Subject: Fwd: Today's White House Blog and Interior Press Release on the US Wildlife Trafficking Alliance
From: David Hayes <[email-masked]>
To: Jake Sullivan <[email-masked]>, John Podesta <[email-masked]>
Cc: Peter Ogden <[email-masked]>
Date: Wed, 5 Aug 2015 12:20:58 -0700

John and Jake:

As you know, HRC cares enormously about the wildlife trafficking issue.  In
fact, it was at the CGI meeting in NYC earlier this year, that she
encouraged me to launch a campaign effort to raise awareness in the US
about the wildlife trafficking alliance.

Per Jeff Zients' and Christy Goldfuss' WH blog today, the WH has announced
the formation of the collaboration that I have put together of leading
NGOs, foundations and companies to work with the Administration on tackling
the US side of wildlife trafficking.  Sally Jewell has really stepped up
and is providing needed leadership from the Administration for the effort.
Her press release this morning provides the context.  It specifically calls
out some of the early supporters of the Alliance, including a dozen major
NGOs, companies such as eBay, Google, Facebook, and Berkshire Hathaway, and
foundations such as Paul Allen's Family Foundation and the Wyss
Foundation.  Here's how Interior's press release describes the Alliance
effort:

*Under the leadership of David J. Hayes, the Alliance brings together all
elements of civil society, including interested companies, foundations, and
non-profit organizations to work with the U.S. government to accomplish the
goals of:Raising public awareness of the scope of the wildlife trafficking
crisis, including the devastating impact of poaching and illegal trade on
elephants, rhinos, tigers and other irreplaceable species, and the
traffickers’ links to corruption, organized crime and terrorist
organizations;Reducing consumer demand for illegally acquired wildlife and
wildlife products by raising public awareness; andMobilizing companies to
adopt best practices to ensure that their merchandise does not contain
parts or products from illegal wildlife and that their goods and services
are not being utilized by wildlife traffickers.*

I am in the Bay Area today and will be seeing John and HRC tonight.  I am
going to thank her for her continuing leadership on this issue.

David

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: David Hayes <[email-masked]>
Date: Wed, Aug 5, 2015 at 12:09 PM
Subject: Fwd: Today's White House Blog and Interior Press Release on the
Alliance
To: Sarah Henning <[email-masked]>
Cc: Judith McHale <[email-masked]>

Sarah:

I know that Judith has been keeping you and Chelsea up to date on the
effort to create a US Wildlife Trafficking Alliance along the lines that
HRC and Chelsea have been recommending.

Today is a red letter day in that regard.

This morning, the White House posted
​a
 blog, entitled "US Takes New Steps to Combat Wildlife Trafficking."  The
blog is coauthored by Jeff Zients, Chair of the National Economic Council,
and Christy Goldfuss, Managing Director of the Council on Environmental
Quality.

The blog leads with a reference to Cecil the Lion and reiterates the
President's release of the FWS proposed rule and the Administration's
support for on-the-ground African anti-poaching activities.  It then
specifically hails the formation of the US Wildlife Trafficking Alliance,
linking back to the announcement issued during the President's trip to
Kenya.  The blog also includes a hot link to the Alliance's website (
www.uswta.org) and, as we had hoped, the blog commits to a White House
meeting this fall with leaders of the Alliance.

Here's the relevant passage:

Building on the work of the Advisory Council to the Presidential Task Force
on Combating Wildlife Trafficking, the White House also announced the “U.S.
Wildlife Trafficking Alliance”, a new coalition of major companies,
non-profit organizations, and foundations dedicated to reducing U.S. demand
for ivory, rhino horn, and other illegal wildlife products. The White House
will convene leaders from the Alliance this fall, and we look forward to
engaging the Alliance to raise awareness, change behavior, and reduce
demand for illegally traded wildlife.

And here's where you can find the blog:

https://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2015/08/05/tackling-wildlife-trafficking-home-and-abroad

The Department of the Interior has issued a reinforcing press release about
the Alliance.  It  mentions the names of early supporters of the Alliance
​.
  The press release includes a great quote from Sally Jewell:

“We are committed to a multi-pronged fight against wildlife trafficking
that includes working to reduce demand and sales of illegally traded ivory
and other wildlife products right here at home,” said Secretary Jewell, who
serves as co-chair of the President’s Task Force on Wildlife Trafficking.
“To put an end to this scourge of killing and trafficking rare and iconic
wildlife, we need the help of companies and others outside the government.
Already, many companies are leading by example by raising public awareness
and implementing best practices to support sustainable supply chains that
avoid contributions to illegal wildlife trade. The creation of this
Alliance will provide invaluable assistance in our fight. There is no
question that how we deal with wildlife trafficking activities here in the
United States will have an enormous influence on our global success in
dealing with the crisis.”

Here's the link:

http://www.doi.gov/news/pressreleases/secretary-jewell-praises-new-alliance-to-combat-wildlife-trafficking.cfm
 ​
The Alliance effort is fully launched.  We have a lot of work ahead as we
move forward in collaboration with Secretary Jewell and the White House.

Thanks for your help and support throughout!

David

​

*David J. Hayes*

*Stanford Law School*
Distinguished Visiting Lecturer in Law

Crown Quadrangle

559 Nathan Abbott Way

Stanford, CA 94305-8610

[email-masked] <[email-masked]>*

twitter:  @djhayes01

office:  650-723-7778

cell:  202-258-3909

personal email:  [email-masked]

-- 

*David J. Hayes*

*Stanford Law School*
Distinguished Visiting Lecturer in Law

Crown Quadrangle

559 Nathan Abbott Way

Stanford, CA 94305-8610

[email-masked] <[email-masked]>*

twitter:  @djhayes01

office:  650-723-7778

cell:  202-258-3909

personal email:  [email-masked]