News Releases

Since 1991, Wildlands Network has been committed to reconnecting, restoring and rewilding North America for the benefit of all species. Our work is founded in science, driven by fieldwork and furthered through strategic policy and partnerships. We envision a North America where nature is undivided, and where people coexist in harmony with our native plants and animals.

Below are our most recent news updates. For media inquiries, please contact Danielle Fisher, Communications Manager, at danielle@wildlandsnetwork.org or 385-258-2817.

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Legislation to Protect Wildlife Corridors Introduced in the Virginia State House

Posted on January 27, 2020January 27, 2020 by Danielle Fisher

RICHMOND, Va. (January 27, 2020) — Senator David W. Marsden and Delegate David L. Bulova have introduced landmark wildlife conservation legislation that will benefit both Virginia’s wildlife and residents, with the support of more than 50 regional and national conservation groups. SB 1004 and HB 1695 will promote the protection of wildlife corridors across the… Continue reading “Legislation to Protect Wildlife Corridors Introduced in the Virginia State House”…

Eastern Wildway Map Presents Vision for an Ecologically-Connected North America

Posted on October 22, 2019October 22, 2019 by Danielle Fisher

DURHAM, N.C. (October 22, 2019) – This week Wildlands Network publicly released its Eastern Wildway map, a bold vision for reconnecting and restoring wildlife habitat across eastern North America. The new map covers roughly 50% of the East Coast of the United States and Canada, and is among first large-scale conservation plans to show an… Continue reading “Eastern Wildway Map Presents Vision for an Ecologically-Connected North America”…

Orange butterfly with black and white markings on a pink flower.

Former Immediate Chair of IPBES, E.O. Wilson Show Support for Bipartisan Wildlife Corridors Conservation Act at Congressional Briefing

Posted on July 23, 2019July 26, 2019 by Gabby Saunders

On Tuesday, July 23, environmental and legislative leaders spoke in support of the Wildlife Corridors Conservation Act of 2019 at a Congressional briefing hosted by Wildlands Network and collaborating organizations. Photo: Ron Holmes, USFWS

A gray wolf raises its head in the air and howls.

Trump Administration Proposal to Remove Federal Protection for Gray Wolves is Scientifically and Legally Flawed

Posted on July 15, 2019July 16, 2019 by Katy Schaffer

The Trump Administration is proposing stripping Endangered Species Act protection for all gray wolves in the lower 48 United States, except for the separately listed Mexican gray wolf. Comments on this proposal from conservation groups point to substantial flaws and omissions in the USFWS’s analysis of the relevant science and their interpretation of various ESA mandates. Photo: William C. Gladish

Oregon Governor Kate Brown Signs Critical Wildlife Corridor Legislation Into Law

Posted on June 7, 2019July 15, 2019 by Jessica Walz Schafer

Oregon has the West Coast’s highest rate of vehicle-wildlife collisions, but road trips could soon be safer for both people and animals, thanks to new legislation signed by Gov. Kate Brown today. The bipartisan Oregon “Wildlife Corridors Bill” aims to reduce collisions by mapping the state’s major wildlife corridors and creating a plan to protect them. Photo: done4today / Adobe Stock

Five pig-like animals cross a road with trees, canyons, and hills in the background.

Wildlife Corridors Conservation Act of 2019 Introduced in Congress With Bi-Partisan Support Following UN Report On Global Biodiversity Crisis

Posted on May 16, 2019July 15, 2019 by Gabby Saunders

Marking the most significant step toward national wildlife conservation in decades, the Wildlife Corridors Conservation Act of 2019 was introduced today in both houses of Congress. Led by Sen. Tom Udall, the bill was co-sponsored in the Senate by Richard Blumenthal, Cory Booker, Kamala Harris, Jeff Merkley, Bernie Sanders, Jon Tester, Sheldon Whitehouse, and Ron Wyden. The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives by Congressmen Don Beyer and Vern Buchanan.

A lone Mexican wolf moves through green vegetation, with the photo blurred to show that the wolf is in motion.

Annual Mexican Wolf Count Shows Hope for the Species, but More Still Needs to Be Done

Posted on April 8, 2019July 26, 2019 by Gabby Saunders

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife (FWS) service reported earlier today that the Mexican gray wolf population had increased from 114 individuals in 2018 to 131 individuals in 2019. Kim Crumbo, Senior Carnivore Advocate for Wildlands Network, said that while the increase is good news, there is still much to be done to recover the endangered Mexican wolf to sustainable population levels. Wildlands Network encourages FWS to act upon the best available science for this species. Photo: Juan Carlos Bravo

2 small cubs standing vertical at the base of a tree

New Mexico Governor Signs First-of-Its-Kind Wildlife Corridor Act into Law

Posted on April 1, 2019July 26, 2019 by Gabby Saunders

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed the Wildlife Corridors Act into law on Friday, making New Mexico the first state to adopt a comprehensive program to identify wildlife corridors and begin to address barriers to wildlife movement. Photo: William C. Gladish

In this closeup shot, a red wolf stares straight at the camera, his ears alert and snout pointed downward.

Expert Report Concludes Red Wolves Are Distinct Species

Posted on March 28, 2019July 15, 2019 by Ron Sutherland

This morning, an expert wolf taxonomy committee released their final report on the genetic and taxonomic status of red wolves, declaring the animals to be a distinct species. As a distinct species, red wolves are therefore deserving of specific protections under the Endangered Species Act. Photo: Becky Bartell, USFWS

Organizaciones de conservación se reúnen para mejorar la protección de la vida silvestre en Estados Unidos y México

Posted on March 22, 2019March 22, 2019 by Juan Carlos Bravo

El mes pasado, unos 40 líderes de conservación de la vida silvestre de Estados Unidos y México formaron la Colaboración para la Conservación de los Estados Fronterizos, un grupo de trabajo informal dedicado a preservar la conectividad y la biodiversidad única de las tierras fronterizas. Foto: Cortesía Colaboración para la Conservación de los Estados Fronterizos

Conservation Organizations Gathered to Discuss Enhanced Wildlife Protections in the U.S.-Mexico Border States

Posted on March 22, 2019March 22, 2019 by Juan Carlos Bravo

Last month, some 40 wildlife conservation leaders from both the United States and Mexico formed the Border States Conservation Collaborative, an informal working group dedicated to preserving the connectivity and unique biodiversity of the borderlands. Photo: Courtesy Border States Conservation Collaborative

Wildlands Network Responds to Trump Administration’s Plan to Prematurely End Protections for Gray Wolves in Lower 48

Posted on March 6, 2019July 15, 2019 by Katy Schaffer

In response to today’s announcement that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service intends to remove Endangered Species Act protections for most gray wolves in the lower 48 states, Wildlands Network’s senior carnivore advocate Kim Crumbo condemned the move as premature and not based on sound science. Photo: William C. Gladish

Diputado local por Sonora propone Pasos de Fauna en carreteras estatales

Posted on February 14, 2019 by Juan Carlos Bravo

El martes, el diputado local, Luis Mario Rivera Aguilar, presentó ante el Congreso del Estado de Sonora un proyecto de decreto que hace obligatorio incluir pasos de fauna en los Programas de Ordenamiento Territorial en el estado. Photo: Wildlands Network/EcoGrande/Sky Island Alliance

Sonora State Representative Proposes Wildlife Crossings on State Highways

Posted on February 14, 2019February 14, 2019 by Juan Carlos Bravo

On Tuesday, Sonoran State Representative Luis Mario Rivera Aguilar presented a draft decree requiring wildlife crossings in the state’s Territorial Ordinance Programs to Sonora’s state Congress. Photo: Wildlands Network/EcoGrande/Sky Island Alliance

This 3-D model shows a wildlife bridge connecting two wild areas over a highway.

Chihuahua State Representatives Pass Amendment Requiring Wildlife Crossings on All New Highway Projects in the State

Posted on January 25, 2019February 13, 2019 by Juan Carlos Bravo

Representatives of the northern state of Chihuahua in Mexico recently approved an amendment in the state’s Transportation Law requiring the implementation of wildlife crossings in the design, construction and maintenance of roads and highways for preserving wildlife movements. Graphic: Pedro Capdeveille