For Immediate Release

WASHINGTON ­– Defenders of Wildlife joined a media event today with Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) and other Senate champions in advance of an expected vote on a budget resolution that could allow drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

Statement from Former Defenders of Wildlife President and CEO, Jamie Rappaport Clark:

"We stand with champions in the Senate in opposing this underhanded budget scam to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas drilling. It is unnecessary and simply wrong to destroy an incomparable wilderness that serves as our nation’s most important polar bear nursery, provides essential habitat for the world-renowned Porcupine caribou herd and supports more than 200 species of migratory birds. Enough is enough. All Americans have a stake in protecting this vital refuge. Opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to drilling won’t balance the budget, but it will break the trust of the American people who object to a greedy few robbing us of our irreplaceable natural heritage."

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 supporters, 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.

  

News

Image
Desert tortoise - Mojave Desert - Red Rock Canyon
Washington, D.C.

Final Rescission of Public Lands Rule Reverses Modern Land Management, Threatens Wildlife Habitat

The Bureau of Land Management today announced a decision to roll back the Conservation and Landscape Health Rule, commonly referred to as the Public Lands Rule. The policy modernized how BLM manages our national public lands and represented the critical incorporation of ecological resilience into management alongside traditional resource extraction. The rule required science-based decision-making, conservation considerations within multiple land uses and a focus on sustaining public lands for the long-term benefit of wildlife and the American people.
Image
wind farm
Washington, D.C

Trump Administration Cancels Critical Offshore Wind Projects and Increases Costs for Taxpayers

The Department of Interior this week announced that two offshore wind companies, Bluepoint Wind and Golden State Wind, have abandoned their developments. According to reports, the companies received some $900 million to walk away from the projects.