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Northern Spotted Owl in Tree
WASHINGTON, D.C.

Defenders Expands Legal Challenge to Trump Administration’s Assault on Endangered Species Act

Defenders of Wildlife today filed an amended complaint challenging the Trump administration’s escalating effort to dismantle longstanding protections for threatened and endangered wildlife under the Endangered Species Act.
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Salt Marsh - Cumberland Island
ST. MARYS, GEORGIA

NPS Land Swaps and Visitor Plan Open the Door to Devastating Impacts at Cumberland Island

In advance of a public hearing on proposed land exchanges on Cumberland Island National Seashore, Defenders of Wildlife called on the National Park Service to remedy a host of management issues facing one of the largest undeveloped barrier islands on the East Coast.
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2019.08.07 - Florida Panther looking straight at camera - MS 45 - fStop Foundation
WASHINGTON, D.C.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Memo Underscores Trump Administration’s All-Fronts War on Wildlife

Brian Nesvik, director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, issued a memorandum explaining to FWS staff that the Endangered Species Act’s prohibition on unauthorized “take” applies only to affirmative acts intentionally and purposefully directed at a particular animal. This follows the Trump administration’s rescission of the regulatory definitions of “harm” under the ESA, which took effect this week.

Press Releases

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Monarch Butterfly
Washington, D.C.

Defenders Applauds Overdue Listing for Monarch Butterfly

“The protections that come with Endangered Species Act listing increase the chance that these precious pollinators will rebound and recover throughout their historic range," said Defenders' Andrew Carter.
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cotton grass with mountain range in background at Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

Defenders Appalled by Oil and Gas Lease Sales Set to Open in Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

Defenders condemns plans to open ANWR's coastal plain to oil and gas leasing, threatening the Porcupine caribou herd and the Gwich'in people who depend on them.
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Red Wolf in Field at Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge
Raleigh, N.C.

North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission Unanimously Commits to Red Wolf Recovery, Defenders Applauds Critical Moment

The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission today voted unanimously in favor of a resolution to advance Red Wolf recovery in the state. The resolution replaces
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Gray Wolf on a Rock
Denver, CO

Defenders and Allies Voice Support for British Columbia-Colorado Wolf Translocation Agreement

Defenders of Wildlife, Rocky Mountain Wolf Project and a coalition of partner organizations representing millions of American and Canadian residents, announced the delivery of a
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Mountain landscape, Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska
Washington, D.C.

Defenders President and CEO Commends Rep. Grijalva for his Service as Ranking Member of the Committee on Natural Resources

Defenders of Wildlife president and CEO Andrew Bowman today issued the following statement in response to Congressman’s Raúl M. Grijalva’s (D-Ariz.) decision to step down...
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
Communications Specialist
estern@defenders.org
202-772-0243