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First-of-its-Kind Study Sheds Light on Forest Thinning Impacts on Pinyon Jays
Though the pinyon jay population continues to decline at alarming rates, until now the threats facing it remained largely under-researched. Defenders of Wildlife, along with
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Trump Administration Calls on “God Squad” to Weaken Endangered Species Act Protections
The Trump administration today announced its intent to convene the Endangered Species Committee — colloquially known as the “God Squad”— on March 31, 2026, to consider an exemption under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) for oil and gas-related activities in the Gulf of Mexico.
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Defenders of Wildlife Unveils 2025 Conservation Report Card for 119th Congress
Defenders of Wildlife today released its 2025 Conservation Report Card for the 119th Congress, measuring members’ commitment to upholding federal laws that protect wildlife conservation during its first session.
Press Releases
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Conservation Groups Object to Forest Service’s Revised Nantahala and Pisgah Forest Plan
This week, conservation groups formally objected to the US Forest Service’s revised Nantahala and Pisgah Forest Plan, arguing that it falls short of what is needed to ensure these popular, beloved, and iconic forests are properly managed for future generations.
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Feds Propose Endangered Status for Northern Long-Eared Bat
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issued a proposed rule to reclassify the northern long-eared bat from “threatened” to “endangered” under the Endangered Species Act.
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2022 Appropriations Fall Short of Conservation Needs
In a disappointing turn of events for the ever-increasing conservation needs of the U.S ., Congress’ appropriations for the upcoming year fell short, especially on funding for Endangered Species Act (ESA) protections and recovery efforts.
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Ninth Circuit Court Ruling Threatens Land, Water, Wildlife in Izembek Refuge
A Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling today threatens the health of the land, water and wildlife in Izembek National Wildlife Refuge by allowing the U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland to trade away public land and congressionally designated Wilderness to a private corporation for the purpose of building a commercial road.
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Proposed Riverside County National Wildlife Refuge Gains Valuable Congressional Allies, Broad Community Support
At a hike within the boundaries of the proposed National Wildlife Refuge in western Riverside County, representatives from Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s (D-CA) and Rep. Ken
jcovey@defenders.org
