Nonprofit Directory / Sonoran Desert

Center For Biological Diversity

The Center for Biological Diversity was founded beneath the ancient ponderosa pines of New Mexico's Gila wilderness, where Kierán Suckling, Peter Galvin, and Todd Schulke met while surveying owls for the U.S. Forest Service. It was 1989, and all three were in their early twenties, with a passion for wild places; Kierán was a doctoral student in philosophy, Peter was training in conservation biology, and Todd had a background running outdoor-education programs for high-risk kids. When their surveys turned up a rare Mexican spotted owl nest in an old-growth tree, and they found out that same tree was part of a vast area slated to be razed in a massive timber sale, they took their findings to the local Forest Service manager. The Forest Service had been entrusted with shielding sensitive species from harm, but it soon became clear the agency was more invested in its relationship with big timber than in its commitment to the public to protect forest wildlife. The timber sale would go forward, in violation of the Service's own rules. The three young men promptly took the story to a local paper. In the end, that big old tree never fell to the chainsaws, and Kierán, Peter and Todd bec.

Tucson, AZ 1% for the Planet

Trails near this work

Part of the land this organization helps protect. Explore them on the Trail Atlas.

  • Lemmon Drop
  • 50 Year Trail
  • The Chutes
  • Bug Springs Trail
  • Italian Spring Trail #95

The record

EIN
27-3943866
Headquarters
Tucson, AZ
Website
www.biologicaldiversity.org
Focus
,
Bioregion
State

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