Protecting Habitat

Our planet's incredible array of wildlife occupies an equally diverse variety of habitats, from the frozen tundra to the sizzling desert. When these habitats are threatened, so too are the plants and animals that call these places home. For decades, Defenders of Wildlife has served a leading role in shaping smart policies to conserve, protect and restore wildlife and habitats on lands and waters across the country . A large portion of our habitat work focuses on our national wildlife refuges, national forests, national monuments, and other public lands and waters, as these areas represent some of the last, best places for wildlife to thrive. We also work extensively on private lands in partnership with private landowners and state and tribal agencies to encourage people to protect and restore key habitats on private, tribal and state lands.