Case: Institute for Applied Ecology v. Burgum

6:25-cv-02364 | U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon

Filed Date: Dec. 18, 2025

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

On December 18, 2025, Plaintiffs—three 501(c)(3) environmental organizations—brought this lawsuit against the U.S. Department of the Interior and several other federal land use departments in the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon. Plaintiffs challenged the cancellation of federal grants, allegedly for reasons related to DEI speech. Bringing claims under the First and Fifth Amendments, they sought a declaration vacating Defendants’ terminations of Plaintiffs’ grants, as well as inju…

On December 18, 2025, Plaintiffs—three 501(c)(3) environmental organizations—brought this lawsuit against the U.S. Department of the Interior and several other federal land use departments in the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon. Plaintiffs challenged the cancellation of federal grants, allegedly for reasons related to DEI speech. Bringing claims under the First and Fifth Amendments, they sought a declaration vacating Defendants’ terminations of Plaintiffs’ grants, as well as injunctive relief barring Plaintiffs from withholding federal funding on the basis of Plaintiffs’ protected speech and viewpoints.

On December 23, 2025, Plaintiffs moved for a preliminary injunction. They sought: (1) a declaration of Defendants’ terminations of grants previously awarded to Plaintiffs as unlawful and violative of the First Amendment; (2) to prohibit Defendants from effectuating the terminations and allow plaintiffs a no-cost extension for the time needed to resume and complete interrupted work and return to the lawful and orderly grant procedures used prior to September 23, 2025; (3) to enjoin defendants from withholding federal funds to Plaintiffs based on Plaintiffs’ actual or perceived statements regarding DEI while the case is ongoing; and (4) to require Defendants to file a regularly scheduled Status Report documenting the actions that they have taken to comply with the Court’s order. 

In the motion, Plaintiffs explained that the Department of the Interior's grant rescissions closely followed statements that were elicited from employees of various grant-receiving institutions in which those employees voiced support for DEI and its principles. After the rescissions, Defendants then boasted on social media about how said terminations were made on the basis of Plaintiffs' views on DEI. Plaintiffs asserted that the Interior's grant terminations evidence that the agency is using a change in agency priorities to masquerade an attempt to suppress free speech. Plaintiffs also allege that the terminations would cause irreparable harm in the form of forced layoffs, reduced programming and research, reputational damage, and a severe chilling of employee free speech. Without the grant funds, Plaintiffs contended that damage would also extend to the ecological areas that they are charged with protecting. 

This case is ongoing.

Summary Authors

Calvin OConnell (1/14/2026)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72058106/parties/institute-for-applied-ecology-v-burgum/


Attorney for Plaintiff

Bressler, Steven Y. (Oregon)

Henderson, Cortney Robinson (Oregon)

Moraga, Pablo (Oregon)

Sortun, Anna (Oregon)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document
1

6:25-cv-02364

Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief

Dec. 18, 2025

Dec. 18, 2025

Complaint
17

6:25-cv-02364

Plaintiffs' Motion for Preliminary Injunction and Supporting Memorandum

Dec. 23, 2025

Dec. 23, 2025

Pleading / Motion / Brief

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72058106/institute-for-applied-ecology-v-burgum/

Last updated April 9, 2026, 3:25 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

Complaint. for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief Filing fee in the amount of $405 collected. Agency Tracking ID: BORDC-10103544 Filer is subject to the requirements of Fed. R. Civ. P. 7.1. Jury Trial Requested: No. Filed by The Institute for Bird Populations, Institute for Applied Ecology, Mid Klamath Watershed Council against All Defendants. (Sortun, Anna) (Entered: 12/18/2025)

Dec. 18, 2025

Dec. 18, 2025

Clearinghouse
2

Civil Cover Sheet regarding Complaint, 1 . Filed by All Plaintiffs. (Sortun, Anna) (Entered: 12/18/2025)

Dec. 18, 2025

Dec. 18, 2025

3

Proposed Summons Bureau of Land Management Filed by All Plaintiffs. (Sortun, Anna) (Entered: 12/18/2025)

Dec. 18, 2025

Dec. 18, 2025

4

Proposed Summons Doug Burgum Filed by All Plaintiffs. (Sortun, Anna) (Entered: 12/18/2025)

Dec. 18, 2025

Dec. 18, 2025

5

Proposed Summons U.S. Department of the Interior Filed by All Plaintiffs. (Sortun, Anna) (Entered: 12/18/2025)

Dec. 18, 2025

Dec. 18, 2025

6

Proposed Summons National Park Service Filed by All Plaintiffs. (Sortun, Anna) (Entered: 12/18/2025)

Dec. 18, 2025

Dec. 18, 2025

7

Proposed Summons Bureau of Land Management Filed by All Plaintiffs. (Sortun, Anna) (Entered: 12/18/2025)

Dec. 18, 2025

Dec. 18, 2025

8

Proposed Summons U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Oregon Filed by All Plaintiffs. (Sortun, Anna) (Entered: 12/18/2025)

Dec. 18, 2025

Dec. 18, 2025

9

Proposed Summons U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services Filed by All Plaintiffs. (Sortun, Anna) (Entered: 12/18/2025)

Dec. 18, 2025

Dec. 18, 2025

10

Proposed Summons U.S. Geological Survey Filed by All Plaintiffs. (Sortun, Anna) (Entered: 12/18/2025)

Dec. 18, 2025

Dec. 18, 2025

11

Proposed Summons U.S. Department of Justice Filed by All Plaintiffs. (Sortun, Anna) (Entered: 12/18/2025)

Dec. 18, 2025

Dec. 18, 2025

12

Notice of Case Assignment to Magistrate Judge Amy E. Potter and Discovery and Pretrial Scheduling Order. NOTICE: The filing party shall print and serve this Order, the summonses, and all other documents issued by the Clerk at case initiation upon all named parties in accordance with Local Rule 3-5(c). Discovery is to be completed by 4/20/2026. Joint Alternate Dispute Resolution Report is due by 5/18/2026. Pretrial Order is due by 5/18/2026. Ordered by Magistrate Judge Amy E. Potter. (jw) (Entered: 12/19/2025)

Dec. 19, 2025

Dec. 19, 2025

13

Summons Issued Electronically as to All Defendants. NOTICE: The filing party shall print and serve the summonses and all other documents issued by the Clerk at the time of case initiation upon all named parties in accordance with Local Rule 3-5(c). (Attachments: # 1 Summons Doug Burgum, # 2 Summons National Park Service, # 3 Summons U.S. Geological Survey, # 4 Summons US Department Interior, # 5 Summons US Fish and Wildlife Services) (jw) (Entered: 12/19/2025)

Dec. 19, 2025

Dec. 19, 2025

14

Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice. Pro Hac Vice admission requested by attorney Steven Y. Bressler. Filing fee in the amount of $300 collected; Agency Tracking ID: AORDC-10106694. Steven Y. Bressler,Steven Y. Bressler for Institute for Bird Populations,Steven Y. Bressler for Institute for Applied Ecology,Steven Y. Bressler for Mid Klamath Watershed Council. Filed by on behalf of Institute for Bird Populations, Institute for Applied Ecology, Mid Klamath Watershed Council. (Bressler, Steven) (Entered: 12/22/2025)

Dec. 22, 2025

Dec. 22, 2025

15

Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice. Pro Hac Vice admission requested by attorney Cortney Robinson Henderson. Filing fee in the amount of $300 collected; Agency Tracking ID: AORDC-10106993. Filed by Institute for Applied Ecology, Institute for Bird Populations, Mid Klamath Watershed Council. (Henderson, Cortney) (Entered: 12/22/2025)

Dec. 22, 2025

Dec. 22, 2025

16

ORDER: Granting Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice 14 ; Granting Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice 15 . Ordered by Magistrate Judge Amy E. Potter. (ck) (Entered: 12/22/2025)

Dec. 22, 2025

Dec. 22, 2025

Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice AND Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice

Dec. 22, 2025

Dec. 22, 2025

Clerks Review of Pro Hac Vice Motion

Dec. 22, 2025

Dec. 22, 2025

Clerk's Review of Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice. Pro Hac Vice admission requested by attorney Steven Y. Bressler. Filing fee in the amount of $300 collected; Agency Tracking ID: AORDC-10106694 14 : Reviewed and Ready for Ruling. (jw)

Dec. 22, 2025

Dec. 22, 2025

Clerk's Review of Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice. Pro Hac Vice admission requested by attorney Cortney Robinson Henderson. Filing fee in the amount of $300 collected; Agency Tracking ID: AORDC-10106993 15 : Reviewed and Ready for Ruling. (jw)

Dec. 22, 2025

Dec. 22, 2025

17

Motion for Preliminary Injunction . Oral Argument requested. Filed by Institute for Applied Ecology, Institute for Bird Populations, Mid Klamath Watershed Council. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A) (Henderson, Cortney) (Entered: 12/23/2025)

Dec. 23, 2025

Dec. 23, 2025

Clearinghouse
18

Motion for Preliminary Injunction 17 is referred to Judge McShane. Ordered by Magistrate Judge Amy E. Potter. (ck) (Entered: 12/23/2025)

Dec. 23, 2025

Dec. 23, 2025

19

Declaration of T. Kaye in Support of Plaintiffs' Motion for Preliminary Injunction. Filed by Institute for Applied Ecology, Institute for Bird Populations, Mid Klamath Watershed Council. (Related document(s): Motion for Preliminary Injunction 17 .) (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B, # 3 Exhibit C, # 4 Exhibit D, # 5 Exhibit E, # 6 Exhibit F, # 7 Exhibit G, # 8 Exhibit H) (Henderson, Cortney) (Entered: 12/23/2025)

Dec. 23, 2025

Dec. 23, 2025

20

Declaration of R. Siegel in Support of Plaintiffs' Motion for Preliminary Injunction. Filed by Institute for Applied Ecology, Institute for Bird Populations, Mid Klamath Watershed Council. (Related document(s): Motion for Preliminary Injunction 17 .) (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B, # 3 Exhibit C, # 4 Exhibit D, # 5 Exhibit E, # 6 Exhibit F, # 7 Exhibit G) (Henderson, Cortney) (Entered: 12/23/2025)

Dec. 23, 2025

Dec. 23, 2025

21

Declaration of W. Harling in Support of Plaintiffs' Motion for Preliminary Injunction. Filed by Institute for Applied Ecology, Institute for Bird Populations, Mid Klamath Watershed Council. (Related document(s): Motion for Preliminary Injunction 17 .) (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B, # 3 Exhibit C, # 4 Exhibit D, # 5 Exhibit E, # 6 Exhibit F, # 7 Exhibit G) (Henderson, Cortney) (Entered: 12/23/2025)

Dec. 23, 2025

Dec. 23, 2025

Motion Referred to District Judge

Dec. 23, 2025

Dec. 23, 2025

22

Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice. Pro Hac Vice admission requested by attorney Pablo Moraga. Filing fee in the amount of $300 collected; Agency Tracking ID: AORDC-10114348. Filed by Institute for Applied Ecology, Institute for Bird Populations, Mid Klamath Watershed Council. (Moraga, Pablo) (Entered: 01/05/2026)

Jan. 5, 2026

Jan. 5, 2026

23

ORDER: Granting Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice 22 . Ordered by Magistrate Judge Amy E. Potter. (ck) (Entered: 01/06/2026)

Jan. 6, 2026

Jan. 6, 2026

Clerk's Review of Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice. Pro Hac Vice admission requested by attorney Pablo Moraga. Filing fee in the amount of $300 collected; Agency Tracking ID: AORDC-10114348 22 : Reviewed and Ready for Ruling. (jw)

Jan. 6, 2026

Jan. 6, 2026

Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice

Jan. 6, 2026

Jan. 6, 2026

Clerks Review of Pro Hac Vice Motion

Jan. 6, 2026

Jan. 6, 2026

24

SCHEDULING ORDER regarding Motion for Preliminary Injunction 17 : Response is due by 1/30/2026. Reply is due by 2/13/2026. Oral Argument is set for 3/5/2026 at 02:00PM in Eugene by videoconference before Judge Michael J. McShane. Ordered by Judge Michael J. McShane. (ck) (Entered: 01/14/2026)

Jan. 14, 2026

Jan. 14, 2026

1 - Scheduling

Jan. 14, 2026

Jan. 14, 2026

25

Response to Motion for Preliminary Injunction 17 . Filed by Bureau of Land Management, Doug Burgum, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Geological Survey. (Lien, Alexis) (Entered: 01/30/2026)

Jan. 30, 2026

Jan. 30, 2026

RECAP
26

Declaration of Gerald Lewandowski . Filed by Bureau of Land Management, Doug Burgum, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Geological Survey. (Related document(s): Response to Motion 25 .) (Lien, Alexis) (Entered: 01/30/2026)

Jan. 30, 2026

Jan. 30, 2026

27

Declaration of Heidi Sage . Filed by Bureau of Land Management, Doug Burgum, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Geological Survey. (Related document(s): Response to Motion 25 .) (Lien, Alexis) (Entered: 01/30/2026)

Jan. 30, 2026

Jan. 30, 2026

28

Declaration of Melissa Hutchinson . Filed by Bureau of Land Management, Doug Burgum, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Geological Survey. (Related document(s): Response to Motion 25 .) (Lien, Alexis) (Entered: 01/30/2026)

Jan. 30, 2026

Jan. 30, 2026

29

Declaration of Ryan Oster . Filed by Bureau of Land Management, Doug Burgum, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Geological Survey. (Related document(s): Response to Motion 25 .) (Lien, Alexis) (Entered: 01/30/2026)

Jan. 30, 2026

Jan. 30, 2026

30

Corporate Disclosure Statement . Filed by All Plaintiffs. (Henderson, Cortney) (Entered: 02/02/2026)

Feb. 2, 2026

Feb. 2, 2026

31

Notice of Implied Consent to Jurisdiction by a Magistrate Judge and Declination of Consent Form. Parties who do not return the form by the deadline will be deemed to have knowingly and voluntarily consented to proceed before a U.S. Magistrate Judge. Declination of Consent to Jurisdiction by a Magistrate Judge, if any, is to be filed by 3/5/2026. (ck) (Entered: 02/03/2026)

Feb. 3, 2026

Feb. 3, 2026

32

Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice. Pro Hac Vice admission requested by attorney Robin F. Thurston. Filing fee in the amount of $300 collected; Agency Tracking ID: AORDC-10161400. Filed by Institute for Applied Ecology, Institute for Bird Populations, Mid Klamath Watershed Council. (Thurston, Robin) (Entered: 02/12/2026)

Feb. 12, 2026

Feb. 12, 2026

33

ORDER: Granting Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice 32 . Ordered by Magistrate Judge Amy E. Potter. (ck) (Entered: 02/12/2026)

Feb. 12, 2026

Feb. 12, 2026

Clerk's Review of Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice. Pro Hac Vice admission requested by attorney Robin F. Thurston. Filing fee in the amount of $300 collected; Agency Tracking ID: AORDC-1016140032 : Reviewed and Ready for Ruling. (le)

Feb. 12, 2026

Feb. 12, 2026

Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice

Feb. 12, 2026

Feb. 12, 2026

Clerks Review of Pro Hac Vice Motion

Feb. 12, 2026

Feb. 12, 2026

Clerk's Review of Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice. Pro Hac Vice admission requested by attorney Robin F. Thurston. Filing fee in the amount of $300 collected; Agency Tracking ID: AORDC-10161400 32 : Reviewed and Ready for Ruling. (le)

Feb. 12, 2026

Feb. 12, 2026

34

Reply to Motion for Preliminary Injunction [17]. Filed by Institute for Applied Ecology, Institute for Bird Populations, Mid Klamath Watershed Council. (Henderson, Cortney)

Feb. 13, 2026

Feb. 13, 2026

RECAP
35

Supplemental Declaration of T. Kaye. Filed by Institute for Applied Ecology, Institute for Bird Populations, Mid Klamath Watershed Council. (Related document(s): Reply to Motion[34].) (Attachments: # (1) Exhibit Ex. A, # (2) Exhibit Ex. B) (Henderson, Cortney)

1 Exhibit Ex. A

View on PACER

2 Exhibit Ex. B

View on PACER

Feb. 13, 2026

Feb. 13, 2026

RECAP
36

Supplemental Declaration of W. Harling. Filed by Institute for Applied Ecology, Institute for Bird Populations, Mid Klamath Watershed Council. (Related document(s): Reply to Motion[34].) (Attachments: # (1) Exhibit A) (Henderson, Cortney)

1 Exhibit A

View on PACER

Feb. 13, 2026

Feb. 13, 2026

RECAP
37

Supplemental Declaration of R. Siegel. Filed by Institute for Applied Ecology, Institute for Bird Populations, Mid Klamath Watershed Council. (Related document(s): Reply to Motion[34].) (Henderson, Cortney)

Feb. 13, 2026

Feb. 13, 2026

RECAP
38

Notice of Appearance William T. Gent,William T. Gent for Institute for Bird Populations,William T. Gent for Institute for Applied Ecology. Filed by Institute for Bird Populations, Institute for Applied Ecology. (Gent, William)

Feb. 27, 2026

Feb. 27, 2026

RECAP
39

Declination of Individual Party Consent to Jurisdiction by U.S. Magistrate Judge. (Entered: 03/02/2026)

March 2, 2026

March 2, 2026

40

Notice of Case Reassignment: This case has been reassigned from Magistrate Judge Amy E. Potter to Judge Michael J. McShane. (cw) (Entered: 03/03/2026)

March 3, 2026

March 3, 2026

41

MINUTES of Proceedings: Motion Hearing Held regarding Motion for Preliminary Injunction 17 . Motion is taken under advisement as of 3/5/2026. Cortney Robinson Henderson, William T. Gent and Steven Y. Bressler present as counsel for plaintiffs. Alexis Lien present as counsel for defendants. Court Reporter: Lindsey Weresch. Judge Michael J. McShane presiding. (cp) (Entered: 03/05/2026)

March 5, 2026

March 5, 2026

Motion Hearing Held

March 5, 2026

March 5, 2026

42

Unopposed Motion for Extension of Time to Answer or Respond to Plaintiffs' Complaint. Filed by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Doug Burgum, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service. (Lien, Alexis) (Entered: 03/09/2026)

March 9, 2026

March 9, 2026

43

ORDER: Granting Motion for Extension of Time to Answer 42 . Answer is due 14 days after ruling on Motion for Preliminary Injunction 17 . Ordered by Judge Michael J. McShane. (cp) (Entered: 03/12/2026)

March 12, 2026

March 12, 2026

44

OPINION AND ORDER: Plaintiffs' Motion for a Preliminary Injunction, ECF No. 17, is GRANTED. Defendants ask that, in the event the Court issues injunctive relief, the Court should stay the injunction for seven days to allow Defendants to seek an emergency stay of the injunction. Defs.' Resp. 19, ECF No. 25 . The Court agrees that a seven-day stay is warranted here. Absent a stay from the Ninth Circuit or the Supreme Court, this injunction goes into effect seven days from the date this opinion is docketed. At that time, Defendants are enjoined from giving effect to the September 2025 termination letters at issue here and shall restore Plaintiffs' previously awarded grant agreements with no-cost extensions to Plaintiffs for the time necessary to resume and complete interrupted work. Additionally, Defendants shall provide extensions for any passed deadlines and suspend any close-out procedures initiated by the termination letters. Signed on 3/12/2026 by Judge Michael J. McShane. (cp) (Entered: 03/12/2026)

March 12, 2026

March 12, 2026

RECAP

Order on Motion for Extension of Time to Answer a Complaint/Petition

March 12, 2026

March 12, 2026

45

Attorney Appearance

March 16, 2026

March 16, 2026

46

Withdrawal of Attorney

March 16, 2026

March 16, 2026

47

Extension of Time to Answer a Complaint/Petition

March 24, 2026

March 24, 2026

Order on Motion for Extension of Time to Answer a Complaint/Petition

March 27, 2026

March 27, 2026

Case Details

State / Territory:

Oregon

Case Type(s):

Environmental Justice

Special Collection(s):

Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government

Key Dates

Filing Date: Dec. 18, 2025

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

three 501(c)(3) environmental organizations

Plaintiff Type(s):

Non-profit NON-religious organization

Attorney Organizations:

Democracy Forward

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Federal

U.S. Department of the Interior

Defendant Type(s):

Jurisdiction-wide

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Ex Parte Young (Federal) or Bivens

Constitutional Clause(s):

Due Process

Freedom of speech/association

Other Dockets:

District of Oregon 6:25-cv-02364

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Relief Sought:

Declaratory judgment

Injunction

Relief Granted:

None yet

Source of Relief:

None yet

Issues

General/Misc.:

Funding

Recommended Citation