Don’t Let Congress Wreck the Clean Air Act!

Last year, the Environmental Protection Agency announced that it would use its authority under the Clean Air Act to reduce carbon pollution -- and protect polar bears, other wildlife and our natural resources from the devastating impacts of climate change.

But Congressional plans, backed by polluter lobbyists, are underway to weaken the Clean Air Act -- and prevent decisive action to address climate change.

You can help: Write your senators and representative today and urge them to oppose any attempts to weaken the Clean Air Act that would sabotage efforts to regulate greenhouse gases.

Deadly Ivory

Elephants are literally dying for their teeth. Despite an international ban on the elephant ivory trade, 38,000 elephants are killed by poachers each year for their tusks.¹

As wildlife trade representatives meet in Doha, Qatar this month, they’ll debate a proposal to allow countries with stockpiles of ivory to sell it -- a move that could spur an already booming illicit international market for tusks.

Take action today: Urge representatives of the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES) to reject any proposals to trade elephant ivory and support improved international protections for elephants.

¹(AFP, 3/2/10)

Deadline for Wild Photos
You could win a trip to Yellowstone National Park with the right photo -- but hurry, entries to our first annual photo contest must be received by March 12! Submit Your Photos Today!

145,000-Strong for Wolves
Defenders delivered our petition with more than 145,000 signatures to the CEOs of Cabela’s and Sportsman's Warehouse, urging the retail outfitters to stop supporting wolf-killing derbies.
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Wildlife Legacy of Liz Claiborne

Following the sale of their groundbreaking fashion design business, Liz Claiborne and her husband Art Ortenberg pursued their devotion to wildlife conservation.

The Liz Claiborne and Art Ortenberg Foundation, supported Defenders’ efforts to restore grizzlies and wolves in the northern Rockies, reflecting Liz’s passion not only for wildlife, but also for this beautiful region of the country.

In his new book, Liz Claiborne: The Legend, The Woman, Ortenberg celebrates his wife’s lifelong support of wildlife conservation and chronicles her battle with cancer.

“Liz Claiborne’s love of nature and passion for wildlife is an inspiration,” said Defenders President Rodger Schlickeisen. “Art’s loving recounting of their story is truly captivating.”

To learn more and purchase the book, visit Amazon.com

Sam Hamilton

The conservation community reeled with the sudden and unexpected death of Sam Hamilton, director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Sam’s career in conservation spanned over thirty years beginning at age 15 as a Youth Conservation Corps member in Mississippi. Throughout his career, he championed collaboration among federal and state organizations and private citizens, leading to innovative partnerships to restore and conserve wildlife habitat across the country.

“Sam Hamilton was making great strides in unifying and mobilizing the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service after what was a long and difficult eight years under the last administration,” said Defenders’ Executive Vice President and former Fish and Wildlife Service Director Jamie Rappaport Clark. “He brought integrity and biological creativity back to the agency.”

Our condolences go out to the Hamilton family. While we have lost a great conservation colleague way too soon, we are confident that his important work conserving wild things and special places will continue within the Fish and Wildlife Service and beyond.

Read Defenders’ statement on the loss of Sam Hamilton.