Podcasts about endangered species act

After more than 50 years as one of the country's landmark environmental laws, the Endangered Species Act has gone from one of the most popular measures before Congress to one fueling demands that it be revised, if not discarded. The National Parks Traveler is reviewing the Endangered Species Act's work and its record, spotlighting individual species that it's protected, those that it failed, and those that it recovered. The monthslong series comes as ESA champions worry that the push to weaken the law could consign countless animals and plants to the growing list of flora and fauna that, like the Passenger pigeon, are now found only in books and online. The National Park System seems to be the perfect background to explore these questions, as its lands are supposedly the best preserved on the federal landscape. I recently interviewed two wildlife advocates — Jake Li, a vice president with Defenders of Wildlife who spent time working in the Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service before joining the advocacy group, and Stephanie Adams, director of wildlife at the National Parks Conservation Association. Though the interviews were done separately, the questions were largely the same. What follows is a merging of those two conversations.

Brian Clive of fishqcl.com Tired of winter already? Let’s talk Haida Gwaii in the springtime!!! // Don't miss Three Rivers Marine's Northwest Outdoor Report! // Duckworth Wheelhouse: American Sportsfishing Association's Larry C Phillips Pinniped predation and a Federal solution to a Federally-caused problem: The Marine Mammal Protection Act vs The Endangered Species Act // The Outdoor Line's Really? Where? The hottest report we've heard all week and the techniques YOU need to Succeed!

In our final episode of Season 4, The Best Biome team discusses the state of grasslands conservation in the current year (and what an eventful year it has been). We discuss the most significant threats and daunting challenges that we'll need to meet head on to protect our underappreciated and overlooked ecosystems. Topics include rollbacks to the Endangered Species Act, attacks on research funding, extraction on public lands, the truth behind grazing leases, and much, much more. Of course, we have plenty of good news to share as well! Join us as we bid 2025 farewell and get ready for whatever next year will bring. Note: There is some occasional strong language used in this episode, as a result of our passion about these topics. Primary Sources: Rachel's Sources: Jack Hatzimemos, Georgetown Environmental Law Review, "The Single Most Impactful Day of Deregulation in EPA History", Mar. 20, 2025 More Than Just Parks: "Mike Lee is Still Trying to Steal Your Land", Nov. 5, 2025 Inflation Reduction Act Rollback Tracker **** Columbia Law Climate Backtracker Bill McKibben: The Crucial Years, "A Different Kind of Leader Gives A Different Kind of Speech", Oct. 1, 2025 Heather Cox Richardson, "Letters from an American" Oct. 16, 2025 **** Nicole's Sources: Center for American Progress: "The Trump Administration's Expensive Push to Sell Out Public Lands to the Highest Bidder" Sep. 22, 2025 More Than Just Parks: "Trump Administration Decides Endangered Species Act Will No Longer Be Followed" Nov. 21, 2025 Works for Nature: "Voters Deliver Big Wins for Conservation Funding in 2025." Nov. 10, 2025 H.R. 1: The One Big Beautiful Bill Act https://morethanjustparks.substack.com/p/trump-administration-decides-endangered?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web&triedRedirect=true https://www.americanprogress.org/article/the-trump-administrations-expansive-push-to-sell-out-public-lands-to-the-highest-bidder/ Allan's Sources: ProPublica and High Country News, "Wealthy Ranchers Profit from Public Lands", Dec. 2, 2025 Center for Biological Diversity: "Trump Administration sued over attempted removal of BLM's Public Lands Rule" Nov. 10, 2025 NYT: "The US is funding fewer grants in every area of science and and medicine", Dec. 2, 2025. Union for Concerned Scientists: Attacks on Science [Lawfare Litigation Tracker]( This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

On our latest show -- the American Bird Conservancy's Hardy Kern explains the threats to the Endangered Species Act — and what we can do to protect it. Plus, we feature a bird from down south that visited New England last week — and Mike O'Connor offers some thoughts on such unexpected bird wanderings.

8/8. Conservation Battles: From the Extinction of the Ivory Bill to the Political Fight over Wolves — Dan Flores — The twentieth century witnessed simultaneous conservation efforts and continuing ecological tragedy, notably the probable extinction of the iconic ivory-billed woodpecker following industrial logging of its remaining habitat. Florescredits Rachel Carson's Silent Spring with catalyzing public ecological awareness, contributing to landmark legislation including the Endangered Species Act of 1973. Flores emphasizes that despite compelling scientific evidence demonstrating wolves and coyotes' essential ecological value, wildlife recovery remains politically intractable due to persisting ideologies of human exceptionalism and deep-seated cultural antipathy toward apex predators, reflecting unresolved tensions between wilderness conservation and rural extractive economies. 1844 AUDOBON

Building on record-breaking grower participation last year, the American Peanut Council's Sustainable U.S. Peanuts announced the start of its 2025 crop enrollment, and the Trump administration proposes sweeping changes to the Endangered Species Act, setting up a fight with conservation groups.

California winegrape growers have removed nearly 40,000 acres of vineyards, roughly 7% of the state's winegrape acreage, and the Trump administration proposes sweeping changes to the Endangered Species Act, setting up a fight with conservation groups.

More maulings, deaths, and livestock losses. More lawsuits, political posturing, and ballot initiatives. More misinformation and fundraising over what should be a conservation story, turned into a tragedy. Are we asking the US Fish & Wildlife Service to make decisions based on science or values?  We visit with WSF's Legislative Affairs expert and consultant, Greg Schildwachter, who has had these issues and the Endangered Species Act in his portfolio for the past 25 years, to find out how we got here, what's really happening behind the provocative headlines, and if there is a common-sense way forward that will work for people and  

Host Joe DeMare talks about a town hall where data centers were discussed, and marching in a holiday parade with a giant Earth ball. Then he does the show's annual talk with Philip Yenyo, head of AIM Ohio about Thanksgiving from a Native American perspective. Rebecca Wood starts talking about chili peppers. Ecological News includes Tehran being abandoned because of global warming, Trump's attack on the Endangered Species Act, and microplastics in our brains causing dementia.

Trump Administration Revises Endangered Species Act

The Trump administration is putting a $1 billion dollar loan toward helping restart the Three Mile Island nuclear plant. The move underscores the administration's push for nuclear power as energy bills rise for Americans. POLITICO's Kelsey Tamborrino breaks down why the Department of Energy is moving forward with the loan. Plus, the Trump administration launched an effort to roll back the Biden administration's changes to the Endangered Species Act. Kelsey Tamborrino is a reporter covering clean energy for POLITICO. Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO and the host of POLITICO Energy. Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and producer of POLITICO Energy.  Kara Tabor is an audio producer for POLITICO. Alex Keeney is a senior audio producer at POLITICO.  Ben Lefebvre is the deputy energy editor at POLITICO.  Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO. For more news on energy and the environment, subscribe to Power Switch, our free evening newsletter: https://www.politico.com/power-switch And for even deeper coverage and analysis, read our Morning Energy newsletter by subscribing to POLITICO Pro: https://subscriber.politicopro.com/newsletter-archive/morning-energy Our theme music is by Pran Bandi. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At a time when species across the country face mounting pressures, the Endangered Species Act remains one of the most powerful—and contested—tools we have to protect them. In this installment of our “Explained” series, host Sebastian Duque Rios is joined by three experts whose careers span law, policy, and conservation science: Patrick Parenteau (Vermont Law & Graduate School), Jake Li (Defenders of Wildlife), and David Wilcove (Princeton University).Together, they break down how the ESA works, why it was created, and the real-world threats species face today. The conversation explores key provisions of the Act—from listing decisions and critical habitat designations to Section 7 consultations, recovery planning, and the role of private landowners. The guests also discuss how funding shortfalls, political pressures, and recent proposals could reshape endangered species protection in the years ahead.Whether you're new to the ESA or looking for a richer understanding of its legal, scientific, and practical dimensions, this episode offers a clear and candid look at the challenges and opportunities facing one of the nation's cornerstone conservation laws. ★ Support this podcast ★

If you ask environmental protection lawyer Elise Bennett who her clients are, she might joke that some days it's the frosted flatwood salamander, the gopher tortoise, or Florida panther – but officially, it's the Center for Biological Diversity. Elise is the Center's Florida and Caribbean Director, leading efforts to protect endangered species and wild places through legal action and advocacy. When developers threaten wetlands or forests, Elise steps in to defend the creatures who can't speak for themselves.In this episode, she dives into the Endangered Species Act and explains how it safeguards even the smallest living creatures. Elise talks about choosing law as a means to protect the environment she loves, why some cases can stretch on for more than a decade, and what it takes to stay hopeful in the face of ongoing destruction. From the spring pygmy sunfish to the Florida Keys mole skink, her work shows how the law – and persistence – can buy endangered species a fighting chance. Elise is a graduate of Stetson University College of Law.This episode is hosted by Katya Valasek.Mentioned in this episode:Access LawHub today!Colorado LawLearn more about Colorado Law

EASY LISTENING DEP'T.: [THE WASHINGTON POST] "Mr. Cheney supported tax cuts and defense spending increases, like nearly all Republicans, but he joined the rightmost wing in voting against a federal holiday honoring the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr., as well as the Equal Rights Amendment, creation of the Education Department, a ban on armor-piercing bullets, and anti-apartheid sanctions on South Africa. He likewise opposed Head Start for preschool children, the Superfund Program for Toxic Waste Cleanup, the Clean Water Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act, and the Endangered Species Act. The one exception to his otherwise blanket endorsement of hard-right culture war positions was his support, eventually, of gay marriage, apparently brought on strictly because one of his own daughters was a lesbian." Please visit, read, and support INDIGNITY! https://www.indignity.net/

Joining the Exchange is George Sexton, Conservation Director at KS Wild.

While most Sandhill Cranes migrate, the Mississippi population lives year-round in wet pine savanna near the Gulf Coast. Their dependence on this unique habitat caused their population to plummet to just 35 when the savanna began to disappear. Through the Endangered Species Act, an almost 20,000-acre wildlife refuge was established for the cranes and the population has begun to recover.More info and transcript at BirdNote.org.Want more BirdNote? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Sign up for BirdNote+ to get ad-free listening and other perks. BirdNote is a nonprofit. Your tax-deductible gift makes these shows possible.   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today's Guests: Our guest today is 2026 Colorado Gubernatorial Candidate and former Colorado Congressman, Greg Lopez. Greg will inform us of his actions in letters he wrote a couple of weeks ago to US Fish & Wildlife. Did Colorado violate the Endangered Species Act when it imported wolves from Canada? Greg will explain the Wolf... READ MORE

State of the Bay explores Trump's proposed rollbacks to the Endangered Species Act. Then, end-of-life doula Diane Button shares lessons on how to live more fully. And, poet Thea Matthews joins us to talk about her new collection, Grime.

The Trump Administration is considering a change to the federal Endangered Species Act that could create new risks for an area in California that has more sea otters than any other in the state. Last October, the state finished removing four dams from Klamath River up in far Northern California. In the year since the removal, there has been drastic changes to the area's fish population, and overall water quality. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we cover topics from watching Hospital Bills and how to save money to news of Wilderness survival and new policy, record-breaking hunts to mythbusting jellyfish. Real-life stories that could save your life or keep money in your wallet. Join radio hosts Rebecca Wanner aka ‘BEC' and Jeff ‘Tigger' Erhardt (Tigger & BEC) with the latest in Outdoors & Western Lifestyle News! How to Save Money on Hospital and Insurance Bills — Even When You're Fully Covered When you're diagnosed with a serious illness like cancer, the last thing you want to worry about is money. But between insurance coverage, hospital billing departments, and ongoing treatments, out-of-pocket costs can spiral — even when you're fully insured. In 2021, I was diagnosed with cancer. I underwent 12 rounds of chemotherapy and 8 weeks of daily radiation. While my insurance was a blessing, I quickly discovered that being covered doesn't mean you're not vulnerable to costly billing mistakes — ones that could cost you thousands if you're not paying attention. Why You Must Compare Your EOB With Hospital Bills — Line by Line One of the most important lessons I learned: Always compare your Explanation of Benefits (EOB) from your insurance provider to the bill from your hospital or healthcare provider. Here's what happened to me: Even after I had hit my out-of-pocket deductible, I noticed monthly hospital charges averaging around $900 in my online billing portal. After comparing the EOB to the hospital bills, I saw that some treatments weren't even being submitted to my insurance company. Instead, I was being billed directly — as if I had no coverage at all. I called my insurance company, who confirmed they hadn't received claims for those charges. Then I contacted the hospital's billing department and was told each time that it was a “mistake,” and they would resubmit. Had I not caught this, I could have paid over $10,000 in wrongful charges — with little chance of a refund later. Pro Tip: Don't Automatically Pay Medical Bills Without Verifying It's tempting to just pay the bill and be done with it — especially when you're overwhelmed and just trying to get through treatments. But trust your gut. Instead: Wait to receive your EOB before paying anything. Compare dates, services, and costs between the EOB and your hospital bill. Call your insurance company if anything doesn't line up. Then, contact your healthcare provider's billing department and request that charges be re-submitted if needed. Always Ask: "Has This Been Submitted to My Insurance?" Make it your mantra when speaking to any healthcare billing department: “Has this claim been submitted to my insurance company?” If they say no or “it was a mistake,” ask for proof of submission and a timeline. It can take weeks or even months for a corrected bill to show up — so document every call and keep all emails or confirmations. Human Error and AI Mistakes Are More Common Than You Think In today's digital world, hospitals and insurers often rely on automated systems for billing. But that doesn't mean the process is error-free. In fact, it may be worse. You might encounter: Incorrect coding of procedures Claims not submitted at all Duplicate billing Coverage miscalculations That's why your personal oversight is essential — especially when you're dealing with ongoing care. How to Protect Yourself from Costly Healthcare Billing Mistakes Here's a quick checklist to help you save money and protect your finances during a medical journey: Know your deductible and out-of-pocket maximum Track every treatment and procedure in a personal log Check your EOBs monthly and match them with bills Dispute errors right away — don't wait Keep records of every call and conversation Ask for itemized bills from providers Request written confirmation of any billing correction Final Thoughts: Be Your Own Advocate — It Could Save You Thousands Between AI systems, human error, and overloaded billing departments, even those with full insurance coverage can fall into financial traps. The stress of calling weekly to fix these issues took a toll, but in the end, it saved me thousands of dollars. The bottom line? Be proactive. Be persistent. And never assume a bill is correct just because it looks official. If you're navigating medical bills or complex treatments, you're not alone. If I hadn't spoken up, I would have unknowingly overpaid by thousands. Don't be afraid to double-check, question, and challenge what doesn't look right. Your health matters — and so does your wallet. 14-Year-Old Girl Makes Pennsylvania Hunting History with Record Bull Elk We've got a record-breaking hunting story that's as heartwarming as it is impressive. According to Outdoor Life, fourteen-year-old Samantha Bartlett just became the youngest hunter ever to tag a bull elk in Pennsylvania — and she did it with a single, well-placed shot from her crossbow! It all happened in the early morning hours of September 16, deep in the mountains of north-central PA. Samantha and her dad, Noel, had already spent three long days hiking and hunting, holding out for the right bull. On the fourth day, it finally came together. After hearing two bulls fighting at dawn, Samantha and her guide crept through tall grass and waited. With a few cow calls, a massive bull came trotting in. At 40 yards, Samantha took the shot — and nailed it. The 6x7 bull elk went down within 100 yards, and the rest is history. The animal was estimated at 800 pounds, and the rack green-scored at 310 inches. Getting the bull out? That was a whole different story. The team dragged it downhill for four hours — no vehicles allowed — proving once again that the hunt doesn't end with the shot. Her bull was officially checked at a game station in Benezette, where state officials confirmed Samantha's place in the record books. This big moment was made possible by a lucky draw for a limited bull elk tag — and by a new law allowing Sunday hunting in Pennsylvania for the first time, giving young hunters like Samantha more opportunities. What's next for her? She's got her sights set on the “Pennsylvania Quad Trophy” — elk, black bear, turkey, and deer — all with a crossbow. Talk about ambitious! Moral of the story? Don't underestimate a determined young hunter and her crossbow. Reference: https://www.outdoorlife.com/hunting/youngest-hunter-bull-elk-pennsylvania/ 14-Year-Old Becomes the Youngest Hunter to Ever Tag a Bull Elk in Pennsylvania   Military Training Helps Missing Hunter Survive Winter Storm in Colorado Backcountry According to Summit Daily, A 57-year-old hunter from Illinois is safe today, thanks to a combination of military experience, calm thinking, and solid preparation — after spending two freezing nights alone in the rugged backcountry of Jackson County, Colorado. On Monday, Sept. 22, the man became separated from his group near the Three Sisters Trailhead in the Rawah Wilderness. The last anyone heard from him was a text saying he was lost, just before 3:30 p.m. His phone later went dark, and with winter weather rolling in, it was too dangerous for search teams to head out that night. By the next day, over 20 agencies — including Search and Rescue teams, deputies, and wildlife officials — launched a full-scale search in snowy, cold, and windy conditions. Air support was grounded, and rescuers battled through the backcountry on foot. Despite the brutal storm and tough terrain, the search effort continued into a second day. Then, on the afternoon of Wednesday, Sept. 24, hope came from above: the hunter was able to place several 911 calls, helping rescuers pinpoint his location. At around 1 p.m., air support spotted him — alive and in good health. So how did he make it? The hunter credited his survival to his military training, staying calm, building a fire, and using his sleeping bag and layers to stay warm. A big thanks goes out to Jackson and Grand County responders, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, search dog teams, and all others who helped pull off this dramatic rescue. Moral of the story? Being prepared can make all the difference — especially when Mother Nature has other plans. Reference: https://www.summitdaily.com/news/missing-hunters-military-experience-and-supplies-keep-him-alive-in-jackson-county-backcountry/ Tragic Lightning Strike Kills Two Missing Elk Hunters in Colorado Wilderness According to the Kiowa County Press, Wyoming is at the forefront of a renewed push to remove Endangered Species Act protections from grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Representative Harriet Hageman has introduced the Grizzly Bear State Management Act of 2025, which supporters say reflects decades of conservation success. Grizzly numbers in the region have rebounded from just a few hundred in the 1970s to nearly 1,000 today, meeting recovery targets set back in 1993. Advocates argue it's time to return management to the states, allowing for more flexible and responsive action on local issues — especially as livestock conflicts rise. Last year, grizzlies killed 91 cattle in Wyoming, the highest number on record. The bill also aims to cut through federal red tape, reinstating a Trump-era delisting rule and blocking future legal challenges that have stalled similar efforts. Supporters say it will free up resources at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and help speed up energy development and wildlife responses. While environmental groups warn that grizzlies still face genetic and habitat threats, Wyoming leaders say the bear has recovered — and state wildlife agencies are ready to manage them responsibly. Wyoming's stance? Grizzlies have recovered. It's time to let states take the reins. Reference: https://kiowacountypress.net/content/wyoming-leading-charge-delist-greater-yellowstone-grizzlies Rare “Pink Meanie” Jellyfish Swarm Texas Beaches — What to Know and How to Treat a Sting If you're heading to the Texas coast, watch your step — a surprising surge of rare pink meanie jellyfish has marine scientists scratching their heads. These jellyfish are no joke: they can weigh up to 50 pounds and their tentacles can stretch as long as 70 feet. From Port Aransas to Corpus Christi, beachgoers are spotting more of them than ever before. Marine biologist Jace Tunnell from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi says it's unlike anything he's seen in years of beachcombing. “I grew up on the beach and had never seen one until this year,” he said. The “pink meanie” was only officially recognized in 2011 and is known for its cotton candy color and its appetite for other jellyfish — especially moon jellies, which are currently blooming in Gulf waters. What to Do If You Get Stung While the sting isn't life-threatening, it can hurt — lasting about 10 minutes with red marks that stay for a couple of days. Here's how to treat it: Get out of the water immediately. Remove tentacles carefully using gloves or a tool — don't use bare hands. Rinse the sting with seawater, not freshwater. Pour vinegar over the sting to neutralize any remaining stinging cells. Apply hot (not scalding) water for 20 minutes to ease the pain. Avoid rubbing the area, and watch for any signs of allergic reaction. Experts say these jellyfish likely won't stick around — once cooler weather hits, both moon jellies and pink meanies are expected to disappear from Texas shores. Reference: https://www.foxnews.com/travel/surge-rare-jellyfish-sightings-across-multiple-beaches-stumps-experts OUTDOORS FIELD REPORTS & COMMENTS We want to hear from you! If you have any questions, comments, or stories to share about bighorn sheep, outdoor adventures, or wildlife conservation, don't hesitate to reach out. Call or text us at 305-900-BEND (305-900-2363), or send an email to BendRadioShow@gmail.com. Stay connected by following us on social media at Facebook/Instagram @thebendshow or by subscribing to The Bend Show on YouTube. Visit our website at TheBendShow.com for more exciting content and updates! https://thebendshow.com/ https://www.facebook.com/thebendshow WESTERN LIFESTYLE & THE OUTDOORS Jeff ‘Tigger' Erhardt & Rebecca ‘BEC' Wanner are passionate news broadcasters who represent the working ranch world, rodeo, and the Western way of life. They are also staunch advocates for the outdoors and wildlife conservation. As outdoorsmen themselves, Tigger and BEC provide valuable insight and education to hunters, adventurers, ranchers, and anyone interested in agriculture and conservation. With a shared love for the outdoors, Tigger & BEC are committed to bringing high-quality beef and wild game from the field to your table. They understand the importance of sharing meals with family, cooking the fruits of your labor, and making memories in the great outdoors. Through their work, they aim to educate and inspire those who appreciate God's Country and life on the land. United by a common mission, Tigger & BEC offer a glimpse into the life beyond the beaten path and down dirt roads. They're here to share knowledge, answer your questions, and join you in your own success story. Adventure awaits around the bend. With The Outdoors, the Western Heritage, Rural America, and Wildlife Conservation at the forefront, Tigger and BEC live this lifestyle every day. To learn more about Tigger & BEC's journey and their passion for the outdoors, visit TiggerandBEC.com. https://tiggerandbec.com/  

We've officially hit 100 episodes of the Helena “FieldLink Podcast”! Thank you to our loyal listeners for tuning in since the beginning and to our guests for insightful conversations in each episode. In this milestone episode, Andrew Walmsley, Vice President of Government Relations for the Council of Producers and Distributors of Agrotechnology, discusses how the Endangered Species Act, the Big Beautiful Bill and the restructuring of the Environmental Protection Agency will impact growers in 2026. (00:59) Jody Lawrences closes the episode with a Department of Agriculture quarterly stocks report update. (35:37)   Follow Helena Agri on social media to stay informed:   Facebook: https://bit.ly/3pq8XVJ Instagram: https://bit.ly/347QAO8 X: https://bit.ly/3hwvWdG LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3pwWLTh YouTube: https://bit.ly/35pLLQJ

Melissa Smith is the Executive Director & Founder of Friends of the Wisconsin Wolf & Wildlife and has served on D.C. environmental committees with a deep understanding of the Endangered Species Act.  She explored the significance of sociological sciences within state policy management of species, how this influences the effectiveness of State Endangered Species Acts (SESA) and State Wildlife Action Plans (SWAP), and the way governmental agencies on all levels can be ineffective in implementing protection plans for all species. Great Lakes Wildlife Alliance/Friends of the Wisconsin Wolf & Wildlife@endangeredspeciescoalition@thewolfconnectionpod

The September 25 edition of the AgNet News Hour featured two guests with deep roots in the Central Valley, both offering powerful perspectives on the challenges — and the future — of California agriculture. Hosts Nick Papagni and Josh McGill first welcomed Mike Harvey, a Bakersfield native whose family once farmed in Delano, and later sat down with Lorenzo Rios, a military veteran and CEO of the Clovis Veterans Memorial District now running for Congress in District 21. Harvey, now the head of the youth-focused nonprofit 5-11, reflected on his family's long history in farming. Regulations, water shortages, and rising labor costs ultimately forced them out of land ownership, a story familiar to many Valley farmers. “We sold that property… it made it cost prohibitive to continue to operate,” Harvey said, pointing to how policies have driven out even well-established farm families. Today, Harvey is channeling his leadership into FFA programs and youth outreach, urging the next generation to carry forward agriculture's values. Harvey also recounted attending the memorial service for Charlie Kirk, calling it one of the most unifying events he's ever witnessed. He stressed the importance of youth leadership, saying groups like FFA, Turning Point USA, and 5-11 give kids the tools to find their voice and future in agriculture and beyond. The program then shifted to Lorenzo Rios, who brought both military and community leadership experience to the conversation. A naturalized citizen and retired Army officer, Rios has spent the last decade helping veterans transition into civilian life. Now, he's seeking a seat in Congress to fight for farmers and small businesses in the Central Valley. “Congress can approve and fund long-delayed projects like Temperance Flat and Sites Reservoirs,” Rios said, calling water storage one of his top priorities. He also pledged to streamline permitting, reform the Endangered Species Act, and push for a farm bill that protects family farms, not foreign corporations. For Rios, agriculture is national security, and he made clear he sees farmers as environmental stewards rather than the problem. Both guests echoed a common message: California agriculture cannot survive without policy changes, water investment, and strong leadership. And both pointed to the Central Valley as the heart of America's food security. Listen to the full episode featuring Mike Harvey and Lorenzo Rios on the AgNet News Hour by clicking below, or on your favorite podcast app!

For decades, rural Oregon counties that contain large swaths of federally owned forest land have depended on a share of timber revenues from federal logging to fund schools, law enforcement and other essential public services. These payments were originally meant to offset the loss of property tax revenue that counties could not collect on federal lands. But when logging on these lands slowed drastically in the 1990s due to new environmental protections — like the Endangered Species Act — those payments plummeted.    In response, Congress stepped in with a temporary fix: the Secure Rural Schools Program. First passed in 2000, Congress reauthorized it multiple times over the years until it allowed it to expire in 2023. Congress which it enacted in 2000 and reauthorized multiple times until it expired in 2023. The lapse in the SRS reauthorization has triggered the default distribution of the significantly reduced timber revenue to counties.    The federal budget process has introduced new complications as well. President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which was signed into law in July, requires federal agencies to ramp up logging. But it also includes a provision redirecting all proceeds from timber sales on lands in counties to the federal government — threatening one of the last fiscal lifelines for rural governments to fund its core services.   With counties facing budgeting shortfalls that carry big consequences, questions about how to create a long-term sustainable path forward have taken on new urgency. Lane County Commissioner Heather Buch and Klamath County Commissioner Derrick DeGroot — whose counties receive the second- and third-highest federal payments in Oregon after Douglas County — join us, along with Mark Haggerty, a senior fellow at the liberal-leaning thinktank Center for American Progress to talk about the challenges Oregon’s rural counties face and what a stable funding model for these counties might look like.   Curry County Commissioner Jay Trost declined to participate in the conversation but provided OPB with a statement:  Curry County has the second lowest property tax rate in Oregon at .59 per thousand of assessed value and like most Oregon Counties, we have not been able to keep up with the inflation over the past 4 years.  We had to endure a 31% reduction in the county budget for the 24/25 fiscal year, we were able to maintain that with no further budget reductions in the 25/26 budget because of timber revenues that came in and covered the annual employee role up costs.  These O&C timber funds allowed us to remain fairly status quo in terms of service delivery.  Going forward if those funds are not made available to us, we will most likely see more reductions in county services.  We are working diligently to think outside the box, identify alternative solutions that will maximize each dollar and become more efficient. These efforts will help and are necessary, however the reality remains the same, if we don’t receive timber revenues, and or PILT (payment in lieu of taxes)  payments we will have to make cuts.  We remain confident that the federal legislature will correct the language needed to ensure that counties like ours that rely on natural resources revenue will not be negatively impacted.    

In April, the Fish and Wildlife Service proposed to rescind a regulation defining the Endangered Species Act’s prohibition against “harm” to an endangered species to include destruction and modification of habitat. That regulation was previously upheld by the Supreme Court under Chevron in Sweet Home v. Babbitt, over a sharp dissent by Justice Scalia accusing the agency of imposing “unfairness to the point of financial ruin—not just upon the rich, but upon the simplest farmer who finds his land conscripted to national zoological use.” Citing Loper Bright’s overturning of Chevron, the Service proposes to rescind this regulation and adopt Justice Scalia’s opinion as the best reading of the statute. This would substantially curtail regulation of habitat, the loss of which is purportedly the leading threat to endangered species. Join this FedSoc Forum in discussing this proposal, its interpretation of the Endangered Species Act, and the effect of Loper Bright on agencies’ modification of regulations previously upheld under Chevron. Featuring: Karrigan Börk, Professor of Law, UC Davis School of Law; Senior Fellow, California Environmental Law and Policy Center; and Director, UC Davis Center for Watershed SciencesWill Yeatman, Senior Legal Fellow, Pacific Legal Foundation(Moderator) Jonathan Wood, Vice President of Law & Policy, Property and Environment Research Center

Watch The X22 Report On Video No videos found (function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:17532056201798502,size:[0, 0],id:"ld-9437-3289"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src="https://cdn2.decide.dev/_js/ajs.js";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,"script","ld-ajs");pt> Click On Picture To See Larger Picture Doug Burgum just destroyed [DS]/Newsom's climate agenda. The fires put out more CO2. Jobs are declining because Trump is deporting illegals and cutting the bloat of gov. The gov jobs were fake and the illegal jobs were not American. Trump and Bessent confirm that they are preparing to restructure the Federal Reserve. The [DS] is doing what ever they can to delay Trump and his agenda. This is failing so they are pushing more judges out from the shadows. Trump confirms that he is a wartime President and that we are at war with the [DS]. The hunt is on and the [DS] players are being exposed. The [DS] will try to stop this with war , destruction of the economy, riots and an event. This is their 16 year plan that they are pushing, This will all fail because has them defending the indefensible.   Economy Trump's Interior Secretary Doug Burgum TORCHES Gavin Newsom — Says California Fires Released More CO2 Than All Their So-Called Climate Controls!   Doug Burgum:“The fuel load buildup that's occurred in American forests can actually go back to the Clinton era. There was a famous effort at the beginning of the environmental extremist movement that said, “Oh, the spotted owl! We can't cut any more trees because of the spotted owl.” This was part of the weaponization of the Endangered Species Act.. And if people do care about CO₂ releases—when a forest burns, these are massive CO₂ releases. That's how you release CO₂ from a tree—you burn it. When you have a campfire, you're releasing that carbon. The fires in California have released more CO₂ than all of their so-called efforts to “control” CO₂.” Source: thegatewaypundit.com https://twitter.com/KobeissiLetter/status/1964483504198037657  result, the share of individuals unemployed for more than 27 weeks rose to 26.3%, the highest since February 2022. This marks a near 10 percentage point increase in just 20 months. It also means this percentage now higher than in all previous recessions, excluding 2020 and 2008. The US job market is declining.  .Deportations of undocumented immigrants under the Trump administration appear to be a contributing factor to this slowdown. Preliminary Census Bureau data shows a 1.2 million decline in immigrant workers from January through July 2025, driven by over 1,000 deportation flights (up 15% year-over-year) and policies removing work authorization for hundreds of thousands. This has hit industries reliant on immigrant labor hardest, such as construction (where 10 states with high concentrations of undocumented workers saw a 0.1% employment drop), agriculture, and hospitality, potentially risking billions in economic output. Economic analyses project that sustained mass deportations could lead to 5.9-6 million total job losses nationwide, including 2.6 million for US-born workers due to ripple effects like reduced consumer spending and supply chain disruptions—though some models suggest low-skilled authorized workers might see modest wage gains if deportations persist long-term. The White House frames this as "America First" progress, claiming it returns jobs to citizens, but broader data indicates the labor force contraction is exacerbating hiring stalls rather than alleviating them. Cuts to federal government jobs are also directly impacting overall employment figures. The Trump administration's hiring freeze (extended from January 2025) and voluntary buyouts have led to a net loss of 148,000-300,000 federal positions by late 2025, with August alone seeing a 15,

Opening Reflections and California Concerns The AgNet News Hour began with hosts Nick Papagni and Lorrie Boyer sharing lighthearted Friday greetings before shifting to California's serious agricultural challenges. Papagni noted worsening Central Valley air quality caused by wildfires, likening the smoke to winter fog. He warned that tensions between state and federal governments over forest management may intensify as fall approaches. Boyer added that federal intervention could even extend to California's 2028 Olympic preparations. Policy Spotlight: Mexican Wolf Debate Boyer reported on a House Natural Resources Subcommittee hearing on the Enhancing Safety for Animals Act of 2025. The legislation would delist the Mexican wolf from the Endangered Species Act, a move supported by the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, the Arizona and New Mexico Cattle Growers Associations, and the Public Lands Council. Tom Patterson, President-elect of the New Mexico Cattle Growers Association, testified that wolf populations have shifted from a livestock concern to a community safety threat, citing attacks on pets, horses, and even children. In regulatory news, the EPA declined stricter wastewater rules for meat and poultry processors, concluding that current Clean Water Act requirements suffice. The National Chicken Council applauded this decision as a balanced approach to water quality regulation. Immigration Reform and the Dignity Act The program's central feature was an interview with Manuel Cunha, President of the Nisei Farmers League, who addressed farm labor shortages and immigration policy. He highlighted the bipartisan Dignity Act (H.R. 4393), introduced by Rep. María Elvira Salazar (R-FL) and Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-TX), as the most promising reform since the early 2000s. The Act includes a three-pronged approach: Long-Term Residents – renewable work authorization cards with penalties for undocumented status. Legal Pathways for New Workers – stronger background checks and legal entry channels. Criminal Entrants – removal of individuals linked to crime or gang activity. Cunha emphasized that the Act also provides protections for Dreamers and addresses Social Security benefits for long-term contributors who have paid into the system for decades. Coyotes, Fear, and Fake Documents Cunha warned about coyotes—human smugglers who charge up to $15,000 per person and often supply migrants with fraudulent documents. Workers fall into debt while employers unknowingly hire with false credentials. He called the system a “disaster” and urged growers to pressure congressional leaders like David Valadao, Jim Costa, Jimmy Panetta, and Vince Fong to support the Dignity Act. Despite federal assurances, many farmworkers still live in daily fear of deportation. Some alter their appearance to avoid suspicion, while enforcement remains concentrated in large metropolitan sanctuary cities. Farm Labor: Hard Work Few Will Do Papagni stressed that farm labor is not unskilled work, pointing to strawberry, lettuce, melon, and table grape harvesting as examples requiring years of expertise. Cunha agreed, noting that domestic welfare recipients are unlikely to take on such demanding jobs—something proven during the 1996–1998 Welfare to Work Program. With many long-time workers nearing retirement and fewer young people entering agriculture, Cunha pressed for a comprehensive guest worker program. A Call to Action Cunha's message to farmers and ag communities was clear: contact your congressional representatives and urge support for the Dignity Act. He highlighted Vince Fong as a key California lawmaker yet to sign on. If passed, the bill would initiate a five- to six-month rule-writing process, during which workers would receive documentation verifying employment, providing immediate protection while regulations are finalized. Farm Income and Market Updates According to the U.S. Economic Research Service (ERS): Net farm income in 2025 is projected at $179.5 billion, up 40.7% from 2024—the second-highest on record. Median farm household income, however, is projected to decline by $1,189 in 2025, reflecting weaker off-farm earnings. Government payments are forecast at $40.5 billion, the highest since 2020. The dairy sector is also strengthening, with exports reaching 18.7% of domestic production in June—the highest since 2022. Domestic yogurt consumption rose 12.2%, while overall use of milk solids grew 3%. Competitiveness and Global Pressures Papagni noted the difficulty of competing with countries paying $10–20 per day compared to California's $16 per hour wages, combined with stricter U.S. regulations. Boyer emphasized that despite higher costs, U.S. agriculture provides the world's safest and most affordable food supply, thanks largely to immigrant labor. Citrus Greening and Global Potato Trends Rick Dantzler of the Citrus Research and Development Foundation reported promising progress in the fight against citrus greening disease. Oxytetracycline trunk injections are showing strong results, with healthier canopies and improved fruit quality, though production costs rose 7%. Meanwhile, the global frozen potato market has shifted dramatically. Between 2019 and 2024, China and India moved from net importers to exporters of frozen fries and processed potato products, expanding markets into Asia and the Middle East. Criminal Provisions in the Dignity Act The legislation also strengthens criminal enforcement, including: Tougher penalties for illegal re-entry after multiple deportations. DNA testing to confirm family ties. Stricter penalties for voting by non-citizens. Increased minimum penalties for child sex trafficking. Boyer linked these provisions directly to combating coyote networks and broader exploitation. Wrapping Up The episode closed with Papagni and Boyer urging farmers to engage in the policy debate, follow updates at AgNetWest.com, and recognize that immigration reform is essential to keeping U.S. agriculture competitive and sustainable.

Joining the Exchange is George Sexton, Conservation Director at KS Wild.

Oceana, working to protect endangered species, is at the heart of this powerful episode featuring Tara Brock, an environmental lawyer advocating for ocean life. Tara unpacks how the Endangered Species Act is used to protect humpback whales and sea turtles, and how legal tools like this remain essential to ocean conservation. As threats like ship strikes, climate change, and bycatch continue to rise, Tara explains why this legislation is still one of the strongest protections we have—and how it's enforced. Throughout the episode, we explore Oceana's litigation strategies, real-world wins in protecting marine life, and the ways the law intersects with fisheries, policy, and public engagement. Tara's stories and insights offer a clear call to action: the ocean needs legal defenders, and everyone has a role to play in protecting it. If you care about protecting species on the brink, this conversation will inform and inspire you. Oceana's Website: https://usa.oceana.org/ Join the Undertow: https://www.speakupforblue.com/jointheundertow Connect with Speak Up For Blue Website: https://bit.ly/3fOF3Wf Instagram: https://bit.ly/3rIaJSG TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@speakupforblue Twitter: https://bit.ly/3rHZxpc YouTube: www.speakupforblue.com/youtube    

Originally released April 30, 2024. New Kindred episodes will drop starting in October 2025.In this week's archived episode, we are spoke with Bear Biologist Chris Servheen. We finally got to meet our grizzly bear fears head-on and dispel all the misinformation that we have been wondering about for years!  We were so lucky to have been able to speak with Chris, one of if not the leading bear biologists in this country. Chris has been working tirelessly for his entire career advocating for the health and protection of one the most incredible and majestic predators in the world, the grizzly bear. After a long and distinguished career to ensure that the bears were protected under the federal Endangered Species Act he retired. Until he didn't. Join us to learn all about what brought Chris out of retirement, what makes grizzlies legendary, and the secret to their magic.Lots of Love.Show Notes: https://theintercept.com/2023/01/29/grizzly-bear-endangered-montana/From the article https://billingsgazette.com/opinion/column/christopher-servheen-dont-short-circuit-esa-on-grizzly-bears/article_3b35088e-2d5e-11ee-a42f-236813b7db3a.html

In this episode of "90 Miles from Needles: The Desert Protection Podcast," host Chris Clarke dives into recent legislative developments surrounding the protection of the iconic Western Joshua Tree in California. The conversation highlights the intricacies of conservation laws, the intricate process of implementing these policies, and the pushback from various stakeholders navigating this environmental directive. The discussion is enriched with insights from returning guest Brendan Cummings of the Center for Biological Diversity, who shares his expertise on species protection under the California Endangered Species Act. The episode provides a comprehensive update on the California Fish and Game Commission's approval of the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Plan. This plan is required by the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act passed in 2023, seeking to protect Joshua trees threatened by climate change, development, and wildfires. Cummings, who was pivotal in initiating the process by petitioning to protect the Western Joshua Tree in 2019, offers an in-depth exploration of the process, the challenges faced, and the compromise built into the legislation. Listeners are encouraged to stay tuned for the episode's conclusion, featuring the moving song "Joshua Tree" by Melanie Marshall, which thematically underscores the significance of preserving this desert species. Key Takeaways: Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act: The act passed in 2023 addresses climate change threats and simplifies permits for relocating or removing Joshua Trees, aiming for the species' long-term survival by 2033. Collaboration and Compromise: The passing of protections involved compromise between environmentalists and industries, balanced by setting more straightforward processes for developers and prioritizing protection through coordinated conservational efforts. Adapting to Climate Threats: The Conservation Plan identifies climate threats, prioritizing refugia and high-elevation areas for sustained Joshua Tree populations, with a focus on reducing invasive species and fire risks. Community and Tribal Involvement: Engagement with local governments and Native American tribes plays a significant role in implementing conservation methods, highlighting cultural ties to the land and species. Future Directions: By 2033, effectiveness will be reassessed, potentially reconsidering the species' threataned status if current measures do not mitigate the threats effectively. Notable Quotes: Brendan Cummings: "The Western Joshua Tree Conservation act signed into law in July 2023 was the first state law by California that recognized the climate threat to biodiversity." Brendan Cummings: "The goal was to protect the species and to ensure Joshua trees continue to be a part of our desert communities." Brendan Cummings: "The overriding threat, of course, is climate change. We also have increased fires fueled by invasive grasses, and then the most immediate threat, which is Joshua trees getting chopped down." Robert Gomez: "I want to look at the cultural aspect of the Joshua Tree for our particular tribe… It means a lot to us." Brendan Cummings: "We can hopefully figure out how to reduce the impacts or frequency of fire in Joshua tree habitat, but we're not going to stop it." Resources: Center for Biological Diversity: https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/ California Department of Fish and Wildlife: https://wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Environmental-Review/WJT/WJTCA Melanie Marshall's Music: https://soundcloud.com/melaniemarshallmusicBecome a desert defender!: https://90milesfromneedles.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Just keeping up with the Trump administration's all out war against our environment is exhausting.  Fortunately, we in the northwest are blessed with incredible activists, organizers, and more relevant to today, environmental attorneys to help us understand the attacks so we can fight back effectively.One of the best of those attorneys is Brenna Bell, formerly of 350pdx and now with the Crag Law Center.  This episode features a recent presentation Brenna gave  along with Lauren Anderson of Oregon Wild and Grace Brahler from Cascadia Wildlands.They covered the seismic changes happening via the Executive Branch, including to the National Environmental Policy Act, how the definition of “harm” under the Endangered Species Act has changed to dramatically limit protections for species, and a lot more.https://www.instagram.com/coastrangeradio/

Maria chats with Born Free USA's Devan Schowe about the organization and all they do to prevent humans from exploiting wild-animals. In 1966, Virginia McKenna and Bill Travers starred in the classic wildlife film Born Free.In 1984, they launched the charity Zoo Check which evolved into Born Free; in 2002, Born Free USA was launched in the states!Their campaigns include the fur trade, trapping, animals in captivity, the Endangered Species Act,and so much more!! See all they do BORNFREEUSA.ORG.

Congressional redistricting ahead of next year's midterms  Coke to use cane sugar, tariffs could cause complications  Utah death penalty cases updates  Grizzly bears to be delisted from Endangered Species Act  Home sales cancellations hit a new high Trauma-informed teachers  ... and more!

A bill looking to delist the grizzly bear from the Endangered Species Act protects just passed through the House's Natural Resources Committee. The bear was first listed as threatened in 1975 and reached its recovery goal of 500 bears in 1997. Greg and Holly discuss how the Grizzly bear has made its recovery and some of the dangers that still impact the population.

The blast site was a slaughterhouse: blood on the walls, metal quills in the plaster, the air thick with the smell of explosives. Murray's remains were barely recognizable, pieces collected in bags for analysis. The Unabomber's early bombs left room for doubt—maim or kill? Sacramento settled it. Ted, the Unabomber, was out for blood,targeting anyone pushing the boundaries of tech and biology. The feds combed the scene, bagging fragments of the box, tracing the filament tape, analyzing the typewriter font. The device was crude but deadly: aluminum pipe, nails, chemical triggers. No fingerprints, no fibers—just precision and hate. The CFA's budget, its lobbying for logging, its fight against the Endangered Species Act—all made it a target.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-serial-killer-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Endangered Species Act has helped save iconic species from extinction - but it's also created real tension for the private landowners who manage the majority of wildlife habitat in the U.S.  In this episode, WLA CEO Lesli Allison sits down with Leo Miranda, executive director of Conservation Without Conflict and former Southeast Regional Director for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. From his early days as a field biologist in Puerto Rico to leading one of the most innovative regional conservation efforts in the country, and as a farmer in Georgia, Leo brings a unique perspective on what it takes to shift from conflict to collaboration.  Together, they explore how trust, transparency, and voluntary partnerships have produced conservation successes in the Southeast - and what it will take to scale those successes across the West.  Find show notes and more: https://onland.link/podcast Like what you hear? Make a gift today: https://westernlandowners.org/support/  

In episode 190 of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, we're discussing urgent threats facing wildlife protections in the United States: the ongoing dismantling of the Endangered Species Act under the Trump Administration. The ESA has long been considered the backbone of wildlife conservation in this country, credited with saving iconic species like the bald eagle and the gray wolf. But legislative and administrative changes are eroding the very foundation of this landmark law and pushing for changes that could reshape how, or even if, we protect threatened and endangered species in the years to come.Joining me to break this all down is Ramona McGee, Senior Attorney and Wildlife Program Leader at the Southern Environmental Law Center. Based in North Carolina, Ramona has been on the legal front lines for nearly a decade, defending the rich and often overlooked biodiversity of the South.In this conversation, we explore what's at stake if the legal definition of “harm” disappears from federal wildlife protections, how these changes could affect ecosystems and communities across the South, and the industries poised to benefit from deregulation. INSTAGRAM: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/outdoor.minimalist.book/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠WEBSITE: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.theoutdoorminimalist.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YOUTUBE: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@theoutdoorminimalist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LISTENER SURVEY: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://forms.gle/jd8UCN2LL3AQst976⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠-----------------Southern Environmental Law CenterWebsite: https://www.selc.org/Ramona McGee: https://www.selc.org/staff/ramona-mcgee/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/southernenvironment/Podcast: https://www.selc.org/broken-ground-podcast/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/southern-environmental-law-center/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/selcva

If you were a miner in California during the Gold Rush, you might have dined on a California red-legged frog. The largest native frog in the western United States, this Golden State denizen used to be found as far inland as the Sierra Nevada mountains and south, into Baja California. But today, they're listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Conservationists have worked to translocate new populations of the red-legged frog back to California in hopes that their numbers can be restored. But how do they monitor those populations' growth? Enter AI.Want to hear more stories about critters or conservation? Let us know at shortwave@npr.org.Listen to every episode of Short Wave sponsor-free and support our work at NPR by signing up for Short Wave+ at plus.npr.org/shortwave.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Scientist Rebellion Turtle Island Logo On today's show, I speak to Dr. Michelle Merrill of Scientist Rebellion Turtle Island about their upcoming event Scientist Speak Out Rally and Teach-In.  We'll switch gears and speak to The Climate Center's Woody Hastings (Phasing Out Polluting Fuels Program Director) on the latest effort by the environmental justice community and beyond to urge the Newsom administration to prioritize the people of this state over fossil fuel profits. Leaked Language from Newsom's Office: SEC. 7. Section 21080.80 is added to the Public Resources Code, to read: 21080.80. (a) This division shall not apply to the approval by the Geologic Energy Management Division of a notice of intention under Section 3203 to commence drilling a new well, to the extent this division would otherwise apply, if all of the following requirements are met: (1) Approval of the notice of intention is not part of a project for which there is already a certified, complete, and valid environmental impact report or an adopted, complete, and valid negative declaration or mitigated negative declaration. (2) The wellhead for the new well to be drilled is located within an established oil and gas field, as identified by the Geologic Energy Management Division. (3) The wellhead for the new well to be drilled is not located within a health protection zone, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 3280. (4) Activities approved under the notice of intention for a new well will not require an individual take permit for species protected under the federal Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. Sec. 1531 et seq.) or the California Endangered Species Act (Chapter 1.5 (commencing with Section 2050) of Division 3 of the Fish and Game Code). (5) Activities approved under the notice of intention for a new well will not require a streambed alteration permit pursuant to Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 1600) of Division 2 of the Fish and Game Code. (6) The wellhead location for the new well to be drilled has no cultural or historic resources present, as determined by a qualified archeologist based on a pedestrian ground surface survey demonstrating no cultural or historic resources are present at the site. (7) (A) Before the new well is drilled, two other wells, as defined in Section 3008, shall be plugged and abandoned. (i) One of the wells to be plugged and abandoned shall have a wellhead located in the same oil and gas field as the new well, as determined by the Geologic Energy Management Division. (ii) The other well to be plugged and abandoned shall have a wellhead located in a health protection zone, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 3280. (iii) A well that has already been identified in any idle well elimination plan described in Section 3206 shall not count for the plugging and abandonment required pursuant to this paragraph. A well plugged and abandoned under the requirements of this paragraph shall not subsequently count for compliance with an idle well elimination plan described in Section 3206. (B) The notice of intention submitted for the replacement well shall identify the two wells that have been plugged and abandoned in accordance with Section 3208 and that satisfy the conditions in subparagraph (A). Plugging and abandonment of both wells shall be completed after January 1, 2026, and before commencement of work under the notice of intention for the new well. (b) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2036, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute that is enacted before January 1, 2036, deletes or extends that date. The post Teach In & SB237 appeared first on KPFA.

In 2024, Colorado passed House Bill 24-1117 which placed the management of invertebrates and rare plants under CPW's wildlife umbrella.In the next two episodes, we are going to dive more into CPW's management of invertebrates and rare plants by talking with the experts now on CPW's team to make sure the state has a cohesive plan to manage our ecosystems.While Colorado may have been behind some other states when it comes to legislative authority over invertebrates and rare plants, CPW is running fast and looking to be a leader in that space. But it's a really big job.Previously, CPW managed 960 wildlife species. In Colorado, there are roughly 1,000 different native bee species alone, and that's just one aspect of the invertebrate and pollinator community. Of those bees, we have 25 different bumblebee species, with 20% of those currently under federal consideration for listing under the Endangered Species Act.In this episode, we are going to start by talking about our invertebrates. But that is such a broad topic, we've decided to home in on bee species as we chat with Invertebrate and Rare Plant Program Manager Hayley Schroeder and Pollinator Program Conservation Manager Adrian Carper.It's time to pollinate your mind and learn why you should care about the state's bee populations and what makes some of these so unique. Soon, you'll know they are every bit as charismatic as many of the state's famed wildlife species.

This week on the Regional Roundup, we'll hear about No Kings protests across the region, including a look at the fatal shooting of a bystander at the Salt Lake City rally. Also in the episode, we'll hear about Republican efforts to sell off public land, the impact of Medicaid cuts, and proposed changes to the Endangered Species Act.

Officials from our region react to the U.S. strike on Iranian nuclear sites. A number of cooling centers are available to beat the heat. A look at tomorrow's mayoral primary in New York City. Plus, how changes to the Endangered Species Act could have an impact on our region's wildlife.

Monarch creatures may be small creatures, but they go on an epic adventure every year across much of the globe. Now, the federal government is stepping in. In December, the Fish and Wildlife Service proposed to list monarch butterflies as “threatened” under the Endangered Species Act. But since then, the new Trump administration has begun discussing rescinding the definition of “harm” in the act. That could remove certain protections for all listed species and their habitats. 

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed listing the ghost orchid under the Endangered Species Act. Comment here in support of the proposal.David Bulit is an urban explorer who visits and documents Florida's abandoned places. He tells us how he got into this unusual hobby and what he's seen."Welcome to Florida" patrons receive exclusive access to our weekly "Florida Conservation Newsletter" rounding up the top environmental stories from around the state and those from around the nation impacting Florida. Your $5 monthly support goes a long way toward helping production of the show.

Robert explores Dr. Church's weird history with eugenics adjacent projects, like the world's creepiest dating app, and how Colossal Biosciences was created and immediately used by the Trump administration as an excuse to attack the Endangered Species Act.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Trump administration is proposing changes to the definition of “harm” under the Endangered Species Act. The proposed changes would prohibit actions that only directly relate to hurting or killing an animal. Historically, the word “harm” has been defined broadly to include habitat loss, which is a leading cause of extinction for endangered species. Noah Greenwald is the endangered species director for the Center for Biological Diversity. He joins us to share more on the broader impacts this change could have in Oregon and across the U.S.

Endangered species protection in Ontario is under threat as the provincial government proposes Bill 5, repealing the Endangered Species Act in favor of weaker legislation. Host Andrew Lewin breaks down what these changes mean for biodiversity, habitat protection, and public accountability, and shares how Ontarians can respond through the Environmental Registry. Climate action in Hawaii is taking a bold step forward with a new tourism climate fee aimed at offsetting ecological damage from visitors. Meanwhile, an ancient species—the frilled shark—has been spotted off the coast of Chile, raising fascinating questions about changing ocean ranges. Finally, tensions escalate between the U.S. and the International Seabed Authority over proposals to mine the deep sea, revealing global disagreements over governance of our ocean commons. Links: Rollback of Environmental Regs: https://thenarwhal.ca/ontario-endangered-species-act-repealed/?utm_source=chatgpt.com Environmental Defence Canada Bill-5: https://environmentaldefence.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Bill-5-V2-Backgrounder-May-2025.pdf Frilled Shark in Chile: https://www.forbes.com/sites/melissacristinamarquez/2025/04/19/pigment-disorder-found-in-deep-sea-shark/ Follow a career in conservation: https://www.conservation-careers.com/online-training/ Use the code SUFB to get 33% off courses and the careers program.   Do you want to join my Ocean Community? Sign Up for Updates on the process: www.speakupforblue.com/oceanapp   Sign up for our Newsletter: http://www.speakupforblue.com/newsletter   Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3NmYvsI Connect with Speak Up For Blue: Website: https://bit.ly/3fOF3Wf Instagram: https://bit.ly/3rIaJSG TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@speakupforblue Twitter: https://bit.ly/3rHZxpc YouTube: www.speakupforblue.com/youtube  

The Trump administration is running through our constitutional rights like a bull unleashed on the streets of Pamplona. For days now, the high-stakes back-and-forth between the administration, the courts and the Constitution over the wrongful deportation of a Maryland man has dominated headlines. But in the background, the administration is working overtime to dismantle regulations, particularly around the environment. Just since Monday, the administration got the ball rolling on gutting a key part of the Endangered Species Act, stopped construction on a major offshore wind farm, axed a $3 billion program to help farmers adopt climate-friendly practices, and kickstarted a bid to end a Biden-era rule to put conservation on par with things like drilling as a valid public land use. Crooked Climate correspondent Anya Zoledziowski looks at the fallout from an earlier anti-environmental decision from the Trump administration, to drop a Biden-era suit against a petrochemical plant in Louisiana's “Cancer Alley.”And in headlines: President Donald Trump met with Italy's prime minister to talk trade, the Supreme Court said it would hear arguments over Trump's bid to limit birthright citizenship, and a federal judge said Google has an illegal monopoly over online advertising technology.Show Notes:Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/3kk4nyz8What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcastFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

Last week, we delved into story of how the Tennessee Valley Authority, which started out as a public institution, ended up acting like a private for-profit company, and the lawsuit that attempted to finally bring the TVA to its heel. Today, Montana Public Radio's podcast The Wide Open tells the story of a different lawsuit against the TVA that had even bigger consequences. In the 1970s, the fight to save a tiny fish called the snail darter turned the Endangered Species Act from a minor bit of federal law into the most powerful and controversial piece of environmental legislation of the past 50 years.The Wide Open Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ on Apple Podcasts to listen to ad-free new episodes and get exclusive access to bonus content.