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Leatherback turtle
Center for     Biological     Diversity   

Suit Filed to Save Sea Turtles From Lethal Longlines

For 15 years longline fishing off California's coast has been outlawed. But in May the Trump administration invited it back with a shiny new permit. Longlines stretch up to 60 miles, with 1,000 hooks, targeting swordfish and tuna — but also hurting and killing sea turtles, including highly endangered leatherbacks.

So the Center for Biological Diversity and allies have sued to stop that from happening.

"Californians want more selective, sustainable fisheries," said Center attorney Catherine Kilduff. "But Trump's longlines will injure and drown some of our most beloved endangered species."

Read more in The Sacramento Bee.

Streaked-horned lark

Rare Northwest Songbird May Win More Protection

Responding to a Center suit, a federal judge ruled Monday that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service was wrong to protect streaked horned larks as merely threatened, instead of endangered. They've suffered massive declines across their range in Oregon and Washington.

The Service must now reconsider. Meanwhile the 1,100 surviving songbirds keep their threatened status.

"I'm relieved," said Noah Greenwald, our endangered species director. "If the Fish and Wildlife Service follows the science, these unique birds will finally get the full protection they need so badly."

Read more in The Oregonian.

Lesser prairie chicken

Safeguards Sought for Lesser Prairie Chickens

Lesser prairie chickens once numbered in the millions on America's Great Plains but are now severely threatened by oil development and other forces, including climate change.

So the Center and allies sued the Fish and Wildlife Service Wednesday to win the birds protection under the Endangered Species Act.

"Lesser prairie chickens bring color and song to our prairies," said the Center's Michael Robinson. "It's a sin for the Trump administration to drive them extinct for oil-company profit margins."

Read more in U.S. News and World Report and consider supporting our lifesaving work with a donation to our Endangered Species Act Protection Fund.

Randy Serraglio

In our new video, the Center's Randy Serraglio tours southern Arizona's jaguar country. Plans for the giant Rosemont copper mine threaten these stomping grounds for the big cats and other wildlife, as well as water supplies and public lands. We're fighting the mine with all we've got. Watch on Facebook or YouTube.

A Million ... What? That's Right: Condoms

Endangered Species Condoms

July 11 is World Population Day, and we're celebrating giving out our millionth condom.

It's been 10 years since our award-winning Endangered Species Condoms started bringing population back into environmental conversation — in a new and fun way. Hundreds of thousands of volunteers have given out these punny packages. Join us this summer in commemorating that milestone, and help keep people talking.

Sign up by June 24 and we'll send you a batch of free Endangered Species Condoms to share with your friends and neighbors.

Mexican spotted owl

Biodiversity Briefing: 30 Years Protecting Nature and People

In our latest quarterly "Biodiversity Briefing" phone call, Executive Director Kierán Suckling reflects on the Center's three decades of fighting the extinction crisis. The conservation of other species is inherently linked to helping our own, he says — environmental justice is key to our work.

These personal phone briefings, including Q&A sessions, are open to all members of the Center's Leadership Circle and Owls Club. For information on how to join and be invited to participate live on the calls, email Chief Development Officer Paula Simmonds or call her at (646) 770-7206.

Listen to the briefing.

The Revelator: Justice Won Through Citizen Science

University of Buffalo scientists

When residents of Tonawanda, N.Y., began falling sick with cancer, they launched their own investigation. It led to legal action and the closure of a polluting coal plant, but the work didn't end there.

Learn at The Revelator how researchers and residents are participating in a first-of-its-kind "chemical fingerprinting" study that could make it easier to hold polluters accountable and prevent toxic messes. And subscribe to the e-newsletter if you haven't already.

Protect This Puerto Rican Paradise From Developers

Rincon beach

A popular surf town called Rincón, in Puerto Rico, is under intense pressure from developers wanting to profit off paradise. Plans for a huge casino hotel have been announced — and the proposed site is only about 500 yards from the Tres Palmas Marine Reserve. The mega-hotel would infringe on wildlife from elkhorn coral and reef fish to sea turtles, dolphins and whales.

Sign our petition today to protect Rincón from this destructive project.

Sacred Condors Will Be Hurt by Sprawl Development

California condor

California condors have been sacred to the Chumash people for millennia, writes Mati Waiya, founder of the Wishtoyo Chumash Foundation and a Center board member.

Recently brought back from the brink of extinction through heroic effort, they're now threatened by Tejon Mountain Village, a planned community in the heart of their habitat.

Read Mati's piece in Santa Clarita Valley's The Signal.

Jaguar

Wild & Wonderful: Meet These Young Jaguar Advocates

The Northern Jaguar Reserve in Sonora, Mexico, helps protect the wold's northernmost breeding population of jaguars. The jaguars that have taken up residence in the U.S. Southwest likely originated from this area. In this video the reserve's young eco-guardians explain what they love about wildlife. Watch on Facebook or YouTube.

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Photo credits: Leatherback turtle by jimmyweee/Wikimedia; streaked
horned lark by David Maloney/USFWS; lesser prairie chicken by Kevin Rolle/Flickr; Randy Serraglio by Russ McSpadden/Center for Biological Diversity; Endangered Species Condoms courtesy Center for Biological Diversity; Mexican spotted owl by Robin Silver; University of Buffalo scientists by Douglas Levere/University of Buffalo; beach at Rincón, Puerto Rico, by cogito-imago/Flickr; California condor by Andrew Weaver/Flickr; jaguar courtesy Northern Jaguar Reserve.

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