SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. - October 17 - The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today finalized a dramatic reduction in habitat designated as critical for the survival of the charismatic and declining San Bernardino kangaroo rat. The proposal would designate a total of only 7,779 acres of habitat, a 76-percent reduction from the current designation of 33,295 acres.

ASHEVILLE, N.C. - October 16 - Conservation groups today asked a federal court in Western North Carolina to require Duke Energy to control hazardous air pollution from its Cliffside coal-fired power plant to the maximum extent possible. The groups told the court that construction on the 800-megawatt addition should be stopped because their air permit does not adequately control dangerous air emissions, including mercury and dozens of carcinogens such as arsenic, chromium, and dioxin.

BOULDER, Colo. - October 15 - Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) is calling on the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to ensure protection of the 40,000 acre Ciénega de Santa Clara, the largest and healthiest remaining wetland system in the delta of the Colorado River.  

WASHINGTON - October 14 - Today more than 100,000 citizens opposed the Bush Administration's attempts to severely weaken the Endangered Species Act. 

MEXICO CITY, Mexico - October 14 - President Felipe Calderón Hinojosa has signed into law a bill to ban the capture and export of Mexican wild parrots. The bill, introduced one year ago by the Environment Commission of the Deputy Chamber, was passed in the Mexican Senate on 22 April, 2008 with near unanimous support (66 votes in favor, 0 votes against, and 1 abstention).

CORNUCOPIA, Wis. - October 13 - Groups representing organic farmers and their customers are calling on consumers to help save the organic industry by exclusively patronizing dairies, and other brands, that uphold the spirit and letter of the federal organic law.  They claim the acquisition of major brands by corporate agribusiness, and their dependence on factory farms, threatens to force families off the land and deprive consumers of the superior nutritional food they think they are paying for.