Center for Biological Diversity
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Endangered Earth
No. 1223, December 14, 2023
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Gray Wolves Get National Recovery Plan

Thanks to a petition and lawsuit by the Center for Biological Diversity and allies, a federal court today approved a settlement calling for a new recovery plan for all gray wolves protected under the Endangered Species Act. Now, within two years, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service must draft a plan to help gray wolves recover across the lower 48 states — unless the agency finds that such a plan won’t promote the species’ conservation (which wouldn’t make any sense).
“We’ve long pushed for a new, comprehensive plan to guide gray wolf recovery, so this win is a big deal for us and the wolves,” said Collette Adkins, director of the Center’s Carnivore Conservation program. “The Fish and Wildlife Service can no longer rely on its decades-old, piecemeal recovery plans for gray wolves.”
Help fuel our effective, lifesaving work for wolves and other wildlife with a gift to the Saving Life on Earth Fund . Do it now and your donation will be matched.

Wins for Western Spadefoots, Washington Salmon

In response to a 2012 petition and 11 years of advocacy by the Center, this month the Fish and Wildlife Service finally proposed Endangered Species Act protection for western spadefoot toads throughout California. These small amphibians spend most of their lives underground, emerging to breed during autumn and winter rains.
Also this month, following a petition from the Center and Pacific Rivers, NOAA Fisheries announced that Washington coast Chinook salmon may deserve Endangered Species Act protection. Washington coast spring Chinook have declined significantly, with an average of only 3,200 adult spawning fish returning every year from the ocean to Washington coast rivers.
Take action to fight delays in the protection process so other species get help before it’s too late.

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We need your help to save wildlife and wild places.
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Fossil Fuels Confronted at COP28 in Dubai

The annual United Nations Climate Conference (aka COP) just wrapped its 28th year — with mixed results. In Dubai the Center’s climate team and partners kept the focus on fossil fuels and helped secure an agreement to transition away from fossil fuels in energy systems. With the window closing fast to keep global temperature rise below 1.5°C, this agreement is historic.
“At long last the loud calls to end fossil fuels have landed on paper in black and white at this COP,” the Center’s Jean Su told CNN . “But cavernous loopholes threaten to undermine this breakthrough moment.”
The language coming out of COP28 falls short of a full, fast, fair and funded end to fossil fuels. It also promotes distractions like carbon capture, a dangerous delay tactic championed by the fossil fuel industry.
What's next? We’ll keep pushing for the United States to end new fossil fuel project approvals, rapidly phase down oil and gas production, and adopt strong targets ahead of COP29 next fall. You can help: Tell Biden to end the fossil fuel era.

Wildlife Prevails Over Miami Water Park (for Now)

The Center, our allies, and rare Florida critters won in court Monday when a judge ruled that the National Park Service had violated the law in greenlighting the development of an environmentally sensitive area into a water park.
The “Miami Wilds” park plan threatens a host of animals, plants, and ecosystems, from endangered Florida bonneted bats, Miami tiger beetles, and Bartram’s scrub-hairstreak butterflies to globally imperiled pine rocklands.
“The court’s ruling rights an outrageous wrong,” said the Center’s Elise Bennett.
Following the decision, Miami-Dade County signaled plans to ax the project in this vulnerable location. The fight isn’t completely over, but we’re grateful to all our Floridian supporters who helped us stand up for the little guys.

Serving Up Environmental Action at Holiday Dinners

The end of 2023 is coming, and, for many of us, so are winter gatherings around the table with family and friends.
Talking about new movies and cute pet antics is easy. But in a world caving to the pressures of climate change, wildlife extinction, and war, it’s time to set aside cheap talk and carve into difficult — but critically important — conversations.
Find out what topics Center staffer Anna Sofia is serving up over sticky date pudding and get tips on making your convos productive in this new Medium article, packed with some of our most urgent action alerts.

The Revelator : Restoring a River

A major restoration effort by Tribes and government agencies could help imperiled fish and other animals on California’s Trinity River. It’s not easy to heal decades of harm by dredge mining, the underwater excavation of minerals — but it will be worth it.
Read more in The Revelator. And the free weekly newsletter is back, so sign up now to stay in the know about the latest conservation news.

That’s Wild: Rediscovered Species Delights World

De Winton’s golden moles sport an iridescent coat that mimics the sand they swim through, and until recently they were last seen in 1937. So the species was once presumed lost — but now is found.
The moles have been harmed by diamond and mineral mining on the South African west coast, and scientists believe their population has declined severely.
With their excellent hearing, golden moles are skilled at evading humans, so research is challenging. Only testing of environmental DNA — and the help of a mole-sniffing border collie — could confirm the existence of these shy cuties.
Read an interview with Samantha Mynhardt, one of the scientists who rediscovered them. Then watch this video about their discovery and check out a human-style golden mole enjoying its new celebrity status from actor-comedian Vinny Thomas on TikTok or Instagram.

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Photo credits: Wolf via Canva; western spadefoot by Takwish/Wikipedia; Kodiak brown bears by Lisa Hupp/USFWS; rally at COP28 by Jean Su/Center for Biological Diversity; Bartram's scrub hairstreak butterfly courtesy USFWS, Florida bonneted bat courtesy FFWCC, Miami tiger beetle © Chris Wirth, cicindela.wordpress.com; people at dinner table via Canva, modified; Trinity River by Aaron Martin/Yurok Tribal Fisheries Dept.; De Winton's golden mole by JP Le Roux/Re:Wild.
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