Sign in

Fred Koontz

@fwkoontz.bsky.social
195 followers 339 following 159 posts

Retired wildlife conservation biologist.

PostsRepliesMedia
Fred Koontz @fwkoontz.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
www.hcn.org/articles/the...
hcn.org
The ‘grandmother’ cottonwood trees bulldozed for the border wall - High Country News
After a 71-day protest, the last of the 100-plus-year-old trees was cut down southeast of Tucson.
000 0
Fred Koontz @fwkoontz.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/p/august-20-...
heathercoxrichardson.substack.com
August 20, 2026
On Saturday, August 15, the New York Times editorial board published an op-ed noting that the Republicans are trying to hide the cuts they have made to health care in the U.S.
011 0
Fred Koontz @fwkoontz.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
Wow! This is a sign of worse things to come. floridaphoenix.com/2026/07/23/f...
floridaphoenix.com
Florida wildlife agency targeted its critics for secret surveillance • Florida Phoenix
In his dystopian novel “1984,” George Orwell warned that a dictator would create a surveillance state masked as something beneficial. The hallmark of the evil regime was its slogan: “Big Brother Is Wa...
010 0
Fred Koontz @fwkoontz.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j... The youth of the U.S. need to follow the youth of India.
theguardian.com
‘Cockroach’ protests: India’s Modi promises to punish officials over exam leaks
PM says ‘those who try to harm the future of our youth will not be spared’ as exam leaks scandal spirals into widespread anger
010 0
Fred Koontz @fwkoontz.bsky.social · 19/07/2026
Sad. www.science.org/content/arti...
science.org
As the Arctic warms, gray whale boom turns into a bust
Scientists point to changes that jeopardize the marine mammals’ critical feeding grounds
000 0
Fred Koontz @fwkoontz.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
There really isn’t time to recover from the damage that has been done in 18 months. Trump, Ending Decades of Protection, Opens Wild Habitats to Drilling and Mining www.nytimes.com/2026/07/10/c...
nytimes.com
Trump Cuts Habitat Protections for Endangered Species
The rule change ends a safeguard that had been in place for 50 years and could hasten the demise of imperiled animals.
010 0
Fred Koontz @fwkoontz.bsky.social · 27/06/2026
The Trump administration has opened the doors wide to using M-44s (cyanide bombs) again on almost all 245 million acres of public BLM land. See details and actions to take at: www.predatordefense.org/m44s.htm
predatordefense.org
Predator Defense - Help Us Ban Deadly M-44 Cyanide Devices
Predator Defense has long spearheaded efforts for a nationwide ban on M-44 cyanide bombs, indiscriminate devices the government uses for predator control that eject lethal sodium cyanide on unsuspecti...
010 0
Fred Koontz @fwkoontz.bsky.social · 21/06/2026
War crime. What is wrong with people? www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
theguardian.com
Israeli attack kills famed turtle sanctuary ecologist in Lebanon
Mona Khalil led decades-long effort to protect nesting site for turtles near her home in south of the country
100 0
Fred Koontz @fwkoontz.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
Great review on administration's renewed use of cruel cyanide traps on federal BLM lands. www.aspentimes.com/news/federal...
aspentimes.com
Federal cyanide traps return to BLM lands, including Pitkin County
Within Pitkin County, there are 27,490 acres of Bureau of Land Management land, according to the BLM's Colorado River Valley Field Office.
110 0
Fred Koontz @fwkoontz.bsky.social · 13/06/2026
A bright spot of empathy in dark times. Take a few minutes to listen and watch. next.frame.io/share/31ad81...
next.frame.io
Girl in the Alcove V2
010 0
Fred Koontz @fwkoontz.bsky.social · 06/06/2026
A professional organization bending the knee. Police remove UW diabetes researcher and other experts from conference www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
seattletimes.com
UW diabetes researcher removed from conference by police
Dr. Steven Kahn, director of the UW Diabetes Research Center, was removed by police from a national conference as he and others handed out copies of an editorial.
010 0
Fred Koontz @fwkoontz.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
U.S. Forest Service to Open Millions of Acres to Off-Road Vehicles, Memo Shows www.nytimes.com/2026/06/05/c....
nytimes.com
U.S. Forest Service to Open Millions of Acres to Off-Road Vehicles, Memo Shows
010 0
Fred Koontz @fwkoontz.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
So much for the “gold standard.” blog.ucs.org/jules-barbat...
blog.ucs.org
A Not So Happy Anniversary: A Year of Deceptive Science “Standards”
Scientists should be able to do their jobs without political interference.
010 0
Fred Koontz @fwkoontz.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
Destroy the evidence. There is no limit to the destruction. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
theguardian.com
Dismay as Trump officials to dismantle key ocean monitoring system
Ocean Observatories Initiative, $368m network that has provided crucial climate data, latest victim of Trump cuts
010 0
Fred Koontz @fwkoontz.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
The cruelty of the current Administration is unreal. Do they have no decency? yellowstonian.org/will-cyanide...
yellowstonian.org
Will "Cyanide Bombs" Soon Be Making An Encore To Protect Cattle, Sheep And Goats On Public Land? - Yellowstonian
M-44s, which use deadly sodium cyanide to kill wildlife carnivores on behalf of the livestock industry, are notorious for also felling lots of "non-target" animals imperiled species and pet dogs. Afte...
110 0
Fred Koontz @fwkoontz.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
Another nail in the coffin. I guess those in charge are counting on some kind of religious miracle- or maybe rescue from space aliens. Not funny but there is nothing left but laughter. www.nytimes.com/2026/04/30/c...
nytimes.com
As Wildfire Risks Rise, Forest Service Shutters Labs That Study Them
010 0
Fred Koontz @fwkoontz.bsky.social · 27/04/2026
The destruction of the future continues. www.nature.com/articles/d41...
nature.com
Entire NSF science advisory board fired by Trump administration
Members of the National Science Board, which the US Congress founded in 1950, were given no explanation for their termination.
010 0
Reposted by Fred Koontz
George Conway ⚖️🇺🇸 @gtconway.bsky.social · 05/04/2026
896230965965 0
Fred Koontz @fwkoontz.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
There is no end to the madness. www.thewildlifenews.com/2026/04/02/b...
thewildlifenews.com
BREAKING: Trump Administration Orders Dismantling of the U.S. Forest Service
The headquarters is going to Utah. Every regional office is being shuttered. The research program is being destroyed. by Jim Pattiz and More Than Just Parks Utah Governor Spencer Cox (left) and loggin...
100 0
Fred Koontz @fwkoontz.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
Retribution. Making America Great. New Medicare program using AI leaves WA patients in pain www.seattletimes.com/business/new...
seattletimes.com
‘Why are we waiting?’ WA patients ask as Medicare approvals drag
The new program is supposed to save taxpayer dollars. Doctors and patients in Washington say that it's disrupting and delaying medical care.
010 0
Fred Koontz @fwkoontz.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
OMG. newrepublic.com/post/207270/...
newrepublic.com
Military Leaders Say Iran War Is So Trump Can Bring About “Armageddon”
Troops have logged more than 110 complaints about such comments with the Military Religious Freedom Foundation.
100 0
Fred Koontz @fwkoontz.bsky.social · 12/02/2026
Trump Administration Erases the Government’s Power to Fight Climate Change www.nytimes.com/2026/02/12/c...
nytimes.com
Trump Administration Erases the Government’s Power to Fight Climate Change
110 0
Fred Koontz @fwkoontz.bsky.social · 04/02/2026
No Republicans attended today’s congressional hearing with brothers of Renee Good and three US citizens shot and detained by federal agents. Shame.
110 0
Reposted by Fred Koontz
Alt National Park Service @altnps.bsky.social · 25/01/2026
Post from Mac Randolph RIP Alex Pretti, He was my Dad’s ICU nurse. He read my dad’s final salute at the VA after he passed away. Never wanted to share this video, but his speech is very on point.
443627698 0
Reposted by Fred Koontz
Alt National Park Service @altnps.bsky.social · 25/01/2026
Also, my father’s final words to me were to continue to fight the good fight. He would be honored in Alex’s sacrifice, and ashamed of this current administration. In my dad’s words, I encourage you all to continue to “fight the good fight.”
351796419 0
Reposted by Fred Koontz
The Bulwark @thebulwark.com · 21/01/2026
"If some of the price we pay for global peace and prosperity is an annual spectacle of self-important oligarchs complacently congratulating each other—so be it. Or perhaps it might be more accurate to say that was the price we *paid*."
lnk.thebulwark.com
Davos Won’t Save Us
The elites are pretending everything is still normal.
1110020 0
Fred Koontz @fwkoontz.bsky.social · 21/01/2026
How can Republicans (MAGA) look the other way?
100 0
Reposted by Fred Koontz
Senator Patty Murray @murray.senate.gov · 21/01/2026
Everything is getting more expensive for working people, but Trump is abusing his power to make himself at least $1.4 billion richer. The most corrupt President in American history. A government of, by, and for the crooks.
nytimes.com
Opinion | How Trump Has Used the Presidency to Make at Least $1.4 Billion
The president took an oath to serve the American people. Instead, he’s focused his second term on enriching himself and his family.
57309103 0
Fred Koontz @fwkoontz.bsky.social · 12/01/2026
Best to enjoy your remaining days. We have crossed the Rubicon. Global suicide by a cult leader. Too late for later. Under Trump, U.S. Adds Fuel to a Heating Planet www.nytimes.com/2026/01/12/c...
nytimes.com
Under Trump, U.S. Adds Fuel to a Heating Planet
110 0
Fred Koontz @fwkoontz.bsky.social · 09/01/2026
More destruction and diminished hope for our children’s future and the children of all species. Do they have no decency? www.ipbes.net/node/95839
ipbes.net
000 0
Fred Koontz @fwkoontz.bsky.social · 06/01/2026
Stephen Miller Asserts U.S. Has Right to Take Greenland www.nytimes.com/2026/01/05/u...
nytimes.com
Stephen Miller Asserts U.S. Has Right to Take Greenland
110 0
Fred Koontz @fwkoontz.bsky.social · 18/12/2025
Don’t look up! www.nature.com/articles/d41...
nature.com
Trump team plans to break up ‘global mothership’ of climate science
Much of the National Center for Atmospheric Research’s non-climate portfolio will be dispersed, the White House says.
101 0
Fred Koontz @fwkoontz.bsky.social · 21/11/2025
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
theguardian.com
Trump officials reveal plan to roll back regulations in Endangered Species Act
Experts fear plan, one of many attempts Trump’s made to dismantle wildlife protection, will speed up extinction crisis
022 0
Fred Koontz @fwkoontz.bsky.social · 28/10/2025
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
theguardian.com
‘Change course now’: humanity has missed 1.5C climate target, says UN head
Exclusive: ‘Devastating consequences’ now inevitable but emissions cuts still vital, says António Guterres in sole interview before Cop30
021 0
Fred Koontz @fwkoontz.bsky.social · 22/10/2025
Great song by Bruce. www.youtube.com/watch?v=r31H...
youtube.com
“Land of Hope and Dreams” (Live at the Academy Museum Gala)
YouTube video by Bruce Springsteen
021 0
Fred Koontz @fwkoontz.bsky.social · 05/10/2025
Israel wonders why they are losing the support of young people worldwide. Quick fun for long-term detriment. Stupid. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
theguardian.com
Israel accused of detaining Greta Thunberg in infested cell and making her hold flags
Activist tells Swedish officials she has been subjected to harsh treatment, including insufficient food and water
110 0
Fred Koontz @fwkoontz.bsky.social · 01/10/2025
I guess if you are cruel to people animals have no hope. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
theguardian.com
Border wall slicing through Arizona wildlife corridor begins construction: ‘A show of force for nothing’
The 30ft-high wall between the US and Mexico will cut through one of the last unbroken grasslands in the west, leaving residents alarmed over the potential impact on wildlife and water use
010 0
Fred Koontz @fwkoontz.bsky.social · 28/09/2025
Required viewing. youtu.be/NqK3_n6pdDY?...
youtu.be
The West Bank: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)
YouTube video by LastWeekTonight
010 0
Fred Koontz @fwkoontz.bsky.social · 24/09/2025
They are eating the cats, they are eating the dogs — now they are killing the cows!
010 0
Fred Koontz @fwkoontz.bsky.social · 21/09/2025
clerk.house.gov/Votes/202528... 95 Democrats “Yea.” What have we become?
clerk.house.gov
Roll Call 282 Roll Call 282, Bill Number: H. Res. 719, 119th Congress, 1st Session
VOTE QUESTION: On Agreeing to the Resolution, DESCRIPTION: Honoring the life and legacy of Charles “Charlie” James Kirk, VOTE TYPE: Yea-And-Nay, STATUS: Passed
000 0
Fred Koontz @fwkoontz.bsky.social · 13/09/2025
Brandon Keim is the author of Meet the Neighbors: Animal Minds and Life in a More-Than-Human World (Norton, 2024). Here is one of his essays on animal minds. Research on animal subjective experience is slowly reshaping human ethical behavior toward animals. issues.org/animal-minds....
issues.org
When That Chickadee Is No Longer “A Machine With Feathers”
New research on animal minds is leading to a clash of worldviews, with implications for policy and our relationship with the natural world.
030 0
Fred Koontz @fwkoontz.bsky.social · 13/09/2025
Sad news from the Salish Sea. www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
seattletimes.com
Orca pushes another dead calf through Salish Sea in WA
An orca calf born to J36, aka Alki, in Rosario Strait died within the past three days, the Center for Whale Research reported Saturday.
010 0
Fred Koontz @fwkoontz.bsky.social · 08/09/2025
We Are Watching a Scientific Superpower Destroy Itself www.nytimes.com/2025/09/08/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | We Are Watching a Scientific Superpower Destroy Itself
020 0
Fred Koontz @fwkoontz.bsky.social · 02/09/2025
No surprise.
010 0
Fred Koontz @fwkoontz.bsky.social · 02/09/2025
Freedom slipping away more each day. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
theguardian.com
Ice obtains access to Israeli-made spyware that can hack phones and encrypted apps
Trump administration contract with Paragon Solutions gives immigration agency access to one of the most powerful stealth cyberweapons
010 0
Fred Koontz @fwkoontz.bsky.social · 29/08/2025
More bad climate news! www.theguardian.com/environment/...
theguardian.com
Collapse of critical Atlantic current is no longer low-likelihood, study finds
Scientists say ‘shocking’ discovery shows rapid cuts in carbon emissions are needed to avoid catastrophic fallout
011 0
Fred Koontz @fwkoontz.bsky.social · 27/08/2025
Important research by Wildlands Network to improve a proposed wildlife crossing for red wolves in North Carolina. coastalreview.org/2025/08/cons...
coastalreview.org
Conservation group's US 64 study finds 'remarkable carnage' | Coastal Review
More than 5,000 vertebrates representing 144 species of wildlife were killed on U.S. Highway 64 just halfway through a two-year survey.
010 0
Fred Koontz @fwkoontz.bsky.social · 12/08/2025
In Guinea, the United States helped beat back malaria. Now, the disease is set to soar | Science | AAAS www.science.org/content/arti...
science.org
In Guinea, the United States helped beat back malaria. Now, the disease is set to soar
Foreign aid cuts are expected to cause a rise in malaria cases and deaths across sub-Saharan Africa
021 0
Fred Koontz @fwkoontz.bsky.social · 07/08/2025
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
theguardian.com
US national parks staff in ‘survival mode’ to keep parks open amid Trump cuts
Park bosses say they’re running visitor centers and even cleaning bathrooms as remaining staff try to keep sites open
020 0
Fred Koontz @fwkoontz.bsky.social · 08/07/2025
Not good. www.intellinews.com/southern-oce...
intellinews.com
Southern Ocean current reverses for first time, signalling risk of climate system collapse
A major ocean current in the Southern Hemisphere has reversed direction for the first time in recorded history, in what climatologists are calling a ...
010 0