Habitat Protected for Iconic ‘I‘iwis

Following a Center for Biological Diversity petition and lawsuit, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service just agreed to protect more than 275,000 acres of habitat for birds called ‘i‘iwi, aka scarlet Hawaiian honeycreepers. Known for their fiery-red feathers, black wings, and long, curved bills — which they use to sip nectar from flowers — they were once among the most abundant native birds of Hawai‘i.

Sadly, ‘i‘iwi have been decimated by climate change, avian malaria, and a disease that’s killing the ‘ōhi‘a lehua trees they need for nesting and foraging. Today these extraordinary animals remain on only three islands.

“Protecting the places ‘i‘iwi call home will give these beautiful birds their best chance at survival,” said the Center’s Maxx Phillips. “It shouldn’t have taken a lawsuit, but the Service made the right call. As our forests fall silent, federal officials must do everything possible to ensure these birds stop sliding toward extinction.”

Cast Your Vote for 2022’s Biggest Eco-Villain 

It was another tough year for endangered species in the United States, and now we need your help picking the perpetrator who did wildlife the dirtiest in 2022. Our Rubber Dodo Award spotlights those destroying wild places, driving species extinct, and tearing apart the planet's life-support system. Named after the most famous extinct species on Earth, this award does not come with a cash prize.

This year’s nominees include Sen. Chuck Schumer, the California Independent Petroleum Association, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey, and the Plastics Industry Association.

Learn more about our nominees for the 2022 Rubber Dodo Award and cast your vote by midnight on Jan. 15.

Time for a Turning Point on Jaguar Policy

Last month the Center petitioned to reintroduce jaguars to the U.S. Southwest. It’s a chance for the federal government — whose hound-hunters and trappers drove the extermination of jaguars in the first place — to restore these shy but mighty cats, who once roamed the United States from the Atlantic to the Pacific.

“The bottom line is that the Endangered Species Act makes it a federal responsibility to recover endangered species,” said the Center’s Michael Robinson.

We’re prepared to face fearmongering with facts. If you have questions about jaguar recovery, check out our new FAQ.

Help us save jaguars and other endangered species with a gift to our Saving Life on Earth Fund.

EPA to Study How 4 Pesticides Hurt At-Risk Species

In a legal victory for the Center and allies, an appeals court just ordered the Environmental Protection Agency to address how four pesticides harm endangered species. More than 1 million pounds of these chemicals are used every year across the United States, hurting animals from honeybees and monarch butterflies to mammals, birds and fish.

The Dec. 23 decision marked the third time in two months that federal courts ordered the EPA to confront pesticides’ threats to endangered species. The agency is also starting pilot programs to fix its pesticide-approval process so it doesn’t violate the Endangered Species Act. 

“For decades the EPA has practiced a reckless spray-first, look-later approach to addressing the threats of pesticides to imperiled species,” said the Center’s Jonathan Evans. “But it isn’t above the law.”

Thanks for Your Help All Year, Every Year

With you at our side, last year the Center won protection for emperor penguins, Dixie Valley toads, Tiehm’s buckwheat, and 42 other animals and plants — plus nearly 2 million acres of habitat for 28 species. We took bold action to return jaguars to their old southwestern home in the United States, defend starving Florida manatees, and save giraffes and elephants in Africa. We rallied for the climate; fought toxic pollution; and promoted just, sustainable food and energy.

Thanks for your help. We can’t wait to score even more milestones in 2023.

To celebrate, enjoy this stunning footage of species we saved in our new video on Facebook and YouTube.

Stay In the Know With Texts From the Center

Life on Earth is threatened by an extinction crisis and climate emergency — but it’s not too late to save it. In 30 years the Center has protected more than 740 species and half a billion acres of habitat.

We need your help to keep the success going, and we want to make it easy for you. Sign up to get texts on the most urgent Center issues (four to six messages per month), and you’ll be the first to know about breaking news and actions you can take to make a difference. You can unsubscribe anytime, and we won’t share your number.

Change is a text away.

Revelator: Species to Watch This Year

This will be a crucial year for more than a dozen imperiled species. Some could be lost forever, like Mexico’s tiny, shy vaquita porpoises. Some we’re grateful are recovering, like piping plovers in the Great Lakes region. And some — like Asian elephants — will finally get a chance to earn proper recognition for their plight.

Read about them in The Revelator. And if you haven’t yet, sign up for the free e-newsletter bringing you each week’s best environmental articles and essays.

Coming Through for the Climate in 2022

Last year was a big one for the climate, and the Center was right in the middle of the action.

Check out this new Medium piece by our Climate Law Institute staff to learn about California victories, including a historic Los Angeles oil-drilling phaseout, and national wins like defeating Sen. Manchin’s bill that would have gutted environmental laws, pushed new oil and gas projects, and approved the horrific Mountain Valley Pipeline.

And the fights we didn’t win? They’re not over. With you and other allies by our side, we’re ready for a new year of challenges and achievements.

That’s Wild: Octopus Females Chuck Shells at Males

For the first time ever, scientists recently caught footage of octopuses throwing seashells and other debris at each other. Now these fascinating and often solitary creatures may join a short list of other animals who’ve been recorded hurling stuff, probably for a social purpose.

About half the recorded throws happened during mating attempts or other inter-octopus interactions; females were usually the assailants (about 66% of the time). About 17% of the octopuses hit their mark — a pretty good average, considering how tough it is to toss something and hit someone underwater.

Watch the footage on Facebook or YouTube.

Follow Us

Center for Biological Diversity | Saving Life on Earth

This message was sent to [email protected].
Update your communications preferences.

Opt out of mail list.   |    View this email in your browser.

Donate now to support the Center's work.

Photo credits: 'I'iwi by Aaron Maizlish/Flickr; Rubber Dodo Award courtesy Center for Biological Diversity; jaguar by Peter Hopper/Flickr; monarch by Dendroica/Flickr; emperor penguins used with permission; pika by William C. Gladish; Indian elephant by Srikaansh Sekar; Climate Law Institute staff courtesy Center for Biological Diversity; octopus screenshot from video in study by Godfrey-Smith et al.

Center for Biological Diversity
P.O. Box 710
Tucson, AZ 85702
United States