Dear Friend,

I'm writing to you with news of an exciting environmental victory for gray wolves!

Last week, a federal judge in Montana ruled that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service broke the law when it refused to grant protections for wolves in Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and parts of Washington, Oregon, and Utah. The agency must now take another, closer look at whether these wolves should be protected under the Endangered Species Act.

This win would not have been possible without the voices of people like you. Sierra Club members and supporters have spoken out, written letters, and demanded better for our wildlife and wild places. Your commitment helped make this victory possible.

This ruling is a major turning point. Wolves in the Northern Rockies have faced relentless pressure since they lost federal protections in 2011. Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming have adopted extreme hunting and trapping policies, allowing practices such as night hunting, neck snares, baiting, and even bounties. These actions have put wolf populations at risk and ignored their crucial role in keeping ecosystems healthy.

The judge also recognized that the agency had failed to consider the wolves' historic range and their potential for recovery in places like Colorado, Utah, northern New Mexico, and northern Arizona. That means the future for wolves across the West could look much brighter if protections are restored.

We will keep fighting to make sure wolves are protected and treated with the respect they deserve. You made this victory possible, and with your continued support, we can win even more battles for wildlife. Even in tough times, there are still reasons to celebrate.

With gratitude,

Nick Gevock
Sierra Club Northern Rockies campaign strategist

P.S. This is an incredible win, but there's still a long road ahead. Congress and Trump are busy trying to weaken the Endangered Species Act and other wildlife protections. Will you write a letter to the editor (LTE) to help show your elected officials that how popular wildlife protections are?