The bald eagle has made a heartening recovery from the brink of extinction. But hundreds of other species are now in grave danger due to slashed budgets, Bush administration policies, and political interference in science.
"In the last six years, the Bush administration has added fewer species to the endangered list than any other since the law was enacted in 1973...Beyond the reluctance to list new species, a bottleneck is weakening efforts to save those already listed...in part because funds have been cut for their recovery."
"The Bush administration has added 58 species to the endangered list, 54 of those in response to litigation. By comparison, 231 [species] were protected by the president's father, George H.W. Bush...Since 2000, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service budgets...have been slashed by 15% in real dollars. Bush's fiscal 2008 budget calls for an additional 28% in cuts."
"...recovery programs, listing decisions and efforts to remove wildlife from existing protections have been heavily influenced by Bush appointees with close ties to industries that have contested the law."
"...a deputy assistant secretary of the Interior who oversaw the endangered-species program, resigned last month after the inspector general found that she had ordered scientists to change their findings, and shared internal documents with lobbyists for agricultural and energy interests."
"To date, the Bush administration has taken 15 species off the endangered list - more than any other administration. Some were widely applauded, such as the bald eagle...Others, environmental groups contend, were politically driven..."
FULL STORY: Critics say species list is endangered

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie