The Trump administration has proposed to eliminate habitat destruction and redefine harm under the endangered species act.
Focusing on direct actions such as hunting, killing and injury, habitat destruction would be removed from the definition of harm under the ESA.
Currently there are 82 animal species and 154 plant species listed as threatened or endangered in Iowa, including the rusty patched bumblebee, common barn owl, and pallid sturgeon. ESA programs such as the Wildlife Landowner Assistance program help landowners find partners and funding to restore habitats on their property.
David Hoferer, professor of environmental science at Briar Cliff University, told Siouxland Public Media, “So if this change is made and people and business can now legally alter or destroy the habitat that an endangered species needs well the number one problem is they don't have enough habitat to begin with it is going to basically spell doom for a lot of endangered species here in Iowa and across the nation”.
According to scientific consensus, habitat loss is the most common cause of species extinction.
*Additionally, today, the Omaha Tribe of Nebraska has ended their prayer walk honoring Genoa Indian School survivors.
Thousands of native children including members from the Omaha Tribe were sent to Genoa Indian School from 1884 to 1934.
Tribal Members walked 125 miles from Genoa Indian School in Genoa, Nebraska to Macy, Nebraska over the span of 12 days.
Nathan Philips, one of the organizers of the walk, told Siouxland Public Media, “I’m really tired, exhausted, physically, emotionally, spiritually.”
Philips also said the walk brought back a lot of memories about being taken away and put in foster homes.
He did the walk for his mother, who attended Genoa Indian School, his daughter, and the rest of the relatives.
* Additionally, due to the Trump administration's cuts to the National Endowment for the Humanities, South Dakota Humanities Council lost 73% of its budget from federal funding.
Before cuts, the Council had planned to distribute $122,000 to nonprofits across the state.
Christina Oey, Executive Director of South Dakota Humanities Council told Siouxland Public Media, “We have great supporters in South Dakota and so we do have active fundraising right now.”
The South Dakota Humanities Council is one of the supporters of the Shakespeare Festival.
About $14,000 of the Shakespeare Festival’s budget comes from the South Dakota Humanities Council and the Arts Council.
Rebecca Bailey, Executive Director of Shakespeare Festival told Siouxland Public Media, “the vermillion and surrounding communities, Vermillion, Brookings are alums of programing of USD had a large support system. People were excited for us to extend programming in southeast South Dakota and the surrounding communities have stepped up. We are not okay, but we will be able to pay the contracts that way.
Bailey also said that community members in Vermillion have worked with the Shakespeare Festival at reduced rates and are trying to help the Shakespeare Festival happen this year. Local businesses are also helping by providing food to actors at a reduced rate.
*In other news, Thursday a waiver to limit SNAP purchases has been approved by the USDA in Iowa.
In a press release Governor Kim Reynolds aligns herself with the Trump administration’s changes to SNAP benefits and focus on childhood obesity.
Implementing new guidelines, the waiver allows non taxable food items for SNAP purchases, including fresh items such as eggs, fish, and fruit, as well as processed foods such as shortening, Nestle’s Quick milk mix, and potato chips that are not meant to be eaten on premises.
The waiver will go into effect on January 1, 2026.
