Massive Mine Dealt Setback — Now Species Need You |
A big win for Arizona air: Thanks to a petition by the Center for Biological Diversity and local allies, the Environmental Protection Agency has rejected Arizona’s approval of an air pollution permit for a devastating mine south of Tucson. The Hermosa heavy metals mine would gouge into the Patagonia Mountains, a biodiversity hotspot and drinking-water source. The mine could release hundreds of tons of toxic air pollution annually, so the EPA said its permit violated the Clean Air Act — and needs to be fixed.
Still, the U.S. Forest Service is rushing approvals for the mine without properly studying how it’ll harm jaguars, Mexican spotted owls, and yellow-billed cuckoos — all federally protected animals who live in the area. We’ll keep fighting Hermosa, but these species need your voice.
Tell the Forest Service to fully investigate how the mine could threaten jaguars, owls, and cuckoos and their homes. |
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Time to Halt the Sale of Wildlife Fur in Colorado |
In Colorado, “furbearing” wildlife — including beavers, ringtails, red foxes, pine martens, and bobcats — can be trapped, killed, and sold (as pelts) in unlimited numbers. So this week the Center filed a petition to halt this thoughtless practice, which is especially harmful in the face of the biodiversity crisis.
“It’s time for Colorado to close the book on commercial wildlife markets,” said the Center’s Samantha Miller. “Auctioning off piles of pelts from native animals is a relic of an era that drove iconic species, like beavers and bison, to the brink.” Help us defend furry mammals in Colorado and beyond with a gift — doubled if you donate now — to our Future for the Wild Fund. |
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A Key Legal Win for Alaska’s Arctic |
We’re celebrating a crucial ruling from the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals that the Interior Department unlawfully approved the Willow project, an oil-drilling venture in Alaska’s Western Arctic.
It’s the second legal victory for the Center and allies fighting this massive project, which would harm polar bears, caribou, and one of the wildest places on Earth. It would also spew as much carbon dioxide as driving 2 million more cars for the next 30 years.
Willow now goes back to the Bureau of Land Management for reconsideration. We’ll be urging the agency to toss the whole thing out.
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Protection Proposed for Pangolins |
Following a petition by the Center and allies, pangolins — some of the world’s most trafficked animals and the only mammals with scales — have finally been proposed for protection under the Endangered Species Act. Seven species of pangolins have suffered steep declines and will now hopefully get the help they need. (An eighth pangolin species is already protected.)
“I’m delighted the United States is doing its part to save these adorably odd creatures,” said our International Director Sarah Uhlemann. |
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A Tree of Life to Save Life on Earth |
Quilter and YouTuber Dave from Dave’s Craft Room has partnered with astronaut and fabric designer Karen Nyberg to create an epic, one-of-a-kind Tree of Life quilt. Its design symbolizes connection and resilience, and its sale will benefit the Center.
“Karen and I are both inspired by our natural world, and she designed the batik fabrics based on inspiration from her time in space and Earth's place in the solar system, and I used her fabric in a traditional quilt pattern called Tree of Life,” Dave explained.
They’re auctioning off the quilt this week, with all proceeds backing our work to protect endangered species and their wild homes.
Watch Dave at work on YouTube — and feel free to donate (and share the video too). |
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The Revelator: Trump vs. Birds |
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That’s Wild: Amazing Anchor-Threatened Sea Life |
For the first time, researchers in Antarctica have filmed the kind of damage that ship anchors do when they drag across the seabed. It definitely seems like something people need to pay closer attention to, and this new research will help.
But something else caught our eye in the scientists’ videos. They also captured a lovely array of cold-water ocean critters, like the majestic Antarctic sun star (sometimes called the “Death Star”), a giant Antarctic octopus, dragonfish, and a species called the giant volcanic sponge, which can apparently live for 15,000 years. Read more and don’t miss the videos (especially the second one). |
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Center for Biological Diversity
P.O. Box 710
Tucson, AZ 85702
United States
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