Newsroom

Washington, DC

October 18, 2021

Harmful Sage-Grouse Rider Dropped from Senate Interior Approps Bill For the First Time Since 2014

With today’s release of the Senate Interior Appropriations bill, both houses of Congress have now made their priorities for species and habitat conservation for the

Tucson, AZ

October 15, 2021

Court Ruling: Federal Government Must Address Poaching in Mexican Gray Wolf Recovery Plan

In response to a lawsuit by conservation groups, a judge has ruled that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) must add specific actions to address the poaching of Mexican gray wolves in their plan for the species’ recovery.

Mojave Desert Tortoise, Mojave Max, on stones

October 15, 2021

What is Desert Tortoise Week Without Tortoises?

During the week of October 4, 14 federal, state and local government agencies and conservation organizations celebrated the third annual Desert Tortoise Week. This event, organized by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), provides opportunities for the public to learn about the life history and conservation needs of this iconic desert species.

Press Releases

Washington, DC

October 12, 2021

Defenders of Wildlife Launches New Campaign to Expand the National Wildlife Refuge System

To address the biodiversity and climate crises and to promote more equitable access to the outdoors, Defenders of Wildlife today announced a new campaign to expand the National Wildlife Refuge System – the only federal lands system dedicated to the protection of wildlife.

Bald eagle sitting at the top of an evergreen tree

Madison, Wisconsin

October 8, 2021

Conservation Groups File to Pause Transmission Line Construction to Protect Wildlife Refuge

Today, four conservation groups – the National Wildlife Refuge Association, Driftless Area Land Conservancy, Wisconsin Wildlife Federation and Defenders of Wildlife – filed a motion

Washington, DC

October 8, 2021

Biden Administration Restores Protections for Three National Monuments

Today, the Biden administration signed three proclamations restoring protections for Bears Ears, Grand Staircase-Escalante, and Northeast Canyons and Seamounts National Monuments. The Trump administration not

Portland, ME

October 4, 2021

Defenders of Wildlife Intervenes in Maine Lawsuit in Order to Protect Right Whales

Today, Defenders of Wildlife, along with the Conservation Law Foundation and Center for Biological Diversity, filed to intervene in a case filed by the Maine Lobstering Union (MLU) in the District of Maine on September 27, 2021.

Washington, D.C.

October 4, 2021

New Assessment of Polar Bear Populations Underway as Climate Change Worsens

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced that it will conduct a five-year review of polar bear populations. Polar bears are federally protected under the Endangered Species Act, which requires FWS to review the status of the species periodically. The most recent review was conducted in 2017.