Dear friends,

The work of conservation is full of quiet heartbreaks—disappearing fireflies, vanished birdsong, wild places lost to time and industry. Lately, I’ve felt that grief more acutely, with the loss of two beloved elders in my life: my grandmother and Don Molde, a cherished WFA advisor and tireless wildlife advocate.

These losses, while deeply personal, echo a larger ache I know many of us carry. How do we grieve well in a world so wounded—and still find the strength to protect what and who remains?

I tried to answer that in a recent reflection on love, loss, and the resilience of a baby sparrow who reminded me that life finds a way. You can read it here: “On Living, Dying, and Loving Anyway”

If you’re in a season of grief yourself—whether for the planet, a person, or your own hope—we’ve shared a list of resources that have helped us keep going. Books, essays, podcasts, and animal teachers. You’ll find them at the end of the blog.

Even amidst the heaviness, there’s still reason for hope—not a blind optimism, but a grounded, stubborn hope rooted in action and solidarity.

Progress is being made, even if it doesn’t always make the headlines. Renewable energy is expanding faster than expected. Countries are investing in green infrastructure at unprecedented levels. Cities, grassroots movements, and everyday people are driving real change. And science continues to offer solutions—if we can summon the collective will to listen and act.

Most importantly, it’s okay to grieve and keep going. We don’t need perfect hope or perfect answers to keep working for a better future. We just need each other.

We grieve because we love. We continue because we must. And we’re never alone in either.

With a heavy but full heart of gratitude for each and every one of you,

Michelle

We recently also lost the renowned environmental activist and scholar of deep ecology, Joanna Macy. She leaves us with so many wise gems on how to carry on. 

“If the world is to be healed through human efforts, I am convinced it will be by ordinary people, people whose love for this life is even greater than their fear.” – Joanna Macy

Don was one of those people, whose love outpaces their fear. Read his passion in his own words in this wonderful series of submissions he placed to the Sierra Nevada Ally over the years.

Here are two additionally moving pieces that touch on the outsized impact Don had on wildlife conservation and our community:

Notes From The Field: In Tribute to Don Molde, M.D.
By Camilla Fox

Don Molde, 87, long led the fight for pumas, bears, & bobcats in Nevada

By Merritt Clifton

August Commission Meetings

August is full of key commission meetings across the country. From Montana to California to Vermont, your voice matters. 

Check out our August Commission Meetings roundup for dates, details, and how to take action. Let’s show up, speak out, and demand a system that protects all wildlife and centers coexistence.

Take Action for Montana’s Wolves

State wildlife commissions aren’t just managing (mismanaging?) wildlife. In some cases, they’re enabling cruelty, chaos, and ecological collapse.

Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks (FWP) is proposing to allow up to 500 wolves to be killed during the 2025–2026 hunting and trapping season. This isn’t “management.” It’s open season on native carnivores—and it reflects a system built to serve politics, not ecosystems.  If you live in Montana, sign up to testify at the August 21 Commission hearing. If you don’t, you can still make your voice heard by emailing the Commission: FWComm@mt.gov. Check out a sample comment here. 

New Video: Why Wildlife Governance Needs Reform

We’ve launched a short new Theory of Change video that lays out the heart of Wildlife for All’s mission: fixing the broken system of wildlife governance in the U.S. The video explains why the current system fails wildlife and communities—and what we’re doing to transform it. It’s a great introduction to our work and the movement we’re building.

Welcoming Our New Organizing Manager: Gladys Delgadillo!

We’re thrilled to announce that Gladys Delgadillo has joined Wildlife for All as our new Organizing Manager!

Gladys brings over a decade of environmental policy and grassroots organizing experience, including leadership roles at the Center for Biological Diversity, Florida Wildlife Federation, and Florida Conservation Coalition. From fighting to phase out oil drilling in Los Angeles to defending the National Environmental Policy Act on Capitol Hill, she’s built a strong track record of bold, effective advocacy—and coalition wins.

A Stanford-trained policy strategist and natural relationship-builder, Gladys combines deep political savvy with a passion for stopping extinction and building people power. Her experience spans digital campaigns, community outreach, environmental justice, and government affairs—and she’s already hit the ground running to grow our movement online and across the states.

Please join us in giving a warm welcome to Gladys! You’ll hear more from her soon as she helps lead new digital actions to defend wolves, reform state wildlife governance, and engage more people in the fight for just and science-based conservation.

P.S. This fall, Gladys will be launching our first-ever Wildlife for All Leadership Academy—a new training program starting in September designed to support grassroots leaders who want to transform wildlife governance in their own states. Stay tuned for how to apply!

Check out recent blog articles you may’ve missed:

• Who Really Speaks For Wildlife? Michelle Lute on the CSU Animal-Human Policy Center Podcast
• Bill Would Remove Federal Protections From Endangered Mexican Gray Wolves
• The Montana War on Wolves is Escalating