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2021.11.26 - A small herd of caribou in Izembek National Wildlife Refuge - Alaska - Katrina Liebich-UWFWS.jpeg
ANCHORAGE, ALASKA

DOI Trades Away Alaskan Refuges, Sells Out Public Lands

The Trump administration dealt a blow to the National Wildlife Refuge System by removing protections from the Arctic and Izembek National Wildlife Refuges. During what
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Bison in field
Wolf Point, Mont.

Proposed Biodiversity Credit Pilot Program a First for Tribes, Healthy Grasslands

A new conservation pilot program will offer industry leaders the opportunity to contribute to the return of bison to tribal lands, which will in turn
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Southern Sea Otter on its Back with Tag on its Foot
Olympia, WA

Defenders Offers Reward for Information on Sea Otter Poaching

The U.S Fish and Wildlife Service confirmed that a federally protected sea otter was illegally tortured and killed in February 2025. Both FWS and Defenders

Press Releases

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2024.01.11 - Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge - sun shining on snowy landscape - Nathan Marcy-Defenders of Wildlife.JPG
Armargosa Valley, Nevada

Defenders Celebrates Win for Amargosa Valley Wildlife Hotspot

The Department of the Interior today temporarily halted new mining claims and leases near the Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, a protection that could be
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gray wolf
Denver, CO

Defenders' Statement on CPW Commission Denial of Petition to Pause Gray Wolf Reintroduction

The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission today announced it will deny a petition to pause the state's voter-mandated gray wolf reintroduction program. Defenders of Wildlife's
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2010.10.28 - Caribou Grazing in Front of Mountains - Alaska - Colin Arisman.jpg
Washington, D.C.

Second Legally Mandated Lease Sale in the Arctic Refuge a Complete Failure, Receives No Bids

The Biden administration just concluded the second legally mandated lease sale in the Arctic Refuge. It should come as no surprise that this lease sale
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Bear cub on back of mother in snow
Washington, DC

Defenders Statement on Grizzly Bear Delisting Status Decision

WASHINGTON, DC — The US Fish & Wildlife Service today determined there is not a basis to delist grizzly bears in the Northern Continental Divide
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2020.05.19 - Red Fox - Laurence Grayer.JPG
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA

Defenders of Wildlife Challenges FWS Unlawful Evasion of Habitat Protection for Rare Species  

Defenders of Wildlife today is challenging a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regulation that allows the agency to unlawfully dodge its legal duty to designate
Senior Vice President, External Affairs
lsheehan@defenders.org
(202) 772-3244
Communications Director
mdewane@defenders.org
(202) 772-0217
Communications Specialist
jcovey@defenders.org
Communications Specialist
jpetrequin@defenders.org
(202) 772-0243
Communications Specialist
kirby@defenders.org
(202) 772-3268