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black-footed ferret at the nat'l black-footed ferret conservation center
Washington, D.C.

Defenders Slams SPEED Act as it Speeds Toward Habitat Destruction

Defenders of Wildlife condemns Rep. Bruce Westerman’s (R-AR) SPEED ACT, H.R. 4776 the Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development Act, ahead of Thursday’s expected floor vote in the U.S. House of Representatives.
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grizzly bear in Alaska
Washington, D.C.

ESA Amendments Act Poses a Historic Threat to America’s Wildlife

Defenders of Wildlife remains on high alert as it braces for the House Natural Resources Committee’s full markup of Rep. Bruce Westerman’s (R-AR) Endangered Species Amendments Act of 2025. More aptly labeled the Extinction Act, the bill seeks to eviscerate the Endangered Species Act, stripping away decades of crucial protections for America’s wildlife and their habitats.
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gray wolf walking with paw raised and looking at camera
Washington, D.C.

House Vote Scheduled on Ending Gray Wolf Protections, Undermining the Endangered Species Act

The House of Representatives is expected this Thursday to vote on ending gray wolf protections, prematurely delisting gray wolves from the Endangered Species Act before

Press Releases

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USFWS DevilsHolePupfish

Defenders Celebrates as Mining Company Signals Intent to Leave Ash Meadows

A Canadian mining company with intent to mine lithium near Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge appears to have walked away from the project. Defenders of
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Lesser Prairie Chicken
Washington, D.C.

FWS Withdraws Land Protection Plan Threatening Endangered Species

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced it is withdrawing the final Land Protection Plan for the Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge, which established an
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A flock of red-winged blackbirds fly over Lake Mattamuskeet
Chapel Hill, N.C.

Bird Sanctuary Protected from Planned Toxic Chemical Experiment

A federal court ruled in favor of Defenders of Wildlife and the Sierra Club in a lawsuit filed by the Southern Environmental Law Center challenging the
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L.P.C
Washington, D.C.

Bill Targeting Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge Undermines Public Land Management

The House Natural Resources Committee is set to take up a bill on Wednesday targeting the Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge, the oldest refuge in Texas
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A sea otter in Monterey Bay
Washington, DC

House to Take Up Bills Torching Wildlife Protections

A draft discussion bill headed for a hearing with the House Natural Resources Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries Subcommittee on Tuesday is poised to tear apart
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