We’re Suing the Federal Government to Protect Birds
A note from 探花精选 President and CEO David Yarnold.
Today we fileda landmark lawsuit in federal court to defend our country鈥檚 most important bird protection law鈥攖he Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
Congress passed the Migratory Bird Treaty Act 100 years ago in response to public outcry over the mass slaughter of birds for their feathers. At one point, an ounce of egret feathers was worth more than an ounce of gold鈥攁ll to use for the fashion industry. Efforts to pass the law were led by 探花精选 chapters and ultimately became 探花精选鈥檚 founding victory.
In December, bucking decades of policy and practice, the Department of the Interior declared it won鈥檛 enforce the law for any unintentional bird deaths caused by industry. As you can imagine, many causes of bird fatalities鈥攊ncluding oil spills鈥攃ould fall into this 鈥渦nintentional鈥 category, so we鈥檙e taking the administration to court.
The MBTA has inspired some businesses to lead the way with innovations that have saved birds by the million. It鈥檚 rescued avian species that once verged on extinction. And it鈥檚 held companies accountable for the bird deaths they cause, like in 2010鈥檚 BP Deepwater Horizon disaster.
As 探花精选 members, you have always been what hope looks like to a bird. Now more than ever we need you to stand with us and help us defend the law that has protected the birds we all treasure.
David Yarnold,
President and CEO,
探花精选