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Urgent Global Action Needed to Stop Extinction of Earth's Last Megafauna

A swift and global conservation response is needed to prevent the world's gorillas, lions, tigers, rhinos, and other iconic terrestrial megafauna from being lost forever, an influential group of international scientists reported today in the journal BioScience.

"7-1.cover" Their analysis, entitled Saving the World's Terrestrial Megafauna, covers the precipitous loss of large mammal populations around the globe, from the poorly known, such as the scimitar-horned oryx, to more familiar species including tigers, lions, gorillas and rhinoceroses, Panthera, one of the organizations associated with the research, said in a news statement.

The report was written by 43 wildlife experts from six continents. [At least 16 of them are scientists who have previously received research grants from the National Geographic Society.]

Business as Usual = Massive Species Extinction

The report included a 13-point declaration calling for acknowledgement that a “business as usual” mentality will result in massive species extinction; while a global commitment to conservation with support for developing nations is a moral obligation.

Declaration to Save the World's Terrestrial Megafauna

We conservation scientists

Acknowledge that most of the terrestrial megafauna species are threatened with extinction and have declining populations. Some megafauna species that are not globally threatened nonetheless face local extinctions or have Critically Endangered subspecies.
Appreciate that “business as usual” will result in the loss of many of the Earth's most iconic species.
Understand that megafauna have ecological roles that directly and indirectly affect ecosystem processes and other species through- out the food web; failure to reverse megafaunal declines will disrupt species interactions, with negative consequences for ecosystem function; biological diversity; and the ecological, economic, and social services that these species provide.
Realize that megafauna are epitomized as a symbol of the wilderness, exemplifying the public's engagement in nature, and that this is a driving force behind efforts to maintain the ecosystem services they can provide.
Recognize the importance of integrating and better aligning human development and biodiversity conservation needs through the engagement and support of local communities in developing countries.
Propose that funding agencies and scientists increase conservation research efforts in developing countries, where most threatened megafauna occur. Specifically, there is a need to increase the amount of research directed at finding solutions for the conservation of megafauna, especially for lesser-known species.
Request the help of individuals, governments, corporations, and nongovernmental organizations to stop practices that are harmful to these species and to actively engage in helping to reverse declines in megafauna.
Strive for increased awareness among the global public of the current megafauna crisis using traditional media as well as social media and other networking approaches.
Seek a new and comprehensive global commitment and framework for conserving megafauna. The international community should take necessary action to prevent mass extinction of the world's megafauna and other species.
Urge the development of new funding mechanisms to transfer the current benefits accrued through the existence values of mega- fauna into tangible payments to support research, conservation actions, and local people who bear the cost of living with wildlife in the places where highly valued megafauna must be preserved.
Advocate for interdisciplinary scientific interchange between nations to improve the social and ecological understanding of the drivers of the decline of megafauna and to increase the capacity for megafauna science and conservation.
Recommend the reintroduction and rehabilitation, following accepted IUCN guidelines, of degraded megafauna populations whenever possible, the ecological and economic importance of which is evidenced by a growing number of success stories, from Yellowstone's wolves (Canis lupus) and the Père David's deer (Elaphurus davidianus) in China to the various megafauna species of Gorongosa National Park in Mozambique.
Affirm an abiding moral obligation to protect the Earth's megafauna.

“The more I look at the trends facing the world's largest terrestrial mammals, the more concerned I am we could lose these animals just as science is discovering how important they are to ecosystems and to the services they provide to people,” said William Ripple, lead author and distinguished professor of ecology in the College of Forestry at Oregon State University. “It's time to really think about conserving them because declines in their numbers and habitats are happening quickly.”

“To underline how serious this is, the rapid loss of biodiversity and megafauna in particular is an issue that is right up there with, and perhaps even more pressing than, climate change,” said senior co-author and Panthera Lion Program Policy Initiative Coordinator Dr. Peter Lindsey.

“Human communities stand to lose key elements of their natural heritage if these large wildlife species are allowed to go extinct,” Lindsey continued. “The disappearance of such species could also significantly undermine the future potential for communities to benefit from eco-tourism operations. Urgent measures are needed to address poaching, and to allow for the co-existence of people and wildlife if megafauna is to persist in the long term.”

Action Needed on Two Fronts

The scientists call for action on two fronts, Panthera explained: conservation interventions expanded to scales that address animals' extensive habitat needs, and policy shifts and increased financial commitment to alter the ways in which people interact with wildlife.

“Among the most serious threats to endangered animals are the expansion of livestock and agricultural developments, illegal hunting, deforestation and human population growth. Large wildlife species are extremely vulnerable to these threats because of their need for extensive spaces to live and low population densities, particularly for carnivores.”

Panthera President and Chief Conservation Officer and co-author Dr. Luke Hunter, said: “Among the world's largest animals, apex predators like the tiger, lion and leopard are increasingly under assault. The protection of these big cats the great white sharks of our terrestrial Earth and other large mammals is paramount to the health and survival of thousands of animals and their ecosystems.

“Today, 59 percent of the world's largest carnivores and 60 percent of the world's largest herbivores are categorized as threatened with extinction on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List. This situation is particularly dire in sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia, home to the greatest diversity of remaining large mammals.

“Yet the resources for effective implementation of conservation strategies are seldom available in regions with the greatest needs. The onus is on developed countries, which have long ago lost most of their large animals, to support conservation initiatives where the world's most celebrated wildlife still remain.”

"Graphic — Graphic courtesy of BioScience

Saving the World's Terrestrial Megafauna Authors

WILLIAM J. RIPPLE, GUILLAUME CHAPRON, JOSÉ VICENTE LÓPEZ-BAO, SARAH M. DURANT, DAVID W. MACDONALD, PETER A. LINDSEY, ELIZABETH L. BENNETT, ROBERT L. BESCHTA, JEREMY T. BRUSKOTTER, AHIMSA CAMPOS-ARCEIZ, RICHARD T. CORLETT, CHRIS T. DARIMONT, AMY J. DICKMAN, RODOLFO DIRZO, HOLLY T. DUBLIN, JAMES A. ESTES, KRISTOFFER T. EVERATT, MAURO GALETTI, VARUN R. GOSWAMI, MATT W. HAYWARD, SIMON HEDGES, MICHAEL HOFFMANN, LUKE T. B. HUNTER, GRAHAM I. H. KERLEY, MIKE LETNIC, TAAL LEVI, FIONA MAISELS, JOHN C. MORRISON, MICHAEL PAUL NELSON, THOMAS M. NEWSOME, LUKE PAINTER, ROBERT M. PRINGLE, CHRISTOPHER J. SANDOM, JOHN TERBORGH, ADRIAN TREVES, BLAIRE VAN VALKENBURGH, JOHN A. VUCETICH, AARON J. WIRSING, ARIAN D. WALLACH, CHRISTOPHER WOLF, ROSIE WOODROFFE, HILLARY YOUNG, AND LI ZHANG

This post was compiled from materials sent by Panthera and published in BioScience

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Five reasons why CEOs of fossil fuel giants must answer to the Filipino people

For the first time ever, a national human rights body has ordered the world's largest fossil fuel companies to respond to allegations that they have contributed to human rights abuses in the Philippines. Last year, disaster survivors, community-based organizations, and individual Filipino citizens, side-by-side with Greenpeace Southeast Asia (Philippines), filed a petition with the Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines (Commission) asking for an investigation into 47 industrial carbon producers (big polluters) for putting their fundamental human rights at risk from climate change.

The Commission heeded the petitioners' call to investigate these wrongs, and the probe is now at a critical juncture. This week, the Commission enjoined the companies to submit responses to the allegations. While some companies might stick to business as usual and ignore the order, or even worse, attempt to silence those who are seeking justice, others may change tack, and come to the table. Then we can start rapidly changing behaviors, investments, politics and policies, prevent further harm to people vulnerable to climate change, and move towards the inevitable renewable energy future.

Here are five good reasons why CEOs of fossil fuel companies should respect the lives and livelihoods of those living on the front lines of climate change and answer the Filipinos' petition.

1. Deadlines focus the mind

The Commission has ordered the big polluters to respond to the petition within 45 days. The issues raised should come as no surprise. Shareholders have repeatedly requested that fossil fuel companies submit business plans in light of the urgency to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This year, a whopping 38% of Exxon shareholders supported a resolution requiring Exxon to publish an annual report explaining how it will adjust to a 2 degree world. Like Exxon's shareholders, the petitioners in the Philippines want the big polluters to submit plans on how the business model will change in light of urgent need to limit temperature rise and prevent human rights impacts.

Fossil fuel CEOs should be under no illusions. It is now in their job description to consider how their company's business strategies must change to keep fossil fuels in the ground.

2. The writing is on the wall

The Paris Agreement signals the end of the fossil fuel era. Business-as-usual is no longer a viable option. The divest-invest movement is unstoppable. A recent report explains that with 'over 500 hundred institutional investors and tens of thousands of individuals, the assets under management of divesting institutions exceeded $3.4 trillion'.

Last year, Greenpeace Norway and many others successfully campaigned to get the country's $900 billion sovereign wealth fund to divest from coal, impacting 122 companies across the world. Money is now flowing away from fossil fuels, and the world's energy system is rapidly transitioning to be powered by the sun and the wind. All of the CEOs can use the opportunity to report to the Commission on the company's position on the transition into this new era of renewable energy.

3. Honesty is the best policy

Some companies may have tried to hide the truth about climate change, in order to protect profits. Recent investigations revealed that despite understanding the risks of climate change years ago, Exxon has been involved in a disinformation campaign aimed at confusing the public and investors about these risks. Meanwhile, it was using this information to make its business plans.

The Union of Concerned Scientists has called on fossil fuel companies to stop disseminating misinformation on climate change. CEOs should report to the Commission on efforts to completely cut ties with front groups, contrarian scientists, elected officials, and any others who undermine climate science in order to derail action.

4. Talk now or get sued later

Climate change litigation is a material risk. Delaying action to address the human rights impacts of fossil fuels will only heighten the risk of lawsuits for CEOs and corporations. In a recent letter to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Greenpeace USA and other NGOs commented that some companies and directors face the real possibility of tort and fiduciary liability if they fail to consider the legal risk of continuing to contribute to climate change or misleading the public and investors about the threats of climate change. Fossil fuel corporations could face lawsuits similar to tobacco companies for misrepresenting harms from cigarettes, and they were held accountable for lying to the public.

Smart CEOs can head off high-profile investigations and lawsuits by ending climate denial and embracing the renewable energy transformation. One company has already acknowledged that some fossil fuel reserves will have to stay in the ground.

5. Have a good answer for your grandchildren

What will a fossil fuel CEO say when her or his grandchild asks, what did you do about climate change? It will be embarrassing for a CEO to say that they were adding kindling while Rome burned. Instead, he or she could explain to their admiring grandchild that they did everything possible to help humanity avert the climate crisis.

Anna Kalinsky, the granddaughter of James Black, a former Exxon scientific advisor, explained that in 1977 her grandfather "warned Exxon executives that the world was just a few years away from needing to rethink our energy strategy to prevent destructive climate change;" but "instead, Exxon chose to mislead people about the risks of climate change - and continues to mislead people today." The grandchildren of CEOs will remember what they said and did. They can start to make their grandchildren proud right here and right now.

The investigation in the Philippines is a catalyst for companies and CEOs to do the right thing. It is time for them to change their corporate behaviour and take steps to eliminate the devastating impacts of climate change. To learn more and stay involved in this ground-breaking effort, please sign up on Greenpeace Southeast Asia's website to receive updates on the investigation.

-- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.

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You are the Bolala (And #IAmTheBolala too)
Forests are a place of beauty, power and wonder. They can transport you back to a primordial time when magical creatures walked the planet, stimulating the imagination and opening up a place of childlike awe.This is the space from which the Bolala was spawned, an ancient mythic spirit that acts as the guardian of all things wild - the forests, rivers, and wildlife of the Southern United States.

Dogwood Alliance is proud to release our "Forest Fable," an animation created in partnership with Free Range Studios.

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You can view the animation here.

Over time our society has become overly mechanized and industrial and we have lost that wild spirit, slowly but surely the Bolala faded into the background and disappeared from our legend and lore. We came to view forests as a resource, a place from which we could make paper, lumber, and now even burn on a large-scale to produce electricity.

Now more than ever we yearn for the reemergence of that mythical creature, but sadly, the Bolala only exists in fairy tales. What are we to do? How can we preserve and protect the wild places that provide our communities with clean air, drinking water, and house the rapidly dwindling plants and animals that hold together the web of life?

This is where you come in, YOU are the Bolala!

We all can work together to protect the forests of the Southern US. We can champion red wolves, flying squirrels, black bears and the myriad of forest creatures whose homes are threatened. We can stand up for the wild places that used to fill our ancient landscape but now are mere remnants that our vital to our sanity in this overly industrialized world. And we can work together to find economic solutions for our communities that celebrate rather than destroy our forests.

Though the Bolala may no longer stand as guardian of our forests, you do, and that makes all of the difference!

Check out Dogwood Alliance's new Forest Fable animation here !

-- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.

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Thinking Differently About the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals

Last week I was invited by Amb. Sarbuland Khan, along with my colleague Ed Chiles, and one of my student interns Bianca Cassouto as guests of the UNTWO to the High Level Political Forum.

"2016-07-27-1469621376-2316319-Delegation.png"

L-R Richard Jordan, David Randle, Bianca Cassouto, Sarbuland Khan, & Ed Chiles

The High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) is the United Nations mechanism for the follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG's), adopted at the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit on 25 September 2015.

The Forum, which adopts a Ministerial Declaration, provides political leadership, guidance and recommendations on the 2030 Agenda's implementation and follow-up; keeps track of progress of the SDGs; spurs coherent policies informed by evidence, science and country experiences; as well as address new and emerging issues.

The meeting builds on the Statement "Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development."

Thirteen governments provided the first Voluntary National Reviews on the SDGS

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The HLPF released the first report on how governments are doing in working toward the SDG's. The report notes that one in eight people still lives in extreme poverty, nearly 800 million people suffer from hunger, over one billion people live without electricity and over two billion experience water scarcity.

Secretary General Ban Ki Moon's provided remarks to the HLPF and the forums report. In his remarks he noted that the report underscores the importance of targeted action to address those who are the furthest behind, according to Ban. For the 2030 Agenda to be considered fully implemented, U.N. Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon, stressed the need to reach "those who are the furthest behind...first." He underscored the importance of data and indicators on all groups, particularly those that are often unaccounted for.

The theme of this years meeting was "Leaving No One Behind".

The closing Ministerial Declaration included but was not limited to the following key points:

A pledge that no one will be left in implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
An emphasis that the HLPF is called to provide political leadership, guidance and recommendations along with a central role to review the progress toward the 2030 Agenda.
A welcome of the early efforts in implementing the 2030 Agenda and the goals and the building on the previous Millennium Development Goals.
A special highlight that in considering that in leaving no one behind that the dignity of the human person is fundamental and that the HLPF endeavors to reach the furthest behind and the most vulnerable first.
A Commitment by the HLFP that in it's endeavour to ensure that no one is left behind, to focus its efforts where the challenges are greatest, including by ensuring the inclusion and participation of those who are furthest behind. This includes: include all children, adolescents, youth, persons with disabilities, people living with HIV/AIDS, older persons, Indigenous peoples, refugees and internally displaced persons, migrants and peoples living in areas affected by complex humanitarian emergencies, and peoples in areas affected by terrorism and conflict.
An emphasis on the commitment to make real a world free of poverty, hunger, disease, want and environmental degradation, where all life can thrive. A world with universal literacy, with equitable and universal access to quality education at all levels, to health care and social protection, where physical, mental and social well-being are assured; where we reaffirm our commitments regarding the human right to safe drinking water and sanitation and where there is improved hygiene; and where food is sufficient, safe, affordable and nutritious.
A recognition that sustainable development cannot be realized without peace and security; and peace and security will be at risk without sustainable development.
A recognition and emphasis that universal respect for human rights and human dignity, peace, justice, equality and non-discrimination, is central to our commitment to leave no one behind.
A further emphasis and commitment for a world to make real a world in which every country enjoys sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth and decent work for all; in which consumption and production patterns and use of all natural resources are sustainable. A world in which development is climate-sensitive and respects biodiversity, where we restore and conserve and sustainably use all ecosystems and strengthen our cooperation to prevent environmental degradation, and promote resilience and disaster risk reduction. A world where human settlements and the application of technology are inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable and where there is universal access to safe, affordable, reliable and sustainable transport and energy systems. A world in which humanity lives in harmony with nature and in which wildlife and other living species are protected.
An acknowledgement that gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls will make a crucial contribution to progress across all the goals and targets.
An appreciation for partnerships and facilitating multi-stakeholder participation and promoting system-wide coherence and coordination. We highlight the important contributions made by its Fora on Youth, on Partnerships, and on Development Cooperation; its Segments on Operational Activities, on Integration, and on Humanitarian Affairs; its Special Meetings on Inequality.
A commitment to the 2030 Agenda to building resilient infrastructure and its particular connection with the promotion of inclusive and sustainable industrialization and the fostering of innovation. The HLPF is committed to address infrastructure gaps, by inter alia, improving investments and further building capacities within a coherent policy framework, and consider this key for reducing inequalities within and amongst countries.
A recognition that that the scale and ambition of the 2030 Agenda requires a revitalized and enhanced Global Partnership for Sustainable Development to ensure its implementation, working in a spirit of global solidarity, in particular with the poorest and with people who are vulnerable.

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It was also encouraging to see the strong calls for policy and assessments of progress to be based on sound science. http://sd.iisd.org/news/un-calls-for-scientific-input-to-gsdr-on-leaving-no-one-behind/Some of the questions in the HLPF suggested participants consider included:

What do future scenarios and projections tell us about the world in 2030? What will it take to achieve the SDGs?
What new and emerging issues require policy action at the national and global levels? In particular, what emerging issues should be on the agenda of the high-level political forum?
What are the most crucial emerging technologies for the SDGs until 2030? What are the opportunities and potential threats?

To answer the above questions, Secretary General Ban Ki Moon noted that the world is off to a good start and also observed "We must all learn, in national governments, in local authorities, in business and civil society, and also at the UN, to think differently,"

It occurred to me that perhaps the tourism industry might be the perfect vehicle to assist people in thinking differently.

Over the years for me getting out of my routine and connecting with nature has always been a catalyst to see the world in a new and different way.

For example, few weeks ago I had the opportunity to be part of a Sea Turtle expedition sponsored by the Sea Turtle Conservancy, in the far most western tip of Cuba where we tagged two Green Turtles to participate in the research of the Tour de Turtles event that begins August 1st.

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The remote location of Western Cuba was incredible. The coral reefs were some of the most pristine I have ever visited. The remote beaches of the Guanahacabibes Peninsula National Park lacked much development outside Maria La Gorda providing some of the brightest stars I have ever seen.

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Though I have been fortunate to travel to many remote places in the world, this is the first time I can recall ever being able to see Saturn with the naked eye. In fact I didn't even know this was possible.

Interestingly, if you were to look at Earth from Saturn, not only would you not see Earth, you would not see any stars at all as the lights from Saturn's rings precludes any visibility of Earth that we take for granted as the stary nights sky.

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Taking the time to experience nature in a new way, to see things from a new perspective is perhaps a good metaphor for how we might approach the implementation of the SDG's.

It is all to easy to look at implementation of the SDG's from our past world view. If instead we would allow ourselves to not have our view distorted by the so called enlightenment of our present thinking, we might be able to clearly see much more that has always been there but hidden from our present way we view the world.

Specifically, we might look to the world of tourism that has numerous successful models that many have never known existed to examine, just as many have never known that it is possible that they see Saturn.

Dr David W. Randle - Director USF Patel College of Global Sustainability Sustainable Tourism, Managing Director International Ocean Institute Waves of Change Blue Community Initiative, and President & CEO WHALE Center.

Follow David Randle on Twitter

-- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.

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Why Research Matters to Mountain Lions in Wyoming

"F61, — F61, an adult female mountain lion followed as part of Panthera's Teton Cougar Project. Photograph by Mark Elbroch / Panthera.

Mountain lions live like shadows around us, and most people have never seen one. Most never will. Yet on July 8, the Wyoming Game Commission granted these wraiths of forests and mountains a reprieve in several parts of the state, including Unit 2 in the northwest where Panthera's Teton Cougar Project (TCP) operates. Unit 2 extends north of Jackson through the Bridger-Teton National Forest to Yellowstone National Park. Thanks to the diligent efforts of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department's Large Carnivore Section (WGFD LCS) and researchers on the ground, research-driven mountain lion management is taking hold in Wyoming.

Since 2007, Wyoming has been aggressively trying to reduce its mountain lions in many areas to support mule deer populations and reduce real and perceived risks to people. Statewide, the number of mountain lions killed by hunters increased from 180 in 2006 to 306 in 2013, before dropping to 243 in 2015. Hunter success followed similar trends, with a steep drop of several percentage points after 2013. The proportion of older male mountain lions (the larger trophy animals hunters prefer) killed each year has also decreased. As a result, over the last 10 years, statewide harvest numbers have included 20% more young mountain lions. More adult females are being killed in many hunting units as well, and at younger ages. We know this thanks to improved tracking initiated by LCS biologists.

All of these changes indicate a population in decline—there are fewer mature male mountain lions on the landscape and fewer mountain lions in general, so many hunters are killing younger animals and females instead. This is significant because females are the reproductive capital of animal populations.

"F61 — F61 sits adjacent her freshly-covered kill, the beautiful Teton Mountain Range in the background. Photograph by Mark Elbroch / Panthera.

This year, a record number of people took part in the public comment process and provided feedback on proposed changes to mountain lion hunting regulations. Overwhelmingly, those who participated were mountain lion hunters requesting that the WGFD increase hunting opportunities and increase mountain lion populations around the state. Tex Adams, representing the WY Federation of Houndsmen, explicitly requested more “science-based management.” Until this Game Commission meeting, most Wyoming hunting units other than Unit 2 have steadily increased mountain lion hunting limits since 2000. This year, the Game Commission approved reductions not only in Unit 2, but under recommendation by the LCS, reductions in Units 3, 6, 12 and 20 as well. In stark contrast to the rest of Wyoming, this is the fourth reduction in the hunting limit for Unit 2 since 2000.

So, what makes Unit 2 so special? One reason is research. Mountain lions are notoriously difficult to track and count, and thus the LCS has had the incomprehensible task of managing mountain lion populations in the absence of accurate population numbers. Unit 2 is an exception. The Teton Cougar Project launched in 2000 under Craighead Beringia South and is now led by Panthera. With support from local people and the Community Foundation of Jackson Hole, we've monitored local mountain lions ever since. Subsequently, Unit 2 has seen a 75% reduction in the hunting limits for mountain lions, while statewide mountain lion hunting quotas have increased by 44% in the same time frame. This is both a testament to the value of research and the voices of Jackson's conservation organizations.

Adult female mountain lion followed by Panthera's Teton Cougar Project. Photograph by Khalil Karimov / Panthera.

Research-driven management can help managers with tough decisions. In our study area, we've found that the local mountain lion population has declined by 47% over the last 8-10 years. Our calculations show that by reducing mountain lion hunting in the study area to just one animal, the population decline could potentially be halted. If the quota were reduced to zero, mountain lion populations might slowly recover. Given that TCP's study area is one-third the area of Unit 2, WGFD “scaled up” and reduced the hunting limit in Unit 2 from five to three animals.

Jackson is unique in Wyoming in that the majority of residents enjoy the presence of large carnivores; many feel that a hunting limit of three mountain lions is still too many. It's important to realize that mountain lion management is highly influenced by deer and elk management, as well as safety issues for people and livestock (both perceived and real). While it's true that this new limit is unlikely sufficient to support the population's rebound, this science-supported decision to limit the number of lions killed in several Units is a step in the right direction. Work is also underway testing new methods of counting mountain lions across Wyoming, some developed in collaboration between the LCS and TCP researchers, and others pioneered by the LCS alone. When we better know how many mountain lions reside across the state, imagine what we could do for them.

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