Image
Rice's Whale
WASHINGTON, D.C.

Defenders Slams Unlawful God Squad Vote to Strip Endangered Species Act Protection from Wildlife in the Gulf

Defenders of Wildlife strongly opposes today’s vote by the Endangered Species Committee, or God Squad, to condemn species to extinction in the name of a fictitious “national security emergency.”
Image
Merrit Island National Wildlife Refuge at sunset
Washington, D.C.

Court Victory for Florida Wetlands Protection

The U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia ruled today that permits to build in wetlands should stay in the hands of
Image
Willet
Washington, D.C.

Sec. of Defense Invokes False “National Security” Rationale to Eviscerate Endangered Species Act Protections for Wildlife in the Gulf

In a litigation filing yesterday in federal district court, the Trump administration publicly admitted for the first time that Interior Secretary Doug Burgum scheduled a snap meeting of the Endangered Species Committee (the “God Squad”) for March 31 at the request of Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.

Press Releases

Image
A flock of red-winged blackbirds fly over Lake Mattamuskeet
Chapel Hill, N.C.

Bird Sanctuary Protected from Planned Toxic Chemical Experiment

A federal court ruled in favor of Defenders of Wildlife and the Sierra Club in a lawsuit filed by the Southern Environmental Law Center challenging the
Image
L.P.C
Washington, D.C.

Bill Targeting Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge Undermines Public Land Management

The House Natural Resources Committee is set to take up a bill on Wednesday targeting the Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge, the oldest refuge in Texas
Image
A sea otter in Monterey Bay
Washington, DC

House to Take Up Bills Torching Wildlife Protections

A draft discussion bill headed for a hearing with the House Natural Resources Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries Subcommittee on Tuesday is poised to tear apart
Image
Newborn Gray Wolf Pups
Denver, CO

Colorado Confirms Three New Wolf Packs, Pups’ Arrival

Colorado Parks and Wildlife today confirmed three new wolf packs have formed since the translocation of 15 gray wolves from British Columbia in January, each
Image
2008.02.25 - North Atlantic Right Whale with Calf - Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, NOAA Research Permit # 775-1875
Washington, DC

Attacks on Critically Endangered Whales Continue in Subcommittee Spending Bill

Defenders of Wildlife condemns the proposed Fiscal Year 2026 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies spending bill before the Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee
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