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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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2021.03.27 - Gray Wolf Laying in Snow - Yellowstone National Park - Wyoming - John Morrison
Denver

Defenders of Wildlife Statement on Suit to Block Gray Wolf Reintroduction

Defenders of Wildlife went to court today to defend Colorado's historic effort to reintroduce wolves to the state in a lawsuit filed by Gunnison County Stockgrowers’
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2014.06.27 - Two Caribou - National Petroleum Reserve Alaska - Bob Wick - BLM.jpg
ANCHORAGE, ALASKA

Defenders Calls on BLM to Keep 28 Million Acres Out of Future Extraction Activities

The Bureau of Land Management today released its draft review assessing whether to retain Public Land Orders protecting areas of land totaling the size of
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Mohave Ground Squirrel - © Nature Ali (CC BY-NC-ND).jpeg
FOLSOM, CALIFORNIA

Conservationists Seek Federal Protection for the Mohave Ground Squirrel

The Mohave ground squirrel could lose over half its remaining habitat by 2030. Defenders and partners are petitioning for federal ESA protection.
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2023.01 - Mexican Gray Wolf Recovery Program Wolf Tech - Grace Dougan (1).png
NEW MEXICO

Defenders of Wildlife Calls for Natural Dispersal of Mexican Gray Wolf

Defenders of Wildlife today voiced deep concern regarding the capture of a female Mexican gray wolf, known locally as Asha, who has repeatedly shown a
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Bald eagle sitting on branch
Washington, DC

Conservation Groups Applaud Sen. Merkley for Resolution Calling for a National Biodiversity Strategy

As the United States faces escalating impacts from the joint biodiversity and climate crises, leading conservation groups including Defenders of Wildlife, the Endangered Species Coalition
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