For Immediate Release

WASHINGTON – Major news outlets last night publicized a memorandum by Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke that recommends downsizing some national monuments and marine national monuments while increasing extractive resource uses in others. The White House has refused to release the memorandum since Zinke submitted it late last month, and some are speculating that it is because the president does not have the legal authority to reduce or revise monument designations.

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

"Secretary Zinke is monumentally and irrationally out of step with the American public. Our national monuments provide critical habitat for endangered and threatened species, and are essential to thousands of species of plants, fish and animals. We understand what the Trump administration does not: national monuments protect irreplaceable parts of our nation’s conservation, cultural and historical legacies.

"The Secretary of the Interior likes to compare himself to Teddy Roosevelt. You, sir, are no Teddy Roosevelt. By blatantly disregarding Native American tribes and communities across the nation, Secretary Zinke has revealed his true motivation – to downsize and sell out our shared natural heritage for damaging resource extraction and short-term profits. Defenders of Wildlife will defend our national monuments against this attack and we will see this administration in court."

For nearly 80 years, Defenders of Wildlife has worked to protect and restore America’s wildlife at risk of extinction, advancing a vision of a future in which wildlife thrives, sustained by broad public support and a resilient network of healthy lands and waters. With a network of more than 2 million supporters, Defenders is an advocate for innovative solutions to safeguard wildlife for generations to come. To learn more, please visit https://defenders.org/newsroom or follow us on Instagram @defendersofwildlife.  

 

News

Single manatee under water swimming in the hot springs sanctuary in Florida
Washington, D.C.

Trump Administration Rescinds ‘Harm’ Definition, Defenders Prepares for Court

In a devastating blow to wildlife, the Trump administration today formally rescinded the regulatory definition of “harm” under the Endangered Species Act, eliminating the long-standing legal interpretation that habitat destruction that leads to death or injury of protected species is illegal.
Black bears on rocks above Anan Creek Tongass NF
Raleigh, North Carolina

Defenders Celebrates North Carolina General Assembly’s Historic Investment in Wildlife Crossings with Recurring Multi-million-dollar Appropriation

North Carolina's $10.2M recurring investment for wildlife crossings is a historic win, protecting both motorists and vulnerable species like black bears and red wolves. The victory is part of a years-long effort from the Safe Passage Coalition.
Visit the newsroom