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Montana’s cold, clean streams contain some of the last prime habitat in the United States for threatened bull trout, whose historic range has shrunk by half.
(Joel Sartore / National Geographic Stock / U.S. FWS)
Press Release: Victory March 13, 2024

Court Again Finds Flathead National Forest Roadbuilding Harms Grizzly Bears and Bull Trout

Forest Service and Fish and Wildlife Service did not lawfully examine impacts to species

Document March 12, 2024

Flathead National Forest Findings

A Montana District Court ruling found that significant new roadbuilding projects in the Flathead National Forest will negatively impact Endangered Species Act-listed grizzly bears and bull trout. The court found that the U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service did not lawfully examine the impacts to these species when the agencies greenlit the roadbuilding plan in 2018.

In the News: Missoula Current February 22, 2024

Judge hears arguments on Flathead Forest roads, grizzlies

Tim Preso, Managing Attorney, Biodiversity Defense Program: “The science showing that roads continue to displace bears goes all the way back to (1995) and hasn’t changed. The problem is they’ve never applied that science to look at what is the consequence of having all that road network out there in terms of the displacement effect…

Grizzly bear near Canyon, Yellowstone National Park. (Neal Herbert / NPS)
From the Experts January 18, 2024

Grizzly Bears Still Need Protections

Despite their precarious status, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is currently considering petitions from Wyoming and Montana to delist grizzly bears. Here’s how you can help.

Grizzly bear near Canyon, Yellowstone National Park. (Neal Herbert / NPS)
Article October 27, 2023

3 Amazing Mammals Earthjustice Is Fighting For

As the Endangered Species Act celebrates its 50th anniversary, here’s how we’re using this powerful legal tool to protect imperiled animals.

Press Release September 6, 2023

Earthjustice Celebra Cancelación De Ofertas Para Exploración en Refugios En El Ártico Y Otras Acciones Propuestas

La administración Biden cancela ofertas ilegales y abre nuevos procesos que podrían preservar las preciadas tierras árticas en Alaska, pero se necesita más para abordar la mayor amenaza climática: más perforaciones en los arrendamientos de petróleo y gas existentes en el Ártico occidental.

The 19 million acres of tundra, rivers and mountains of the Arctic Refuge shelter migratory birds from all 50 states and six continents each summer. To the Gwich'in people of northeast Alaska, this is sacred ground. (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)
Press Release September 6, 2023

Earthjustice Celebrates Cancellation of Arctic Refuge Leases and Proposed Future Actions

Biden administration cancels illegal leases and opens new processes that could preserve cherished Arctic lands in Alaska. More is needed to tackle the biggest climate threat: further oil drilling on existing oil and gas leases in the Western Arctic 

Southern resident orca J16 makes rainbows while surfacing in Puget Sound. The southern resident orca population is protected under the Endangered Species Act. (Miles Ritter / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
Press Release August 21, 2023

More than 150,000 people called on Biden Administration to Fully Restore Endangered Species Act

Public comment period concludes for proposed rulemakings on how Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service protect species and habitats

Bison are a keystone species, creating a cascade of environmental conditions that benefit countless other wildlife. As bison graze, they prune and encourage growth of native grasses, fertilize the soils, and carve out habitat for smaller creatures. The Northern Rockies office has protected bison and their iconic prairie ecosystem for decades. (Ami Vitale for Earthjustice)
feature August 7, 2023

Northern Rockies

Highlights of how Earthjustice’s Northern Rockies office has leveraged the power of partnership and the law to defend communities, sacred lands and wildlife, and clean air and water.

The Bristol Bay watershed. (Fish Eye Guy Photography)
Press Release July 26, 2023

Alaska Seeks to Overturn Hard-Won Victory Against Pebble Mine With Unorthodox Appeal to U.S. Supreme Court

Earthjustice reacts to legal filing seeking to overturn EPA determination vetoing the mine

A turtle swims offshore of Kahekili Beach Park, Maui, Hawaiʻi. (Courtesy of Don McLeish)
Press Release April 18, 2023

Attacks on the Endangered Species Act Continue With House Consideration of Wildlife Bills

Proposals seek to weaken species protections on behalf of special interests

A Northern Continental Divide grizzly bear.
(National Park Service)
Update June 1, 2022

Why This Road Fight is Critical for Grizzlies, Bull Trout, and More

The fight against roads in Flathead National Forest reflects a broader battle to protect species biodiversity.

Document May 31, 2022

Complaint – Challenge to FWS Biological Opinion for 2018 Flathead Forest Plan

Friends of the Wild Swan and Swan View Coalition filed suit in U.S. District Court in Montana targeting a 2018 U.S. Forest Service plan that allows for significant new roadbuilding in the Flathead National Forest.

Press Release May 31, 2022

Groups sue to protect threatened grizzly bears, bull trout in Flathead National Forest

Fish and Wildlife Service’s biological opinion failed to consider full impacts of road development and use

A palila in Waimea, Hawaiʻi
(Aaron Maizlish / CC BY-NC 2.0)
feature December 9, 2021

Justice for the Earth and Its People

The exploration of landmark cases behind Earthjustice's rise and reinvention.

Document December 6, 2021

COMPLAINT: Lawsuit Challenges Idaho Wolf Trapping Laws That Endanger Grizzlies, Lynx

Idaho’s expanded wolf trapping likely to kill 90% of state’s gray wolf population

Press Release December 6, 2021

Lawsuit Challenges Idaho Wolf Trapping Laws That Endanger Grizzlies, Lynx

Idaho’s expanded wolf trapping likely to kill 90% of state’s gray wolf population

Article: Victory November 9, 2021

How a Win for Montana’s Lynx and Grizzlies Also Protects Wolves

We’re also pursuing multiple other cases to protect this keystone species across the contiguous United States.