Newsroom

Washington, DC

August 11, 2020

Court Upholds Historical Interpretation of Nation’s Bird Conservation Law

The Southern District of New York upheld a long-standing interpretation of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA). A coalition of national environmental groups, including the American Bird Conservancy, Center for Biological Diversity, Defenders of Wildlife, National Audubon Society, National Wildlife Federation filed lawsuits in May 2018 challenging the Department of the Interior’s move to eliminate protections for waterfowl, raptors and songbirds under the MBTA.

Sea otter family in Morro Bay California

WASHINGTON

August 11, 2020

Friends of the Sea Otter Joins Forces with Defenders of Wildlife

Friends of the Sea Otter (FSO), a California-based organization dedicated to sea otter conservation, announced today that it has made the strategic decision to close its operations and transfer its agenda, services, and assets to Defenders of Wildlife.

DOUGLAS, Ariz.

August 10, 2020

Document shows Border Construction Impacts to National Wildlife Refuge Groundwater, Endangered Species

Defenders of Wildlife recently obtained documentation showing border wall construction efforts in and around the San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge in southeast Arizona are threatening ground water sources and imperiled wildlife.

Press Releases

SAN DIEGO

August 6, 2020

EDF Renewables North America, National Audubon Society and Defenders of Wildlife Enter into a Collaborative Agreement

Defenders of Wildlife, along with partners, today announced a Swainson’s Hawk Study and Conservation Action Agreement that exemplifies the shared goals and collaboration necessary to develop renewable energy to meet California’s 100% goal while conserving important wildlife and their habitat.

Washington, DC

August 6, 2020

Vessel Speed Limits Sought to Protect Endangered North Atlantic Right Whales

Conservation groups filed a rulemaking petition today seeking additional ship-speed limits along the Atlantic coast to protect critically endangered North Atlantic right whales. In June, a baby right whale was found dead off the coast of New Jersey, with propeller wounds across its head, chest and tail.

Washington, DC

August 5, 2020

Feinstein-Daines Wildfire Bill Would Evade Environmental Laws, Compromise Community Protection

Sens. Diane Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Steve Daines (R-Mont.) introduced legislation yesterday that would fast-track unsustainable logging, increase wildfire risk and jeopardize community safety. The measure

Seattle, Wash.

July 31, 2020

Lower Snake River Dams Should Stay Standing, Say Federal Agencies

This week, federal agencies again ignored science and public opinion in a management plan for federal dams in the Columbia River Basin. The plan, a final environmental impact statement (EIS), applies to 14 dams and reservoirs that comprise the Columbia River Hydropower System. Research shows that four dams in particular – located on the lower Snake River – negatively impact the recovery of endangered Pacific salmon and southern resident orcas as a result.

Washington, DC

July 31, 2020

Administration Limits Protections for Endangered Wildlife Habitat

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration have proposed a new regulation that will redefine “habitat” and weaken protections for imperiled species listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).