The "Trust the Science" Act, or H.R. 764, is a legislation that, if passed, will mandate the Department of the Interior to delist gray wolves from the Endangered Species Act of 1973 - without judicial review. Gray wolves have long been under protection due to declining population trends. 

Notably, the “Trust the Science” Act does not align with scientific or historical evidence regarding gray wolf populations. When Wisconsin delisted gray wolves in 2021, over 200 wolves were killed in only 60 hours. Local courts relisted gray wolves to prevent mass extermination, highlighting the importance of judicial review in environmental policy. 

More importantly, delisting gray wolves would have dire consequences for American ranchers. Research shows that gray wolves can reduce coyote populations up to 50%. Historically, humans are largely incapable of controlling coyote populations. Despite human efforts, coyotes become overpopulated without wolves, as seen in Yellowstone National Park and other regions prior to wolf reintroductions. Studies conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture have also found that coyotes contribute to 16,000 livestock deaths a year, or about eight times that of wolves. If the population of wolves were to be significantly reduced, the overpopulation of coyotes could double coyote-caused livestock deaths to 32,000 a year.

Wolves are also necessary to the ecological health of the United States. Before the reintroduction of wolves into Yellowstone National Park in 1995, widespread desertification and soil erosion occurred due to the overgrazing of unchecked deer populations. Since wolves are a keystone species, allowing for the eradication of them from their respective ecosystems is extremely dangerous both for natural habitats and for humans. When overpopulated deer populations strip the land of vegetation and loosen the soil, the process of erosion accelerates, leading to ecological decline. Furthermore, soil erosion negatively impacts human society by reducing agricultural efficiency and polluting our drinking water.

Contrary to its intended purpose, H.R./S.764 is unlikely to benefit ranchers and would further leave coyote populations unchecked. Since gray wolves are a keystone species, the ecological systems humans rely on would also be considerably damaged. 

Please sign the petition urging the United States Senate to reject the passage of the "Trust the Science" Act.