Victory for California Wildlife

The majestic California condor and the captivating California gnatcatcher are among the several species that will gain greater protection under a recent court ruling. In June a federal judge ruled that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service violated the Endangered Species Act when preparing biological opinions that did not include protective measures for 40 plant and animal species in four southern California forests. “Land-management plans have impacts on the wildlife that live on our forests,” says Kim Delfino of Defenders of Wildlife, a plaintiff in the case. “We hope this will set a new tone and the Obama administration will provide wildlife on public lands the protections they so desperately need.”

 

Throwing a Brick at the Wall

It’s a wall that borders on folly when it comes to the environmental laws thwarted to build it. The REAL ID Act of 2005 gave the Secretary of Homeland Security—an unelected official—the authority to waive any law, including the Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act, to fast-track construction of a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, prompting Defenders to get involved with legislative efforts to halt construction. In June, with 40 miles left to build on biologically sensitive areas of California and Texas, 27 members of Congress urged the new Homeland Security secretary to ensure our laws will be enforced. Read about Defenders’ campaign to protect the borderlands.

 

Only select articles from Defenders are available online. To receive 4 issues annually of the full award-winning magazine, become a member of Defenders of Wildlife

More Articles From This Issue

New Warning on Warming

Bipartisan study removes all doubts

Species Spotlight

Red-throated Loon

Green Scene

Solar Power Dreamin'

On the Ground

Turning the Tide on a Turtle's Fate

Taking a Stand for Wildlife

America's Wildlife Heritage Act

Defenders in Action: Wolf Wars and Woes Continue

© Russ Morgan/Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife It took

Wildlife: There Ought to be More Otters and more

© Flip Nicklin/Minden Pictures There Oughta Be More Otters These

Defenders View - Ensuring that Green Energy is Clean Energy

by Rodger Schlickeisen, President © Krista Schlyer The winds of

To Catch an Oystercatcher

Scientists try to get a grip on one of America’s

Royale Challenge

On a remote island in the Great Lakes, wolves and

Heartbreak Highway

Roads and development spell trouble for Florida's panthers By Heidi
Image
Get Updates and Alerts