Taylor McKinnon
@publiccarbon.bsky.social
Southwest Director, Center for Biological Diversity.
Biodiversity, justice, and beauty in the charred world.
Born at 329 ppm and 4B humans.
📍 Colorado Plateau
https://www.biologicaldiversity.org
Biodiversity, justice, and beauty in the charred world.
Born at 329 ppm and 4B humans.
📍 Colorado Plateau
https://www.biologicaldiversity.org
“Looks like a sewer…”
Each year the Center surveys ~500 stream miles of endangered species critical habitat on public lands in southwestern riparian areas for livestock grazing damage. We find lots, prompting legal action. As shown here, it can be horrifying.
www.propublica.org/article/graz...
Each year the Center surveys ~500 stream miles of endangered species critical habitat on public lands in southwestern riparian areas for livestock grazing damage. We find lots, prompting legal action. As shown here, it can be horrifying.
www.propublica.org/article/graz...
A Loophole Allows Ranchers to Renew Grazing Permits With Little Scrutiny of the Environmental Impact
With dwindling oversight, cattle are grazing where they’re not supposed to and in greater numbers or for longer periods than permitted. This can spread invasive plants, pushing out native species and ...
www.propublica.org
December 1, 2025 at 6:13 PM
“Looks like a sewer…”
Each year the Center surveys ~500 stream miles of endangered species critical habitat on public lands in southwestern riparian areas for livestock grazing damage. We find lots, prompting legal action. As shown here, it can be horrifying.
www.propublica.org/article/graz...
Each year the Center surveys ~500 stream miles of endangered species critical habitat on public lands in southwestern riparian areas for livestock grazing damage. We find lots, prompting legal action. As shown here, it can be horrifying.
www.propublica.org/article/graz...
Reposted by Taylor McKinnon
Here at #COP30, attendees are lauding AI as an antidote to the climate crisis. While AI can deliver benefits, countries must address AI’s grave costs to our climate, water, & planet.
Happy to unpack this w/ @democracynow.org @amygoodman.bsky.social
www.democracynow.org/2025/11/19/j...
Happy to unpack this w/ @democracynow.org @amygoodman.bsky.social
www.democracynow.org/2025/11/19/j...
“Data Crunch”: AI Boom Threatens to Entrench Fossil Fuels and Compromise Climate Goals
A new report titled “Data Crunch: How the AI Boom Threatens to Entrench Fossil Fuels and Compromise Climate Goals” from the Center for Biological Diversity warns the booming artificial intelligence in...
www.democracynow.org
November 19, 2025 at 6:45 PM
Here at #COP30, attendees are lauding AI as an antidote to the climate crisis. While AI can deliver benefits, countries must address AI’s grave costs to our climate, water, & planet.
Happy to unpack this w/ @democracynow.org @amygoodman.bsky.social
www.democracynow.org/2025/11/19/j...
Happy to unpack this w/ @democracynow.org @amygoodman.bsky.social
www.democracynow.org/2025/11/19/j...
The Center for Biological Diversity petitioned the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today to protect the Mule Mountains population of the Yarrow’s spiny lizard under the Endangered Species Act.
biologicaldiversity.org/w/news/press...
biologicaldiversity.org/w/news/press...
Endangered Species Protections Sought for Arizona Lizard Threatened by Climate Change
TUCSON, Ariz.— The Center for Biological Diversity petitioned the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today to protect the Mule Mountains population of the Yarrow’s spiny lizard under the Endangered Specie...
biologicaldiversity.org
November 19, 2025 at 5:51 PM
The Center for Biological Diversity petitioned the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today to protect the Mule Mountains population of the Yarrow’s spiny lizard under the Endangered Species Act.
biologicaldiversity.org/w/news/press...
biologicaldiversity.org/w/news/press...
Reposted by Taylor McKinnon
The federal magistrate judge on the case had granted the Department of Homeland Security to pause the challenge by the Center for Biological Security, citing the government shutdown.
Federal judge resumes Center for Biological Diversity's lawsuit against border wall
The federal magistrate judge on the case had granted the Department of Homeland Security to pause the challenge by the Center for Biological Security, citing the government shutdown.
www.kjzz.org
November 10, 2025 at 1:57 AM
The federal magistrate judge on the case had granted the Department of Homeland Security to pause the challenge by the Center for Biological Security, citing the government shutdown.
In beautiful, powerful prose, a resolution from the San Xavier District of the Tohono O’odham Nation celebrates a deep cultural history with jaguar while calling for its protection and reintroduction to historical US range — reaching northward to the Grand Canyon.
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The San Xavier District of the Tohono O’odham Nation in Arizona has passed one of the most moving and powerful resolutions memorializing the role of the jaguar as a protector of the O’odham with deep cultural and spiritual ties. The resolution also calls on U.S. Fish and Wildlife to…”
October 12, 2025 at 5:07 AM
In beautiful, powerful prose, a resolution from the San Xavier District of the Tohono O’odham Nation celebrates a deep cultural history with jaguar while calling for its protection and reintroduction to historical US range — reaching northward to the Grand Canyon.
👇🏻
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This is unprecedented partisan politicization of a public land agency website. I admit chuckling at the sinister irony of “three cheers for volunteers” amidst a shutdown. Lack of agency staff - like for endangered species critical habitat enforcement - risks real to harm our most vulnerable species.
October 2, 2025 at 2:42 AM
This is unprecedented partisan politicization of a public land agency website. I admit chuckling at the sinister irony of “three cheers for volunteers” amidst a shutdown. Lack of agency staff - like for endangered species critical habitat enforcement - risks real to harm our most vulnerable species.
"Gosar's bills mark a new low in his career of servicing industry's interests over the public's," said Taylor McKinnon, Southwest director with the Center for Biological Diversity.
via @pmingram.tucsonsentinel.com, @tucsonsentinel.com
www.tucsonsentinel.com/local/report...
via @pmingram.tucsonsentinel.com, @tucsonsentinel.com
www.tucsonsentinel.com/local/report...
Enviros criticize Rep. Gosar's renewed attempt to undo protections for Ironwood Forest Nat'l Monument
Environmental groups blasted legislation submitted by U.S. Rep. Paul Gosar on Wednesday attempting to nullify two national monuments in Arizona, including Ironwood Forest National Monument just northw...
www.tucsonsentinel.com
September 23, 2025 at 3:49 PM
"Gosar's bills mark a new low in his career of servicing industry's interests over the public's," said Taylor McKinnon, Southwest director with the Center for Biological Diversity.
via @pmingram.tucsonsentinel.com, @tucsonsentinel.com
www.tucsonsentinel.com/local/report...
via @pmingram.tucsonsentinel.com, @tucsonsentinel.com
www.tucsonsentinel.com/local/report...
Reposted by Taylor McKinnon
A new bill in the U.S. House seeks to abolish the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni–Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument. The monument honors Tribal Nations, protects sacred lands, and reflects the will of the people: thttps://buff.ly/yTVYymT
September 22, 2025 at 9:00 PM
A new bill in the U.S. House seeks to abolish the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni–Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument. The monument honors Tribal Nations, protects sacred lands, and reflects the will of the people: thttps://buff.ly/yTVYymT
Here, a new account of C. Hart Merriam's biological survey of the San Francisco Peaks.
May, Roy Jr. 2024. The Merriam Expedition to San Francisco Mountain: Life Zones and the Founding of Ecology. Journal of the Southwest. Vol. 67, No. 4, 391-555.
muse.jhu.edu/article/961009
May, Roy Jr. 2024. The Merriam Expedition to San Francisco Mountain: Life Zones and the Founding of Ecology. Journal of the Southwest. Vol. 67, No. 4, 391-555.
muse.jhu.edu/article/961009
Project MUSE - The Merriam Expedition to San Francisco Mountain: Life Zones and the Founding of Ecology
muse.jhu.edu
September 23, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Here, a new account of C. Hart Merriam's biological survey of the San Francisco Peaks.
May, Roy Jr. 2024. The Merriam Expedition to San Francisco Mountain: Life Zones and the Founding of Ecology. Journal of the Southwest. Vol. 67, No. 4, 391-555.
muse.jhu.edu/article/961009
May, Roy Jr. 2024. The Merriam Expedition to San Francisco Mountain: Life Zones and the Founding of Ecology. Journal of the Southwest. Vol. 67, No. 4, 391-555.
muse.jhu.edu/article/961009
For those interested in Southwestern forest fire ecology, this presentation on the structural legacies of moderate severity fire in ponderosa pine forests is both informative and worth watching.
youtu.be/kfzRZxorQAU?...
youtu.be/kfzRZxorQAU?...
Spatial patterns of a ponderosa pine and subsequent regeneration following a moderate severity fire
YouTube video by Association for Fire Ecology
youtu.be
September 23, 2025 at 3:35 PM
For those interested in Southwestern forest fire ecology, this presentation on the structural legacies of moderate severity fire in ponderosa pine forests is both informative and worth watching.
youtu.be/kfzRZxorQAU?...
youtu.be/kfzRZxorQAU?...
Reposted by Taylor McKinnon
Biodiversity Battle in the Borderlands: I recently spoke with Russ McSpadden @peccarynotpig.bsky.social from @biologicaldiversity.org. Hear stories about Jaguars, Ocelots, Bears, a huge number of bird species, and what you can do to help protect them. www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ech...
Episode 155: Jaguars, Justice, and the Border Wall – Stories from the Frontlines With Russ McSpadden
YouTube video by Rewilding Institute
www.youtube.com
September 19, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Biodiversity Battle in the Borderlands: I recently spoke with Russ McSpadden @peccarynotpig.bsky.social from @biologicaldiversity.org. Hear stories about Jaguars, Ocelots, Bears, a huge number of bird species, and what you can do to help protect them. www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ech...
Reposted by Taylor McKinnon
The Roadless Rule has protected nearly 60 million acres of roadless national forests since 2001.
But now, the Trump administration wants to strip protections from 45 million of those acres.
The public comment period is only open until Sept. 19th. Please add your voice ➡️ https://bit.ly/3IeiP1D
But now, the Trump administration wants to strip protections from 45 million of those acres.
The public comment period is only open until Sept. 19th. Please add your voice ➡️ https://bit.ly/3IeiP1D
September 11, 2025 at 8:52 PM
The Roadless Rule has protected nearly 60 million acres of roadless national forests since 2001.
But now, the Trump administration wants to strip protections from 45 million of those acres.
The public comment period is only open until Sept. 19th. Please add your voice ➡️ https://bit.ly/3IeiP1D
But now, the Trump administration wants to strip protections from 45 million of those acres.
The public comment period is only open until Sept. 19th. Please add your voice ➡️ https://bit.ly/3IeiP1D
The Center today filed a 671-page notice of intent to sue federal agencies to end chronic, multi-year, and often severe damage from cattle grazing to almost all of the streamside critical habitat for endangered species on the Tonto National Forest.
biologicaldiversity.org/w/news/press...
biologicaldiversity.org/w/news/press...
Lawsuit Launched to End Widespread Cow Grazing Damage to Tonto National Forest’s Endangered Animals
TUCSON, Ariz.— The Center for Biological Diversity and Maricopa Bird Alliance today filed a notice of intent to sue the U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to end years of illegal c...
biologicaldiversity.org
September 4, 2025 at 5:12 PM
The Center today filed a 671-page notice of intent to sue federal agencies to end chronic, multi-year, and often severe damage from cattle grazing to almost all of the streamside critical habitat for endangered species on the Tonto National Forest.
biologicaldiversity.org/w/news/press...
biologicaldiversity.org/w/news/press...
Reposted by Taylor McKinnon
If you love birds, here's something you can do to protect their habitat.
The US Forest Service is proposing to open 45 million acres of national forests to road bulldozing and commercial logging.
Here's how to fight back. #birds.
www.outdooralliance.org/blog/2025/8/...
The US Forest Service is proposing to open 45 million acres of national forests to road bulldozing and commercial logging.
Here's how to fight back. #birds.
www.outdooralliance.org/blog/2025/8/...
Roadless Rule Under Threat: Speak Up for 45 Million Acres of National Forests — Outdoor Alliance
Nearly 45 million acres of backcountry forests are at risk. Before September 19, tell the USDA to keep these landscapes protected.
www.outdooralliance.org
August 30, 2025 at 1:29 PM
If you love birds, here's something you can do to protect their habitat.
The US Forest Service is proposing to open 45 million acres of national forests to road bulldozing and commercial logging.
Here's how to fight back. #birds.
www.outdooralliance.org/blog/2025/8/...
The US Forest Service is proposing to open 45 million acres of national forests to road bulldozing and commercial logging.
Here's how to fight back. #birds.
www.outdooralliance.org/blog/2025/8/...
Reposted by Taylor McKinnon
Breaking: Trump's DHS waives all enviro laws to wall off premier Texas Wildlife Refuge.
There’s a special cruelty in walling off a wildlife refuge created for conservation. All under the guise of a fake emergency, as border crossings are at record lows.
biologicaldiversity.org/w/news/press...
There’s a special cruelty in walling off a wildlife refuge created for conservation. All under the guise of a fake emergency, as border crossings are at record lows.
biologicaldiversity.org/w/news/press...
Trump Administration Waives Dozens of Laws to Bulldoze Border Wall Through Texas National Wildlife Refuge
Center for Biological Diversity: STARR COUNTY, Texas— The Trump administration today waived 31 environmental and public health laws to speed border wall construction through the Lower Rio Grande Valle...
biologicaldiversity.org
August 25, 2025 at 11:24 PM
Breaking: Trump's DHS waives all enviro laws to wall off premier Texas Wildlife Refuge.
There’s a special cruelty in walling off a wildlife refuge created for conservation. All under the guise of a fake emergency, as border crossings are at record lows.
biologicaldiversity.org/w/news/press...
There’s a special cruelty in walling off a wildlife refuge created for conservation. All under the guise of a fake emergency, as border crossings are at record lows.
biologicaldiversity.org/w/news/press...
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Well, at least future Democratic administrations can stop paying lip service to "technology neutrality" in energy policy. Pick winners and shut down the losers. Stop bringing pool noodles to knife fights.
Breaking News: The Trump administration ordered construction to stop on a $4 billion wind farm off the coast of Rhode Island that has already mostly been built.
August 23, 2025 at 7:49 PM
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Reposted by Taylor McKinnon
We were thrilled to interview Elise Bennett on last month's Animal Law Podcast, and we are even more thrilled to hear this incredible news! Listen to the details of the case: ourhenhouse.org/alp122
Following a Center for Biological Diversity lawsuit, a federal judge today ordered Florida and the Trump admin. to halt construction, stop bringing new detainees, and begin winding down operations at “Alligator Alcatraz” in Big Cypress National Preserve. biologicaldiversity.org/w/news/press...
Judge Halts Operations at Everglades Detention Center With Preliminary Injunction
MIAMI— A federal judge today ordered the state of Florida and the Trump administration to halt construction, stop bringing new detainees and begin winding down operations at the mass detention center ...
biologicaldiversity.org
August 22, 2025 at 4:26 PM
We were thrilled to interview Elise Bennett on last month's Animal Law Podcast, and we are even more thrilled to hear this incredible news! Listen to the details of the case: ourhenhouse.org/alp122
Following a Center for Biological Diversity lawsuit, a federal judge today ordered Florida and the Trump admin. to halt construction, stop bringing new detainees, and begin winding down operations at “Alligator Alcatraz” in Big Cypress National Preserve. biologicaldiversity.org/w/news/press...
Judge Halts Operations at Everglades Detention Center With Preliminary Injunction
MIAMI— A federal judge today ordered the state of Florida and the Trump administration to halt construction, stop bringing new detainees and begin winding down operations at the mass detention center ...
biologicaldiversity.org
August 22, 2025 at 3:57 AM
Following a Center for Biological Diversity lawsuit, a federal judge today ordered Florida and the Trump admin. to halt construction, stop bringing new detainees, and begin winding down operations at “Alligator Alcatraz” in Big Cypress National Preserve. biologicaldiversity.org/w/news/press...
Reposted by Taylor McKinnon
Tree-ring fire records from 649 pine trees in central and eastern Arizona show that fires occurred more often in the territory of the Western Apache, or Ndee, than in other regions between 1600–1870, suggesting a culturally controlled fire regime. In PNAS: www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
August 18, 2025 at 8:58 PM
Tree-ring fire records from 649 pine trees in central and eastern Arizona show that fires occurred more often in the territory of the Western Apache, or Ndee, than in other regions between 1600–1870, suggesting a culturally controlled fire regime. In PNAS: www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
PHOENIX— The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued an emergency injunction today blocking the Trump administration from handing Oak Flat over to a private mining company while three lawsuits challenging the land exchange proceed. biologicaldiversity.org/w/news/press...
Federal Appeals Court Blocks Oak Flat Land Exchange in Arizona
Center for Biological Diversity: PHOENIX— The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued an emergency injunction today blocking the Trump administration from handing Oak Flat over to a private mining co...
biologicaldiversity.org
August 19, 2025 at 12:43 AM
PHOENIX— The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued an emergency injunction today blocking the Trump administration from handing Oak Flat over to a private mining company while three lawsuits challenging the land exchange proceed. biologicaldiversity.org/w/news/press...
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YES! This is fantastic!!
Wilcox Playa has the highest diversity of tiger beetles in North America, incl many rare species
It’s also a wintering site for large numbers of Sandhill cranes
Wilcox Playa & associated drainages should be a National Wildlife Refuge
open.substack.com/pub/chrisnag...
Wilcox Playa has the highest diversity of tiger beetles in North America, incl many rare species
It’s also a wintering site for large numbers of Sandhill cranes
Wilcox Playa & associated drainages should be a National Wildlife Refuge
open.substack.com/pub/chrisnag...
August 14, 2025 at 7:48 AM
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The Center yesterday petitioned the Fish and Wildlife Service to protect the Willcox Playa tiger beetle under the Endangered Species Act. The endemic beetle is threatened by climate change, water diversions, and groundwater pumping that are drying the playa.
biologicaldiversity.org/w/news/press...
biologicaldiversity.org/w/news/press...
Endangered Species Protections Sought for Rare Desert Tiger Beetle in Arizona
TUCSON, Ariz.— The Center for Biological Diversity petitioned the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today to protect the Willcox Playa tiger beetle under the Endangered Species Act.
biologicaldiversity.org
August 13, 2025 at 5:50 PM
The Center yesterday petitioned the Fish and Wildlife Service to protect the Willcox Playa tiger beetle under the Endangered Species Act. The endemic beetle is threatened by climate change, water diversions, and groundwater pumping that are drying the playa.
biologicaldiversity.org/w/news/press...
biologicaldiversity.org/w/news/press...
Reposted by Taylor McKinnon
Good news 🎉 Endangered Mexican gray wolf, Asha, has been released into the wild along with her mate and pups.
Asha twice roamed north of Interstate 40 in New Mexico before being captured and kept in prolonged captivity for having strayed beyond the arbitrary boundary.
Read on ➡️ bit.ly/45xxPPY
Asha twice roamed north of Interstate 40 in New Mexico before being captured and kept in prolonged captivity for having strayed beyond the arbitrary boundary.
Read on ➡️ bit.ly/45xxPPY
August 7, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Good news 🎉 Endangered Mexican gray wolf, Asha, has been released into the wild along with her mate and pups.
Asha twice roamed north of Interstate 40 in New Mexico before being captured and kept in prolonged captivity for having strayed beyond the arbitrary boundary.
Read on ➡️ bit.ly/45xxPPY
Asha twice roamed north of Interstate 40 in New Mexico before being captured and kept in prolonged captivity for having strayed beyond the arbitrary boundary.
Read on ➡️ bit.ly/45xxPPY