On Friday, August 24, we awarded the first annual Rubber Dodo Award to Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne in recognition of his one year and 90 days in office without listing a single new species as threatened or endangered. That's a record.

Kempthorne breaks the previous record, held by Ronald Reagan's infamous Secretary of the Interior James Watt. Not known for his sympathy for wildlife or the environment, Watt went without listing a new species from 1981 through 1982, for a total of 376 days. The most recent species to be listed for federal protection before the current Kempthorne dry spell were 12 species of Hawaiian picture-wing flies on May 9, 2006.

Under Kempthorne's direction, the Fish and Wildlife Service classifies 279 species as "candidates" for listing, because they meet the criteria for listing and are simply awaiting the agency's formal rule. But that waiting list could turn into a "too-late" list without government action, as species in dire need of protection go extinct.

We encourage you to call, write or email Secretary Kempthorne and express your opinion about his refusal to list new species. It has become clear that the Bush administration cares little for endangered species, ecosystems or our environment, and it's high time for the Bush government to feel real pressure from Americans who care about biological diversity. Please call Secretary Kempthorne's office today or click to send an email message below.

Dept. of the Interior Phone Number: (202) 208-3100