The Fragment: March 2026 Policy Brief

Welcome to the second publication of The Fragment, our student voices platform! This policy brief was written by our talented and observant Biodiversity Policy Interns, Jacob Pirosko and Arif G. The brief identifies conservation policy-relevant developments from the Phoenix Zoo to Brazil. Find Jacob and Arif's "key takeaways" throughout the brief that put developments into conservation context. At the end, they've articulated three reasons why policy matters for biodiversity conservation. 

March 2026 Policy Brief

Authors: University of Arizona seniors Jacob Pirosko and Arif G. 

Executive Summary

• The Center for Biological Diversity filed notice of intent to sue federal agencies over unauthorized cattle grazing in Las Cienegas National Conservation Area, where surveys found damage along 78% of critical habitat stream miles, threatening Arizona’s highly limited and critical riparian ecosystems (1). 

• Voters approved increased funding for wildlife corridors in Pima County through the RTA Next plan, raising investment from $45 million to $50 million to support infrastructure like underpasses and fencing that reduce wildlife deaths and improve habitat connectivity (2). 

• The Phoenix Zoo proposed a conservation safari park near Sahuarita aimed at supporting endangered species populations and collaborating with agencies on breeding programs for species such as Mexican gray wolves and California condors (3). 

• The U.S. Forest Service transferred 2,400 acres of Oak Flat to Resolution Copper following a federal court ruling, advancing a mining project that threatens ecologically significant land and habitat for protected species (4). 

• Federal approval efforts for a Patagonia mine, backed by Department of Energy and Department of Defense funding, raise concerns due to its location in a biodiversity hotspot and its potential impact on endangered species like jaguars and Mexican spotted owls (5). 

• The Mexican gray wolf population reached 319 individuals in 2025, continuing a decade-long recovery trend and nearing the threshold for downlisting from endangered to threatened, while new legislative efforts in Arizona could weaken protections (6). 

• A University of Arizona study suggests vertebrate biodiversity may be significantly underestimated due to cryptic species, highlighting gaps in current conservation approaches (7). 

• A federal court struck down several amendments to the Endangered Species Act, reinforcing the role of judicial oversight in maintaining strong species protections (8). 

• The Trump administration secured an exemption to the Endangered Species Act to expand oil and gas drilling in the Gulf of Mexico, marking a rare use of national security justification that could weaken future environmental protections (9). 

• A federal appeals court upheld critical habitat protections for bearded and ringed seals in Alaska, affirming that shrinking or climate-threatened habitats still qualify for protection under federal law (10). 

• The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service faces a court-ordered 2028 deadline to determine protection status for the Railroad Valley toad, testing enforcement of ESA timelines amid pressures from extractive industries (11). 

• The CMS COP15 conference in Brazil brought together global experts to strengthen protections for migratory species and advance coordinated international conservation strategies (12).

Pima County

Lawsuit Targets Unauthorized Cattle Grazing in Las Cienegas National Conservation Area: On March 25, the Center for Biological Diversity filed notice of intent to sue BLM and USFWS over unauthorized cattle grazing damage to endangered wildlife habitat in southern Arizona's Las Cienegas National Conservation Area (1). Field surveys by center biologists in 2025 found cattle causing moderate or significant damage along 78% of critical habitat stream miles in the conservation area, including in areas where cattle are not permitted (2). Arizona's riparian areas cover less than 1% of the state's land but support up to 75% of its wildlife, making it among the most critical and threatened.

Voters Approve Increased Wildlife Corridor Funding: A voter-approved plan, RTA Next, has approved more funding for wildlife corridors in Pima County (1). The new plan includes an increase from $45 million to $50 million in funding for wildlife corridors (2). The funding would assist in developing critical underpasses, overpasses, and fencing across Pima County (3). The increased funding will limit animal deaths on highways and allow roaming room within the Sonoran Desert habitat.  

Key takeaway: The success of the RTA Next plan underscores that institutions do not solely drive biodiversity policy, as the voices of voters are important to building conservation capacity.

Potential Conservation Park Opening in Sahuarita: The Phoenix Zoo is hoping to build a conservation safari park about 20 miles south of Tucson to support sustainable populations of endangered animals (1). The park would potentially house giraffes, white and black rhinos, gazelles, and other endangered species from arid environments around the world (2). The Phoenix Zoo is also working with state and federal wildlife agencies to potentially breed animals native to Arizona, like Mexican gray wolves, California condors, and others (3).

Arizona

Oak Flat Transferred to Resolution Copper for Mining: On March 16, the U.S. Forest Service officially transferred 2,400 acres of Oak Flat (Chi'chil Bildagoteel) in the Tonto National Forest to Resolution Copper, a joint venture of Rio Tinto and BHP (1). The transfer followed a 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling on March 13 denying injunction requests from the San Carlos Apache Tribe, environmental groups, and a coalition of Apache women (2). Resolution Copper plans to use block-cave mining that would eventually cause the surface to collapse into a crater up to two miles wide and 1,000 feet deep. The lands provide habitat for ocelots and Arizona hedgehog cacti, and Oak Flat has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 2016. Three lawsuits challenging the transfer remain active (3). Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins framed the move as advancing domestic copper supply for defense and grid modernization.

Federal Mine Approval Process Raises Concerns for Arizona Ecosystem Protection: On March 5th, 2026, the U.S. Forest Service announced its plans to approve a federal mine in Patagonia (1). The mine has received a nearly $123 million loan from the Department of Energy, as well as additional funding from the Department of Defense (2). The location of the mine raises several concerns, as it is situated within the Patagonia Mountains, a biodiversity hotspot within Arizona’s Sky Islands. The environmental impact statement issued by the Forest Service found that 12 species on the Endangered Species List could be adversely affected by the mining project, specifically Mexican spotted owls and jaguars (3). 

Mexican Gray Wolf Population Reaches 319: The 2025 minimum count of Mexican gray wolves in Arizona and New Mexico reached 319, up from 286 in 2024 and marking the 10th consecutive year of population growth (1). The population is now approaching the downlisting threshold, which requires a 4-year rolling average of 320 or above (2). Meanwhile, wolves were released into a second recovery area in Durango, Mexico, joining the existing Chihuahua population and advancing the binational recovery architecture needed for full delisting. At the state level, HB 2159 (which would direct AZGFD to issue permits for landowners to kill wolves) and HCM 2006 (urging Congress to delist) advanced through the Arizona House along party lines in February and are pending in the Senate.

University of Arizona Study Finds Vertebrate Species May Be Twice as Numerous: A study led by John Wiens at the University of Arizona has revealed that there might be twice as many vertebrate species on Earth as previously thought (1). The study examined “cryptic” species, defined as two or more biologically distinct species that are grouped as one due to their identical appearance, despite being genetically different and unable to interbreed (2). These species often live within similar ranges, making them difficult for conservation researchers to track and study. According to the researchers, better understanding “cryptic” species and making them distinct from others is key to informing better conservation efforts (3). 

Key takeaway: The existence of “cryptic” species creates an even larger imperative for biodiversity conservation. Current conservation strategies risk overlooking these genetically distinct species, making improved species identification essential for the design of effective biodiversity policy. 

United States

Endangered Species Act Amendments Rejected: A federal judge has vacated four of the challenged provisions of the Endangered Species Act, stating that the Department of the Interior’s amendments are unlawful (1). U.S. District Judge Jon Tigar ruled that the changes contradicted the intended objectives of the law, and the changes “undercut the efficacy of Section 7 consultation in protecting threatened or endangered wildlife and marine life” (2). The rejection of the first Trump administration's manipulations of the Endangered Species Act sets a needed precedent for future interpretations that attempt to minimize protections for species that need them. 

Key takeaway: Judicial decisions play a critical role in safeguarding biodiversity policy, as courts are given the power to interpret legislation and even invalidate regulatory changes. Judicial review builds on established legal precedent, so each court victory carries broader significance for the future of biodiversity conservation.

Trump Administration Finds ESA Exemption for Oil in the Gulf of Mexico: Due to increased pressure on the oil market stemming from conflict in Iran, the Trump administration is seeking an exemption to the Endangered Species Act for expanded oil and natural gas drilling in the Gulf of Mexico (1). Although intentions for the Gulf of Mexico are unclear, increased drilling allowances would endanger several species, including the Rice’s Whale, with only around 50 remaining in the Gulf (2). On March 31, 2026, the Endangered Species Committee voted unanimously to open up the Gulf of Mexico to oil and gas drilling, citing a defense provision of the Endangered Species Act (3). 

Key takeaway: The meeting on March 31 marks the first time national security has been invoked to seek an ESA exemption, and only the fourth time the committee has convened in its nearly 50-year history. As a blanket exemption was granted, it could set a precedent for overriding wildlife protections for any fossil fuel project framed as a national security interest.

Crucial Court Win for Alaskan Seals: On March 25, a federal appeals court upheld the National Marine Fisheries Service’s categorization of around 160 million acres of critical habitat for bearded and ringed seals (1). The court ruled that the seals’ habitat is consistent with the Endangered Species Act’s definition of occupied critical habitat (2). As global warming is already reducing remaining seal habitat, the appellate decision comes at a critical time for conservation.

Key takeaway: The ruling reinforces that habitat currently occupied by a listed species qualifies as critical habitat under the ESA, even when facing climate-driven consequences. The ruling rejects the argument that shrinking habitat should not receive protection simply because its area is in decline. 

Railroad Valley Toad Deadline: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has agreed to a court-ordered deadline requiring the agency to decide on protections for the Railroad Valley toad in accordance with the Endangered Species Act by May 31, 2028 (1). In 2024, it was found that the toad is threatened by oil and gas extraction and proposals for lithium extraction in its habitat (2). As the Railroad Valley toad is an important marker of biodiversity in Nevada’s Great Basin, a protection status would set a precedent for halting the extinction of wetland ecosystems across the United States. 

Key takeaway: The court-ordered deadline forces USFWS to make a listing decision by May 2028, preventing indefinite bureaucratic delay on a species threatened by the same extractive industries (oil, gas, lithium) that the administration is actively promoting. The case tests whether ESA timelines can hold under an administration hostile to new listings.

International

CoP15, Mitigating Migratory Species Loss: The 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS CoP15), convened from March 23-29 in Campo Grande, Brazil (1). The meeting focused on protecting migratory species, aiming to strengthen coordinated conservation efforts, add 44 fish, birds, and terrestrial species to protection lists, and advance sustainable infrastructure to minimize harm to migratory species (2). Scientists, policymakers, governments, and indigenous communities were all in attendance to advance international coordination in conservation (3).

Key takeaway: CoP15 demonstrates that effective and efficient biodiversity policy must be informed by experts from various fields. Although interpretations of how to best protect biodiversity differ, the work of scientists, policymakers, governments, indigenous communities, and all others is vital to creating a future of advanced conservation methods. 

Why Does Policy Matter for Biodiversity Conservation?

1. Policy Manages Tradeoffs Between Competing Public Goods

While policy can create a framework or determine methods best used in biodiversity conservation, it often is forced to pick and choose between competing public goods, including but not limited to economic development, energy security, reinforced urban infrastructure, and environmental sustainability. Many narratives in the advancement of biodiversity policy in Arizona illustrate these tradeoffs. For example, the transfer of Oak Flat to Resolution Copper prioritizes the acquisition of domestic mineral supply over ecological preservation and Indigenous land rights. Similarly, the proposed mining of the Patagonia Mountains represents a conflict of interest between economic advancement and protecting biodiversity. 

At the federal level, the gaps between well-reasoned prioritization and immediate economic gratification become more distinct. The invocation of national security to justify exemptions to the Endangered Species Act (ESA) for oil and gas drilling in the Gulf of Mexico is an example of conservation taking a back seat to the immediate demand for energy. While satisfying consumers in the short term, it risks the extinction of Rice’s Whales in the long term. Prior investments in alternative forms of transportation and sustainable energy could have prevented dependence on fossil fuels, yet policy priorities still create an uneven playing field skewed towards market satisfaction over long-term sustainability. 

Everyone rarely wins when policy is turned into action, as a multiplicity of pressures is applied to legislators who make important decisions. However, the voter-approved expansion of wildlife corridor funding in Pima County shows that policy mechanisms can shift tradeoffs in the direction of biodiversity protection by reducing habitat fragmentation and wildlife mortality rates. All individuals must be made aware of the benefits of conservation, as biodiversity outcomes are not inevitable– they are the result of policy institutions choosing to balance incentives and competing societal priorities. 

2. Policy Defines Which Knowledge is Used in Decision Making

It is essential that leaders from all backgrounds and all areas of knowledge are consulted in creating a future for biodiversity conservation. Policy plays a critical role in determining which forms of knowledge are used, recognized, and excluded in decision-making. For instance, scientific research is the backbone of forming approaches to conservation, yet its utility depends on its incorporation into policy frameworks. A recent University of Arizona study on “cryptic” species suggests that global biodiversity may be significantly underestimated, with genetically distinct species overlooked due to visual similarity. Without policy mechanisms that incorporate evolving scientific understandings, conservation strategies risk crucial strategy gaps.

Legal and institutional knowledge is also a part of the puzzle. Judicial rulings, such as the federal court decision rejecting amendments that weakened the ESA, demonstrate how legal interpretation and judicial review incorporate scientific bases for conservation. Similarly, court decisions continue to shape future battlegrounds for biodiversity. The decision upholding critical habitat protections for Alaskan seals confirms that even shrinking or climate-impacted habitats remain legally protected, further reinforcing the role of scientifically guided policy. 

CoP15 is a phenomenal example of how complex knowledge inclusion is. Protecting species that migrate requires the knowledge of not only scientific experts but also the perspectives of governments, indigenous communities, and other stakeholders. Biodiversity policy is not only informed by knowledge inputs, but it continues to create outputs addressing the effectiveness of conservation efforts.

3. Policy Determines the Speed and Timing of Conservation Action

        The success of biodiversity conservation depends on how quickly effective policy can address problems in current protection frameworks. Delays in policy creation and adaptation can significantly exacerbate ecological decline, especially for species already under duress. This is illustrated by the Railroad Valley Toad, as bureaucratic delay has stalled protections, with a court-ordered deadline now forcing the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to make a listing decision by 2028. Without judicial intervention, conservation action may have been postponed despite increasing threats from extractive industries.

        Rapid policy decisions also lead to ecological harm. Swift decisions to prioritize the extraction of minerals or natural gas can put species in harm's way. The objectives of policy must be clear and refined, incorporating solutions to address multifaceted perspectives. The continued growth of the Mexican gray wolf population reflects a decade of sustained policy support, however pending state legislation that would allow the killing of wolves shows how quickly policy narratives can shift. Timing is of the essence in biodiversity conservation, and the speed of action can directly shape ecological outcomes.

Sources & Further Reading

Arizona Game and Fish Department. (2025, March 3). Mexican wolf numbers up for 9th straight year. https://www.azgfd.com/2025/03/03/mexican-wolf-numbers-up-for-9th-straight-year/

Bradshaw, Z. (2026, March 16). US transfers sacred Oak Flat site to Resolution Copper, dealing blow to tribal opponents. Cronkite News. https://cronkitenews.azpbs.org/2026/03/16/resolution-copper-oak-flat-land-transfer/

Brean, H. (2026, February 27). Wolf numbers in Arizona, New Mexico approach threshold for downlisting. Arizona Daily Star. https://tucson.com/news/local/environment/article_1a238799-33b8-4a77-ab42-12ae3477833b.html

Brean, H. (2026, March 10). Endangered-animal park could open south of Tucson. Arizona Daily Star. https://tucson.com/news/local/subscriber/article_8ea31ca1-ec38-44ca-ac48-ea48f2719b3e.html

Chadwick, K. (2026). Study finds Earth may have twice as many vertebrate species as previously thought. University of Arizona News. https://news.arizona.edu/news/study-finds-earth-may-have-twice-many-vertebrate-species-previously-thought

Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protection. (2026, March 11). A win for wildlife linkages in Pima County. https://www.sonorandesert.org/2026/03/11/a-win-for-wildlife-linkages-in-pima-county/

Center for Biological Diversity. (2026, March 14). Trump administration to hand Arizona’s Oak Flat to mining giant following appeals court ruling. https://biologicaldiversity.org/w/news/press-releases/trump-administration-to-hand-arizonas-oak-flat-to-mining-giant-following-appeals-court-ruling-2026-03-13

Center for Biological Diversity. (2026, March 25). Lawsuit launched to protect Arizona endangered species, conservation area from trespassing cattle. https://biologicaldiversity.org/w/news/press-releases/lawsuit-launched-to-protect-arizona-endangered-species-conservation-area-from-trespassing-cattle-2026-03-25/

Defenders of Wildlife. (2026, March 16). Trump administration calls on “God Squad” to weaken Endangered Species Act protections. https://defenders.org/newsroom/trump-administration-calls-god-squad-weaken-endangered-species-act-protections

Endangered Species Act regulations – Environmental and Energy Law Program. (2025). Harvard Law School. https://eelp.law.harvard.edu/tracker/endangered-species-act-regulations/

Global conference on protecting migratory species kicks off in Brazil. (2026, March 23). European Commission. https://environment.ec.europa.eu/news/global-conference-protecting-migratory-species-kicks-brazil-2026-03-23_en

Goska, M. (2026, March 25). Victory: Judge reinstates Alaska critical habitat for bearded, ringed seals. Center for Biological Diversity. https://biologicaldiversity.org/w/news/press-releases/victory-judge-reinstates-alaska-critical-habitat-for-bearded-ringed-seals-2026-03-25/

Lawsuit launched to protect Arizona endangered species, conservation area from trespassing cattle. (2026, March 25). Center for Biological Diversity. https://biologicaldiversity.org/w/news/press-releases/lawsuit-launched-to-protect-arizona-endangered-species-conservation-area-from-trespassing-cattle-2026-03-25/

May, P. (2026, March 6). Environmental groups urge yes vote on RTA Next. KOLD News 13. https://www.kold.com/2026/03/07/environmental-groups-urge-yes-vote-rta-next/

Myskow, W. (2026, March 19). Water concerns rise as Patagonia mine nears federal approval. AZ Luminaria. https://azluminaria.org/2026/03/19/water-concerns-rise-as-patagonia-mine-nears-federal-approval/

Nairn, C. (2026, March 30). Judge invalidates Trump’s Endangered Species Act changes. Courthouse News Service. https://www.courthousenews.com/judge-invalidates-trumps-endangered-species-act-changes/

Pietrorazio, G. (2026, March 23). What’s next for Oak Flat — the Apache holy land that now belongs to Resolution Copper? KJZZ. https://www.kjzz.org/tribal-natural-resources/2026-03-23/whats-next-for-oak-flat-the-apache-holy-land-that-now-belongs-to-resolution-copper

Solis, J. (2026, March 18). Feds agree to deadline for endangered species listing of rare NV toad. Nevada Current. https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/feds-agree-deadline-endangered-species-listing-rare-nv-toad

St. John, A. (2026, March 26). Trump administration seeks Endangered Species Act exemption for oil, gas projects in Gulf. Associated Press. https://apnews.com/article/trump-oil-gas-iran-endangered-species-32484bddd8b28aa3e6ecfd9772429bd9

Trump administration to hand Arizona’s Oak Flat to mining giant following appeals court ruling. (2026, March 13). Center for Biological Diversity. https://biologicaldiversity.org/w/news/press-releases/trump-administration-to-hand-arizonas-oak-flat-to-mining-giant-following-appeals-court-ruling-2026-03-13/