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manta rays swimming in the shallow ocean with coral
Fort Myers, FL

Defenders of Wildlife Applauds Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for Tightening Protections for Listed Species

Defenders of Wildlife welcomes today’s action by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to end open permitting for the capture of ESA-threatened marine species in Florida waters for public display and exhibition purposes.
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NARW
WASHINGTON, D.C.

Legal Intervention Aims to Protect North Atlantic Right Whales From Deadly Ship Strikes

Conservation groups today filed a motion to intervene to help fight a lawsuit aimed at overturning a seasonal speed rule protecting North Atlantic right whales from deadly vessel strikes. The groups want to defend the rule against a lawsuit brought by a New York vessel owner fined for violating seasonal speed limits. The suit alleges that NOAA Fisheries lacked the statutory authority to issue the rule.
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sage grouse in snow at Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge
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.

Press Releases

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The White House with a dark cloudy sky
Washington, D.C.

Defenders of Wildlife Voices Strong Opposition to Expected Trump Executive Orders

Ahead of today’s inauguration, Defenders of Wildlife is voicing strong opposition to a slate of expected executive orders that President-elect Donald Trump has proclaimed he
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Gray wolf howling on a snowy hill
Denver, CO

Colorado Welcomes Wolves from British Columbia, Releases Copper Creek Pack

Colorado Parks and Wildlife today announced successful reintroduction of 15 wolves from British Columbia, Canada to Eagle and Pitkin Counties as part of the state’s
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2021.04.11 - Greater Sage-Grouse - Wyoming - Tom Koerner - USFWS.jpg

Defenders Disappointed in Habitat Management Changes for Imperiled Greater Sage-Grouse

The Bureau of Land Management today finalized resource management plan amendments for the greater sage-grouse in Oregon and Colorado — two of 10 states included
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2010.12.27 - Florida Manatee - Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge - Florida - Keith Ramos - USFWS
Washington, DC

Defenders Statement on West Indian Manatee Proposal

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service this week released a proposal to list two subspecies of the West Indian manatee — the Florida manatee and
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2008.02.25 - North Atlantic Right Whale with Calf - Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, NOAA Research Permit # 775-1875
Washington, DC

Biden Admin Inaction Keeps Critically Endangered Whales on Road to Extinction

Conservation groups expressed anger and frustration at today’s announcement by NOAA Fisheries to withdraw a proposed rule expanding protections for North Atlantic right whales from
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
kirby@defenders.org
(202) 772-3268