For Immediate Release
Washington, DC

Late last night, Congress released a 2018 funding package that repudiated the draconian, reckless budget cuts proposed by President Trump. The agreement strongly rejected many damaging anti-wildlife riders, including provisions that would undermine the Endangered Species Act and delist wolves in the Great Lakes region. The bill also bars construction of a destructive border wall through Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge in south Texas, though it provides damaging funding for border wall construction and other security measures that will harm wildlife and communities elsewhere along the border. The bill includes a rider that blocks endangered species protections for imperiled greater sage-grouse, and while solving the long-standing wildfire budget problem, includes provisions that may undermine wildlife conservation on national forest lands.

Former Defenders of Wildlife President and CEO Jamie Rappaport Clark issued the following statement:

“The omnibus spending bill had the potential to be a disaster for wildlife, habitat and endangered species. While this legislation isn’t perfect, conservation champions in Congress have worked tirelessly to keep many devastating anti-wildlife riders out of the bill and prevent funding for building President Trump’s destructive border wall through the Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge.

“Insidious riders that chip away at our nation’s natural heritage have no place in legislation of any kind. We deeply appreciate the efforts of the lawmakers who refuse to compromise on protecting our wildlife, lands and waters.”

For over 75 years, Defenders of Wildlife has remained dedicated to protecting all native animals and plants in their natural communities. With a nationwide network of nearly 2.1 million members and activists, Defenders of Wildlife is a leading advocate for innovative solutions to safeguard our wildlife for generations to come. To learn more, please visit https://defenders.org/newsroom or follow us on X @Defenders.

  

Media Contact

News

Image
Lesser Prairie Chicken
Washington, D.C.

FWS Withdraws Land Protection Plan Threatening Endangered Species

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced it is withdrawing the final Land Protection Plan for the Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge, which established an
Image
A flock of red-winged blackbirds fly over Lake Mattamuskeet
Chapel Hill, N.C.

Bird Sanctuary Protected from Planned Toxic Chemical Experiment

A federal court ruled in favor of Defenders of Wildlife and the Sierra Club in a lawsuit filed by the Southern Environmental Law Center challenging the