WORKS FOR NATURE

Nature In Need

tracking trump's impacts on
nature conservation
- and the groups you can support
in response.
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24 entries

Migratory Bird Treaty Act - Enforcement Weakened

National Audubon Society

US Nationwide
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Summary
Jun 2, 2025

The Trump administration weakened the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) by redefining the law. In doing so, they removed protections for birds from avoidable deaths caused by industrial activity. 

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Status
  • Conservationists view this policy change as unconstitutional and against the MBTA’s purpose. However, no lawsuits have been filed yet.
Key Details
  • Law Reinterpreted:  The Trump administration weakened the 107-year old Migratory Bird Treaty Act by issuing a memo that reinterprets the meaning of the law. 
  • Limiting Protections:  The administration now asserts the MBTA prohibits only intentional killings of migratory birds—not avoidable deaths caused by industrial activity.
  • Industry Exemption:  This reinterpretation would exempt industries from penalties for avoidable bird deaths (AKA incidental take) from activities like oil drilling and construction.
  • Conservation Backlash:  According to National Audubon Society: "These protections from “incidental take” have successfully been implemented by both Republican and Democratic administrations for decades and have saved millions of birds."
How To Help
  • National Audubon Society has historically led litigation and grassroots campaigns to defend the MBTA. You can help by following and supporting their efforts.
Importance of the MBTA.
Birders react to Trump's MBTA action.

TerraCorps Service Program - Funding Terminated, Nonprofit To Close

TerraCorps

Massachusetts and Rhode Island
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Summary
Jun 1, 2025

TerraCorps is a service organization that matched AmeriCorps volunteers with local conservation nonprofits in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. In April 2025, Trump illegally terminated funding for all 43 members of TerraCorps forcing the nonprofit to close.

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Status
  • On April 25, TerraCorp announced that they would be closing due to termination of their funding.  
  • On June 5, a judge ordered the Trump Administration to restore federal funding to AmeriCorps. However, there has been no word from TerraCorps that it will be reopening. 
Key Details
  • Mission and Roles:  Since its founding in 2010, TerraCorps has placed volunteers in service roles doing trail building, invasive species control, youth education, and other critical work. 
  • Recent Service Impact:  In 2024, TerraCorps placed 43 members in 11-month service terms supporting local conservation organizations 
  • Funding Terminated:  On April 25, Trump illegally terminated $400 million in funding for AmeriCorps. This resulted in the early termination of all 43 members of TerraCorps. It has also forced the nonprofit to close.
How To Help
Learn about TerraCorps.
TerraCorps in action.

USAID International Conservation - Funding Cancelled

World Wildlife Fund

Worldwide
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Summary
Jun 1, 2025

The Trump Administration illegally dismantled USAID and cancelled congressionally approved funding for international conservation. These cuts are potentially catastrophic for global biodiversity.

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Status
  • A judge ruled that the dismantling of USAID was unconstitutional but it doesn't look like the administration has unfrozen grant funding. 
Key Details
How To Help
  • We recommend supporting nonprofits like World Wildlife Fund that have been leaders in international conservation fundraising and that partner with local efforts to protect biodiversity. 
USAID in Bangladesh.
USAID in Mozambique.

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Invasive Plant Control - Frozen Funding

Friends of the Yampa

Steamboat Springs, Colorado
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Summary
May 31, 2025

Another example of a local conservation project torpedoed by the Trump Administration - this time for a project controlling a highly invasive plant infesting the Yampa River. 

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Status
  • Update: Grant Funding for the project has been unfrozen due to a court order. 
Key Details
  • This project uses beetles to control the invasive Leafy Spurge which has become a major problem along the Yampa River. 
  • The project was supposed to be conducted with Dinosaur National Monument. 
  • Grant funding totaling $$539,174 for the project was frozen by the Trump administration. 

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What is this list?

We are compiling a list of Trump's negative impacts on nature conservation.

Nature conservation refers to the organizations, agencies, and workers that protect, steward, and study nature.

The purpose of this list is to encourage and facilitate support for impacted organizations.

For each entry in this list, we include a corresponding nonprofit that is directly tied to the issue.

Please use this list to take action in support of these conservation nonprofits.

4 Ways To Make a Difference

Follow - Follow 3 new groups on this list on social media. Engage with their content. By giving them your attention, you boost their reach.

Donate - Donate to 1 organization on this list, if you can afford it. Even $10 is a big help.

Get Involved - Find at least 1 group whose work interests you and click on the "Get Involved Link" to participate.

Call - Find at least 1 entry on this list that is either local to you, in your state, or nationwide. Call your rep , call your senator - ask them to take action on behalf of this issue.