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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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Gray wolf eyes Denali AK
Washington, DC

Defenders mourns the loss of FWS Director Sam Hamilton

The following is a statement by Jamie Rappaport Clark, executive vice president of Defenders of Wildlife. “Sam Hamilton had made great strides in unifying and
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Mexican_gray_wolf
Albuquerque, NM

Mexican wolf numbers down to 42

Defenders of Wildlife says a scientific recovery plan is desperately needed for Mexican gray wolves.
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Wacissa River and Slave Canal trees

Obama's budget includes key funding for land and water

A broad coalition of conservation and recreation organizations today applauded a budget request by President Barack Obama that significantly increases funding for outdoor recreation and strategic land investments through the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), the federal government’s primary program to protect America’s irreplaceable natural, historic, recreational, and other treasured landscapes.
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Wacissa River and Slave Canal trees
Washington, DC

Some notable gains for wildlife in Obama’s budget

The administration has proposed a serious funding increase for the conservation of wildlife and habitat imperiled by climate change, to the tune of $35 million.
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Bald eagle
Washington, DC

Congress should end tax breaks for polluters, invest in green economy

Conservationists, public interest groups call on Congress to cut $20 billion in wasteful spending.
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