Dear Center Supporter,

I spent Labor Day weekend watching some of my favorite wild places burn. The fires moved dangerously close to my home in the Pacific Northwest. And I wasn't alone. More than 50 large wildfires are currently burning across the western United States, aided by the record-breaking heat waves we experienced this summer. While I was on evacuation watch, friends in Texas were coping with homes destroyed by Hurricane Harvey and others in Florida were bracing for Irma.

It will be weeks or even months before we really know the scale of the damage to homes and businesses, to human lives and wild lives. My thoughts are with everyone who has been touched by these wildfires and storms.

But I can't help also thinking about climate change. In the face of multiple devastating events, the climate deniers leading the country are digging in and blocking solutions that could help prevent these types of events from getting even worse.

Still, there's reason for hope — because there are a lot of compassionate, dedicated people in the world. And together we'll continue to save wildlife and wild places, tackle unsustainable human population growth and overconsumption, and fight climate change to secure a livable future for all. Take care of yourself and each other because we need you in this with us. Thanks for all you do.

For the wild,

Crowded Planet / "The aftermath of climate-change-fueled superstorms like Harvey and Irma is exactly the right time to talk about man-made global warming," said John Fleming, Center staff scientist, in a letter to the editor published by the New York Times.

Earth-friendly Diet / Pruitt Stars in Beef Industry Video

There's little doubt that Trump's Environmental Protection Agency and the beef lobby are cozy bedfellows. But just to make it crystal clear, EPA chief Scott Pruitt starred in a promotional video produced by the National Cattlemen's Association, the largest beef industry trade organization in the country. Pruitt used his air time to urge ranchers to submit comments in favor of repealing Obama's Clean Water Rule, which clarified safeguards against dumping waste in waterways. This week the Center filed a request for public records related to Pruitt's pro-beef promotional activities to expose the industry's influence over weakening protections for our water and wildlife. Read more about the video at Vice News.

Wild Energy / Center Headquarters Go Solar

This week the Center's Tucson headquarters got a big upgrade: We installed a solar shade structure in the parking lot. Not only will the panels provide much-needed relief from the sweltering Arizona sun, the 25-kilowatt installation generates enough power for the entire office. While the roof of our historic building wasn't suitable for solar panels, the parking lot provided the perfect wildlife-friendly space. Through the new solar panels, we're doing our part to reduce the reliance on fossil fuels while also preserving space for wildlife and their habitats by using already built spaces.

Five Wild Picks / Ignite Change

Next weekend, the Center will be launching Ignite Change, a nationwide, volunteer-driven network to stand up to Trump, call out members of Congress, organize locally and be a powerful voice for wildlife, wild places and a livable planet. Here are five ways you can get involved in the resistance today:

1) Join the Ignite Change volunteer network.

2) Host a launch event to help get others in your community involved.

3) Not sure you want to be a host? Find a launch event near you.

4) Share the Center's Trump Lawsuit Tracker (30 suits filed against Trump and counting).

5) Sign the Pledge of Resistance to stand against attacks on the environment and civil rights.