ABOUT US

The group, initially known as IvoryFreeVermont, started in 2012 with a focus on banning the sale of elephant ivory and rhino horn in the state. For the next four years, volunteers worked tirelessly around the state to create awareness of the crisis facing elephants from the ivory trade. We shared facts, educated the public, and engaged concerned citizens of all ages to act through legislation.

In 2016, our bill (Vermont H-297) to ban the sale of ivory and rhino horn in the state overwhelmingly passed the Vermont State House 135-4. Unfortunately, it was derailed in the Senate Committee on Economic Development.

The group has not given up. In 2018, we renamed ourselves Vermont for Wildlife to reflect an expanded focus on the 11+ species most threatened by commercial trade—elephants, rhinoceros, giraffe, tigers, lions, leopards, cheetahs, pangolins, marine turtles, sharks, and rays. For all these species, the commercial trade in their parts and products is decimating them to the point of no return if action is not taken.