Action Alert

Standing Up for Conservation and Our Federal Partners

Amid growing threats to the Endangered Species Act, National Monuments, and the environmental laws that keep our communities safe, Sonoma Land Trust remains steadfast in its mission and is deeply grateful for our donors, whose continued support empowers us to protect the lands and waters you cherish, regardless of the political climate.  

We are alarmed by recent federal executive orders that have led to mass firings, proposals for the sale of public lands for profit, the weakening of environmental regulations, and the instability at key federal agencies.

We oppose the attempt to dismantle more than a century of bipartisan consensus on environmental policies and the management of lands held in trust for the American people. It threatens the environmental protections that both Democratic and Republican administrations have enacted over decades to control the staggering cost to lives and communities of rampant pollution and unsustainable development.    

We will be steadfast and true to our values and believe that the climate and biodiversity crises cannot be solved without the full empowerment and participation of all communities. We remain committed to working with our regional and national allies to defend the right to clean air and water, access to public lands, and to uphold the principles of fairness, inclusion, and safeguarding the well-being of our communities that guide everything we do.  

Now more than ever, we must act—our future depends on it. A world without trees or streams cannot sustain life, and we are running out of time to defend what remains. We must stand firm in our values and mission to protect what we have left before these vital places disappear forever.

– Eamon O’Byrne, Executive Director

Here’s what you can do

Please take five minutes and comment on a proposed change in the interpretation of the federal Endangered Species Act.
 
The Endangered Species Act was passed over 50 years ago and has resulted in the protection of many listed species and their habitat. Many of these species are in Sonoma County, like the California tiger salamander, the Salt Marsh Harvest Mouse, Ridgway’s Rail, and wild Chinook salmon.

Now, the Trump Administration is proposing reinterpreting the Endangered Species Act such that the destruction of a species’ habitat would no longer be considered harmful to the species. Rather, only actions that directly kill or intentionally hurt individual animals would be considered harmful to the species. Under this new proposed definition, the habitat species depend on to survive could be cleared, graded, mined, logged, bulldozed, flooded, or drained.
 
The environmental community must take action now and voice our strong opposition to this weakening of the Endangered Species Act. Please spread the word to all your friends, family, and contacts in your groups and community. Please share this action alert far and wide. Take to social media and share our post as well!
 
There is a 30-day window (deadline is May 19) where the public can comment on this proposed reinterpretation of the Endangered Species Act. We need to have millions of Americans comment that this proposed reinterpretation is not wanted nor necessary.
 
Fortunately, it is very easy to comment. You can do it in less than 5 minutes. See the process and sample talking points below!

READ THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS

Per the Federal Register 2025-06746 (90 FR 16102):

“The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) (collectively referred to as the Services or we) are proposing to rescind the regulatory definition of “harm” in our Endangered Species Act (ESA or the Act) regulations. The existing regulatory definition of “harm,” which includes habitat modification, runs contrary to the best meaning of the statutory term “take.” We are undertaking this change to adhere to the single, best meaning of the ESA.”

SEND IN YOUR COMMENTS

Get your comments in by Monday, May 19, 2025:

Please use the template below:

Dear [Agency Official / U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service],

I strongly oppose the proposed reinterpretation of “harm” in the Endangered Species Act (ESA). This change would be devastating to species.

It’s obvious that wildlife can’t survive without their natural homes. Removing habitat protections and altering the definition of harm would gut the ESA and put countless species at greater risk.

Please reject this dangerous proposal and keep the ESA strong. Protecting habitat is protecting wildlife.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[City, State]