Press Room

Wolves: Groups Will Challenge Trump Admin Removal of Endangered Species Protections in Lower 48

August 1, 2025October 29, 2020 by nsc425

October 29, 2020 — Today, the Trump administration will announce its decision to prematurely remove endangered species protections for wolves in the lower 48 states, in violation of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The most recent data from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and its state partners show an estimated 4,400 wolves inhabit the western Great Lakes states, but only 108 wolves in Washington state, 158 in Oregon, and a scant 15 in California. These numbers lay the groundwork for a legal challenge planned by a coalition of Western conservation groups.

Environmental, public health, and social justice groups file legal challenge against DHS citing lack of analysis on impacts of teargas to human health and the environment

August 1, 2025October 23, 2020 by nsc425

October 20, 2020 — With no regard for health or safety, the federal government blatantly violated federal environmental law when it flooded Portland and the surrounding communities with an unprecedented amount of dangerous chemical weapons, a lawsuit filed today by a broad coalition of environmental justice and civil rights advocates alleges.

Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission Petitioned to End Beaver Trapping and Hunting on Federal Land

August 1, 2025September 10, 2020 by nsc425

September 10, 2020 — Conservation groups filed a petition today asking the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission to permanently close commercial and recreational beaver trapping and hunting on the state’s federally managed public lands and the waters that flow through them. Beavers are Oregon’s official state animal, but they can be legally hunted and trapped with few limits.

Gov. Inslee Orders Rework of Washington’s Wolf-killing Policies

August 1, 2025September 4, 2020 by nsc425

September 4, 2020 — In a win for wolf advocates, Gov. Jay Inslee directed the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission today to draft new rules governing the killing of wolves involved in conflicts with livestock. This action reverses the commission’s denial of a petition filed by advocates in May that called for reforms of the state Department of Fish and Wildlife’s lethal wolf-management policies.

Press Release: Legal Action Taken to Halt Thurston Hills Logging in Springfield, OR

August 1, 2025August 17, 2020 by kaley

August 17, 2020 — In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) rejected administrative protests and decided to move forward with the Thurston Hills timber sale despite widespread opposition to the project. Last year on September 19th 2019, Oregon’s federal District Court rejected the Thurston Hills timber sale due to BLM’s failure to disclose increased wildfire danger for nearby communities and residents, and the BLM’s failure to designate and protect trails in this newly designated recreation area. In response to the court order, BLM made no changes to the project and quickly reissued another decision, a response typical of the Trump administration which ignores the rule of law and attempts to circumvent environmental rules and public process.

In Solidarity with #BlackLivesMatter

August 1, 2025June 3, 2020 by kaley

June 3, 2020 — Dear Friends, Colleagues, Allies, and Supporters: Like so many of you, Cascadia Wildlands’ staff and board are moved to stand up in urgent protest of the distressing murder of George Floyd, a recent manifestation of a repugnant pattern of deep-rooted racism in our society. We were inspired to take part in the huge Black Lives Matter march in Eugene on Sunday, with thousands of our neighbors, in solidarity with millions around the country. This is a moment and an issue that demands specific, immediate attention from us all.

Press Release: Landowners and Organizations Challenge Federal Green Light for Pipeline

August 4, 2025May 27, 2020 by kaley

May 27, 2020 — Today, southern Oregon organizations filed a lawsuit challenging Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approval of the Jordan Cove LNG export terminal and Pacific Connector fracked gas pipeline. FERC issued its approval in March, conditioned on the project qualifying for critical permits from the state of Oregon. Three of those permits have already been denied or withdrawn.

Press Release: BLM Attempting to Clearcut Thurston Hills Again Despite Fire Risk to Springfield

August 1, 2025May 19, 2020 by nsc425

May 18, 2020 — In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) made a final decision to move forward with the Thurston Hills timber sale today despite widespread opposition to the project. With 79th Street in Springfield on one side and newly constructed trails on the other, this BLM parcel is the closest federal public land to the Springfield-Eugene urban area and an invaluable recreation area for local residents. The timber sale would result in extensive “regeneration harvest” (all but clear-cutting) of 109 acres of middle-aged forest immediately adjacent to Willamalane’s recently opened 655-acre Thurston Hills Natural Area.

Press Release: Legal Petition Filed to Regulate Washington Wolf-killing

August 1, 2025May 11, 2020 by nsc425

May 11, 2020 — Conservation groups petitioned the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission today for rules limiting when the state can kill endangered wolves for conflicts with livestock. The state has killed 31 wolves since 2012, relying on a protocol that skews heavily toward lethal and ineffective outcomes.

Press Release: Oregonians Demand Rehearing of Pipeline Project Approval

August 1, 2025April 20, 2020 by kaley

April 20, 2020 — Today, the Klamath Tribes, impacted landowners, and over 25 public interest organizations submitted a joint request for rehearing to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on its decision to conditionally approve the Jordan Cove LNG export terminal and Pacific Connector fracked gas pipeline. The broad coalition’s rehearing request challenges FERC’s imbalanced and inadequate review of the Jordan Cove LNG proposal.

2019 Washington Annual Wolf Report Released!

August 1, 2025April 20, 2020 by nsc425

April 20, 2020 — The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife released its annual wolf report today. The population posted meager overall growth resulting in a total count of 108 wolves up from 97 wolves last year. The number of packs decreased. Oregon posted large population gains this year, indicating that the stagnant growth in Washington was not a function of weather patterns but again a function of large amounts of lethal control of which Oregon had none.

Press Release: Lawsuit Launched to Protect North Oregon Coast Red Tree Vole

August 1, 2025April 14, 2020 by nsc425

April 14, 2020 — Conservation groups filed a notice today of their intent to sue the Trump administration for failing to protect the imperiled North Oregon Coast population of red tree voles under the Endangered Species Act.

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