Statement on the passing of Dr. Stephen Schneider

Summary:

  • The following is a statement by Jamie Rappaport Clark, executive vice president for Defenders of Wildlife:
WASHINGTON (07/26/2010) -

The following is a statement by Jamie Rappaport Clark, executive vice president for Defenders of Wildlife:

"We were shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the death of Dr. Steve Schneider this week.  Steve's death represents a tremendous loss to both the climate science and conservation communities. Anyone who had to pleasure to interact with Steve, to witness firsthand his brilliance, wit and fierce commitment to the pursuit of scientific excellence, could only describe him as a force of nature. But we'll remember him also as a force for nature.  

As an avid birder, Steve loved both nature and science. He used his climate science research to advance the climate debate and to help governments and policy-makers understand that protecting human communities will only be possible if we also protect nature – the Earth's life-support system. His research provided the critical foundation to move the climate change agenda forward, to help understand the climate system, the impacts of climate change and to illustrate the need to begin the critical work to help wildlife and natural systems adapt to climate impacts before they are irreversibly lost.

Even his book "The Patient from Hell," which focused on his own battle against cancer, was a guide to conservationists facing the challenge of conserving nature. The lesson we'll remember: be a forceful advocate even when the battle is against all odds; use the best scientific evidence as your weapon; and fight, relentlessly, for the preservation of life, and the quality of life. Steve will be sorely missed."

###
Links:

Learn more about the harmful impacts of climate change already being felt by wildlife and natural systems.

Contact(s):

Caitlin Leutwiler, (202) 772-3226

For nearly 80 years, Defenders of Wildlife has worked to protect and restore America’s wildlife at risk of extinction, advancing a vision of a future in which wildlife thrives, sustained by broad public support and a resilient network of healthy lands and waters. With a network of more than 2 million supporters, Defenders is an advocate for innovative solutions to safeguard wildlife for generations to come. To learn more, please visit https://defenders.org/newsroom or follow us on Instagram @defendersofwildlife.  

 

News

Salt Marsh - Cumberland Island
ST. MARYS, GEORGIA

NPS Land Swaps and Visitor Plan Open the Door to Devastating Impacts at Cumberland Island

In advance of a public hearing on proposed land exchanges on Cumberland Island National Seashore, Defenders of Wildlife called on the National Park Service to remedy a host of management issues facing one of the largest undeveloped barrier islands on the East Coast.
2019.08.07 - Florida Panther looking straight at camera - MS 45 - fStop Foundation
WASHINGTON, D.C.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Memo Underscores Trump Administration’s All-Fronts War on Wildlife

Brian Nesvik, director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, issued a memorandum explaining to FWS staff that the Endangered Species Act’s prohibition on unauthorized “take” applies only to affirmative acts intentionally and purposefully directed at a particular animal. This follows the Trump administration’s rescission of the regulatory definitions of “harm” under the ESA, which took effect this week.
Visit the newsroom