Statement from President and CEO Jamie Rappaport Clark, Defenders of Wildlife:
“Thank you to the Biden administration and Interior Secretary Haaland for seeing through this scientifically and legally indefensible leasing scam. These lands are sacred for Indigenous people and vital to the future of the threatened Southern Beaufort Sea population of polar bears and numerous other species that depend on this refuge for their survival. Ultimately, the administration should void these illegal leases and Congress must act to permanently protect our irreplaceable Arctic National Wildlife Refuge."
Defenders of Wildlife is celebrating 75 years of protecting all native animals and plants in their natural communities. With a nationwide network of nearly 2.2 million members and activists, Defenders of Wildlife is a leading advocate for innovative solutions to safeguard our wildlife heritage for generations to come. For more information, visit defenders.org/newsroom and follow us on Twitter @Defenders.