Guardians Leads Boycott of "The Grey"
 Wolf
activists around the country have joined WildEarth Guardians in a boycott of
“The Grey,” Liam Neeson’s anti-wolf movie released in theaters last month. The
boycott has garnered national media attention. We object not only to the unfavorable
portrayal of wolves at a time when their conservation status is eroding, but we
are also appalled that four wolves were killed for the film, and the actors
actually ate two of them in order to get “into character.” More than 3600
activists endorsed our pledge to boycott the film and signed our letter to the
production companies, finance company, director and leading actor expressing their opposition to the film. We will continue to advocate for reinstated and
stronger wolf protections in the American West. Please take our pledge if you
haven’t already done so!
More...
Suing to Stop Lobo Trapping
Last
week Guardians filed suit in federal court to halt the use of steel-jawed traps
within the Mexican gray wolf recovery area. New Mexico state wildlife agencies
allow the longest regulated trapping season of numerous species as well as
unregulated trapping of coyotes that have led to more than a dozen wolf
injuries and several wolf deaths. We contend that because traps do not
differentiate between wolves and other furbearers the state has failed to
exercise “due care” to prevent harm to wolves as required by the Endangered Species Act.
More…
Our Prairie Dog Report Card
 The
majority of western states and federal agencies continue to fail to conserve
prairie dogs according to WildEarth Guardians’ fifth annual “Report from the
Burrow.” The report, released on
Groundhog Day, or “Prairie Dog Day” as it's known in the West, has become a
critical component of our efforts to educate the public about the vital role that
this keystone species plays in maintaining healthy grassland ecosystems. The
report also highlights prairie dog conservation success stories, including our
ongoing partnerships in the communities of Telluride, Santa Fe and southern
Utah, where we’re working to protect populations of the Gunnison’s and Utah
prairie dog.
More...
Stepping it up Against Fracking in Colorado
We
scored a victory for clean air in Colorado last month that promises greater
safeguards in the face of ramped up fracking. As part of a
lawsuit settlement with WildEarth Guardians, the Bureau of Land Management
agreed to complete a comprehensive air pollution inventory in the Royal Gorge
Field Office, which encompasses all of eastern Colorado and to ensure that
fracking does not worsen the Denver metro area’s smog problem. The agreement
also prohibits the BLM from authorizing drilling on a dozen oil and gas leases
unless it shows that air quality will be fully protected. It’s a big step forward in keeping our
clean air safe from fossil fuels.
More…
Oil and Gas Effects on Wildlife
Our
boundless appetite for oil is threatening imperiled species with extinction
according to a recent report released by the Endangered Species Coalition. The report, Fueling Extinction: How Dirty Energy
Drives Wildlife to the Brink, highlights imperiled animals, plants, birds
and fish that suffer displacement, loss of habitat and the threat of extinction
from the development, storage and transportation of fossil fuels. Guardians
nominated two species included in the report: the dunes sagebrush lizard, the
little lizard you’ve heard so much about from Guardians, and the greater
sage-grouse, a species that lives in parts of 11 states and is threatened
by oil and gas development in about half of its range. The Coalition annually
publishes a “top ten” report on endangered species, with this year’s theme
focused on those species most threatened by fossil fuels.
More…
Victory for Rio Grande Headwaters Forest
WildEarth
Guardians and its partner Rocky Mountain Wild scored a victory for healthy
forests and clean water in the headwaters of the Rio Grande last week. In
a precedent-setting ruling, a federal court overturned a U.S. Forest Service
decision authorizing a massive logging project that would have impacted 3,436
acres and built nearly 11 miles of new roads. The Rio Grande National
Forest is already reeling from years of unsustainable logging and road building
and is slowly recovering. The judge found that the Forest Service cut
corners in its zeal to cut down trees, putting the forest and its sensitive
soils at risk. It's a big win for the Rio Grande headwaters' forests and the endangered
lynx that inhabit the area.
More...
photo credits: Wolf: Ray Rafiti. Wolf amputee: Mexican Wolf Interagency. Black-tailed prairie dogs: Sandy Nervig. Well site: Jeremy Nichols. Dunes sagebrush lizard: public domain. Rio Grande National Forest: Bryan Bird. |
Activist Spotlight:
We am so glad to be associated in a small way supporting the work of WildEarth
Guardians. They are an organization on the cutting edge of preserving "The
Commons" we all share and must safeguard in the western states.
–Jean
and Henry Kroll,
Prairie Dog Day Activists
Save the date for our Annual Howling Affair in Denver. On May
10 we’ll host our Colorado fundraiser at the Oxford Hotel
featuring guest speaker Paul Watson, long-time activist and president of Sea
Shepherd Conservation Society. Tickets are on sale now for this fabulous night.
Another
year and another exciting tree planting event in Santa Fe. We're looking for 50
volunteers to turn out and help us restore a good stretch of the Santa Fe River
on March 31. Register online today or for more information call (505) 988-9126
x0. Registration fee is $10.00 per person, the cost of a single tree! Event
will be 10a.m. to 3:30p.m. and includes lunch.
House Party, April 5 in Tucson. Join WildEarth Guardians for an evening of good food and thought-provoking
conversation — including discussions about Guardians current actions to protect
and restore wolves across the American West, hasten the end of our nation’s
over dependence on fossil fuels and protect the imperiled species and
landscapes that make Arizona special. Watch for additional details;
meanwhile, feel free to RSVP early or ask questions by contacting Kevin
Gaither-Banchoff or by calling (520) 869-4673.
Sooo, how did it turn out?
In
January we asked activists to comment on a new federal sage-grouse planning
process and you supplied the Bureau of Land Management with over 2100 comments! We appreciate you
urging BLM to develop a management plan that designates a system of sagebrush
reserves in the West, protects a suite of Sagebrush Sea species, and authorizes
voluntary grazing permit retirement across the landscape. This is just the
first round so stay-tuned for more opportunities to advocate for this majestic
bird.
In
response to our recent action alert, “Thank a Wildlife Champion,” nearly 1500
activists signed our thank you letter to Montana Fish & Wildlife
Commissioner Ron Moody. Commissioner Moody publicly opposed proposals to extend
wolf and mountain lion hunting to supposedly increase elk populations that have
been reduced by human hunting. Guardians will keep you posted on other actions
you can take to make a difference for wolves.
Take action on our current
advocacy campaigns
A call for volunteers to staff our events and assist with office needs!
From stuffing
envelopes to organizing and helping at our events, plus everything in between,
WildEarth Guardians always needs volunteers. Whether you have just a few hours
to give or would like to make a regular commitment of your time, we will put
you to work on tasks that suit your interest and availability. Visit our volunteer webpage for our current event needs.
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