VICTORY: Earthjustice wins in court for Florida’s endangered species

 

Thanks to a victory in court last week, Florida’s threatened and endangered species will receive the full protection of the Endangered Species Act after the Trump administration illegally created a work-around that put them at risk.  As a result of our lawsuit, Florida's developers must now seek federal approval for their projects and adhere to the Endangered Species Act. The ruling came just as Florida was poised to issue permits for two major development projects. Together, the projects could have killed up to 26 Florida panthers per year, when biologists estimate that only 120 to 230 Florida panthers remain in the wild. Earthjustice has been fighting to protect the state’s precious wetlands from a Trump-era program that allowed for shortcuts around key federal laws — laws that protect our waterways and the species and communities that rely on them. We proved the Trump administration broke the law when it allowed Florida to take over the federal dredge and fill permitting program without complying with the Endangered Species Act in the first place.  This ruling protects wetlands that house as many as 139 endangered or threatened species. Wetlands are also essential to our communities because they control flooding, provide buffers against hurricanes, and filter pollution from drinking water.  It’s estimated that by 2100, we could lose 40% of our planet’s species. Think of how different the natural world is now compared to 1950. Now imagine how unrecognizable it could be in another 75 years.   Earthjustice exists to take on fights like this latest one, which will protect not only the Florida panther, but scores of threatened and endangered species. We work on cases that build on landmark environmental decisions to protect endangered species, delicate ecosystems, and human health. Since our founding 50 years ago, we have not stopped working towards these goals, and we have the victories to prove it.   Supporters like you are the reason for those victories, and we could not do this work without you. By taking action, spreading the word, and offering your hard-earned resources, you fuel this fight. Together, we can make the world of 2100 not only one we recognize, but one that is more sustainable, cleaner, and more just. We’re honored to work alongside you, and hope you’ll celebrate this victory too.     . Sincerely, Bonnie Malloy Earthjustice Senior Attorney

Make a tax-deductible gift to help us take on the fights ahead! Earthjustice, 50 California Street, Suite 500, San Francisco, CA 94111 This email was delivered to you by Earthjustice. Photo Credit: Frans Lanting © 2024