Hi Friends,

This week, we lost a legend. Jane Goodall taught us that empathy is a form of intelligence — that compassion and curiosity are as vital to science as data and discovery. Her work changed how we see wildlife and ourselves: as part of a living community with responsibilities to all beings. Jane’s life was a beacon of hope and courage, and now it’s up to us to carry that light forward and fight for what can still be restored. As she said, “What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”

The attacks on wildlife, public lands, and democracy are not isolated — they are part of the same system of violence tightening its grip on all of us. From wolves killed in the West to militarized raids in cities, the same forces threaten life, land, and freedom. We’re not fighting separate battles; we are part of one fight. This moment calls for more than mourning — it calls for movement, courage, and collective action.

We invite you to join us in standing up against this machine. Attend a No Kings protest, demand your state leaders act with courage, and be part of our Courage Campaign. Real change comes from people like you showing up in your communities, disrupting unaccountable power at every level — from state wildlife commissions to the streets. Together, we have the power to build something better.

Wildlife for All believes in justice for all life. That means dismantling the systems that kill — and interrogating the ideologies that justify them. As animals roam lands divided by walls, humans—disproportionately Black, Brown, Indigenous, migrant, and poor—face violence and displacement in the name of so-called “order.” This land was not made for walls or dictators. This land was made for you and me—and that means ALL of US.

With courage and hope,

Michelle

Driving Action Against Federal Attacks:

Thanks to your incredible advocacy, we helped drive more than 6,000 comments on the Roadless Rule — a huge victory for public lands! Overall, more than 625,000 of you spoke up—and 99% demanded protection (thank you to Center for Western Priorities for the initial analysis on the comments, and the wonderful graph). Even more took action to email legislators and the head of the USDA. That’s the power of a public that refuses to be silenced.

Even though this moment in time feels overwhelmingly bad, remember that every click and comment adds up — and it shows government agencies that the public is paying attention, documents public perspectives to inform better future policies and lays the groundwork for litigation to protect, defend and hold our government accountable. Holding the line against these federal harms is essential so that state and local wildlife systems can flourish, implement science-based policies, and truly protect the animals and ecosystems in their care.

Stopping the Barred Owl Massacre:

We’ve also mobilized the public to push back on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) plan to kill half a million barred owls. FWS plans to spend up to $1.35 billion in taxpayer dollars over the next 30 years simply because these owls are better at living in human-impacted habitats than their close cousins, the threatened northern and California spotted owls who need old-growth forest that isn’t being protected. This plan is cruel, costly, futile—and proof that our system of wildlife governance, whether federal or state, is deeply broken.

Your voice is crucial in this fight to protect both barred and spotted owls. Take action here: Stop the Barred Owl Massacre

October Wildlife Commission Meetings:

Mark your calendars! WFA is tracking upcoming state commission meetings, providing tools for public comment and engagement: October Commission Meetings

Theory of Change Workshop Outcomes:
Our spring Theory of Change retreat is already producing tangible resources:

• Science-Informed Decision-Making Guide: A new practical guide written by two advisory board members, Dr. Adrian Treves and Dr. Kirk Robinson, is now live: Read it here

• Ethical Hunting Positionality: Board and advisory members are meeting to create a rubric to guide WFA’s positions on hunting.

• Wildlife Trustee Framework: Another team is developing a groundbreaking framework for what wildlife trusteeship could look like within governance systems — stay tuned!

• Press release: Mexican wolf genetic diversity declines for the fourth straight year — a reminder that your advocacy for lobos is urgent.

• Blog post: See the incredible return of Chinook salmon to the Klamath River and how dam removal and river restoration efforts are making a difference.

Thank you for everything you do. Every comment, click, and donation helps turn science into action, protects wildlife, and strengthens democracy and justice for all life.