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Violet-green Swallow
ANN ARBOR, MI

Study Led by Defenders of Wildlife Scientist Shows Noise Pollution Impacts on Migratory Birds

“The major takeaway from this study is that anthropogenic noise affects many aspects of bird behavior, with some responses more directly tied to fitness,” said Natalie Madden, lead author of the new study.
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Louisiana Black Bear
Raleigh, N.C.

Defenders Receives Advocacy Organization of the Year Award

Defenders of Wildlife joined its partners in the Safe Passage coalition today to accept the Advocacy Organization of the Year Award at the 2026 Sweethearts
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Two North Atlantic Right Whales
Washington, D.C.

Defenders Raises Alarm Over Administration’s Proposal to Amend Rule Protecting North Atlantic Right Whales From Deadly Vessel Strikes

Defenders of Wildlife is devastated to learn that a three-year-old female North Atlantic right whale was found dead off Virginia on February 10, 2026. This

Press Releases

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Alicia Washkevich Headshot
Washington, D.C.

Defenders of Wildlife Welcomes Alicia Washkevich as New Chief Operating Officer

Defenders of Wildlife is pleased to announce Alicia Washkevich as its new Chief Operating Officer.
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2023.03.14 - Beaver Dam - New Mexico - Running Wild Media (2).jpg
SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO

First-of-Its-Kind Study Inventories New Mexican Beaver Dams

As part of Defenders of Wildlife’s beaver conservation initiative, a new survey, which has never been conducted in New Mexico, reveals an uneven distribution of beaver dams — and the subsequential ecological benefits — throughout the state. Commissioned by Defenders, the survey is a critical tool for the future of strategic beaver and water conservation New Mexico.
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caribou
Washington, D.C.

Defenders Condemns Attack on Alaska’s Western Arctic

The Department of the Interior today proposed repealing the Special Areas protections in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska, triggering a 60-day comment period which begins tomorrow
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Photo of the White House in Washington, DC
Washington, D.C.

Defenders Responds to Trump Extinction Budget

Robert Dewey, Defenders of Wildlife Vice President of Government Relations, today released the following statement in response to the Trump administration's updated budget request:
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elk landscape
Washington, D.C.

Defenders Decries Supreme Court Decision Dismantling National Environmental Policy Act

The Supreme Court today ruled that federal agencies may ignore foreseeable environmental impacts when approving projects, opening the door to additional pollution, degradation of federal
Senior Vice President, External Affairs
lsheehan@defenders.org
(202) 772-3244
Communications Director
mdewane@defenders.org
(202) 772-0217
Communications Specialist
jcovey@defenders.org
Former Communications Specialist
Communications Specialist
kirby@defenders.org
(202) 772-3268