Our wildlife is in crisis, and the proposed changes to the Endangered Species Act could be a devastating blow. We must act now to protect the habitats that are essential for the survival of our butterflies, cranes, wolves and birds. With your support, we can make a difference.

Imagine waking up to find strangers knocking on your door, forcing you and your family out. Then, as you stand helplessly outside, they set fire to your home—along with every house on your street. They turn back and say, “We didn’t harm you—we never set _you_ on fire.” But the devastation is undeniable.

The Great Lakes region is a natural wonder—a vast ecosystem that supports an incredible diversity of wildlife, from the shores of Lake Erie to the forests of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. But our wildlife is in crisis, and a proposed rule change to the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) threatens to make things worse. At the Great Lakes Wildlife Alliance, we’re fighting to protect our endangered species and their habitats—and we urgently need your support to keep this work alive.

A Threat to Our Wildlife

A recently proposed rule, open for public comment until May 19, aims to weaken the Endangered Species Act by removing habitat modification from the definition of “harm.” This change would strip away a critical protection that has safeguarded endangered species for over 50 years. Without it, habitat destruction could accelerate, putting even more pressure on the Great Lakes’ already vulnerable wildlife.I can’t overstate the urgency of this moment. As I’ve said before,  This isn’t just a policy tweak—it’s a direct attack on the ecosystems we’ve worked so hard to preserve.

Why Habitat Protection Matters Here

The Great Lakes region thrives on its interconnected habitats: wetlands that filter our water, forests that store carbon, and shorelines that nurture biodiversity. These ecosystems aren’t just scenic—they’re lifelines for species like the piping plover, a tiny shorebird nesting on our beaches; the Kirtland’s warbler, a songbird reliant on jack pine forests; and the lake sturgeon, an ancient fish struggling to survive in our waters.Habitat loss is already a top threat to these species, driven by development, pollution, and climate change. If the ESA’s protections are gutted, we could see irreversible damage to these critical areas. Protecting them isn’t just about saving wildlife—it’s about ensuring the Great Lakes remain a healthy, resilient home for all of us

Species on the Brink

Here are just a few of the endangered species at risk in our region:

Piping Plover: This small bird depends on undisturbed beaches for nesting. Habitat disruption could push it closer to extinction.Kirtland’s Warbler: Once nearly lost, this warbler has made a comeback thanks to habitat management—but that progress could unravel without strong protections.

Kirtland’s Warbler: Once nearly lost, this warbler has made a comeback thanks to habitat management—but that progress could unravel without strong protections.

Lake Sturgeon: A prehistoric survivor, this fish needs clean rivers and spawning grounds that are increasingly threatened.Grey Wolf: Once roaming freely across the Great Lakes, the grey wolf now faces renewed threats from habitat loss and human-wildlife conflict. Its role as a keystone predator is vital to maintaining ecosystem balance, yet its future hangs in the balance.

Whooping Crane: With its striking white plumage and haunting call, the whooping crane is one of North America’s most endangered birds. Relying on wetlands for migration and breeding, it is highly vulnerable to habitat degradation. Protecting these wetlands is essential for its survival.

Wolf: Once roaming freely across the Great Lakes, the grey wolf now faces renewed threats from habitat loss and human-wildlife conflict. Its role as a keystone predator is vital to maintaining ecosystem balance, yet its future hangs in the balance.

Your Support Can Save the Great Lakes’ Wildlife

We’re asking you to join us in this fight. Your donation to the Great Lakes Wildlife Alliance will help us restore and protect the places our wildlife depends on.

Advocating for Wildlife: Pushing for policies that keep our ecosystems safe from harm.But here’s the hard truth: we can’t do this alone. With environmental programs facing steep budget cuts under the current administration, our grassroots efforts are more vital than ever. That’s where you come in.

Support Research: We need data to track species and respond to threats effectively.

Educating Communities: Raising awareness about the threats to our biodiversity and how we can all help.

Strengthen Advocacy: Your contribution amplifies our voice in defending the ESA and other protections.

Donate Now to Protect Great Lakes Wildlife

No amount is too small—every gift brings us closer to a future where the Great Lakes thrive.

The public comment period for this rule ends May 19, so we’re also urging you to tell the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to reject this change. But beyond that deadline,  Wildlife are in crisis. They depend on a network of quality habitat to survive. If we lose these protections, the burden falls on us—nonprofits, communities, and people like you—to fill the gap. Together, we can push back against this threat and keep the Great Lakes a sanctuary for generations to come.

Thank you for standing with us. Let’s protect our wildlife—together.

Here’s what to do NOW

1. Visit our donation page to make a gift today.

2. Speak Up: Submit a comment to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service by May 19. You can read our comment on removing the word harm from the endangered species and make yours.  https://www.regulations.gov/comment/FWS-HQ-ES-2025-0034-60869

3. Spread the Word: Share this post to rally more support for our wildlife.This blog post is a call to action—because the Great Lakes’ wildlife can’t wait.

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