 12, a water-crossing permit critical for TC Energy’s Keystone XL tar sands pipeline and many other pipelines nationwide.

Lawsuit Launched to Overturn Trump Administration’s Denial of Protection to California Spotted Owls

SAN FRANCISCO— Conservation groups filed a formal notice today of their intent to sue the Trump administration over its failure to protect California spotted owls under the Endangered Species Act.

Lawsuit Launched to Protect North Oregon Coast Red Tree Voles

PORTLAND, Ore.— Conservation groups filed a notice today of their intent to sue the Trump administration for failing to protect the imperiled North Oregon Coast population of red tree voles under the Endangered Species Act.

Feds Begin Court-ordered Rewrite of Mexican Wolf Rule for New Mexico, Arizona

SILVER CITY, N.M.— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced a 60-day public comment period to help determine the scope of its analysis for rewriting the rule for Mexican gray wolf management.

Army Corps Abruptly Rescinds Its Position on Seismic Exploration in Florida’s Big Cypress

NAPLES, Fla.— The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reversed its own recent determination finding that the Texas-based Burnett Oil Company damaged “high quality wet prairie and dwarf cypress” wetlands in the Big Cypress National Preserve, degrading a water of the United States. This damage resulted from the oil company’s first phase of seismic testing for oil in this national park unit.

Oregon Coast Spring Chinook Salmon One Step Closer to Endangered Species Protections

PORTLAND, Ore.— The National Marine Fisheries Service today announced it will consider Endangered Species Act protections for spring-run chinook salmon on the Oregon coast. Today’s positive finding responds to a 2019 petition by the Native Fish Society, Center for Biological Diversity and Umpqua Watersheds seeking safeguards for spring-run chinook salmon returning to rivers south of the Columbia River and north of Cape Blanco.

Memos Show Feds Killed Four Endangered Mexican Gray Wolves in Late March

SILVER CITY, N.M.— In three memos written between March 3 and March 24, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service surreptitiously authorized the killing of four endangered Mexican gray wolves in New Mexico on behalf of the livestock industry. In response the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services program killed one wolf on March 23 and three more on March 28.

California Court Approves Ban on Federal Wildlife Poisoning, Trapping

SAN FRANCISCO— In response to a lawsuit filed by wildlife advocacy groups, a federal animal-killing program must restrict its use of bird-killing poisons in Northern California and stop setting strangulation snares and other traps in places like the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex.

Lawsuit Launched to Save Endangered Southern Nevada Butterfly

LAS VEGAS— The Center for Biological Diversity filed a notice today of its intent to sue the Trump administration’s U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for failing to protect the endangered Mount Charleston blue butterfly from a proposed expansion of the Lee Canyon Ski Area, located in the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area of southern Nevada.

Lawsuit Challenges Trump Administration’s Authorization to Kill 72 Grizzlies Near Yellowstone

PINEDALE, Wyo.— The Center for Biological Diversity and Sierra Club filed a lawsuit today challenging the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s decision to allow 72 grizzly bears to be killed to accommodate livestock grazing in Wyoming’s Bridger-Teton National Forest, near Yellowstone National Park.

100+ Groups Urge Congress to Invest $100 Million to Save Monarch Butterfly

WASHINGTON—More than 100 organizations today urged Congress to significantly increase funding to $100 million per year to help conserve monarch butterflies and their habitat.

100 Groups Urge Congress to Address COVID-19 Causes: Wildlife Trade, Habitat Destruction

WASHINGTON— More than 100 organizations urged Congress today to address the wildlife trade and habitat destruction, the root causes of emerging zoonotic diseases like COVID-19 that have erupted over the past several decades in the United States and around the world.

More than 180,000 Americans Oppose Trump’s Plan to Cripple Migratory Bird Protections

WASHINGTON — Conservation groups today submitted more than 180,000 public comments opposing the Trump administration’s proposed changes to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

Lawsuit Seeks to Finalize Endangered Species Protection for Eastern Black Rail

NEW ORLEANS— The Center for Biological Diversity and Healthy Gulf sued the Trump administration and U.S. Interior Secretary David Bernhardt today for failing to finalize a decision to protect eastern black rails under the Endangered Species Act.

Lawsuit Seeks Federal Protection for Wolverines in Lower 48 States

MISSOULA, Mont.— Conservation groups sued the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today for failing to protect wolverines as required by the Endangered Species Act.

Mexican Gray Wolf Numbers Jumped to 163 in 2019

SILVER CITY, N.M.— The U.S. population of endangered Mexican gray wolves grew by 32 animals, from 131 in 2018 to 163 in 2019, according to a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service census announced today. The numbers represent a 24% increase — the largest increase since 2014. Nineteen packs had pups alive at the end of the year.

Población de Mariposa Monarca del Este se Desploma Más de la Mitad

WASHINGTON— El recuento anual de las mariposas monarca que pasan el invierno en México, publicado hoy, muestra una disminución del 53% respecto al año pasado y está muy por debajo del umbral en el que científicos del gobierno predijeron que la migración podría colapsar.

Eastern Monarch Butterfly Population Plunges by More Than Half

WASHINGTON— The yearly count of monarch butterflies overwintering in Mexico, released today, shows a decrease of 53% from last year’s count and is well below the threshold at which government scientists predict the migration could collapse.

Idaho Agreement Restricts Wolf-killing, Bans Use of M-44 Cyanide Bombs

BOISE, Idaho— In a key victory for wildlife, conservation groups finalized an agreement today that sets strict limits on how and where a federal agency can kill wolves in Idaho, bans the use of M-44 “cyanide bombs” statewide, and prohibits the use of snares to kill wolves on public lands.

Lawsuit Challenges Trump Administration’s Construction of Northern Border Road

SANDPOINT, Idaho— Five conservation groups sued the U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Customs and Border Protection today over their decision to reconstruct a northern Idaho road on the Canadian border that would harm imperiled grizzly bears, mountain caribou and other wildlife in the Selkirk Mountains.

Lawsuit Launched to Protect Rare Caribbean Lizards as Endangered

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— The Center for Biological Diversity filed a formal notice of intent today to sue the Trump administration for failing to protect eight rare species of skink, from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, under the Endangered Species Act. The lizards face extinction due to introduced predators, habitat destruction and climate change.

Conservation Groups Argue in Federal Court That Trump’s Keystone XL Pipeline Approval Was Illegal

GREAT FALLS, Mont. — Conservation, environmental and landowner groups argued in federal court in Montana today that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers wrongly permitted the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline to be constructed through hundreds of rivers, streams and wetlands and failed to evaluate the project’s impacts, a violation of bedrock U.S. environmental laws.

Lawsuit Advances Protections for Hawaii’s Cauliflower Coral

HONOLULU— The Trump administration has finally agreed to make a decision about protecting cauliflower coral around Hawaii under the Endangered Species Act. In an agreement with the Center for Biological Diversity filed in federal district court in Honolulu today, the National Marine Fisheries Service says it will determine whether the coral warrants protection under the Endangered Species Act by June 30.

Lawsuit Launched to Protect Endangered Whales in California Shipping Lanes

LOS ANGELES— The Center for Biological Diversity notified the Trump administration today that it is failing to protect endangered whales and sea turtles from being struck by ships using ports in California.

Trump Administration Review of Columbia-Snake River Dams Fails to Protect Salmon, Orcas, Rivers

PORTLAND, Ore.— The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Bonneville Power Administration and Bureau of Reclamation today released the first step of a court-ordered National Environmental Policy Act review of the federal system of dams and reservoirs in the Columbia-Snake River Basin.

Lawsuit Forces Trump Administration to Protect Habitat for 12 Coral Species

WASHINGTON— The Trump administration agreed today to issue critical habitat protection for 12 threatened coral species: five species found in Florida and the Caribbean and seven around islands in the Pacific Ocean.

Lawsuit Attacks Trump Failure to Protect 241 Species From Extinction

WASHINGTON— The Center for Biological Diversity sued the Trump administration today for failing to decide whether 241 plants and animals across the country — from the Midwest’s golden-winged warbler to Venus flytraps in the Carolinas — should be protected under the Endangered Species Act.

Legal Victory Secures Habitat Protection for Two Central Texas Salamanders

AUSTIN, Texas— The Center for Biological Diversity today won a legal victory requiring the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to designate protected critical habitat in central Texas for the Georgetown and Salado salamanders by Aug. 12, 2021.

Nearly 500,000 Acres Proposed as Protected Habitat for Western Cuckoo

SILVER CITY, N.M.— In response to litigation and decades of advocacy by the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today proposed 493,665 acres, including more than 1,200 linear miles in seven states, as protected critical habitat for western yellow-billed cuckoos.

Black Pinesnake Wins 324,000 Acres of Protected Critical Habitat in Mississippi, Alabama

JACKSON, Miss.— Following a lawsuit by the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced that 324,679 acres of critical habitat in Mississippi and Alabama will be protected for the rare and imperiled black pinesnake.

Lawsuit Challenges Trump Administration Failure to Update Plan to Save Houston Toads

HOUSTON— The Center for Biological Diversity sued the Trump administration today for failing to update a deficient, 35-year-old recovery plan for Houston toads. This critically endangered species is now found only in the central coastal region of Texas, and fewer than 1,000 adults may remain in the wild.

More Than 4,000 Acres of Protected Habitat Proposed for Endangered Florida Fern

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed today to protect 4,014 acres of critical habitat for the Florida bristle fern. The fern, found in small patches in Miami-Dade and Sumter counties, is acutely threatened by historic and ongoing habitat loss from development and sea-level rise.

Lawsuit Targets Forest Service Failure to Protect Endangered Mouse, Riparian Areas in Arizona’s White Mountains

TUCSON― Conservation groups filed suit today to protect meadows and streams in eastern Arizona’s White Mountains from cows, horses and elk. The riparian areas are home to the critically endangered New Mexico meadow jumping mouse.

Lawsuit Targets Trump Administration Delays in Protecting Ancient Lake Sturgeon

CHICAGO— Conservation groups sued the Trump administration today for delaying a determination of whether imperiled populations of lake sturgeon will be protected under the Endangered Species Act. Millions of lake sturgeon once lived in the Great Lakes and Mississippi Basin but today the population is less than 1 % of historic levels.

Congress Introduces Bill to Save Monarch Butterflies in West

WASHINGTON— A new bill in Congress would provide $25 million a year to save the rapidly declining western population of monarch butterflies from extinction. This monarch population is found primarily in Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and Washington.

Report: Refusal to Ban Trapping Threatens Turtles in Nine States, Enables Illegal Trade

CHARLESTON, S.C.— Nine states still allow unlimited commercial harvesting of some or all native turtle species, contributing to export practices that threaten the survival of wild populations, according to a new report by the Center for Biological Diversity.

Study: Tropical Snake Diversity Collapses After Widespread Amphibian Loss

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— A study published this week documented the shocking collapse of a snake community in Panama following a sweeping loss of amphibians to an invasive, deadly fungal disease. The findings illustrate how the loss of just a few species can trigger rapid and invisible shockwaves through an entire ecosystem, wiping out many other animals in the process.

Legal Action Threatened to Stop Construction of Keystone XL, Prevent Imminent Harm to Endangered Species

SAN FRANCISCO— Conservation and environmental groups filed notices today of their intent to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management and the companies behind the Keystone XL pipeline for failing to consider the effects of the pipeline—including likely oil spills--on endangered species, including whooping cranes and pallid sturgeon.

Beloved Florida Bat to Gain Protected Habitat

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— As the result of a lawsuit filed by the Center for Biological Diversity and allies, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agreed today to protect critical habitat for Florida bonneted bats.

Puerto Rican Butterfly, Rare Virgin Islands Flower One Step Closer to Endangered Species Protection

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— In a legal victory for the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today agreed to decide this summer whether to protect the Puerto Rico harlequin butterfly and Marrón Bacora plant under the Endangered Species Act.

Trump Budget Ignores Extinction Crisis, Slashes Endangered Species Funding

WASHINGTON— The Trump administration released a Fiscal Year 2021 budget proposal today with massive proposed funding cuts for the Department of the Interior, even as the extinction crisis worsens in the United States and around the world.

Interior Secretary Bernhardt Wins 2019 Rubber Dodo Award as Top Eco-Villain

TUCSON, Ariz.— Interior Secretary David Bernhardt is the winner of the Center for Biological Diversity’s 2019 Rubber Dodo award. The statue is awarded each year to the person or group who has most aggressively sought to destroy America's natural heritage or drive endangered species extinct.

Endangered Wolf Found Dead in California, Officials Investigating

SACRAMENTO, Calif.— State wildlife agency officials announced today that wolf OR-54 was found dead yesterday in Shasta County. The radio-collared wolf from Oregon made California her home nearly two years ago.

Federal Protection Sought for Rare Freshwater Alaska Seals

WASHINGTON— The Center for Biological Diversity petitioned the federal government today to provide Endangered Species Act protection to a rare population of approximately 400 freshwater seals found only in Alaska’s Iliamna Lake.

International Turtle Experts Urge Florida to Protect Diamondback Terrapins From Drowning in Crab Pots

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.— A group of leading international turtle experts urged the state of Florida today to require the use of excluder devices on crab traps, endorsing a rule sought by the Center for Biological Diversity and allies in a petition last week.

Threatened Mussel to Receive 319 River Miles of Lifesaving Habitat in North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland

RALEIGH, N.C.— Following 10 years of advocacy and litigation by the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed today to protect 319 river miles of critical habitat for the threatened yellow lance freshwater mussel in North Carolina, Virginia and Maryland.

Trump Administration Proposes Rule to Solidify Its Policy of Allowing Widespread Bird-killing at Industrial Sites

PORTLAND, Ore.— The Trump administration proposed a rule today to allow indiscriminate killing of birds at industrial sites across the country, including oil and gas operations.

‘Frostpaw the Polar Bear’ Arrives In Iowa to Kick Off Extinction Crisis Campaign

DES MOINES, Iowa— The Center for Biological Diversity’s Frostpaw the Polar Bear touched down in Des Moines today, ready to join wildlife advocates and volunteers in kickstarting a new campaign to urge all the presidential candidates from each political party to address the wildlife extinction crisis unfolding in Iowa and around the globe.

House Democrats Advance Legislation to Undo Trump’s Attack on Endangered Species Act

WASHINGTON— The House Natural Resources Committee today voted to approve legislation that would reverse the Trump administration’s regulatory rollbacks of the Endangered Species Act, one of the most successful and popular environmental laws in the country.

Court: Northern Long-eared Bat Was Unlawfully Denied Endangered Species Protection

WASHINGTON— A federal judge on Tuesday overturned a decision by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to protect northern long-eared bats as threatened rather than endangered under the Endangered Species Act.

Florida Petition Seeks to Protect Diamondback Terrapin Turtles From Drowning in Crab Traps

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.— Conservation groups filed a petition today asking the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to adopt regulations that would protect diamondback terrapins from drowning in blue crab pots. These imperiled turtles are suffering population declines.

Two Appalachian Coalfields Crayfish to Receive 445 Miles of Lifesaving Habitat

CHARLESTON, W. Va.— Following a petition and lawsuit by the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed today to protect 445 stream miles of critical habitat for the Guyandotte River crayfish and Big Sandy crayfish in the coalfields of West Virginia, Kentucky and Virginia.

New York Urged to Protect Gray Wolves, Hellbenders, Eels

ALBANY, N.Y.— The Center for Biological Diversity, Hudson Riverkeeper, New York City Audubon and species experts submitted comments today supporting the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s proposal to revise its list of endangered, threatened and special-concern species. The proposed list will provide new or strengthened protections for 46 species.

Trump Administration Slashes Protections for Millions of Acres of Streams, Wetlands

WASHINGTON— The Trump administration finalized a plan today to slash Clean Water Act protections for streams, rivers and millions of acres of wetlands, allowing those water bodies to be destroyed or polluted without any meaningful restrictions.

Lawsuit Launched to Prevent Forest Service From Killing 72 Grizzlies Near Yellowstone

PINEDALE, Wyo.— The Center for Biological Diversity and Sierra Club notified the Trump administration today of their intent to sue over plans allowing 72 grizzly bears to be killed to accommodate livestock grazing in Wyoming’s Bridger-Teton National Forest. The forest encompasses the headwaters of the Green River, an area important for Yellowstone ecosystem grizzly bear recovery as well as elk, deer and pronghorn migrations.

Trump Administration Proposes Cutting Humpback Chub Protections Despite Lack of Recovery

DENVER— The Trump administration proposed today to downlist the humpback chub from endangered to threatened, despite the fact the species has not met the criteria in its recovery plan. The fish, which is found only in Colorado, Utah and Arizona, faces severe threats from drought related to climate change and overuse of water, as well as from invasive species like smallmouth bass.

Lawsuit Challenges Trump Administration Failure to Protect Turtles in Louisiana, Mississippi

NEW ORLEANS— The Center for Biological Diversity and Healthy Gulf sued the Trump administration today for failing to protect two species of map turtles under the Endangered Species Act.

New Mexico OKs Widespread Trapping Despite Broad Public Opposition

LAS CRUCES, N.M.— The New Mexico Game Commission today approved trapping of bobcats, foxes and other wildlife throughout nearly all of the state, disappointing wildlife and public-safety advocates who sought to ban a practice long criticized as inhumane and indiscriminate.

Conservationists Seek Wolverine Protection

BOZEMAN, Mont.— Conservation groups sent a notice today of their intent to sue the Trump administration for failing to protect wolverines as required by the Endangered Species Act. There are fewer than 300 wolverines left in the lower 48 and they remain threatened by habitat loss and climate change.

Plan: Ending Extinction Crisis Requires $100 Billion, 500 New National Parks, Refuges, Ocean Sanctuaries

TUCSON, Ariz.— Ending the global wildlife extinction crisis will require bold leadership from the United States, including a $100 billion investment to save species and the creation of 500 new national parks, wildlife refuges and marine sanctuaries, according to a new plan from the Center for Biological Diversity.

Reward Increased to $7,500 for Info on Killing of Endangered California Wolf

SACRAMENTO— The Center for Biological Diversity today increased to $7,500 the reward for information leading to a conviction for the illegal killing of a radio-collared wolf in California, OR-59, who had traveled there from Oregon in December 2018.

Petition Seeks California Endangered Species Protections for Leatherback Sea Turtles

OAKLAND,Calif.— The Center for Biological Diversity and Turtle Island Restoration Network filed a petition today to protect leatherback sea turtles under the California Endangered Species Act.

Scientists Welcome Reports of Wolf Pack in Northern Colorado, Call for Reintroduction to Ensure Recovery

DENVER – A pack of gray wolves may have been spotted in northwest Colorado just one day after a measure to reintroduce the species throughout the state won approval to appear on the 2020 ballot.

South Carolina Senate Bill Would Protect Wild Turtles, Other Reptiles, Amphibians From Commercial Exploitation

COLUMBIA, S.C.— A new bill in the South Carolina Senate Committee on Fish, Game and Forestry would ban the commercial trade of native reptiles and amphibians in the state. The bipartisan measure seeks to end years of extensive poaching, which, enabled by the state’s weak conservation laws, threaten wild populations.

Rare Southern California Butterfly Proposed for Protection as Threatened Species Under Endangered Species Act

SAN DIEGO, Calif.— After 28 years of petitions and lawsuits by the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today finally proposed protecting one of Southern California’s rarest butterflies, the Hermes copper butterfly, as a threatened species.

Sierra Nevada Red Fox Proposed for Endangered Species Act Protection

SACRAMENTO— In response to a petition and lawsuits from the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today proposed protecting one of North America’s rarest mammals, the Sierra Nevada red fox, as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act.

Study: International Action Needed to Save Declining Insects

PORTLAND, Ore.— Seventy-three scientists from around the world published a roadmap today for saving the world’s insects from what is increasingly understood as an insect apocalypse caused by habitat loss, pesticides, climate change and other threats.

Senate Bill Would Provide $20 Million for Butterflies, Desert Fish, Mussels and Hawaiian Plants

WASHINGTON— A new bill in the Senate will provide $20 million per year to some of the most endangered species in the United States, including butterflies, Hawaiian plants, freshwater mussels and desert fish in the Southwest.

Trump Administration Permits Oil Company to Harm Alaska’s Endangered Whales, Ice Seals

ANCHORAGE—The Trump administration today announced the issuance of federal take permits that would allow Hilcorp Alaska to kill or seriously injure 14 whales and nine ice seals as it constructs the Liberty offshore drilling island. The controversial project would be the first offshore drilling development in federal Arctic waters.

Delaware Firefly, Gulf Coast Bee Move Toward Endangered Species Protection

WASHINGTON— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today it will move forward with considering Endangered Species Act protection for the Bethany Beach firefly and Gulf Coast solitary bee.

'Pikas Vs. Trump' Video Game: Out Now

TUCSON, Ariz. — A new video game called “Pikas Vs.Trump” released today by the Center for Biological Diversity gives players a chance to take on Trump as he wages war on wildlife, public lands, the Arctic and the climate.

Land Purchase Near Alabama Toyota Plant Will Preserve Habitat for Endangered Fish

HUNTSVILLE, Ala.— A 500-acre land purchase announced today by an Alabama land trust is the latest in a series of steps taken in response to legal pressure to protect the habitat of the critically endangered spring pygmy sunfish.

Senate Confirms Unqualified Industry Shill to Run Fish and Wildlife Service

WASHINGTON— The U.S. Senate voted largely along party lines today to confirm former Monsanto employee Aurelia Skipwith as director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the agency charged with protecting and recovering endangered animals and plants.

Imperiled Yellow-legged Frogs Protected Under California’s Endangered Species Act

SACRAMENTO— The California Fish and Game Commission today approved California Endangered Species Act protections for five of six populations of the foothill yellow-legged frog, a species that has disappeared from more than 50% of its historic habitat in the state. The decision responds to a 2016 petition by the Center for Biological Diversity.

Lawsuit Launched to Force Trump Administration to Protect Lake Sturgeon

CHICAGO— Conservation groups sent a notice today of their intent to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for delaying a determination of whether lake sturgeon will be protected under the Endangered Species Act.

Species ‘Redlist:’ 1 in 4 Species Threatened With Extinction

PORTLAND, Ore.— More than 1 in 4 species assessed by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature are facing extinction, according to a report released today. The group also noted some successes, including reintroduction of the Guam rail to Cocos Island, moving the species status from “extinct in the wild” to “critically endangered.”

Colorado Wolf Initiative Gets 200,000 Signatures for 2020 Ballot Placement

DENVER— Volunteers from the Rocky Mountain Wolf Action Fund today submitted more than 200,000 signatures to the Colorado secretary of state to place restoration of wolves on Colorado’s 2020 statewide ballot (read the full text of the initiative here).

Coloradans to Deliver 200,000 Signatures Backing Wolf Reintroduction Initiative for 2020 Ballot

DENVER— Colorado citizens will submit more than 200,000 signatures on Tuesday morning to the Secretary of State in support of a 2020 ballot measure to reintroduce wolves. This initiative represents the first time that U.S. voters would be empowered to vote directly on the reintroduction of an endangered species.

Lawsuit Forces Feds to Take New Look at Status of Grizzly Bears

MISSOULA, Mont.— A federal judge in Montana signed an order today requiring the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to review the status of grizzly bears by March 2021 — a step that could prompt the agency to look at a broader plan for recovering bears in the lower 48 states.

Back From the Brink, Hawaii’s Nene Goose a Recovery Success Story

HONOLULU — Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt announced today the nene, reduced to fewer than 30 birds in the wild 50 years ago, will be downlisted from endangered to threatened based on successful recovery efforts.

Two Southern Arizona Plants Proposed for Endangered Species Act Protection

TUCSON, Ariz.— In response to a petition and lawsuit from the Center for Biological Diversity, two southern Arizona plants were proposed for Endangered Species Act protection today.

Trump Administration OKs ‘Cyanide Bombs’ Despite Indiscriminate Killing of Thousands of Animals a Year

WASHINGTON— The Trump administration today announced it will reauthorize use of sodium cyanide in wildlife-killing devices called M-44s. These “cyanide bombs” received approval from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency despite inhumanely and indiscriminately killing thousands of animals every year. They have also injured people.

Flawed Wildlife Bill OK’d by House Natural Resources Committee

WASHINGTON— The House Natural Resources Committee today voted to approve Rep. Debbie Dingell’s (D-Mich.) Recovering America’s Wildlife Act, which would provide $1.4 billion annually to state fish and game agencies with the goal of conserving “species of greatest conservation need.”

Lawsuit Launched to Protect Minnesota’s Rare Lynx From Trapping

MINNEAPOLIS— The Center for Biological Diversity today notified the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources of plans to sue the agency for permitting trapping that harms Canada lynx, in violation of the Endangered Species Act.

Oregon Supreme Court Affirms Sale of Elliott State Forest Tract Is Illegal

SALEM, Ore.— The Oregon Supreme Court today ruled that the sale of 788 acres of old-growth forest from the Elliott State Forest was illegal. The ruling affirms an Oregon Court of Appeals’ ruling from 2018, which found that selling the area known as East Hakki Ridge to a private timber company in 2014 violated state law.

Florida Freshwater Mussel May Receive Nearly 190 Miles of Lifesaving Critical Habitat

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— In response to a settlement agreement with the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today proposed designating critical habitat for the Suwannee moccasinshell, a freshwater Florida mussel. Its habitat has been harmed by pollution and reduced flows throughout its range, and by channel instability and excessive sedimentation.

Legal Pressure Forces Trump Administration to Protect Imperiled Ice Seals’ Arctic Habitat

WASHINGTON— The Trump administration agreed today to finally make a decision on designating critical habitat in Alaska for two ice-seal species. Both bearded and ringed seals are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act because climate change is melting their Arctic sea-ice habitat.

Utah’s June Sucker Another Endangered Species Act Success, Downlisted From Endangered to Threatened

SALT LAKE CITY— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today proposed to downlist the June sucker fish from endangered to threatened based on successful recovery efforts. The June sucker is found only in Utah Lake, which was once clear and supported a commercial fishery for the sucker and Utah’s state fish, the Bonneville cutthroat trout.

Willamette Valley Prairie Flower Becomes Endangered Species Act Success Story

PORTLAND, Ore.— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed removing Bradshaw’s desert parsley, a wet prairie wildflower, from the list of endangered species today due to the plant’s successful recovery.

Lawsuit Launched to Force Trump Administration to Update Houston Toad Recovery Plan

HOUSTON, Texas— The Center for Biological Diversity today filed a notice of intent to sue the Trump administration for failing to update a deficient, 35-year-old recovery plan for the Houston toad. These critically endangered toads are found only in the central coastal region of Texas.

Conservation, Landowners Groups File Opening Brief in Legal Challenge to Keystone XL Pipeline

GREAT FALLS, Mont.— Conservation and landowners groups filed the opening brief today in their federal lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s illegal approval of the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline. The groups are suing the Army Corps of Engineers over its failure to adequately analyze the project’s effects on local waterways, lands, wildlife and communities along its 1,200-mile route.

Trump Administration Denial of Protection to Pacific Walruses Appealed

ANCHORAGE, Alaska— The Center for Biological Diversity filed an appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit today challenging the Trump administration’s denial of Endangered Species Act protection to Pacific walruses. The Center’s lawsuit says officials have ignored the threat that climate change and the loss of Arctic sea ice poses to the walrus’ survival.

California Crab Season Opening Delayed by Whale Entanglement Risk

SACRAMENTO— The California Department of Fish and Wildlife today announced a preliminary decision to delay this week’s opening of commercial Dungeness crab season after aerial surveys showed the presence of humpback whales. Whale entanglements in crab lines have been a major problem in recent years, which the Department pledged to address in a legal agreement earlier this year with the Center for Biological Diversity.

Two Glacier-dependent Stoneflies Protected Under Endangered Species Act

GLACIER NATIONAL PARK, Mont.— Following a petition and two lawsuits brought by the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today protected the western glacier and meltwater lednian stoneflies as threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. Both stoneflies depend on streams formed by glacial meltwater in and around Glacier National Park, as well as a few locations in Grand Teton National Park, and are thus immediately threatened with extinction by the climate crisis.

Lawsuit Launched to Save 274 Species From Extinction Crisis

WASHINGTON— In one of the largest lawsuits ever launched under the Endangered Species Act, the Center for Biological Diversity filed a formal notice today of its intent to sue the Trump administration for failing to decide whether 274 imperiled animals and plants across the country should be federally protected. Decisions for these species are years overdue.

Lawsuit Filed Over Trump Administration Failure to Update Plan to Save Red Wolves

WASHINGTON— The Center for Biological Diversity sued the Trump administration today for failing to prepare an updated recovery plan for the red wolf, a critically endangered native species that has declined to just 14 known individuals in the wild. Without help the once-common species — now isolated in North Carolina — could be extinct in the wild within five years.

Cactus Ferruginous Pygmy Owl May Get Protected Again

TUCSON, Ariz.— Following multiple petitions and lawsuits, the cactus ferruginous pygmy owl has a new chance for protection under the Endangered Species Act. As part of a lawsuit, the Center for Biological Diversity and Defenders of Wildlife today obtained a court-enforceable deadline — Aug. 5, 2021 — for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to decide whether the pygmy owl should again be protected as an endangered species.

Kalama Methanol Refinery in Washington Faces New Federal Court Challenge

TACOMA, Wash.— Public health and environmental groups challenged federal approvals today for Northwest Innovation Works’ massive fracked gas-to-methanol refinery proposed for Kalama, Washington.

Pacific Fishers Proposed for Endangered Species Act Protection in California, Oregon

PORTLAND, Ore.— In response to a petition and lawsuit from conservation groups, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed today to protect Pacific fishers under the Endangered Species Act. Conservation groups are decrying loopholes in the proposal under a special “4(d)” rule that will allow ongoing logging of the forest-dependent carnivore’s habitat.

Ninth Circuit to Hear Arguments Against Arctic Offshore Drilling Project Approval

PORTLAND, Ore.— A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit will hear oral arguments tomorrow in a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s approval of the Liberty project, the first offshore drilling development in federal Arctic waters.

Prairie Flower Becomes Endangered Species Act Success Story

DENVER, Colo.— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service removed the Colorado butterfly plant from the list of threatened species today. The delisting is the result of protection of the species’ habitat through the Endangered Species Act, and represents a victory for a prairie flower that, just 20 years ago, was headed toward extinction.

California Crab Season Delayed to Nov. 23 to Protect Whales From Entanglement

SACRAMENTO— The California Department of Fish and Wildlife today announced a delay of the Nov. 15 opening of commercial Dungeness crab season to reduce the risk of whale entanglements. This preliminary decision to delay the opening to Nov. 23 was based on data indicating the prevalence of whales off California presents an elevated entanglement risk.

Federal Plan Endangers Recovery for Dwindling Gunnison Sage Grouse in Colorado, Utah

DENVER― Following a major decline in the population of Gunnison sage grouse, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today released a brief, vague draft recovery plan that conservation groups say fails to ensure recovery of the threatened species in Colorado and Utah.

Theme for 2019 All Souls Procession: Wildlife Endangered by Border Wall

TUCSON, Ariz.— Jaguars, owls, fish, bats and other endangered species threatened by the border wall in Arizona will be the official theme of the ushers and ambassadors of this year’s 30th annual All Souls Procession on Sunday, Nov. 3.

Report: 20,000 Square Miles of Red Wolf Habitat Is Open for Urgently Needed Reintroductions

WASHINGTON— A new report reveals that approximately 20,000 square miles of public land across five sites in the southeastern United States would be well-suited to reintroducing red wolves. This critically endangered native species has dwindled to just 14 known individuals in the wild.

Lawsuit Filed to Protect Habitat for 14 Imperiled Hawaii Island Species

HONOLULU— The Center for Biological Diversity today sued the Trump administration for failing to protect critical habitat for 14 endangered Hawaiian species.

Feds Launch Process to Protect Endangered West Coast Orcas From Vessel Disturbance

SEATTLE— The National Marine Fisheries Service today announced a public scoping process to determine how to protect critically endangered Southern Resident killer whales from boat noise and disturbance in Washington’s inland waters.

Lawsuit Challenges Federal Killing of Washington’s Bears, Beavers, Bobcats

SEATTLE— The Center for Biological Diversity sued the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services program today over its killing of thousands of native animals a year in Washington state.

Trump Administration Delays Lifesaving Protections for Wolverine, Hermes Copper Butterfly, Candy Darter, 43 Other Species

WASHINGTON— The Trump administration has failed to make protection decisions for dozens of imperiled species as promised in a workplan developed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in late 2016. The plan aims to address a backlog of more than 500 species awaiting protection, including the wolverine and the Sierra Nevada Red Fox.

Colorful Tennessee Fish Protected as Endangered

NASHVILLE, Tenn.— In response to a petition and lawsuit from the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service protected the Barrens topminnow today under the Endangered Species Act. The small, colorful fish is found only in central Tennessee in clear, spring-fed streams on the Barrens Plateau in Cannon, Coffee and Warren counties.

Federal Agency Orders Halt to Mountain Valley Pipeline Construction

WASHINGTON—The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission late yesterday ordered the fracked gas Mountain Valley Pipeline to halt construction activities along the entire 303-mile route of the project.

More Than 270 Groups Urge Senate to Increase Endangered Species Funding

WASHINGTON— In the face of growing concerns over the global wildlife extinction crisis, more than 270 conservation groups today urged the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations to increase funding for endangered species conservation and recovery.

State Endangered Species Protection Sought for California’s Joshua Trees

JOSHUA TREE, Calif.— The Center for Biological Diversity petitioned the California Fish and Game Commission today to protect western Joshua trees under the California Endangered Species Act. The trees are threatened by climate change and habitat destruction from urban sprawl and other development in their Mojave Desert home.

Court Rejects Trump Administration Attempt to Dismiss Challenges to Rock Creek Mine’s Threat to Montana Grizzly Bears

MISSOULA, Mont.— A federal district court in Montana on Friday rejected the Trump administration’s efforts to dismiss key claims in a lawsuit challenging federal approval of the first phase of the Rock Creek Mine. The project would harm grizzly bears and other endangered animals.

Legal Victory Puts 15 Species on Path to Protection Nationwide

WASHINGTON— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today agreed to decide if the elfin-woods warbler and 14 other imperiled species should get habitat protections or other safeguards under the Endangered Species Act. The agency’s agreement is in response to litigation brought by the Center for Biological Diversity.

Activists Deliver Endangered Species Act Petitions With 500,000 Signatures to Speaker Pelosi’s Congressional Office

SAN FRANCISCO— Activists in endangered species masks and accompanied by a marching band paraded from Union Square to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s office on Thursday to deliver 500,000 petition signatures supporting the Endangered Species Act.

Trump Administration Sued for Failing to Protect Hawaii’s Cauliflower Coral

HONOLULU— The Center for Biological Diversity sued the Trump administration today for failing to protect cauliflower coral around the Hawaiian Islands. The bushy, shallow-water coral species has been devastated by ocean warming triggered by human-caused climate change.

Activists Deliver Endangered Species Act Petitions With 500,000 Signatures to 70 Local Congressional Offices

WASHINGTON— Activists in endangered species masks today delivered more than 500,000 petition signatures supporting the Endangered Species Act to more than 70 in-district congressional offices in 25 different states.

Trump Administration Delays Safeguards for 41 Critically Imperiled Species

WASHINGTON— A review released today shows the Trump administration has protected just 18 species as threatened or endangered — the fewest of any administration since the Endangered Species Act passed in 1973. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service review is supposed to be annual, but one hasn’t been released since December of 2016.

California Agency Recommends Protecting Yellow-legged Frog Under State’s Endangered Species Act

SACRAMENTO— The California Department of Fish and Wildlife today recommended California Endangered Species Act protections for five populations of the foothill yellow-legged frog. The frog has disappeared from more than half of its former California range.

Report: Climate-fueled Superstorms Pushing 10 U.S. Species Closer to Extinction

MIAMI— The Puerto Rican parrot and the Florida manatee are among 10 U.S. species especially at risk from climate change-fueled superstorms, says a report released today by the Center for Biological Diversity.

Kirtland’s Warbler Recovery Signals Midwest Endangered Species Act Success

WASHINGTON— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced the Endangered Species Act recovery of the Kirtland’s warbler, a songbird that nests in young jack pine forests. It is found primarily in Michigan, but also Wisconsin and Ontario.

Federal Rule Proposed to Protect Pacific Humpback Whale Habitat

SAN FRANCISCO— The federal government proposed a new rule today to designate 302,961 square nautical miles in the Pacific Ocean as critical habitat for three populations of endangered humpback whales. The move could help protect migrating whales from ship strikes, entanglement in fishing gear, and oil spills.

Trump Administration Denies Protection to 12 Highly Imperiled Species From Alaska to Florida

WASHINGTON— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today denied Endangered Species Act protection to a dozen species of plants and animals facing extinction. The denied species include the Florida clam shell orchid, Alaska yellow cedar, Berry Cave salamander in eastern Tennessee, and Panamint alligator lizard in California.

Wolf Pups Born to Indigo Pack in Western Oregon

PORTLAND, Ore.— At least four pups were born this year to Oregon’s Indigo wolf pack, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today. The agency also announced that it recently radio-collared one of the pups, which is nearly six months old.

Trump Administration OKs Nighttime Airgun Blasts That Threaten Endangered Cook Inlet Beluga Whales

ANCHORAGE, Alaska— The Trump administration published a new permit today that aims to allow Hilcorp Alaska to conduct seismic airgun blasting in Cook Inlet at night. But that nighttime blasting violates a federal rule requiring “good visibility” to the “naked eye” to help ensure marine mammals aren’t in the blast zone.

Trump Denies Protection to Ancient Alaskan Cedar Trees Threatened by Climate Crisis, Logging

ANCHORAGE, Alaska— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service denied endangered species protection today to the Alaska yellow cedar, which is threatened by the climate crisis and expanded logging in the Tongass National Forest.

Endangered Species Act Saves Tiny Puerto Rican Gecko

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today that Puerto Rico’s Monito gecko has recovered and is being removed from the list of endangered species.

Washington Governor Directs Wildlife Agency to Rein in Wolf Killing

SEATTLE— Washington Gov. Jay Inslee directed the state’s fish and wildlife agency on Monday to dramatically rein in its wolf killing.

Southern Mountain Caribou Protected as Endangered Species in Major Wildlife Victory

SANDPOINT, Idaho— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today finalized protection of a population of woodland caribou that, until 2019, straddled the border between British Columbia and Idaho, Washington and Montana. After the last caribou in the lower 48 states were removed in January, these caribou remain only in British Columbia.

Lawsuit Filed to Protect Dunes Sagebrush Lizard in New Mexico, Texas

WASHINGTON— Conservation groups filed a lawsuit in federal district court today challenging the Trump administration’s continued failure to protect severely imperiled dunes sagebrush lizards under the Endangered Species Act.

Legal Victory Puts Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout Back on Track for Endangered Species Protection

DENVER, Colo.— A federal judge has found that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s denial of Endangered Species Act protection for the Rio Grande cutthroat trout was arbitrary and unlawful. The finding, filed late Thursday, came in response to a lawsuit by the Center for Biological Diversity.

Lawsuit Challenges Trump Administration’s Approval of Bee-killing Pesticide, GE Crop Uses on National Wildlife Refuges

WASHINGTON— The Center for Biological Diversity and Center for Food Safety sued the Trump administration today for approving the use of bee-killing neonicotinoid pesticides and pesticide-intensive genetically engineered crops on national wildlife refuges.

Lawsuit Launched Over Trump Administration Failure to Protect Colorado Greenback Cutthroat Trout

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.— The Center for Biological Diversity today filed a formal notice of its intent to sue the U.S. Forest Service for failing to protect Colorado’s state fish, the rare and threatened greenback cutthroat trout. The agency’s failure to protect the fish could hasten its extinction, a violation of the Endangered Species Act.

Senate Confirms Former Koch Crony as Interior Department’s Top Lawyer

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Senate today confirmed Daniel Jorjani as solicitor for the U.S. Department of the Interior, despite his deep-rooted conflicts of interest and strong ties to the oil and gas industry and the Koch brothers. The final Senate vote, largely along party lines, was 51-43.

House Republicans Revive Plan to Cripple Endangered Species Act Amid Extinction Crisis

WASHINGTON— House Republicans from the so-called “Western Caucus” today revived a package of bills from the previous Congress that would do more damage to the Endangered Species Act and condemn hundreds of animals and plants to extinction.

Endangered Species Protections Sought for Oregon Coast Spring Chinook

PORTLAND, Ore.— The Native Fish Society, Center for Biological Diversity and Umpqua Watersheds today filed a petition to protect Oregon coast spring-run chinook salmon under the federal Endangered Species Act.

Federal Court to Decide If Endangered Jaguars Get 59,114 Acres of Protected New Mexico Habitat

DENVER— The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals will hear oral arguments Wednesday, Sept. 25 in a livestock industry challenge to the protection of 59,114 acres of critical habitat for endangered jaguars in New Mexico.

House Hearing to Focus on Bill to Save Rare Butterflies, Fish, Plants, Mollusks

WASHINGTON— The House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Oceans and Wildlife will hold a legislative hearing Tuesday to review the Extinction Prevention Act of 2019, introduced by Chairman Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.). Lawmakers will also examine a separate bill that would overturn new Trump administration rules that cripple the Endangered Species Act.

Lawsuit Challenges Trump Administration’s Refusal to Protect Florida Lizard

MIAMI— The Center for Biological Diversity sued Interior Secretary David Bernhardt and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today for denying protection to the Florida Keys mole skink under the Endangered Species Act.

House Democrats Advance Bill Protecting Lions, Elephants From Trophy Hunting

WASHINGTON— The House Natural Resources Committee advanced several bills today that would increase protection for imperiled wildlife, including legislation that would restrict imports of hunting trophies from dead African lions and elephants.

Federal Rule Protects Endangered Orcas’ West Coast Habitat

SEATTLE— The federal government proposed a new rule today expanding critical habitat protection along the West Coast for critically endangered Southern Resident killer whales, whose population has dipped to just 73 orcas.

Congressional Democrats Introduce Bill to Overturn Trump’s Disastrous Endangered Species Act Rollback

WASHINGTON— Congressional Democrats today introduced legislation to repeal regulations finalized by the Trump administration in August that would cripple implementation of the Endangered Species Act.

Agreement Reached to Protect Community, Wildlife From Southern California Warehouse Project

FONTANA, Calif.— Conservation groups and UST-CB Partners, a development company, reached an agreement today over a controversial warehouse project in the Southern California city of Fontana that threatened local communities and wildlife habitat.

Oregon Bans Trapping of Humboldt Martens

PORTLAND, Ore.— In response to a petition from conservation groups, the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission voted 4-3 late Friday to protect Humboldt martens from trapping. Fewer than 200 of the martens survive in the state’s coastal forests.

Lesser Prairie Chickens One Step Closer to Endangered Species Protection

WASHINGTON— Conservation groups scored a victory today with a legal agreement ensuring the lesser prairie chicken will get a decision about protection under the Endangered Species Act by May 26, 2021.

Oregon Fish Is Saved by Endangered Species Act

PORTLAND, Ore.— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today that Oregon’s Foskett speckled dace has recovered and is being removed from endangered status.

Legal Challenge to Keystone XL Pipeline Approval Expanded

GREAT FALLS, Mont.— Conservation groups today expanded their federal lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s illegal approval of the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline.

Arizona’s Mount Graham Red Squirrel Moves Toward Expanded Habitat Protection

TUCSON, Ariz.— In response to a lawsuit from the Center for Biological Diversity and Maricopa Audubon, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today agreed that designating additional critical habitat for the Mount Graham red squirrel may be warranted.

ORVs Drive Spike in Protected Shorebird Deaths at California’s Oceano Dunes

OCEANO, Calif.— Western snowy plover deaths have risen dramatically at Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area, according to reports from environmental monitors working for California State Parks.

Lawsuit Challenges Hilcorp’s Plan to Blast Cook Inlet Beluga Whales

ANCHORAGE— Conservation groups filed a lawsuit today challenging the Trump administration’s approval of rules allowing Hilcorp Alaska LLC to harm Cook Inlet beluga whales and other marine mammals as it expands its offshore oil and gas operations in Cook Inlet.

Lawsuit Challenges Trump Administration’s Failure to Protect Endangered Appalachian Species From Coal Mining

WASHINGTON— The Center for Biological Diversity and allies sued the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today for failing to protect endangered species from coal mining in Appalachia in violation of the Endangered Species Act.

West Coast Whale Entanglements Drop After Legal Settlement with California, Crab Fishery

SANTA ROSA, Calif.— The number of whales entangled in fishing gear along the West Coast dropped this year following a legal settlement that ended California’s commercial Dungeness crab season early.

Feds Told to Start Over on Crucial Mountain Valley Pipeline Permit

WASHINGTON— The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission today requested that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reinitiate consultation and reconsider its Endangered Species Act permit for the fracked gas Mountain Valley Pipeline.

Lawsuit Targets Trump Wildlife-killing Program in 10 California Counties

SAN FRANCISCO— The Center for Biological Diversity, Animal Legal Defense Fund and Project Coyote today sued the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services program over its outdated wildlife-killing plan for 10 counties in Northern California.

Lawsuit Launched to Protect Habitat for 23 Imperiled Micronesian Species

PORTLAND, Ore.— The Center for Biological Diversity today filed a notice of intent to sue the Trump administration for failing to protect critical habitat for 23 endangered species in the U.S. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the U.S. Territory of Guam, the Republic of Palau and the Federated States of Micronesia.

Lawsuit Filed to Protect Habitat for 12 Endangered Coral Species

WASHINGTON— The Center for Biological Diversity sued the Trump administration today for failing to protect 12 coral species around Florida and islands in the Pacific Ocean. The corals all received Endangered Species Act protection in 2014, but they did not receive the critical habitat protection the law requires.

Lawsuit Challenges Trump Administration Attack on Endangered Species Act

WASHINGTON— Environmental and animal protection groups today sued the Trump administration over its new regulations that dramatically weaken the Endangered Species Act.

Trump Administration Sued for Failing to Protect Endangered West Coast Orcas

SEATTLE— Conservation groups sued the Trump administration today for ignoring a legal petition to protect critically endangered Southern Resident killer whales in the heart of their Salish Sea habitat.

Seward Endangered Species Mural to Be Celebrated Aug. 21

SEWARD, Alaska— A new endangered species mural outside Seward’s Temple Studios will be celebrated on Wednesday, Aug. 21. The Center for Biological Diversity, Blackwater Railroad Company, Puffin Foundation and Mermaid Festival are hosting the event.

Trump Administration Denies Protection to Six More Imperiled Species

WASHINGTON— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service denied endangered species protection today to six species from around the country, including an imperiled bee and the Siskiyou Mountains salamander. The agency was responding to petitions from the Center for Biological Diversity and other groups.

Trump Administration to Strip Florida Key Deer of Federal Protection

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— President Donald Trump’s U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service intends to strip Endangered Species Act protection from Florida Key deer despite severe and increasing threats from sea-level rise, disease, hurricanes and urban sprawl. A letter from the agency revealed that it intends to delist the Key deer.

Iconic Sturgeon of Great Lakes, Mississippi River Take Step Toward Endangered Species Protection

CHICAGO— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced it will consider Endangered Species Act protection for lake sturgeon. Today’s positive finding responds to a 2018 Center for Biological Diversity petition seeking safeguards for the big fish.

Lawsuit Launched to Protect Green Sea Turtle Habitat Threatened by Sea-level Rise, Plastic Pollution, Warming

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— The Center for Biological Diversity, Sea Turtle Oversight Protection and Turtle Island Restoration Network filed a notice today of their intent to sue the federal government for failing to protect green sea turtle habitat, which faces threats from sea-level rise, plastic pollution and warming.

New Lawsuit Launched Against Mountain Valley Pipeline in Virginia

RICHMOND, Va.— Conservation groups launched a lawsuit today challenging the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s approval of the Mountain Valley Pipeline. The petition for review of the project was filed with the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond.

Trump Finalizes Disastrous Weakening of Endangered Species Act

WASHINGTON— In a massive attack on imperiled wildlife, the Trump administration today finalized rollbacks to regulations implementing key provisions of the Endangered Species Act. The changes, which could lead to extinction for hundreds of animals and plants, are illegal and will be challenged in court.

Court OKs Ban on Wildlife Cyanide Poisoning Across 10 Million Acres of Wyoming

CHEYENNE, Wyo.— A federal wildlife-killing program will be banned from using deadly M-44s — spring-loaded capsules armed with cyanide spray — across more than 10 million acres of public land in Wyoming. The ban is as part of an agreement resulting from a lawsuit brought by wildlife advocacy groups.

Park Service Floats Plan to Shoot Native Elk at Point Reyes National Seashore

POINT REYES, Calif.— The National Park Service released a draft plan today that calls for shooting native elk to allow for expanded cattle ranching and commercial agriculture at Point Reyes National Seashore. The plan would allow the killing of tule elk, damage to wildlife habitat, harm of endangered species, degradation of water quality and create new conflicts with other native wildlife species.

Trump Administration Reauthorizes Wildlife-killing M-44 ‘Cyanide Bombs’ Despite Strong Opposition

WASHINGTON— The Trump administration has reauthorized use of sodium cyanide in wildlife-killing devices called M-44s. These “cyanide bombs” received approval from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency despite inhumanely and indiscriminately killing thousands of animals every year. They have also injured people.

Court: Oregon Illegally Denied Marbled Murrelet Endangered Species Protections

EUGENE, Ore.— An Oregon judge has issued a decision concluding the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission violated state law in denying a petition filed by five conservation groups demanding the commission uplist the murrelet from threatened to endangered under the Oregon Endangered Species Act.

Washington Timberlands Bear Hunting Program’s Fate to Be Decided at Friday Hearing

OLYMPIA, Wash.— The cruel use of hounds and bait to hunt black bears on Washington timberlands could halt Friday at a hearing on the Center for Biological Diversity’s legal challenge to those hunting methods. The hearing will be held at Thurston County Superior Court.

Lawsuit Challenges Trump Administration’s Failure to Protect Atlantic Sharks, Giant Manta Rays From Lethal Fishing Gear

WASHINGTON— On behalf of Defenders of Wildlife and the Center for Biological Diversity, Earthjustice sued the Trump administration today for failing to protect oceanic whitetip sharks and giant manta rays from being captured and killed in U.S. fisheries in the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico.

Trump Administration Permits Hilcorp Alaska to Harm Marine Mammals in Cook Inlet

ANCHORAGE— The Trump administration issued final rules today allowing Hilcorp Alaska to harm beluga whales, sea otters and other marine mammals as the company expands its offshore drilling activities in Alaska’s Cook Inlet.

Legal Action Forces Trump Administration to Curb Killing of California Beavers

SACRAMENTO— The federal wildlife-killing program known as Wildlife Services has agreed to stop shooting and trapping California beavers on more than 11,000 miles of river and 4 million acres of land where the killing could hurt endangered wildlife.

Threatened Snakes to Get Protected Habitat in Arizona, New Mexico

TUCSON, Ariz.— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today agreed to designate protected critical habitat for the narrow-headed and northern Mexican garter snakes, marking a legal victory for the Center for Biological Diversity.

Lawsuit Challenges Political Meddling in EPA Public Records Changes

WASHINGTON— The Center for Biological Diversity and the Environmental Integrity Project sued the Trump administration today over sweeping changes to how the Environmental Protection Agency handles public-records requests under the Freedom of Information Act. The EPA’s new rule will take effect Friday.

Trump Administration Agrees to Revisit Ocean Salmon Fishing Impact on Endangered West Coast Orcas

SEATTLE― A lawsuit challenging West Coast salmon fishing’s impact on critically endangered orcas was put on hold today after the Trump administration agreed to update its analysis. A federal judge approved the settlement and stayed the case until May 1, 2020, or sooner if the National Marine Fisheries Service completes the new biological opinion that will include mitigation measures.

Lawsuit Launched to Protect Imperiled Dunes Sagebrush Lizard in Texas, New Mexico

WASHINGTON— Conservation groups filed a notice today of their intent to sue the Trump administration for failing to protect the severely imperiled dunes sagebrush lizard under the Endangered Species Act.

Wyoming Game Commission Urged to Adopt Bear Spray Requirement

ROCK SPRINGS, Wyo.— The Wyoming Game and Fish Commission will meet on July 18 and 19 to decide whether to require hunters to carry bear spray in grizzly bear habitat, in response to a petition from conservation groups. The commission will also consider how to control the spread of chronic wasting disease and whether to adopt regulations for wolf hunting.

Lawsuit Launched to Force Forest Service to Protect Endangered Species, Remove Livestock From Arizona, New Mexico Waterways

SILVER CITY, N.M.— The Center for Biological Diversity filed a notice today of its intent to sue the U.S. Forest Service for allowing livestock to trample southwestern rivers and streams, which destroys wildlife habitat and threatens rare species. The grazing violates the Endangered Species Act and an earlier legal settlement.

Petition Seeks to Remove Snail Darter From Endangered Species List, Marking Conservation Success

WASHINGTON— The Center for Biological Diversity, former federal biologist Jim Williams and law professor Zygmunt Plater petitioned the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today to lift Endangered Species Act protection from snail darters.

Endangered Species Mural to Be Celebrated July 19 in New Mexico

SILVER CITY, N.M.— The Mimbres Regional Arts Council’s Youth Mural Program and Western New Mexico University will unveil a new endangered species mural on Friday, July 19.

1.8 Million People Oppose Trump Effort to End Gray Wolf Protection

WASHINGTON— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has received a record-breaking 1.8 million digital comments opposing the Trump administration’s proposal to remove Endangered Species Act protection from gray wolves across most of the lower 48 states. The proposal’s official comment period ends today.

Study: Politics Harming Recovery of Endangered Mexican Wolves

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.— A new study released today finds that politics played a large role in the goals set in the 2017 Mexican wolf recovery plan, threatening to severely undermine Mexican wolf recovery.

Six Pups Born to White River Wolves This Year in Western Oregon

PORTLAND, Ore.— Six pups were born this year to Oregon’s White River wolf pack, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced Wednesday. A video of the two-to-three-month-old wolf pups howling back and forth with their parents was captured on a trail camera by the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, whose reservation is within the pack’s home territory.

Lawsuit Filed to Protect Dwindling Numbers of Mountain Caribou

SANDPOINT, Idaho— Conservation groups filed a lawsuit today challenging the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s failure to finalize endangered species protection and designate critical habitat for Southern Mountain caribou.

Washington Wildlife Agency Issues Another Kill Order for Endangered Wolves

SEATTLE— The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife today issued a kill order for endangered wolves from the Old Profanity Territory pack in northeast Washington.

Trump EPA Warned That New Rule Curbing Public Access to Environmental Records Is Dangerous, Unlawful

WASHINGTON— A new U.S. Environmental Protection Agency rule gives Trump administration appointees dangerous and unlawful new power to curb the public release of crucial environmental records, nonprofit conservation and transparency organizations warned today.

Legal Action Taken to Save Critical Habitat of Endangered New Mexico Meadow Jumping Mice

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.— Two conservation groups filed a motion on Wednesday to intervene in a lawsuit challenging the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s designation of critical habitat for the endangered New Mexico meadow jumping mouse. The species is severely threatened by habitat destruction, and only a few isolated populations remain.

Court Upholds Protections for Rare California Gnatcatcher

LOS ANGELES– A federal court today dismissed a lawsuit seeking to remove the imperiled coastal California gnatcatcher from the Endangered Species Act list, ensuring the bird is protected.

Lawsuit Seeks Overdue Protection for Rare Salamander in California, Oregon

SAN FRANCISCO— Conservation groups sued the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today for failing to respond to a 2018 petition requesting Endangered Species Act protection for the imperiled Siskiyou Mountains salamander.

New Legal Challenges Launched to Keystone XL Pipeline Approval

GREAT FALLS, Mont.— Conservation groups filed a federal lawsuit today challenging the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ illegal approval of the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline to be constructed through hundreds of rivers, streams and wetlands without evaluating the project’s impacts as required by the National Environmental Policy Act and the Clean Water Act.

Lawsuit Filed to Force Trump Administration to Expand, Update Plan for Grizzly Bear Recovery

MISSOULA, Mont.— The Center for Biological Diversity filed a lawsuit today challenging the Trump administration’s failure to update the federal recovery plan for grizzly bears. An updated plan should reflect current science and consider additional areas where grizzlies once lived and can now be reintroduced.

Rare California Salamanders Move Closer to Endangered Species Act Protection

REDDING, Calif.— The Center for Biological Diversity and Environmental Protection Information Center secured a victory for three species of Shasta salamanders today: A new settlement will speed up the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service decision on whether the animals warrant Endangered Species Act protection. The agency is now required to make that decision by April 30, 2021.

Dozens Rally in Minnesota Against Trump’s Plan to Strip Protection From Wolves as Scores Expected to Testify at Hearing

MINNEAPOLIS— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today will hold its only public hearing on the Trump administration proposal to end federal protection for nearly all gray wolves in the lower 48 states in Brainerd, Minn.

Grizzly Committee to Consider Measures to Protect Bears, Reduce Conflict in Northern Rockies

MISSOULA, Mont.— The Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee will consider on Tuesday whether to implement additional measures to reduce conflicts between grizzly bears and people in the northern Rockies, as requested by conservation groups and others.

Half a Million People Urge Gov. Inslee to Oppose Wolf Slaughter in Washington State

SEATTLE— The Center for Biological Diversity sent a letter to Washington Gov. Jay Inslee today asking that his administration manage wolves according to science and consistent with the wishes of most Washingtonians — instead of making political compromises to satisfy the livestock industry.

Minnesota Rally, Public Hearing to Focus on Trump Plan to End Wolf Protection

MINNEAPOLIS— Wolf advocates will rally on Tuesday in Brainerd, Minn., just before the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s only public hearing on the Trump administration proposal to end federal protection for nearly all gray wolves in the lower 48 states.

Lawsuit Launched Over Trump Administration Failure to Update Outdated Red Wolf Recovery Plan

WASHINGTON— The Center for Biological Diversity and Defenders of Wildlife today filed a formal notice of intent to sue the Trump administration for failing to prepare an updated recovery plan for the United States’ rapidly dwindling population of endangered red wolves.

Trump Administration Sued for Failing to Protect Imperiled Ice Seals’ Arctic Habitat

WASHINGTON— The Center for Biological Diversity sued the National Marine Fisheries Service today for failing to designate critical habitat in Alaska for two ice-seal species. Both bearded and ringed seals are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act because climate change is melting their Arctic sea-ice habitat.

Lawsuit Seeks Endangered Species Protections for Lesser Prairie Chickens

WASHINGTON— Conservation groups today sued the Trump administration for failing to protect severely imperiled lesser prairie chickens under the Endangered Species Act.

Oregon Court Ruling Means Streaked-horned Lark May Get Endangered Status

PORTLAND, Ore.— A federal judge ruled late yesterday that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service erred in determining that the streaked-horned lark only warranted threatened, and not endangered, status. The lark has suffered massive declines across its range in western Oregon and Washington, and as few as 1,100 remain alive.

Lawsuit Launched to Stop Toxic Algae Bloom Releases From Lake Okeechobee

FT. PIERCE, Fla.— Conservation groups sued three federal agencies today for failing to address harm to Florida’s endangered species from Lake Okeechobee releases containing toxic algae.

Appeals Court Throws Out Case Blocking Keystone XL Tar Sands Pipeline, Relying on New Permit Issued by President Trump

SAN FRANCISCO— The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed a legal challenge to the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline, ruling the case was no longer active due to President Trump’s revocation of the permit at the center of the case. In March, Trump issued a new “presidential” permit for Keystone XL, in an effort to spur construction of the pipeline.

Endangered Mussels to Gain Protected Habitat in 18 Eastern, Midwestern States

WASHINGTON— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today agreed to designate critical habitat for four endangered freshwater mussels found in 18 states in the East and Midwest, marking a major legal victory for the species and for the Center for Biological Diversity.

Lawsuit Launched to Force Trump EPA to Protect California’s Ventura County From Deadly Smog

VENTURA, Calif.— The Center for Biological Diversity and Center for Environmental Health filed a notice today of their intent to sue the Trump administration for failing to finalize plans to curtail dangerous smog in Ventura County, Calif.

Reward Increased to $10,000 for Info on Killing of Endangered Washington Wolf

SEATTLE— The Center for Biological Diversity today increased to $10,000 the reward for information leading to a conviction for the latest illegal killing of a radio-collared wolf found in northeast Washington.

Agriculture Department’s ‘Wildlife Services’ Killed Nearly 1.5 Million Native Animals in 2018

WASHINGTON— The arm of the U.S. Department of Agriculture known as Wildlife Services killed nearly 1.5 million native animals during 2018, according to new data released by the agency this week.

Lawsuit Seeks Federal Habitat Protection for Two Central Texas Salamanders

AUSTIN, Texas— The Center for Biological Diversity today sued the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for failing to designate critical habitat in central Texas for the Georgetown salamander and Salado salamander.

Top Wolf Experts Say Science Doesn't Support Trump Plan to Strip Away Species’ Protection