This month we are pleased to present a program from Defenders of Wildlife on their work to protect the California [Mojave] desert tortoise. Defenders California Desert Representative Tom Egan will lead a conversation about the program to date and show off a few of his Agassiz's hatchlings.

Defenders has fought for the California desert tortoise's survival for decades and successfully petitioned the California Fish and Game Commission this October to advance a recommendation to change the species' status from threatened to endangered. Their other efforts to protect this species in its native habitat include advocating for appropriate land-use planning, ensuring state and federal agencies implement conservation plans, and working with partners to limit damaging activities.

Defenders Philanthropy Director Cherie Wasoff will also provide a quick overview of the organization's fight to protect imperiled species across the U.S.—from tortoises to gray and red wolves, right whales, ocelots, and more—through efforts on the ground with communities and organizations like ours, in the halls of Congress, and in the courts. Defenders has numerous success stories that have ensured a future for the wildlife and wild places we love. Be sure to join us for this very informative program!

California Desert Representative Tom Egan joined Defenders after a long career as a wildlife biologist with the U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and previously, as a biological technician for the U.S. Department of Veteran's Affairs. He went on to work for an international environmental & infrastructure consulting firm in Southern California, where Tom worked on a large variety of California Desert actions affecting listed and at-risk species. Tom has a Bachelor of Science degree in Wildlife Management from Humboldt State University in California.

Defenders Director of Philanthropy Cherie Wasoff has spent most of her career raising funds for organizations that help protect the planet's wild species and places. She works closely with the organization's supporters in California and the Southwest and is based in Los Angeles.