News & Commentary
Protect the Endangered Species Act
Learn why urgent action is needed to protect the Endangered Species Act and defend the wildlife and habitats that depend on it.
On Endangered Species Day, Take a Stand for Habitat — and the Law That Protects It
This Endangered Species Day, we should be celebrating the incredible resilience of life—the wolves, whales, owls, orchids, frogs, and ferns that have survived against the odds thanks to people like you and one of the most powerful environmental laws in the world: the Endangered Species Act.
But instead, we’re fighting to stop the federal government from dismantling the very heart of that law. And we need your help to protect the Endangered Species Act.
Right now, the Trump administration is trying to gut the Endangered Species Act (ESA) by erasing the legal definition of “harm.” This might sound technical, but it’s not—it’s about whether we can stop the destruction of wildlife habitat before animals are injured or killed.
What is happening?
On April 17, the administration proposed to eliminate the ESA’s regulatory definition of “harm,” a move that would strip away essential habitat protections for some of the most imperiled species in the country. This flies in the face of decades of law, science, and precedent—and it would have devastating consequences by giving industry the green light to destroy vulnerable wildlife and the last places that should be their refuge.
We are in the middle of a biodiversity crisis. Habitat loss is the number one driver of extinction. If we don’t protect the places wildlife need to survive, we can’t protect wildlife. Period.
The ESA was created to prevent extinction, not rationalize it. There are no second chances when a species disappears forever.
Habitat destruction is the #1 reason species go extinct.
The ESA has long-recognized that “harm” to wildlife doesn’t just mean physically injuring an animal. It also means destroying the places they need to live—like their nesting sites, breeding grounds, or feeding habitats.
Take away an animal’s habitat, and you’re taking away its ability to survive. The current definition of harm—established by scientists, lawyers, and upheld by the Supreme Court—allows us to proactively protect species by preventing harmful development and habitat destruction before it’s too late.
Redefining “harm” is just another industry giveaway
One of the most powerful tools in the ESA has been its ability to protect animals as well as the places they live. That’s because the ESA defines “harm” to endangered species to include the destruction of their habitat—something industries like logging, oil and gas, and large-scale development have always resented.
They even tried to overturn this protection in the Supreme Court back in 1995. But the Court upheld it, affirming what biologists and common sense have long told us: if you destroy a species’ habitat, you’re harming the species.
If you recall anything about the infamous fight over spotted owls in the Northwest, it was the destructive logging industry that wanted to run over their ESA protections. Industry hasn’t changed in the time since that fight in the 1990s and now Trump is giving them carte blanche to destroy everything and everyone in their way.
This proposal is nothing short of a giveaway to industry at the expense of our most vulnerable species. It’s a deliberate attempt to weaken the ESA—one of the most effective conservation laws in the world—at a time when we should be strengthening it.
In short, it’s a gift to polluters and developers, and a death sentence for wildlife species already hanging by a thread.
The proposed rule change would:
- Strip away a vital legal tool in the ESA
- Make it harder to stop destructive activities like logging, mining, and drilling or even curtail their most destructive impacts
- Force agencies to wait until wildlife are already injured or dying to take action
- Undermine 30 years of legal precedent and scientific consensus
Let’s be clear: we can’t count on the federal government to protect wildlife anymore. This isn’t just about a rule change—it’s about whether our laws will continue to serve life and the public interest, or bend to the will of wealthy, extractive industries.
And this isn’t happening in a vacuum. The Trump administration has also floated reviving the so-called “God Squad,” a panel of officials with the power to waive species protections entirely. Even more disturbingly, Trump’s Interior Secretary has implied that we might not need endangered species protections at all, because science could one day recreate extinct animals in a lab, even though that has been thoroughly debunked.
This is reckless, unscientific, and morally bankrupt. The good news? We can still stop this and protect the Endangered Species Act. But we have to act now.
What You Can Do TODAY
Even though this is an uphill fight, this is our moment to push back. Public pressure works when we have enough of it—and we have until May 19 to make our voices heard.
1. Call & Email Your Members of Congress
Tell your Senators and Representatives: Defend the Endangered Species Act. Stop the rollback of the “harm” rule. Find yours here: (202) 224-3121
Suggested script:
Hi, my name is [Your Name] and I’m a constituent from [Your Town]. I’m calling to urge [Senator/Representative Name] to speak out against the proposed rollback of the “harm” definition in the Endangered Species Act.
Habitat destruction is the leading cause of extinction, and the current definition allows us to stop harm before it happens. This rule change would gut the ESA and put countless species at greater risk.
Please do everything you can to oppose this proposal and defend the full power of the Endangered Species Act. Thank you.
Ocelot photo courtesy of the Center for Biological Diversity
2. Submit a Public Comment
The Fish and Wildlife Service is accepting public input until May 19, 2025. Submit your comment here.
Please personalize this suggested comment:
I strongly oppose the proposed rescission of the regulatory definition of “harm” under the Endangered Species Act.
Habitat loss is the number one driver of extinction. The current definition of harm—upheld by the Supreme Court—is critical to ensuring that we can protect species before they are killed or injured by habitat destruction.
Stripping this language would delay interventions, increase legal ambiguity, and undermine the ESA’s science-based, preventative purpose. Please retain the current definition of harm and uphold the full protections of the Endangered Species Act.
Our wildlife—and our future—depend on it.
The Endangered Species Act can’t work if we dismantle its core protections. On this Endangered Species Day, let’s remember: extinction is a policy choice. So is protection.
Take action. Be bold. And let’s keep fighting for a future where all life has a place to thrive.
Take Action for Grizzlies Before It’s Too Late
Take action for grizzlies to honor Endangered Species Day. Learn why grizzlies are still at risk and how you can take action to protect one of North America’s most iconic and threatened species—before it’s too late.
Take Action for Grizzlies Before It’s Too Late
Tomorrow marks Endangered Species Day, and there’s no more urgent time to speak up for one of the most iconic and imperiled animals in North America: the grizzly bear.
Just this week, we learned that another of grizzly 399’s famous quad cubs has been killed—hit by a car in Grand Teton National Park. This is the second of her offspring to die due to human causes. The first was killed by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department after people left unsecured food and trash out. These losses aren’t accidents—they’re the result of failed human responsibility and broken wildlife management systems.
Meanwhile, grizzly bear habitats are shrinking, roads are slicing through core ranges, and conflicts with livestock and hunters are still the leading cause of grizzly deaths. These bears are facing increasing pressure—not less—and yet the USFWS wants to weaken the very protections that have kept grizzlies from sliding into extinction.
Right now, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is considering a new proposal to manage grizzlies in the Lower 48 as a single “distinct population segment” under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The agency had planned four public meetings, but those meetings were canceled to give the Trump administration time to rewrite the rule. That’s a massive red flag.
The proposal includes a 4(d) rule that would make it easier to kill grizzlies for so-called “conflicts”—many of which are entirely preventable if people secure food and reduce attractants. The rule could also cut protections in states like California, Oregon, New Mexico, and Colorado, where grizzlies aren’t currently found but could return if given the chance. In contrast, just last month, a feasibility study found that grizzly bears could thrive in several areas of their native home range in California. Imagine what is possible if our government was even just a fraction as proactive as the study’s authors.
Let’s be clear: grizzlies are slow to reproduce, and even small losses of adult bears can undo decades of conservation progress. They need continued federal protection under the ESA—not a patchwork of state management systems that could open the door to trophy hunting, shoot-on-sight policies, and industry pressure.
The Biden administration originally put forward this proposal as a compromise. Now, the Trump administration is undermining it behind closed doors with their work to gut the definition of “harm” under the ESA.
What You Can Do Today:
Submit your public comment before the deadline: Friday, May 16, 2025.
Sample Comment (Customize It!)
As an American who cares deeply about wildlife and healthy ecosystems, I strongly support the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s proposal to continue ESA protections for grizzly bears in the Lower 48.
I oppose any 4(d) rule that would increase “management flexibility” by allowing more grizzlies to be killed for conflicts that result from human negligence, such as unsecured food or livestock attractants. These rules will lead to more dead bears and will undermine grizzly recovery efforts.
I urge the Service to keep all current recovery zones intact and maintain the full range of protections under the Endangered Species Act. Grizzly bears need space, safety, and strong federal oversight—not piecemeal state control or weakened enforcement.
Grizzlies are part of our natural heritage, and their survival is a direct reflection of how seriously we take our responsibility to future generations. Please uphold the ESA and reject any provisions that weaken protections for grizzlies or their habitats.
Why It Matters
Grizzlies don’t have lobbyists. They don’t get to call a senator. But you do.
If you’ve ever had the chance to see a grizzly in the wild—or even just imagine it—you know how awe-inspiring, powerful, and irreplaceable these animals are. They are ecosystem engineers, cultural icons, and symbols of wildness and resilience.
We are at a tipping point. Without strong protections, we risk reversing decades of progress and handing off a future where grizzlies only exist in museums and memories. In honor of Endangered Species Day, make your voice heard. Tell the federal government: grizzlies still need our protection—and our respect.
Act now before the comment period closes: Submit your comment here
Wildlife for All is committed to protecting America’s most imperiled species and fighting for science-based, ethical wildlife policy. Together, we can ensure that grizzly bears have a future in the wild—where they belong.
NSPM-4: The Border Wall Was Just the Beginning
NSPM-4: The Border Wall Was Just the Beginning
For years, conservationists, Indigenous leaders, and communities across the Southwest have sounded the alarm about the devastating effects of border wall construction on ecosystems, wildlife, and people. But a far more sweeping threat has now emerged—one that goes beyond walls of steel and concrete.
In January 2025, the Trump administration quietly invoked National Security Presidential Memorandum-4 (NSPM-4) to designate a massive swath of land—170 square miles of federal land in southern New Mexico—as a National Defense Area, transferring control from the Department of the Interior to the Department of Defense. This military takeover—done without Congressional approval—sidesteps foundational environmental protections and represents the largest expansion of military power on U.S. public lands in modern history.
Framed as an effort to “repel an invasion,” this land grab has nothing to do with national safety—and everything to do with power and control. It sets a dangerous precedent, where the Executive Branch can bypass environmental laws like the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the Endangered Species Act (ESA) under the guise of “national defense.”
Let’s be clear: if the federal government can militarize public lands in the Southwest with no environmental review, it can do the same elsewhere. This is about more than border policy. It’s about the erosion of democratic oversight and the normalization of military control over civilian lands.
A Threat To Biodiversity And Democracy
The lands seized under NSPM-4 are part of one of the most ecologically significant regions in North America: the Chihuahuan Desert, which contains fragile desert ecosystems, transboundary watersheds, and a globally significant biodiversity corridor vital to species like the jaguar, mountain lions, Coues deer, bighorn sheep, Sonoran pronghorn, jaguarundi (if we can ever recover their population), Mexican gray wolf, monarch butterflies, and ferruginous pygmy owls—just to name a few.
Militarizing this area doesn’t just damage ecosystems — it symbolizes a dangerous ideology of division and domination that ignores both science and justice. Previous border wall construction already inflicted massive environmental damage—fragmenting habitats, blocking wildlife migration routes, and turning protected public lands into militarized zones. A 2024 camera study along the Arizona border found an 86% reduction in wildlife crossings in areas with border walls compared to areas with vehicle barriers.
The wide-ranging species listed above need connected habitat to survive and reproduce. Low-flying birds like the ferruginous pygmy owls can’t clear new 30-foot barriers and could be genetically cut off from populations across the border. Monarch butterflies are already deeply threatened by habitat fragmentation and loss that disrupts their multi-generational migration cycle. Border lighting systems and patrol roads create additional harm — disrupting nocturnal wildlife, fragmenting wilderness areas, and increasing mortality through collisions and stress.
The wall divides Tribal nations like the Tohono O’odham, severing cultural and ceremonial routes that predate the U.S. border itself. It cuts off communities from the Rio Grande, limits access to outdoor recreation and spiritual places, and replaces natural beauty with concrete, steel, and surveillance. Migrants are funneled into dangerous terrain where thousands have died — a deliberate policy choice that weaponizes the desert.
Now, NSPM-4 threatens to finish the job: closing off what little habitat connectivity remains and placing these species at further risk while migrants who “trespass” in this zone are disappeared without oversight or recourse—all with zero public accountability. By placing the lands in question under military control, the administration has effectively erased decades of environmental safeguards. The Department of Defense is operating without public oversight or accountability on U.S. soil. Not only is this unheard-of, it’s frighteningly dangerous. NSPM-4 threatens not only wildlife and habitat but also democratic oversight of how our public lands are managed.
NSPM-4 Sets A Dangerous Precedent
NSPM-4 represents the largest expansion of military power on public lands in modern U.S. history. It sets a chilling precedent: that the Executive Branch can invoke emergency powers to override environmental laws and hand control of public lands to the military. Under NSPM-4, the Department of Defense has sweeping authority to conduct operations—including construction, patrols, surveillance, and arrests—without public input or transparency. That means no environmental assessments, no community consultation, and no legal checks on what the military does with our lands.
From Alt National Park Service:
The White House recently issued National Security Presidential Memorandum 4 (NSPM-4), which significantly expands the U.S. military’s involvement in border enforcement along the southern border. While it may appear to be a straightforward national security move, the details raise serious concerns about threats to public lands and civil liberties.
NSPM-4 gives the Department of Defense the authority to take control of federal lands to carry out military operations aimed at “repelling invasions” and “sealing the border.” This includes lands managed by the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture—such as national wildlife refuges, national forests, and other public lands. Indian reservations are excluded, but there are no other geographic limits specified.
The memorandum also gives the Secretary of the Interior the power to override existing legal protections—including those under the Engle Act—allowing emergency withdrawal and restriction of public land use for military purposes without the usual legal oversight.
Why This Matters
– The military can designate these areas as National Defense Areas, closing off public access—possibly for years, or even indefinitely.
– Military personnel are authorized to exclude individuals from these areas and operate under rules of engagement set by the Secretary of Defense. While the memo says actions must comply with the law, it provides little in the way of oversight or accountability.
– Most troubling is the precedent this sets: using “national security” to override environmental protections and civilian control of public lands. Once this power is established, it could easily be applied elsewhere under the broad label of a “national emergency.”
Can Trump legally do this? Maybe—but it’s highly contested. He’s using fringe legal interpretations and emergency powers that stretch existing laws to their limit. Any actual deployment or land seizure under NSPM-4 would almost certainly trigger legal challenges and court battles over civil rights, federalism, and environmental law. Trump (or any president) might be able to deploy the military this way using existing laws, but it is legally questionable and almost certainly challenged in court.
He’s relying on broad, vague powers—like declaring a “national emergency” or labeling immigration as an “invasion”—to justify military action on U.S. soil. While there are some old laws that let the military use public land for defense, they were never meant for routine border enforcement or shutting out the public from them.
So, while he can try to do it under NSPM-4, it’s not clearly legal—and it could easily be stopped by lawsuits or court rulings saying it violates the Constitution or oversteps presidential power.
You can read the full memo on the White House website under the title: “Military Mission for Sealing the Southern Border of the United States and Repelling Invasions.”
This secrecy is not just undemocratic—it’s dangerous. It erases decades of restoration work, cross-border scientific collaboration, and the hard-fought environmental safeguards that communities and conservation groups have spent years defending.
If it can happen at the southern border, it can happen anywhere. Borderlands communities—including conservationists, Indigenous leaders, ranchers, and scientists—have long been excluded from decisions about the lands they live on and care for. Now, with military jurisdiction in place, even the pretense of public input has been abandoned.
This isn’t just a border issue—it’s a democratic crisis. An environmental justice crisis. When public lands are militarized, the public loses its voice.
The wall was never just a wall. It was the first move in a larger campaign to undermine science, sideline communities, and consolidate executive power. It reflects a broader ideology—one that sees ecosystems and Indigenous communities as expendable, and treats public land as a battlefield instead of a shared resource. Now, military authority is being used to do what border walls could not: claim control over some of the wildest and most sacred places in America.
We’re Standing Up
At Wildlife for All, we believe that public lands belong to the people—not the Pentagon. That biodiversity is not a political bargaining chip—it is a foundation of life. And the public must have a voice in decisions about land, wildlife, and governance.
We’re demanding:
- The full repeal of NSPM-4 and the return of all seized lands to civilian control.
- Full restoration of environmental protections for borderlands habitats.
- A permanent moratorium on further militarization of public lands.
The border wall was never just about immigration. It was about setting the stage for this kind of unchecked executive power—power that threatens ecosystems, communities, and the very principles of democracy. Let them know you won’t stand for this, either.
Help Raise The Alarm
This isn’t just about a border wall—it’s about unchecked power, disappearing oversight, and ecosystems under siege.
- Share this story. Talk about it. Bring it into the conversation in your community and networks.
- Stay informed. The more people know what’s happening on public lands, the harder it is for this crisis to stay hidden.
- Join us. Follow Wildlife for All and help build a movement that defends wildlife, democracy, and justice for all life.
This Is a Moment for Solidarity
This is not just a southern border issue—it is a national issue. If we don’t resist this normalization of military control, other public lands—national parks, refuges, forests—could be next. We cannot allow emergency powers and fear-mongering to become tools of environmental destruction and democratic erosion.
It’s time to organize, not capitulate. To protect the species like the jaguar and the desert tortoise. To defend cross-border kinship with all humans and the right to wildness. To stand up for democracy, biodiversity, and justice—for all life.
The wall was just the beginning. What we do now will decide what comes next.
May Wildlife Commission Meetings
Speak up for wildlife at May Wildlife Commission Meetings.
May Wildlife Commission Meetings
Spring is in full swing and it’s time to gear up to advocate for wildlife at May wildlife commission meetings. Are you ready to keep up the pressure this month?
Wildlife commission meetings are critical opportunities to influence state policies and ensure that wildlife is managed in a way that reflects ecological principles and public values. Your voice matters. Whether you choose to attend in person, speak virtually, or submit comments, participating in these meetings is a meaningful way to stand up for wildlife.
Below is the list of every state with a wildlife commission meeting in May, listed from first to last by date. As you plan your comments and engagement, use the resources on our Resources Page and Advocacy Toolkit to prepare. Check below for meeting details by state and instructions for how to engage. Let’s make a difference!
Louisiana
Meeting Date: May 1
Location: LDWF Headquarters, Joe L. Herring Room, 2000 Quail Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70808
Details: Click here for meeting details
Notes: Start time 9 a.m. Register for the Zoom webinar to comment online/virtually or to watch live. Commission meetings are open to the public. To comment, you can attend the meeting in person at the location listed above, submit written comments before the meeting by emailing Comments@wlf.la.gov. Your email must include the agenda item # in the subject of your email. The body of your message should include your name and address before your comment. During the Zoom meeting you may submit comments by using the Q&A feature at the bottom of the Zoom application. During the designated comment period, click Q&A at the bottom of your Zoom window, type your name, physical address, and question/comment, and then press enter.
Action: The Louisiana Alligator Advisory Council will meet May 8 at 1 p.m. at the LSU Ag Center, 1105 West Port St., Abbeville, LA 70510.
Utah
Meeting Date: May 1
Location: Eccles Wildlife Education Center, 1157 South Waterfowl Way, Farmington, Utah
Details: Click here for agenda and details.
Notes: Unless otherwise noted, all Wildlife Board meetings are on Thursdays at the Eccles Wildlife Education Center, 1157 South Waterfowl Way, Farmington. Board meetings begin at 9 a.m, unless otherwise indicated. Feedback occurs at Regional Advisory Council (RAC) meetings. If you wish to comment during a RAC or Board meeting, you must attend the meeting in person — you may not submit comments online during the meeting. When you come to the meeting, pick up a comment card, fill it out and speak at the podium when your name is called. Find the full schedule here. Agendas and minutes are here.
RAC Meeting Schedule:
- Central: 6 p.m. May 13
- Northern: 6 p.m. May 14
- Southern: 6 p.m. May 20
- Southeastern: 6 p.m. May 21
- Northeastern: 6 p.m. May 22
Nevada
Meeting Date: May 2-3
Location: Washoe County Administrative Complex, Building A, Commission Chambers, 1001 E. Ninth Street, Reno, NV 89512
Details: Click here for agenda and details
Notes: Any person who would like to comment to the Commission about a specific agenda item must make a written request to the Director at least four calendar days prior to the meeting. The time allotted for public comment and the number of speakers will be at the Commission’s discretion. If you wish to make public comment, please use this link for Friday, May 2, 2025: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84816032969?pwd=UGz4SSRWw3VeOmQPxufzpu5cbJlFh6.1 Passcode: 304015 If you wish to make public comment, please use this link for Saturday, May 3, 2025: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85073698671?pwd=6SdzWxoQFQbUuaB7gb6XqGrvAOipqd.1 Passcode: 714543 Public comment will be taken on each action item following Commission discussion and before any action is taken. Persons attending virtually wishing to comment are invited to raise their virtual hands in the virtual meeting forum during the appropriate time; each person offering public comment during this period will be limited to not more than three minutes.
Action: Item 11. Oppose the codification of wildlife killing contests; the commission is trying to skirt banning these by trying to regulate them instead by requiring participants to hold a hunting license. Let the commission know this does not fix the problem. Item 8 is a petition by Cody Knight for a hound hunting permit to be implemented in Nevada for hunting with dogs for mountain lion, bobcat, and black bear. We don’t know much about this petition but it will be telling if they grant this while refusing to entertain our petition in the slightest about incidental trapping of mountain lions and the subsequent harm it causes them.
West Virginia
Meeting Date: May 4
Location: WVU Potomac State College – Davis Conference Center,101 Fort Avenue, Keyser, WV 26726
Details: Click here for agenda and details (note no agenda or detailed meeting information is available at time of webpage publishing)
Notes: Meeting starts at 1 p.m. Send comments to wvnrcommission@wv.gov. To send written comments, contact: West Virginia Division of Natural Resources Director’s Office, 324th Avenue, South Charleston, WV 25303.
Oklahoma – CANCELED
Meeting Date: May 5
Location: Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation 1801 N. Lincoln Blvd. Oklahoma City, OK 73105
Details: Noted as canceled online.
Notes: Read more on their website.
Colorado
Meeting Date: May 7-8
Location: DoubleTree by Hilton Durango, 501 Camino del Rio, Durango, CO 81301
Details: Click here for agenda and details
Notes: 8:30 a.m. Wed, May 7 through 3 p.m. Thu, May 8. The cutoff to speak online is Friday, May 2 at noon but you can still show up in person to comment or email the commission (though these won’t be counted in the official public record if received after noon on 5/2).
Action: 11A. Final “Big Game” season regulations adoption. There is a wolf program update, item 13a. 13b is a wolf damage claim from Don Gittleston. There is a citizen petition for education with corvids, item 17. And there are multiple habitat program items on Thursday afternoon.
Iowa
Meeting Date: May 8
Location:6200 Park Ave, Ste 200, Des Moines, Walnut Woods Conference Room
Details: Click here for agenda and details.
Notes: The meeting starts at 10 a.m. Teleconference: 442-242-3609 ; PIN: 883 789 392# Video Conference: meet.google.com/sco-mbns-qva. Comments regarding agenda items may be submitted for public record to Alicia.Plathe@dnr.iowa.gov or 6200 Park Ave Ste 200, Des Moines IA 50321 up to 24 hours prior to the business meeting.
South Dakota
Meeting Date: May 8-9
Location: Custer State Park Event Barn, Custer, SD
Details: Click here for agenda and details
Notes: May 8, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. MT | May 9, 8 a.m.-12 p.m. MT Livestream watch link. Zoom Meeting Link | To join via conference call, dial 1.669.900.9128 | Webinar ID: 912 6417 6710 | Passcode: 970458 | To provide comments, join the meeting in person, via zoom, or via conference call per the info above. Please inform Gail Buus at gail.buus@state.sd.us by 1 pm CST if you plan to speak during the meeting. Testifiers should provide their full names, whom they are representing, city of residence, and which proposed topic they will be addressing. Written comments can be submitted here. Here are guidelines for submission. To be included in the public record, comments must include full name and city of residence and meet the submission deadline of seventy-two hours before the meeting (not including the day of the meeting).
Webinar Info: We will be using Zoom Webinar® for this meeting. As a participant, you will not have audio or video capabilities by default. During the open forum and public hearing, if you’d like to testify, please ‘Raise Your Hand’ using the button at the bottom of the screen, or by pressing *9 on your phone. To lower your hand via phone, press *9 again. When it’s your turn to speak, the meeting host will unmute you, allowing you to have audio but no video. If your phone is muted when called upon, press *6 to unmute. • *9 to ‘Raise Your Hand’ or ‘Lower Your Hand.’ • *6 to Unmute or Mute
Michigan
Meeting Date: May 8
Location: Lansing Community College, West Campus Rooms M119-121, 5708 Cornerstone Drive, Lansing, MI 48917
Details: Click here for agenda and details.
Notes: Meeting starts at 9:30 a.m. Persons registering to provide comments on a topic listed on the agenda on or before the Friday preceding the meeting will be allowed up to 5 minutes for their comments. Persons registering to comment on a topic not listed on the agenda, after the Friday preceding the meeting, or at the meeting will be allowed up to 3 minutes. If you are unable to attend the meeting but wish to submit written comments on agenda items, please write to Natural Resources Commission, P.O. Box 30028, Lansing, Michigan 48909, or email nrc@michigan.gov. Read more on the Commission website.
Action: Under NRC/Director Orders i. Wildlife Conservation Order Amendment No. 4 of 2025 Coyote Hunting Season. Also comment and let the Commission know you oppose the DNR plan to gas Canada geese through USDA Wildlife Service mobile vans.
Arizona
Meeting Date: May 9
Location: Mohave County Auditorium, 700 W. Beale Street Kingman, AZ 86401
Details: Click here for agenda and details
Notes: The public may attend the meeting in person or view the meeting at www.azgfd.gov/commissioncam. or may listen to the meeting by calling 404-397-1516, Access code: 280 046 234##. Members of the public may view the meeting from any Department Regional Office and the Department’s Headquarters via video teleconference. *DUE TO THE MEETING LOCATION, PUBLIC COMMENT WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE FROM THE REGION 3 OFFICE IN KINGMAN. Members of the public attending in person wanting to speak on a specific agenda item may submit Speaker Cards (Blue Cards) if they wish to speak to the Commission and may only address the Commission by attending in person or from any regional office. Copies of any presentations, documents, etc. discussed during the meeting will be available by contacting sprice@azgfd.gov. No discussion or action will be taken by the Commission on topics raised in public comment. Any items requiring further discussion or action will be included on a future Commission meeting agenda.
Hawai’i
Meeting Date: May 9
Location: 1151 Punchbowl St. Room 132 (Kalanimoku Building), Honolulu, Hawai‘i
Details: Meeting agendas are posted at least 6 days prior to the date of the meeting but an agenda for this month was not available when this webpage was posted. Keep checking back on this webpage.
Notes: Meeting starts at 9.a.m. Attend in person and arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the meeting start time in order to add your name to the sign-in sheet. To speak virtually, email blnr.testimony@hawaii.gov. Include your name and the agenda item on which you would like to testify. Once your request has been received, you will receive an email with the Zoom link. Requests may be also made during the meeting. Meetings will be livestreamed at: https://youtube.com/c/boardoflandandnaturalresourcesdlnr. To submit a comment, email blnr.testimony@hawaii.gov no later than 24 hours prior to the scheduled meeting to ensure time for BLNR Member review.
Alabama
Meeting Date: May 10
Location: Troy University Trojan Center, Lamar Higgins Ballrooms, 321 Veterans Memorial Drive, Troy, Alabama 36082
Details: Click here for agenda and details
Notes: Meeting starts at 9 a.m. Comments are in-person only. Those who wish to address the Board must register between 8:00 and 8:30 am. Please bring 18 copies of all documents you wish to distribute to the Board to the Registration Table. Make sure your name and organization are on each document. After registering before the meeting, the person wishing to speak should go to the designated microphone when called. After being recognized by the Chair, the person should first give his/her name, city and county. The time limit to speak is three minutes. If several persons wish to speak on the same subject, the group should choose one speaker to represent them. The Chair may or may not choose to call on each person in that group to speak for additional information. Questions or debate from Advisory Board members shall be limited to 10 minutes. No person may speak twice until all registered speakers have spoken, and then only at the discretion of the Chair.
New Jersey
Meeting Date: May 13
Location: Assunpink Wildlife Management Area – Central Region Office, Large Conference Room,1 Eldridge Rd., Robbinsville Twp, NJ 08691
Details: Click here for agenda
Notes: The public is welcome to attend and participate in the public portion of each meeting. Meeting starts at 10 a.m. and will be held both in person and via GoToMeeting (audio only). Call in: +1 (312) 757-3121 | Access Code: 848-342-077. Per the website, public comments may be made in person or online and will be limited to 3 minutes per person. More information about the Commission is on its website, including a meeting guide and how to connect. For help, contact Kristen.Meistrell@dep.nj.gov.
Arkansas
Meeting Date: April 16-17
Location: DeGray State Park
Details: Click here for agenda and details (note no agenda is online at time of webpage publishing).
Notes: Unclear how to speak at meetings or provide virtual testimony or written comments. 2025 meeting schedule is here. Archive of 2025 meetings is here. Watch the meeting on YouTube.
California
Meeting Date: May 14-15
Location: California Natural Resources Headquarters Building, Second Floor, 715 P Street, Sacramento, CA 95814
Details: Click here for agenda and details
Notes: Meeting starts at 10 a.m. Meeting documents are not yet available. Commission meetings are live-streamed (also referred to as a live webcast) with full audio and video. If you simply want to observe the meeting, but do not wish to comment on any item, we encourage you to view the live webcast available at www.fgc.ca.gov. How to join (if you plan to provide comment). More on all meetings in 2025.
Action: Oppose the northern California counties declaring wolf emergencies (now 6) and bring science-based comments in support of wolves. Debunk the recent UC Davis study from a husband-wife team in the College of Agriculture that isn’t offering a peer-reviewed paper but is circulating misinformation on the frequency of wolf predation and its effects on cattle. Additionally, the Tribal Committee meets at 1:30 p.m.Wednesday, May 7. Agenda is here.
Massachusetts
Meeting Date: May 14
Location: MassWildlife Field Headquarters, 1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough, Massachusetts
Details: Click here for agenda and details
Notes: Meeting starts at 10 a.m. Attendees can go in person or join via Zoom, passcode 654535. Or join via audio: (929) 205-6099. Webinar ID: 873 7570 7464. Passcode: 654535. Anyone wishing to be placed on the agenda to speak at the monthly business meeting must begin by notifying the Board in writing 2 weeks prior to the Board meeting; for more detailed information, contact Susan Sacco.
Missouri
Meeting Date: May 14-15
Location: MDC Headquarters, 2901 W Truman Blvd., Jefferson City, MO 65102
Details: Click here for agenda and details )note: no agenda available at time of posting)
Notes: Any person who would like to comment to the Commission about a specific agenda item must make a written request to the Director at least four calendar days prior to the meeting. The time allotted for public comment and the number of speakers will be at the Commission’s discretion. Background documents related to open meeting agenda items are available for public viewing at Conservation Department Headquarters, Jefferson City, for eight calendar days prior to the meeting. Any person who would like to comment to the Commission about a specific agenda item must make a written request to the Director at least four calendar days prior to the meeting. Recording the open meeting is permissible, pursuant to any guidelines established by the Commission to minimize disruption to the meeting. Individuals wishing to record the open meeting by audiotape, videotape, or other electronic means should notify the Director at least four calendar days prior to the meeting so accommodations for such recording can be made. To view livestream of the open meeting, or to watch recordings of past meetings, go to http://on.mo.gov/2nodPJU
South Carolina
Meeting Date: May 15
Location: Room 107-108 Botany Bay Board Room on the 1st floor of SCDNR Headquarters at 260 D Epting Lane in West Columbia in the State Farmer’s Market complex on Highway 321
Details: Click here for agenda and details (no agenda available at time of webpage posting)
Notes: Meeting starts at 10 a.m. Anyone wishing to make comments to the Board please email your name and topic to board@dnr.sc.gov at least 24 hours in advance. Contact Sandy Rucker 803-734-9102 or ruckers@dnr.sc.gov for assistance.
Washington
Meeting Date: May 15-17
Location: Virtual only
Details: Click here for agenda and schedule details (no agenda available as of 5/3)
Notes: Registration for those wishing to provide virtual comments closes at 5 p.m. the day before the meeting begins. Registrants will be called upon and typically have 3 minutes to speak. If you are unable to participate, you can submit your comments on the Commission contact page. If you haven’t pre-registered and wish to attend and speak in person, complete a Public Testimony Form, available at the registration table. The form must be submitted at least 15 minutes prior to the beginning of the agenda item you wish to testify on.
Georgia
Meeting Date: May 20
Location:DNR Board Room 2 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, SE Suite 1252 East, Atlanta, GA 30334
Details: Click here for details. (note the meeting agenda was not available at time of webpage publishing)
Notes: Meeting starts at 9 a.m.It is unclear how to sign up to speak, submit a comment, or if virtual participation is possible. Here is the full 2025 meeting schedule.
Indiana
Meeting Date: May 20
Location: Fort Harrison State Park, The Garrison, 6002 North Post Road, Indianapolis, IN
Details: Agenda was not available when this webpage was published. Keep checking this webpage for details.
Notes:10 a.m. ET/9 a.m. CT. All meeting agendas are posted a week prior to the meeting.
New Hampshire
Meeting Date: May 20
Location: Fish and Game Headquarters, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH
Details: Agenda was not available when this webpage was published (4/1). Keep checking this webpage for details.
Notes: Meetings are generally at 1 p.m. on the third Tuesday of every month. Meetings of the NH Fish and Game Commission are open to the public, unless otherwise noted.
Wyoming
Meeting Date: May 20-21
Location: Whiskey Mountain Conservation Camp
Details: Agenda not available at time of webpage publishing; keep checking back for updates
Notes: Commission Retreat at Whiskey Mountain Conservation Camp. It is unclear if public can listen or attend/observe.
Florida
Meeting Date: 5/21-22
Location:College of Central Florida, The Ewers Century Center, Klein Conference Center, Building 40, 3001 S.W. College Rd., Ocala, FL 34474
Details: Click here for agenda and meeting details
Notes: Meeting starts at 8:30 a.m. each day. Public comments will be accepted in person during the meeting. For in-person comments, please review the speaker registration guidelines at https://myfwc.com/about/commission/. Advance comments are due by 5 p.m. on Friday, May 16. If you would like to provide comments via mail, please send those comments to: FWC Commissioners, 620 South Meridian Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399.
Action: Oppose a black bear hunt. At the December 2024 Commission meeting, Commissioners directed staff to develop a range of options for the Commission’s consideration for black bear hunting in 2025. Public comment on this agenda item will be limited to no more than two hours so get there early. Also, staff will seek approval to update Florida Endangered and Threatened Species List to maintain consistency with federal listing determinations or scientific names for 9 species. Three species will be updated to Federally-designated Threatened, including the red-cockaded woodpecker (currently Federally-designated Endangered), oceanic whitetip shark and queen conch (both currently with no status). Two species will be added to the Federally-designated Endangered list: the black-capped petrel (currently no status) and pillar coral (currently Federally-designated Threatened). One species, the Bachman’s warbler, will be removed from the list due to extinction. Additionally, staff will seek approval to update names for 3 species: scientific names of Audubon’s crested caracara, Cape Sable seaside sparrow, and the common and scientific names of the Rice’s whale.
Maryland
Meeting Date: May 21
Location: Department of Natural Resources Wildlife and Heritage Service, 580 Taylor Avenue, Tawes State Office Building, E-1, Annapolis MD 21401
Details: No agenda was available at time of webpage publishing; meeting schedule is listed at the end of the January agenda. Keep checking their website for updates.
Notes: Google Meet. Note: Unless notified otherwise, all meetings will be held via Google Meet. When meeting in person, they will be held in the C-4 Conference Room of the Department of Natural Resources—Tawes State Office Building beginning at 10:30 a.m. Available parking is located at the Navy Stadium Parking Lot. Send written comments to wac.dnr@maryland.gov.
Texas
Meeting Date: May 21-22
Location: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Headquarters, Commission Hearing Room, 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, TX 78744
Details: Click here for agenda and meeting details
Notes: Work Session: 9 a.m. Wednesday, May 21, 2025 Commission Meeting: 9 a.m. Thursday, May 22, 2025 Comment online through 5 p.m. May 21 using the links in the meeting agenda. The site reads, “Live streaming video and audio will be available,” but links were not available at time of webpage publishing.
Vermont
Meeting Date: April 9
Location: National Life Dewey Conference Room, 1 National Life Drive, Montpelier, VT 05620
Details: Click here for agenda and details
Notes: Meeting starts at 5 p.m. Unclear how to comment or speak either virtually or in person. Full meeting schedule for 2025 is here.
Action: The department will accept public comment on proposed updates to turkey season, moose season, deer season, cervid carcass importation rules, and moose harvest recommendations found here, via email to ANR.FWPublicComment@vermont.gov through May 25. Public hearings will be held at the following dates and locations:
- May 6, 6:30 p.m., Winooski Middle & High School, 60 Normand St., Winooski
- May 8, 6:30 p.m., Springfield High School, 303 South St., Springfield
Idaho
Meeting Date: May 22
Location: Idaho Fish and Game – Headquarters, 600 S. Walnut Street, Boise, ID 83712
Details: Click here for agenda and meeting details.
Notes: Virtual participation available; call-in number is +1-408-418-9388 and webinar ID is 962 371 254. Password is “meeting” if needed. Per the website, “The Fish and Game Commission usually holds a public hearing in conjunction with each regular meeting. Members of the public who want to address the commission on any topic having to do with Fish and Game business may do so at the public hearing. All testimony will be taken into consideration when the commission makes decisions on agenda items at the meetings.” It is unclear how to submit comments in advance or if virtual comments/speaking is allowed. Here is the full 2025 meeting schedule.
Virginia
Meeting Date: May 22
Location: 7870 Villa Park Dr, Suite 400, Henrico, VA 23228
Details: Click here for agenda and details (note no agenda or details besides location and time were available at time of webpage publishing)
Notes: Meeting starts at 9 a.m. Public comment on agenda items and non-agenda items are welcome at any regularly scheduled Board or Board Committee meeting. Please see the meeting schedule for dates and additional details. The following committees meet at 9 a.m. on 5/21: Finance, Audit, and Compliance; Education, Planning and Outreach; Wildlife and Boat; and Law Enforcement.
Hawai’i
Meeting Date: May 23
Location: 1151 Punchbowl St. Room 132 (Kalanimoku Building), Honolulu, Hawai‘i
Details: Meeting agendas are posted at least 6 days prior to the date of the meeting but an agenda for this month was not available when this webpage was posted. Keep checking back on this webpage.
Notes: Meeting starts at 9.a.m. Attend in person and arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the meeting start time in order to add your name to the sign-in sheet. To speak virtually, email blnr.testimony@hawaii.gov. Include your name and the agenda item on which you would like to testify. Once your request has been received, you will receive an email with the Zoom link. Requests may be also made during the meeting. Meetings will be livestreamed at: https://youtube.com/c/boardoflandandnaturalresourcesdlnr. To submit a comment, email blnr.testimony@hawaii.gov no later than 24 hours prior to the scheduled meeting to ensure time for BLNR Member review.
Wisconsin
Meeting Date: May 27-28
Location: Rm. G09, State Natural Resources Bldg. (GEF 2), 101 S. Webster St., Madison WI 53703. Enter the building at the 101 S. Webster St. entrance and take the hallway to the right to the reception desk.
Details: Click here for agenda and meeting details (note no agenda is available at time of website publishing).
Notes: The Natural Resources Board will meet in-person. Remote testimony from the public via Zoom may be accepted for this meeting. In person public appearances are also welcome. Members of the public can submit their request to testify remotely, in person, or their written comments by the posted deadline date for Board consideration, typically one week before the meeting date. Watch live on YouTube. Please contact Ashley Bystol, NRB Liaison, at 608-267-7420 or by email at DNRNRBLiaison@wisconsin.gov with NRB-related questions, to request information, submit written comments or to register to testify at a meeting.
When Journalism Stops Seeking Truth
When Journalism Stops Seeking Truth: A Response to the Mountain Daily Star
When Journalism Stops Seeking Truth: A Response to the Mountain Daily Star
Yesterday, The Mountain Daily Star published a story about our petition to ban the use of hounds in the recreational hunting of bears and mountain lions in Arizona. While we welcomed the opportunity to engage with the press, what resulted was not journalism — it was a one-sided defense of the very system we are trying to reform.
The article uncritically parrots an absurd claim from the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZDGF): that “allegations by the petitioners that hunting with dogs disrupts ecosystem balance, represents a public safety hazard, is a risk to nontarget and protected wildlife, and violates Arizona’s laws and regulations are unfounded and not supported by information in the petition or anywhere we could find in the scientific literature.”
This is patently false — and logically incoherent. Our petition included dozens of references, including studies on carnivore behavior, landscape fragmentation, wildlife harassment, and legal frameworks under the Endangered Species Act. More importantly, the department’s logic is circular: by implying that hounding can’t be risky unless already proven in the peer-reviewed literature, they set up a false standard that conveniently excludes any evidence they choose not to acknowledge.
And let’s be clear: with only a handful of jaguars and ocelots returning to Arizona, the very idea of demanding peer-reviewed research specifically documenting the impact of hound packs on these rare species is laughable. By the time there is a large enough sample size to satisfy their arbitrary bar, it will likely be too late. In conservation science, precaution is not optional—it’s fundamental to ethical decision-making.
Our petition’s references, from peer-reviewed articles to government records, clearly document the ecological, ethical, and legal concerns associated with hounding. Notably, AZDGF presented no peer-reviewed science of its own in defense of the practice, a point that went unchallenged by the reporter.
That a state agency charged with wildlife protection and a news outlet supposedly committed to public service could overlook this basic truth is both irresponsible and telling.
Most frustratingly of all, the Mountain Daily Star, AZDGF, and the Commission have all ignored the central legal argument of our petition: that recreational hounding violates Arizona’s own fair chase standard. And what’s telling is that the Commission has used that argument to ban unsporting practices in the past.
Arizona law defines fair chase as “the ethical, sportsmanlike and lawful pursuit and taking of free-range wildlife in a manner that does not give a hunter or an angler improper or unfair advantage over such wildlife.” That webpage goes on to define what that improper advantage looks like. Unleashing packs of GPS-collared dogs to run down a terrified animal for hours—often while the hunter is miles away—is the definition of improper advantage.
Rather than engage with this argument, the department and Commission dismissed it without explanation, and the reporter failed to mention it at all. That’s not just lazy journalism or bureaucratic evasion—it’s a deliberate refusal to grapple with a serious legal and ethical question at the heart of this debate.
Maybe more telling is that, despite multiple phone interviews and email exchanges, both Dr. Michelle Lute of Wildlife for All and Russ McSpadden of the Center for Biological Diversity were selectively quoted. This came as no surprise given the series of increasingly combative emails from the author to Dr. Lute where it became clear the intent of this piece was not to contact our organizations for information but instead to discredit our viewpoint. The story shows this bias clearly in the components and structure: simply review the amount of space given to the houndsmen, Arizona Game and Fish Department’s, and Commission’s arguments to discredit our petition—without scrutiny for their positions, we might add.
The lack of journalistic rigor may not be surprising given the background of the author. According to publicly available information, the reporter (who is also the paper’s editor-in-chief) has no formal training or professional experience or training in journalism, wildlife policy, or investigative reporting. While credentials aren’t everything, the resulting article fails to meet basic journalistic standards such as presenting multiple perspectives with as little bias as possible, independently verifying claims on both sides of an issue, and perhaps most especially, to serve as a watchdog against harm by critically interrogating the statements of those in power.
The story’s final paragraph erases any remaining boundary between reporting and blatant pro-hounding promotion. The writer recounts her personal day in the field with a houndsman where they treed one bobcat, positioning herself as a character witness for the very practice under public challenge. She uncritically describes the hounds as “practical tools” and includes a link to Lionheart—a promotional film produced by the pro-trophy hunting group Blood Origins—as a resource for readers. This is not a neutral offering of information: it’s propaganda posing as news. And this news outlet isn’t an unbiased community service, it’s a partisan blog positioning a singular worldview.
This story also illustrates a broader media trend identified in a recent Media Matters report: right-wing narratives are increasingly dominating online platforms, including in spaces traditionally viewed as neutral or apolitical. This piece is a textbook example—it launders ideological talking points from state officials and hunting interests under the guise of local reporting. By masquerading advocacy as journalism and omitting key voices and facts, the Mountain Daily Star’s story helps normalize and amplify a narrow worldview that undermines both democratic process and ecological truth.
This kind of slanted reporting isn’t unique to Arizona. A 2020 study on media coverage of wolf reintroduction in Colorado found that news outlets often gave outsized attention to a vocal minority opposed to wolves—especially those worried about impacts on livestock and hunting—while downplaying the broader public support for reintroduction. In other words, media outlets regularly amplify anti-wildlife talking points, even when they don’t reflect the views of most people. Sound familiar?
In the end, this article is less journalism than it is an endorsement of the status quo — one written with a clear ideological bent and a flimsy understanding of the actual issues at stake. It regurgitates agency spin, fails to engage with the core legal argument about Arizona’s own fair chase statute, and completely erases Indigenous and non-hunting perspectives.
Real journalistic research isn’t spending one pleasant day with a handful of calm hounds who treed a single animal before heading home. That’s actually the perfect embodiment of the right-wing mantra ”do your own research”—as long as that research is anecdotal, comfortable, and confirms the narrative you were always going to write.
This story is a case study in how the media can fail the public and in turn, seed bad-faith public discourse. By echoing agency talking points and dismissing dissenting voices, it reinforces a system that sidelines ecological integrity, democratic input, and ethical hunting standards.
Wildlife deserve better. The public deserves better. And Arizona deserves a media outlets willing to ask hard questions — not just fronts for right-wing talking points who pose as journalistic entities.
The good news is that no amount of biased coverage will stop the movement that’s building to reform wildlife governance in Arizona and across the country.
We’ll keep fighting for policies rooted in science, ethics, and democracy. And we’ll continue to welcome fair-minded journalists who are willing to ask tough questions of those in power and who want to challenge the status quo, not just those defending it.
Monday, April 21, 2025 Update: In a stunning twist that further undermines the credibility of the Mountain Daily Star’s coverage, the houndsman featured prominently in the story — Chris Watson — reportedly resigned from his position with the Arizona Working Dog Alliance (AWDA) over the weekend (see Facebook screenshot). Even more troubling, he now lists himself on Facebook as working for CMW Investigations, the private investigation firm where the reporter and editor of the piece, Molly K. Ottman, is also listed as working on her LinkedIn profile. That’s not just a red flag — it’s a glaring conflict of interest. Readers deserve transparency, and this kind of insider relationship calls the entire piece’s objectivity into question.
Tuesday, June 3, 2025 Update: We corrected the name of the private investigation firm in question to the accurate name: CMW Investigations. We apologize for the original error.
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No, Dire Wolves Are Not Back
No, dire wolves are not back—but real wolves need your help
A collection of headlines from early April 2025 about dire wolves from https://www.webworm.co/p/direwolf
No, Dire Wolves Are Not Back—But We Should Talk About What Is Being Unleashed
There’s been a flurry of headlines this week claiming that dire wolves—the iconic, prehistoric predators that roamed North America more than 10,000 years ago—have been brought back from extinction. It’s the kind of story that sounds like science fiction: genetically modified wolves engineered to resemble dire wolves in both appearance and behavior. Cue the Jurassic Park theme.
But let’s pump the brakes.
Time Magazine’s cover about dire wolves.
Despite the breathless media framing, the truth is far less sensational. According to experts, these animals are not actual dire wolves, nor are they even genetically identical to them. Rather, they’re modern gray wolves that have been selectively bred or gene-edited to look more like their extinct cousins. Think of it as cosplay for canids.
Still, the story taps into powerful mythologies—of wildness, power, and control—that have long shaped public perceptions of wolves in North America. Dire wolves have always held a special place in the cultural imagination. They inspired songs (Grateful Dead fans, we see you), haunted HBO screens in Game of Thrones, and symbolized a kind of ancient, untamed wilderness. But romanticizing these animals while ignoring the realities of modern wolf conservation can be dangerous.
Because here’s the thing: real wolves are already under siege in the U.S.
From “wolf whacking” in Wyoming to anti-predator ballot initiatives, wild wolves are being scapegoated, persecuted, and politically targeted. And just like the rhetoric about oversized “Canadian” wolves used to justify retribution in the American West, this new narrative risks fueling more fear, misunderstanding, and ultimately, harm.
Instead of fantasizing about bringing back extinct species, we should focus on protecting the wolves we still have—and the ecosystems that depend on them. Wolves play a critical role in restoring ecological balance and maintaining biodiversity. But for wolves to fulfill that role, we need more than minimum population numbers to avoid relisting under the Endangered Species Act. We need ecologically effective population sizes, meaningful habitat protections, and respect for individual animals—not just as numbers on a spreadsheet, but as sentient beings with intrinsic value. True rewilding requires coexistence, not commodification.
And that brings us to what’s happening right now—because the threats to wolves are real and urgent:
1. Help Stop the Attack on Mexican Gray Wolves in New Mexico
The Catron County Commission is pushing a dangerous resolution to declare a “state of emergency” over the presence of endangered Mexican gray wolves—based on fear, misinformation, and exaggerated claims.
We’re calling on New Mexico residents to speak up! Sign the petition urging Governor Lujan Grisham to oppose this harmful resolution and stand up for science-based wildlife policy.
Take action: If you’re connected to New Mexico—either personally or through your networks—please share this link widely. Together, we can protect the Mexican gray wolf and fight back against anti-wildlife policies.
2. Tell Your Senators: Vote NO on Brian Nesvik
The U.S. Senate is considering Brian Nesvik, former director of Wyoming Game & Fish, for U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Director. This is the same man who stood by while a wolf was tortured and run over in his state—and did nothing.
His record is clear: Nesvik prioritizes industry interests over wildlife conservation. From weakening predator protections to ignoring science in favor of ranching and trophy hunting, his leadership would be a disaster for endangered species, public lands, and the integrity of the USFWS.
Take action today: Call your senators and tell them to VOTE NO on Nesvik! Congressional Switchboard: (202) 224-3121
Wildlife deserves a leader who will protect, not exploit.
3. Congress Is Coming for the Endangered Species Act—And Wolves Are in the Crosshairs
Once again, lawmakers are pushing dangerous bills to gut the Endangered Species Act and remove protections for wolves.
Several proposals in Congress aim to delist wolves nationwide, ignoring science, public support, and the essential ecological role wolves play. Even worse, some bills would weaken the ESA itself, making it harder to protect all imperiled species in the future.
These attacks are not about conservation—they’re about appeasing special interests at the expense of biodiversity and environmental justice.
Take action today: Call your representatives and demand they protect the ESA and keep wolves protected! Your voice matters.
Dire wolves may be extinct, but today’s wolves are still here—real, wild, and worth fighting for. Let’s stop the distracting fantasies and start advocating for the living beings and wild places that need us now.
Why Arizona Game and Fish Needs Reform
Why Arizona Game and Fish Needs Reform
Preordained and Denied: Arizona Fish and Game Commission Rejects Calls to End Hounding
Image by Outdoor Adventure Specialists.
Yesterday, the Arizona Game and Fish Commission held its long-awaited meeting to consider our petition to ban the use of hounds in the hunting of mountain lions and black bears. The outcome was expected: a unanimous vote to deny the petition. But for all its predictability, the experience illuminated the deep dysfunction within Arizona’s wildlife governance system and only reaffirmed why this work is so necessary.
The day began at 8 a.m. and stretched well into the afternoon. Our petition—articulate, evidence-based, and focused on science, public safety, and wildlife ethics—was misrepresented not just by opponents, but by the Arizona Game and Fish Department itself. The agency’s presentation by staff biologist Jim Heffelfinger (which was given immediately following our presentation, we might add) dismissed published studies, minimized the risks to endangered species like jaguars and ocelots, and wielded graphs without confidence intervals to claim that hounding bans in other states had backfired. Heffelfinger flatly denied public safety concerns, brushing off the fact that attacks haven’t happened in Arizona as if that should be the standard and despite evidence to the contrary.
Still, our team showed up with strength and grace. Every one of our supporters who testified did so with clarity and conviction, even as the opposition was allowed to speak out of turn, Zoom in from remote locations, and clap after every statement—sometimes joined by the Chair himself. We heard slanderous accusations against our side: claims of fraud, entrapment, hatred for veterans, and wanting children to “rot on the couch.” (What?!)
One hound hunter bragged about targeting mature male animals to avoid females—a textbook definition of trophy hunting that exacerbates human-wildlife conflict. Others insisted collars keep dogs safe, misrepresenting the petition as an attack on safety rather than a challenge to the ethics and ecological impact of hounding. There was repeated denial that Arizona is habitat for ocelots or jaguars, despite data to the contrary.
In the end, the Commission voted without discussion to deny both petitions. The Chair closed by calling hound hunters “conservationists of the highest order.”
Let’s be clear: this decision was not rooted in science, public will, or the best interest of Arizona’s ecosystems. It was rooted in loyalty to a narrow set of special interests who benefit from the status quo. The Commission had already signaled their intent when they supported legislation earlier this year that would have blocked our petition outright had it been passed.
We were never going to win this vote. But we are still winning the long game.
Every time we raise this issue, more people begin to question the legitimacy of recreational carnivore killing. More people learn that Arizona’s wildlife is governed not by science or public values, but by a rigged system that prioritizes a narrow constituency. And every time we show up, we plant seeds for the future.
Our opponents have to win every time. We only have to win once. And we’re not going anywhere.
We are deeply proud of our team, our community, and everyone who testified with truth and courage. The science is on our side. The public is on our side. And eventually, policy will catch up.
Until then, we fight on.
Disappointment in Arizona: Commission Rejects Petition to End Hounding
Disappointment in Arizona: Commission Rejects Petition to End Hounding
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 11, 2025
Photo originally posted on Game and Fish Magazine and taken by Scott Haugen.
Disappointment in Arizona: Commission Rejects Petition to End Hounding
PHOENIX—Despite powerful testimony, compelling evidence, and widespread public support, the Arizona Game and Fish Commission today voted to reject a petition that would have initiated a rulemaking process to ban the controversial practice of wildlife hounding.
Wildlife for All supporters, partners and fellow red-clad advocates packed the hearing, urging the Commission to take action. Hounding, which involves chasing animals like mountain lions and bears with packs of GPS-collared dogs, was denounced as cruel, outdated and ecologically damaging.
“We’re disappointed by the Commission’s decision, but we are not backing down,” said Michelle Lute, PhD, executive director of Wildlife for All. “The science is clear, the ethics are compelling, and the public is overwhelmingly with us. Arizona deserves a modern, compassionate approach to wildlife policy—and we’ll keep pushing until that vision becomes reality.”
“Today’s decision was a missed opportunity to do more to protect endangered species like jaguars, ocelots, and Mexican gray wolves,” said Erin Hunt, managing director of Lobos of the Southwest. “In refusing to listen to public input from the many people who care about Arizona’s native wildlife and public lands, the Commission is keeping Arizona on the wrong path. We will continue working toward a future where native species are safe in their wild homes.”
In November, conservation groups petitioned the Arizona Game and Fish Commission to ban using dog packs in Arizona, citing serious risks to wildlife, public safety and ethical hunting practices.
Hound hunting poses a clear and documented threat to federally protected jaguars and ocelots in the Southwest, with multiple recorded incidents of hounds chasing and treeing these endangered cats in Arizona. At least five jaguars have been pursued or harmed by hounds in the region since 1996, with Sombra abandoning his preferred habitat because of the presence of packs made up of as many as 30 dogs.
Similarly, packs of hunting dogs have chased or treed endangered ocelots more than a dozen times in Arizona since 2011. The repeated pursuit by hounds disrupts natural behaviors, causes physical stress and forces these rare cats from their essential habitats, threatening their survival and broader species recovery efforts.
Arizona allows packs of dogs to chase and attack mountain lions, bears, coati and bobcats for sport. According to Arizona Game and Fish data, 748 mountain lions and 323 bears were reported killed by hunters using packs of dogs between 2020 and 2023. A 2020 study estimated that the state’s entire mountain lion population was between 1,166 and 1,715.
Hound hunting relies on GPS-collared dogs, remotely tracked via smart devices, to pursue wildlife, violating fair chase principles and state restrictions on electronic hunting. Additionally, uncontrolled hounds pose risks to public safety, sometimes attacking people on public lands and trespassing on private property.
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Wildlife for All is a national organization dedicated to reforming wildlife management to be more democratic, just, compassionate and focused on protecting wild species and ecosystems. Through research, advocacy, and education, we aim to protect wildlife and ensure that policies reflect the values of all Americans.
Lobos of the Southwest is a collaborative effort of concerned community members, scientists, educators and conservation organizations working to save the endangered Mexican gray wolf.
April Wildlife Commission Meetings
Speak up for wildlife at April Wildlife Commission Meetings.
April Wildlife Commission Meetings
This is no joke: it’s April 1st and it’s time to gear up to advocate for wildlife at this month’s state wildlife commissions. Are you ready to keep up the pressure with this month’s wildlife commission meetings?
Wildlife commission meetings are critical opportunities to influence state policies and ensure that wildlife is managed in a way that reflects ecological principles and public values. Your voice matters. Whether you choose to attend in person, speak virtually, or submit comments, participating in these meetings is a meaningful way to stand up for wildlife.
Below is the list of every state with a wildlife commission meeting in April, listed from first to last by date. As you plan your comments and engagement, use the resources on our Resources Page and Advocacy Toolkit to prepare. Check below for meeting details by state and instructions for how to engage. Let’s make a difference!
Ohio
Meeting Date: April 2
Location: Wildlife District 1 Office, 1500 Dublin Rd., Columbus, OH
Details: Click here for agenda and details
Notes: Meeting begins at 6 p.m. Comments for open forums during Ohio Wildlife Council meetings must be about a current rule proposal. If you have a topic that is not a current rule proposal, please email the council with your comment or question (wildlife.council@dnr.ohio.gov), or speak to a council member before or after a meeting. If the topic falls within the wildlife, fish, or law section, feel free to reach out at our open houses or email the Division of Wildlife at wildinfo@dnr.ohio.gov. Speakers must register by 5 p.m. Monday, March 31. The Public Comment Form must be completed and submitted to wildlife.council@dnr.ohio.gov. Along with the form, submit any handouts you plan to provide. Speakers are limited to 3 minutes. There will be a maximum of ten speaker slots available. PowerPoint presentations are not permitted.
Louisiana
Meeting Date: April 3
Location: Crowne Plaza Hotel, 4728 Constitution Avenue, Baton Rouge, LA
Details: Click here for agenda and details
Notes: Start time 9 a.m. Register for the Zoom webinar to comment online/virtually or to watch live. Commission meetings are open to the public. To comment, you can attend the meeting in person at the location listed above, submit written comments before the meeting by emailing Comments@wlf.la.gov. Your email must include the agenda item # in the subject of your email. The body of your message should include your name and address before your comment. During the Zoom meeting you may submit comments by using the ‘Q&A’ feature at the bottom of the Zoom application. During the designated comment period, click ‘Q&A’ at the bottom of your Zoom window, type your name, physical address, and question/comment, and then press ‘enter.’
Action: At the monthly meeting on Feb. 6 in New Orleans, the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission (LWFC) approved a Notice of Intent to extend wild alligator hunting season to Dec. 31. The extension would apply to both the West and East zones. The season would run from the last Wednesday in August until Dec. 31 in the East Zone and from the first Wednesday of September until Dec. 31 in the West Zone. The goal is to “increase harvest opportunity” because the season currently runs 60 days. To see the full NOI go to https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/
Missouri
Meeting Date: April 3-4
Location: MDC Headquarters, 2901 W Truman Blvd., Jefferson City, MO 65102
Details: Click here for agenda and details
Notes: Thursday, April 3, 9:30 a.m. – Workshop and Closed Executive Session. Friday, April 4, 8:30 a.m. – Regular Open Meeting. Any person who would like to comment to the Commission about a specific agenda item must make a written request to the Director at least four calendar days prior to the meeting. The time allotted for public comment and the number of speakers will be at the Commission’s discretion. Background documents related to open meeting agenda items are available for public viewing at Conservation Department Headquarters, Jefferson City, for eight calendar days prior to the meeting. Any person who would like to comment to the Commission about a specific agenda item must make a written request to the Director at least four calendar days prior to the meeting. Recording the open meeting is permissible, pursuant to any guidelines established by the Commission to minimize disruption to the meeting. Individuals wishing to record the open meeting by audiotape, videotape, or other electronic means should notify the Director at least four calendar days prior to the meeting so accommodations for such recording can be made. To view livestream of the open meeting, or to watch recordings of past meetings, go to http://on.mo.gov/2nodPJU.
Action: Recommendations for 2025 black bear season dates and quotas — Presentation by Nate Bowersock, Black Bear and Furbearer Program Coordinator, and Action by Laura Conlee, Deputy Director and Chair, Regulations Committee. Tailor your comments to this unnecessary hunt.
South Dakota
Meeting Date: April 3-4
Location: Matthews Training Center, 523 E. Capitol Ave., Pierre, SD 57501
Details: Click here for agenda and details
Notes: April 3, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. CT | April 4, 8 a.m.-12 p.m. CT Livestream watch link. Zoom Meeting Link | To join via conference call, dial 1.669.900.9128 | Webinar ID: 912 6417 6710 | Passcode: 970458 | To provide comments, join the meeting in person, via zoom, or via conference call per the info above. Please inform Gail Buus at gail.buus@state.sd.us by 1 pm CST if you plan to speak during the meeting. Testifiers should provide their full names, whom they are representing, city of residence, and which proposed topic they will be addressing. Written comments can be submitted here. Here are guidelines for submission. To be included in the public record, comments must include full name and city of residence and meet the submission deadline of seventy-two hours before the meeting (not including the day of the meeting).
Webinar Info: We will be using Zoom Webinar® for this meeting. As a participant, you will not have audio or video capabilities by default. During the open forum and public hearing, if you’d like to testify, please ‘Raise Your Hand’ using the button at the bottom of the screen, or by pressing *9 on your phone. To lower your hand via phone, press *9 again. When it’s your turn to speak, the meeting host will unmute you, allowing you to have audio but no video. If your phone is muted when called upon, press *6 to unmute. • *9 to ‘Raise Your Hand’ or ‘Lower Your Hand.’ • *6 to Unmute or Mute
Action: Oppose the expansion of mountain lion hounding on public and private land under Agenda Item: “Finalizations, 7. Prairie Mountain Lion Hunting.” More information here.
Washington
Meeting Date: April 3-5
Location: 1111 Washington St. SE, Olympia, WA 98501, Natural Resources Building, Room 172.
Details: Click here for agenda and schedule details
Notes: Zoom link Registration for those wishing to provide virtual comments closes at 5 p.m. the day before the meeting begins. Registrants will be called upon and typically have 3 minutes to speak. If you are unable to participate, you can submit your comments on the Commission contact page. If you haven’t pre-registered and wish to attend and speak in person, complete a Public Testimony Form, available at the registration table. The form must be submitted at least 15 minutes prior to the beginning of the agenda item you wish to testify on.
Schedule details: Thursday, April 3 – Committee Meetings
9-10 a.m. – Big Tent Committee – Commissioners Lehmkuhl, Baker, Parker, & Smith
To listen, dial 253-215-8782 and enter Webinar ID# 846 2847 5164
Agenda Topics: Budget & Legislation Discussion, Future Meeting Planning & General Discussion
10 a.m. – Noon – Fish Committee – Commissioners Anderson, Lehmkuhl, Parker
To listen, dial 253-215-8782 and enter Webinar ID# 858 1445 1710
Agenda Topics: Annual Puget Sound Crab (C-3610) and Shrimp (C-3609) Policy Report, Lamprey Update, Commercial Dungeness Crab Rules – Coastal Comprehensive Line Marking Rules, Budget & Legislation Discussion, Future Meeting Planning & General Discussion
1-3 p.m. – Wildlife Committee – Commissioners Smith, Anderson, Myers, Rowland
To listen, dial 253-215-8782 and enter Webinar ID# 818 0835 6676
Agenda Topics: Crop Damage WAC Revision, Deleterious Exotic Wildlife WAC Revision, GMP Update, Budget & Legislation Discussion, Future Meeting Planning & General Discussion.
Action: Friday, April 4, 2-3 p.m. – 7. Black Bear Season Setting – Decision. Staff will request a decision from the Commission on 2025-2027 Black Bear Season Setting. Staff Report: Stephanie Landry, Carnivore, Small Game, and Furbearer Section Manager and Anis Aoude, Game Division Manager. | Saturday April 5, 9:45-10:45 a.m. – 10. Annual Wolf Report – Briefing. Staff will brief the Commission on the 2024 annual Wolf Conservation Management Report. Staff Report: Benjamin Maletzke, Statewide Wolf Specialist, Subhadeep Bhattacharjee, Wolf & Grizzly Bear Policy Lead, and Mick Cope, Wildlife Program Director
Nevada
Meeting Date: April 4
Location: Virtual only
Details: Click here for agenda and details
Notes: Public comment will be taken on each action item following Commission discussion and before any action is taken. Persons attending virtually wishing to comment are invited to raise their virtual hands in the virtual meeting forum during the appropriate time; each person offering public comment during this period will be limited to not more than three minutes. The Chair may allow persons representing groups to speak for six minutes. Persons may not allocate unused time to other speakers. Persons are invited to submit written comments on items prior to the meeting at wildlifecommission@ndow.org or attend and make comment during the meeting.
Oklahoma
Meeting Date: April 7
Location: Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation 1801 N. Lincoln Blvd. Oklahoma City, OK 73105
Details: No agenda available as of webpage publishing 3/31
Notes: Meeting starts at 9 a.m. It’s not clear how to comment or speak; we suggest emailing the department to ask. It’s also unclear if there is a virtual participation option. Read more on their website.
New Jersey
Meeting Date: April 8
Location: Assunpink Wildlife Management Area – Central Region Office, Large Conference Room,1 Eldridge Rd., Robbinsville Twp, NJ 08691
Details: Click here for agenda
Notes: The public is welcome to attend and participate in the public portion of each meeting. Meeting starts at 10 a.m. and will be held both in person and via GoToMeeting (audio only). Call in: +1 (312) 757-3121 | Access Code: 848-342-077. Per the website, public comments may be made in person or online and will be limited to 3 minutes per person. More information about the Commission is on its website, including a meeting guide and how to connect. For help, contact Kristen.Meistrell@dep.nj.gov.
Utah
Meeting Date: April 8
Location: Eccles Wildlife Education Center, 1157 South Waterfowl Way, Farmington, Utah
Details: Click here for agenda and details.
Notes: Unless otherwise noted, all Wildlife Board meetings are on Thursdays at the Eccles Wildlife Education Center, 1157 South Waterfowl Way, Farmington. Board meetings begin at 9 a.m, unless otherwise indicated. Feedback occurs at Regional Advisory Council (RAC) meetings; the last one was in December. If you wish to comment during a RAC or Board meeting, you must attend the meeting in person — you may not submit comments online during the meeting. When you come to the meeting, pick up a comment card, fill it out and speak at the podium when your name is called. Find the full schedule here. Agendas and minutes are here. Learn how to make a presentation to the RAC or Board.
Schedule: Wildlife Board Work Session – April 8 – Tuesday RAC meetings: • Big game permit numbers. • Antlerless permit numbers • CWMU rule amendments • CWMU management plans • LOA management plans April 9 – NR April 10 – CR – moved to Thursday to accommodate WB Work Session April 15 – SR – Southern Utah University April 16 – SER April 17 – NER
Wisconsin
Meeting Date: April 8-9
Location: Rm. G09, State Natural Resources Bldg. (GEF 2), 101 S. Webster St., Madison WI 53703. Enter the building at the 101 S. Webster St. entrance and take the hallway to the right to the reception desk.
Details: Click here for agenda and meeting details (note no agenda is available at time of website publishing).
Notes: The Natural Resources Board will meet in-person. Remote testimony from the public via Zoom may be accepted for this meeting. In person public appearances are also welcome. Members of the public can submit their request to testify remotely, in person, or their written comments by the posted deadline date for Board consideration, typically one week before the meeting date. Watch live on YouTube.
Public Participation Deadline: NRB Liaison receipt of your request to testify and/or written comment is 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 2, 2025. Please contact Ashley Bystol, NRB Liaison, at 608-267-7420 or by email at DNRNRBLiaison@wisconsin.gov with NRB-related questions, to request information, submit written comments or to register to testify at a meeting.
Members of the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board will have an informal social gathering at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at the Great Dane Pub & Brewing Company, 123 East Doty Street, Madison, Wisconsin. No action will be taken. The Wisconsin Natural Resources Board meeting will convene at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in public meeting room G09, State Natural Resources Building (GEF 2), 101 South Webster Street Madison, Wisconsin. The Board will act on items 1-4 and 7 as listed on the agenda.
Vermont
Meeting Date: April 9
Location: National Life Dewey Conference Room, 1 National Life Drive, Montpelier, VT 05620
Details: Click here for agenda and details
Notes: Meeting starts at 5 p.m. Unclear how to comment or speak either virtually or in person. Full meeting schedule for 2025 is here.
Action: The department will accept public comment on proposed updates to state fishing regulations, (https://vtfishandwildlife.com/about-us/fish-and-wildlife-board/board-rules), through April 7 via email to ANR.FWPublicComment@vermont.gov.
The department will accept public comment on proposed updates to turkey season, moose season, deer season, cervid carcass importation rules, and moose harvest recommendations found here, via email to ANR.FWPublicComment@vermont.gov through May 25. Public hearings will be held at the following dates and locations:
- May 6, 6:30 p.m., Winooski Middle & High School, 60 Normand St., Winooski
- May 8, 6:30 p.m., Springfield High School, 303 South St., Springfield
Michigan
Meeting Date: April 10
Location: Lansing Community College, West Campus Rooms M119-121, 5708 Cornerstone Drive, Lansing, MI 48917
Details: Click here for agenda and details.
Notes: Coffee with commissioners at 8:30 a.m. Meeting starts at 9:30 a.m. Persons registering to provide comments on a topic listed on the agenda on or before the Friday preceding the meeting will be allowed up to 5 minutes for their comments. Persons registering to comment on a topic not listed on the agenda, after the Friday preceding the meeting, or at the meeting will be allowed up to 3 minutes. If you are unable to attend the meeting but wish to submit written comments on agenda items, please write to Natural Resources Commission, P.O. Box 30028, Lansing, Michigan 48909, or email nrc@michigan.gov. Read more on the Commission website.
Arizona
Meeting Date: April 11
Location: Arizona Game and Fish Department Headquarters, 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85086-5000
Details: Clcik here for agenda and details
Notes: Members of the public may view the meeting from any Department Regional Office. Members of the public attending in person wanting to speak on a specific agenda item may submit Speaker Cards (Blue Cards) if they wish to speak to the Commission and may only address the Commission by attending in person or from any regional office. Copies of any presentations, documents, etc. discussed during the meeting will be available by contacting sprice@azgfd.gov. No discussion or action will be taken by the Commission on topics raised in public comment. Any items requiring further discussion or action will be included on a future Commission meeting agenda. View live webcasts at www.azgfd.gov/commissioncam.
Action: Our petition will be presented! Show up en masse and WEAR RED.
3) Petition by Center for Biological Diversity and others to Amend A.A.C. R12-4-318 Seasons for Lawfully Taking Wild Mammals, Birds, and Reptiles, and A.A.C. R12-4-304 Lawful Methods for Taking Wild Mammals, Birds, and Reptiles. Presenter: Luke Thompson, Special Assistant to the Director. The Commission will consider the petitions submitted by the Center for Biological Diversity and others, to amend A.A.C. R12-4-318 Seasons for Lawfully Taking Wild Mammals, Birds, and Reptiles, and A.A.C. R12-4-304 Lawful Methods for Taking Wild Mammals, Birds, and Reptiles.
Hawai’i
Meeting Date: April 11
Location: 1151 Punchbowl St. Room 132 (Kalanimoku Building), Honolulu, Hawai‘i
Details: Meeting agendas are posted at least 6 days prior to the date of the meeting but an agenda for this month was not available when this webpage was posted. Keep checking back on this webpage.
Notes: Meeting starts at 9.a.m. Attend in person and arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the meeting start time in order to add your name to the sign-in sheet. To speak virtually, email blnr.testimony@hawaii.gov. Include your name and the agenda item on which you would like to testify. Once your request has been received, you will receive an email with the Zoom link. Requests may be also made during the meeting. Meetings will be livestreamed at: https://youtube.com/c/boardoflandandnaturalresourcesdlnr. To submit a comment, email blnr.testimony@hawaii.gov no later than 24 hours prior to the scheduled meeting to ensure time for BLNR Member review.
Pennsylvania
Meeting Date: April 11-12
Location: PGC Headquarters – 2001 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17110
Details: Click here for agenda and details
Notes: 1 p.m. Friday, April 11 and 8:30 a.m. Saturday, April 12. Public comment is accepted in person only on a first-to-register, first-to-speak basis. Watch live on YouTube.
North Dakota
Meeting Date: April 14-22
Location: Varies by region
Details: Visit their website for updates and more details.
Notes: The North Dakota Game and Fish Advisory Board is made up of eight members, four landowners and four hunter/anglers. Board members serve as liaisons between the department and the North Dakota public. Bi-annual meetings are held in each of eight districts giving citizens an opportunity to discuss fish and wildlife related issues.
California – Tribal Committee only
Meeting Date: April 15
Location: California Natural Resources Headquarters Building, Second Floor, 715 P Street, Sacramento, CA 95814
Details: Click here for agenda and details
Notes: Meeting documents are not yet available. Commission meetings are live-streamed (also referred to as a live webcast) with full audio and video. If you simply want to observe the meeting, but do not wish to comment on any item, we encourage you to view the live webcast available at www.fgc.ca.gov. How to join (if you plan to provide comment). More on all meetings in 2025.
New Hampshire
Meeting Date: April 15
Location: Fish and Game Headquarters, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH
Details: Agenda was not available when this webpage was published (4/1). Keep checking this webpage for details.
Notes: Meetings are generally at 1 p.m. on the third Tuesday of every month. Meetings of the NH Fish and Game Commission are open to the public, unless otherwise noted.
Arkansas
Meeting Date: April 16-17
Location: DeGray State Park
Details: Click here for agenda and details (note no agenda is online at time of webpage publishing).
Notes: Unclear how to speak at meetings or provide virtual testimony or written comments. 2025 meeting schedule is here. Archive of 2025 meetings is here.
Maryland
Meeting Date: April 16
Location: Department of Natural Resources Wildlife and Heritage Service, 580 Taylor Avenue, Tawes State Office Building, E-1, Annapolis MD 21401
Details: No agenda was available at time of webpage publishing; meeting schedule is listed at the end of the January agenda. Keep checking their website for updates.
Notes: Google Meet. Note: Unless notified otherwise, all meetings will be held via Google Meet. When meeting in person, they will be held in the C-4 Conference Room of the Department of Natural Resources—Tawes State Office Building beginning at 10:30 a.m. Available parking is located at the Navy Stadium Parking Lot. Send written comments to wac.dnr@maryland.gov.
Massachusetts
Meeting Date: April 16
Location: MassWildlife Field Headquarters, 1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough, Massachusetts
Details: Click here for agenda and details (note agenda is not available at time of webpage publishing)
Notes: Meeting starts at 10 a.m. Attendees can go in person or join via Zoom, passcode 989800. Or join via audio: (929) 205-6099. Webinar ID: 863 9175 7210. Passcode: 989800. Anyone wishing to be placed on the agenda to speak at the monthly business meeting must begin by notifying the Board in writing 2 weeks prior to the Board meeting; for more detailed information, contact Susan Sacco.
April 16, 2025. The April monthly business meeting of the Fisheries and Wildlife Board will be held on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., at the MassWildlife Field Headquarters, 1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough, Massachusetts, and in a Zoom webinar.
Montana
Meeting Date: April 17
Location: Zoom only (Regional offices will be open and available for those without internet access)
Details: Click here for agenda and details.
Notes: Meeting starts at 8:30 a.m. Public comments were accepted on the following proposals through March 26, 2025 with final action to be taken at the April 17 meeting. Public comment can still be submitted during the Zoom meeting itself. Watch for the registration link on this page. Registration to comment via Zoom will open on April 2 and close at Noon on April 16. Check this page for the link.
Nebraska
Meeting Date: April 17-18
Location:Crete Carrier Lodge at ET Mahoney State Park 28500 W Park Hwy Ashland, NE
Details: Click here for agenda and details (note agenda was note available at time of webpage publishing)
Notes: Meeting starts at 8:15 a.m.All interested persons may attend and testify orally or by written submission at the public hearing. Interested persons or organizations may submit written comments prior to the hearing, which will be entered into the hearing record if they: 1) include a request to be included as part of the hearing record; 2) include the name and address of the person or organization submitting the comments; and 3) are received by 1 p.m. CT April 16, 2025 by Sheri Henderson at the Lincoln office, 2200 North 33rd Street, Lincoln, NE 68503-0370. It is unclear if the meeting will be livestreamed and if virtual participation is possible.
Action: The commission will consider amendments to Wildlife Commission Order C03, Antelope, Deer, Elk regarding changes to permit numbers, season dates, bag limits, personal limits and areas open.
North Carolina
Meeting Date: April 17
Location: Raleigh
Details: Click here for agenda and details (note no agenda online as of 3/31)
Notes: The website says to register for virtual/Zoom attendance in advance but does not list a deadline. Unless otherwise specified, all meetings are held at Commission Headquarters in Raleigh.
Oregon
Meeting Date: April 17-18
Location: Winchester Bay
Details: No agenda online as of 3/31; keep checking this webpage for more details
Notes: April 17 Winchester Bay Tour; April 18 Winchester Bay Public Meeting. Meeting starts at 8 a.m. Members of the public can view a livestream of the meeting via the agency’s YouTube channel or on the Commission page. Members of the public may also view a livestream of this meeting at ODFW Headquarters, 4034 Fairview Industrial Drive SE, Salem. Comment and testimony are limited to 3 minutes or less. Submit written comments and/or register to speak virtually by 8 a.m., April 15. Those who would like to provide virtual testimony must register no less than 48 hours in advance to receive a testimony link to the meeting. To provide testimony on an agenda item in-person, registration will be available at the meeting. To provide in-person public comment, fill out a “Witness Registration” form available at the meeting.
Action:
- Oregon Game Bird Regulations- Rulemaking
- Wolf Annual Report- Informational | Comment to demand more be done to prevent illegal killings.
- 2025 Sport and Commercial Pacific Halibut Regulations- Rulemaking
- 2025 Ocean Salmon Fisheries and Ocean Terminal Fisheries-Rulemaking
- Private Forest Accord Project Funding- Approval
Georgia
Meeting Date: April 22
Location: Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center – Shepherd Room 543 Elliott Trail, Mansfield, GA 30055
Details: Click here for details. (note the meeting agenda was not available at time of webpage publishing)
Notes: Meeting starts at 9 a.m.It is unclear how to sign up to speak, submit a comment, or if virtual participation is possible. Here is the full 2025 meeting schedule.
Wyoming
Meeting Date: April 22-23
Location: Casper
Details: Agenda not available at time of webpage publishing; keep checking back for updates
Notes: This meeting will be conducted in person and via Zoom. Please note there are different links for each day. If you wish to speak to the Commission and comment on an agenda item in person, please complete the comment form provided at the meeting. If you wish to speak to the Commission and comment on an agenda item via Zoom, please submit an Advanced Agenda Item Comment Form, which is attached to the agenda, by Monday, April 21 to toni.bell2@wyo.gov.
Kansas
Meeting Date: April 24
Location: Flint Oak – 2639 Quail Road, Fall River, KS 67047
Details: Click here for agenda and details. (note no agenda was available at time of webpage publishing)
Notes: Meeting starts at 12 p.m. You can watch and comment via Zoom; register here. Once registered, you will emailed a link to “Join the Meeting.” You will be muted upon entering the meeting. To comment or ask a question, use the “Raise Hand” feature or type your question in the chat function. Watch Live video/audio stream at https://ksoutdoors.com/commission-meeting.
Tennessee
Meeting Date: April 24-25
Location: Region II Office, Ellington Agricultural Center, Nashville, TN
Details: Click here for agenda and details (note no agenda is available at the time of webpage publishing)
Notes: Meeting starts at 1 p.m. on April 24 and 9 a.m. on April 25. No agenda listed and it is unclear how to watch remotely, or how to provide comments.
Hawai’i
Meeting Date: April 25
Location: 1151 Punchbowl St. Room 132 (Kalanimoku Building), Honolulu, Hawai‘i
Details: Meeting agendas are posted at least 6 days prior to the date of the meeting but an agenda for this month was not available when this webpage was posted. Keep checking back on this webpage.
Notes: Meeting starts at 9.a.m. Attend in person and arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the meeting start time in order to add your name to the sign-in sheet. To speak virtually, email blnr.testimony@hawaii.gov. Include your name and the agenda item on which you would like to testify. Once your request has been received, you will receive an email with the Zoom link. Requests may be also made during the meeting. Meetings will be livestreamed at: https://youtube.com/c/boardoflandandnaturalresourcesdlnr. To submit a comment, email blnr.testimony@hawaii.gov no later than 24 hours prior to the scheduled meeting to ensure time for BLNR Member review.
New Mexico
Meeting Date: April 25
Location: Roswell
Details: Meeting agenda and details not available at time of webpage publishing, keep checking this webpage for updates.
Notes: Meeting starts at 9 a.m. Comment in person by signing up to speak via a card. Register in advance to attend this meeting virtually via Zoom (link available when the agenda is online). After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. The commission may hear verbal public comments from virtual attendees at this meeting. If comments are taken, you will be asked to virtually raise your hand and then acknowledged to speak when it is your turn. A live webcast of this meeting will be available on the commission’s Webcast page and on our YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/NMGameandFish. Comments will not be taken on the live webcast or on YouTube.
Delaware
Meeting Date: April 29
Location: Dover
Details: Click here for agenda (not available at time of webpage publishing) and details
Notes: Meeting starts at 7 p.m. No information on how to speak or comment available at time of webpage publishing but the site says virtual connection details will be announced.
LoboWeek 2025 Is A Call To Action
LoboWeek 2025 is a call to action for those who love wolves.
Cindy, a female wolf at the ABQ BioPark was sent to Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge for pre-release into the wild in in 2021. Photo: ABQ BioPark.
LoboWeek 2025: Fighting for Real Solutions for Endangered Mexican Gray Wolves
Each year, LoboWeek offers an opportunity to celebrate and advocate for one of the most endangered mammals in North America: the Mexican gray wolf. Hosted by the Wolf Conservation Center, this annual event sheds light on the plight of these remarkable wolves and the ongoing challenges they face in the wild.
While the most recent population survey shows an 11% increase in their numbers, this doesn’t tell the whole story—Mexican wolves are still in serious danger, and without bold changes, their future remains precarious.
A Population in Peril
According to the Arizona Game & Fish Department, the 2024 minimum population count reached 286 wolves across Arizona and New Mexico. While this marks the ninth consecutive year of growth, the long-term viability of the species is threatened by low genetic diversity, political obstacles, and persistent human-caused mortality.
Mexican gray wolves were nearly wiped out in the wild before being reintroduced in 1998, and every individual wolf today traces back to just seven founders. With such a limited gene pool, conservation efforts must focus on increasing genetic diversity—not just numbers—if these wolves are to truly recover.
Cross-Fostering Isn’t The Answer
One of the biggest obstacles to meaningful recovery for lobos has been the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (USFWS) reliance on cross-fostering instead of releasing bonded pairs of wolves into the wild.
Since 2016, 126 captive-born pups have been placed into wild dens in an attempt to introduce new genetics. However, the success rate is abysmally low—less than 16% of fostered wolves have survived to breeding age and produced pups.
Meanwhile, wolves born and raised in captivity remain behind fences, despite their potential to form breeding pairs that could strengthen the wild population. The cross-fostering program has been a politically convenient distraction from the real solution: releasing bonded wolf pairs that can establish new packs and contribute to genetic recovery.
Breaking the I-40 Barrier
Another major roadblock for recovery is the arbitrary boundary at Interstate 40, which currently limits Mexican gray wolf recovery around invisible lines on a map for political purposes. Wolves naturally disperse in search of new territory, yet the USFWS does not allow them to roam beyond this artificial line.
This restriction prevents them from accessing additional suitable habitat in northern Arizona, New Mexico, and even Colorado, where they could potentially cross-breed with that state’s gray wolves to bolster genetic diversity and establish a more resilient population.
If USFWS is serious about lobo recovery, it must remove the I-40 boundary and allow these wolves to expand into areas where they are desperately needed.
Mexican gray wolf pups born in May 2020 at the Albuquerque BioPark. Photo by ABQ Bio Park.
Poaching and Livestock Conflicts: A System Rigged Against Wolves
While Mexican gray wolves struggle to survive in the wild, they are routinely targeted by illegal killings—many of which go unpunished. Such poaching is often undetected and not only a direct threat to wolf recovery but is also enabled by a broader system that favors livestock interests over wildlife protection. The case of Craig Thiessen, a rancher who brutally killed at least one young Mexican wolf caught in a trap, exemplifies how lenient consequences for such acts reinforce a culture of impunity—one that is mirrored in the misconduct and bias within Wildlife Services. In 2022, an investigation by The Intercept exposed fraud and misconduct within Wildlife Services, the federal agency tasked with handling livestock-wolf conflicts.
Despite these enormous revelations, little has changed. The livestock industry continues to exert enormous influence over wolf management, often leading to wolves being removed or killed at the behest of ranchers.
Last year, 23 conservation organizations, including Wildlife for All, condemned the removal of the entire Kendrick Peak pack in Arizona, revealing how tilted decision-making for lobos is in favor of livestock interests, which disproportionately disrupts recovery efforts and ignores non-lethal coexistence solutions.
This lack of transparency and accountability underscores the broken nature of the system—one that consistently prioritizes livestock interests over science-based wolf conservation.
The Fight for the Endangered Species Act
In the midst of LoboWeek 2025, the threats to Mexican wolves are compounded by ongoing political attacks on the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Right now, the Republican-led House of Representatives is considering legislation that would weaken the ESA and strip protections for wolves nationwide.
One bill, the ESA Amendments Act of 2025, would gut the law’s ability to protect imperiled species, making it easier to delist them and harder to secure new protections. Another bill, the extremely misleadingly named Pet and Livestock Protection Act of 2025, would remove gray wolves from the ESA entirely and prevent future legal challenges to their delisting.
If passed, these bills would have catastrophic consequences not just for Mexican wolves, but for all endangered wildlife in the U.S. This is why we must act now to defend the ESA and push for real solutions that prioritize wolf recovery over industry profits.
Making matters worse, former Wyoming Game and Fish Director Brian Nesvik—a longtime opponent of wolf protections and architect of the state’s extreme anti-wolf policies—is being considered for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director, a move that would further endanger the integrity of the ESA and put wolf recovery in even greater jeopardy.
Take Action for Lobos during LoboWeek 2025
LoboWeek 2025 is more than just a celebration—it’s a call to action. Mexican wolves need us to fight for their future, and here’s what you can do:
- Call your House Representative at 202-224-3121 and demand they protect the Endangered Species Act and oppose any legislation that weakens wolf protections.
- Call your Senators and urge them to reject Brian Nesvik as USFWS Director—we need leadership that prioritizes conservation, not industry interests.
- Advocate for real recovery efforts for Mexican gray wolves, including releasing bonded pairs, allowing wolves to roam beyond I-40, and holding poachers and Wildlife Services accountable.
Members of the Wildlife for All staff, board, and advisory board prepare for a hike to remotely view Mexican gray wolves at the start of LoboWeek 2025.
The Wildlife for All team recently had the privilege of observing eight Mexican wolves in pre-release pens at our retreat in New Mexico—a sight that took our breath away. These wolves deserve a chance to roam wild, raise their young, and reclaim their place in the Southwest.
Let’s make sure LoboWeek 2025 is the year we demand the real solutions they desperately need.
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