Huge climate victory in Montana. Will it help save wildlife?

In a decision that promises to be a game changer for climate policy, a Montana court held that the state’s support for fossil fuels violated the right to a “clean and healthful” environment guaranteed in the Montana constitution. The decision in Held v Montana marked the first time a U.S. court has ruled that promoting fossil fuel energy and ignoring climate change is unconstitutional, according to Julia Olson, lead counsel for Children’s Trust, the group that brought the lawsuit on behalf of 16 youth plaintiffs.

It is uncertain if the constitutional language in the Montana constitution could be used to challenge state policies that are harmful to wildlife, such as Montana’s hunting and trapping regulations aimed at reducing wolf numbers. On the one hand, arguing that wolves and other carnivores are necessary for an environment that is “clean and healthful” to humans challenges the conventional meaning of those terms. On the other hand, scientists have demonstrated a clear link between all species, healthy ecosystems and human well-being. The United Nations General Assembly recently passed a non-binding resolution, signed by the U.S., declaring that a healthy environment, including biodiversity, was a universal human right.

Wildlife for All will continue to explore this issue as we look for opportunities to reform state wildlife management to protect all species, for all of us.

Ohio voters reject anti-democracy ballot measure supported by gun and hunting groups

By an overwhelming 57-43 percent margin, voters in Ohio turned out in large numbers to defeat a ballot measure that would have made it harder for citizens to amend the state constitution. Issue 1, the only item on the ballot, would have raised the threshold needed to enact such amendments from a simple majority to 60 percent of the vote.

Although widely viewed as an attempt by Republicans to defeat an upcoming November ballot measure to protect abortion rights, Issue 1 was also supported by conservative groups that have their own reasons to fear democracy. These included the National Shooting Sports Foundation, the trade association for the firearms industry and a powerful lobby opposed to state wildlife conservation.

It also included the Sportsmen’s Alliance, which explained its position in an email to its members: “We aren’t waiting for anti-hunting, anti-gun or animal extremists to show up and start spending millions in the state to push Constitutional ballot issues to destroy hunting, fishing and trapping.”

The alliances formed over Issue 1 reveal the anti-democratic leanings of the gun and hunting lobbies that oppose efforts by Wildlife for All and our partners to democratize state wildlife management.

Good news from Colorado

Colorado Governor Jared Polis continued his efforts to transform wildlife management in the Centennial State with his recent appointments of three highly qualified individuals to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) Commission.

Jess Beaulieu is an attorney who manages the University of Denver’s Animal Law Program. She has a bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation from the University of Florida.

Jack Murphy is a co-founder and president of Urban Wildlife Rescue, which provides humane solutions to wildlife conflicts, wildlife education and wildlife rehabilitation. He has also served on the Colorado Nongame Conservation and Wildlife Restoration Board.

Gary Skiba worked as an endangered species biologist with CPW for 25 years. He was a member of CPW’s wolf stakeholder advisory group that drafted CPW’s plan to reintroduce wolves into Colorado by the end of 2023.

Polis’ appointments drew criticism from some for being “animal rights” advocates and not sufficiently tied to hunting and fishing. However, other hunters voiced support for the selections.

Wildlife for All applauds Polis for his commitment to modernizing, diversifying and professionalizing wildlife management in Colorado.

Did you know that August is Make-A-Will month?

We didn’t either until recently, but now that we do, we wanted to share this free resource that will guide you through the process of creating a legally valid will in 20 minutes or less. Please consider including Wildlife for All in your legacy. A more just and compassionate world may seem galaxies away, but your commitment will help make it happen.

Not a member of Wildlife for All? Please join us!

Your support will help us reform wildlife management in the U.S. to be more democratic, just, compassionate and focused on protecting wild species and ecosystems.

Thank you!

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