Image
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.
Image
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.
Image
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

Image
Bison in field
Bozeman, MT

Restoring Hope to the Prairie and Tribes

Following the Hollywood release of Butcher’s Crossing, an historical fiction depicting the dark history associated with the near-extinction of Plains bison in the 1800s, Defenders
Image
Red Wolf - B.Bartel-USFWS
Washington, DC

New Defenders Poll Shows American Public Overwhelmingly Supports the Endangered Species Act and Biodiversity Protection

New Defenders of Wildlife poll shows the vast majority of Americans, regardless of political party, continue to support the Endangered Species Act as it marks
Image
Wolf from Wapiti Pack walks through Hayden Valley
Helena, Montana

Defenders Appalled by Montana Draft Gray Wolf Conservation and Management Plan

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks released its 2023 Draft Gray Wolf Conservation and Management Plan on Friday, October 20th with a 60-day comment period. As
Image
Horseshoe crabs on beach
Charleston, S.C.

Defenders Joins Forces with Conservation Groups in Suit to Dismiss State Challenge in Cape Romain

The Southern Environmental Law Center has filed a motion to intervene and a motion to dismiss on behalf of the South Carolina Coastal Conservation League
Image
Grizzly bear sow Dunraven Pass in Yellowstone National Park
Missoula, MT

Defenders Applauds Missoula for Strengthening Bear Smart Community Initiative to Further Minimize Human-Bear Conflict

The Missoula City Council last night finalized the decision to expand its bear buffer zone, including new regulations around garbage storage and a bear mitigation
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