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Single manatee under water  swimming in the hot springs sanctuary in Florida
Washington, D.C.

Trump Administration Rescinds ‘Harm’ Definition, Defenders Prepares for Court

In a devastating blow to wildlife, the Trump administration today formally rescinded the regulatory definition of “harm” under the Endangered Species Act, eliminating the long-standing legal interpretation that habitat destruction that leads to death or injury of protected species is illegal.
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Black bears on rocks above Anan Creek Tongass NF
Raleigh, North Carolina

Defenders Celebrates North Carolina General Assembly’s Historic Investment in Wildlife Crossings with Recurring Multi-million-dollar Appropriation

North Carolina's $10.2M recurring investment for wildlife crossings is a historic win, protecting both motorists and vulnerable species like black bears and red wolves. The victory is part of a years-long effort from the Safe Passage Coalition.
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Sea otter with head poking above the water near kelp
Washington, DC

Defenders of Wildlife Urges Public Opposition to NOAA’s Planned Review That Could Weaken California’s Authority to Protect its Coastline

NOAA will review California's Coastal Management Program following a directive from Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. Defenders of Wildlife urges public participation in upcoming public meetings to protect California's coast, wildlife, and state authority.

Press Releases

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Sockeye Salmon
SEATTLE, Wash.

WA Governor Proposes $187 Million for Salmon Recovery

Last week, Washington Governor Jay Inslee unveiled a suite of legislative proposals that would invest $187 million into drastically updating the state’s approach to protecting salmon.
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Cactus Ferruginous Pygmy Owl
Arizona

Pygmy Owl Proposed for Endangered Species Act Protection, Again

After more than a decade of petitions and lawsuits by Defenders of Wildlife and the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
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Mother manatee and calf swimming
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.

EPA to Be Sued for Failure to Protect Manatees from Water Pollution

Three conservation groups issued a formal notice today of their intent to sue the Environmental Protection Agency for failing to protect manatees from water pollution
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Yellowstone bison released at Ft. Peck Reservation
Wolf Point, Mont.

56 Bison Transferred from Fort Peck to Tribal Lands

Today, Fort Peck Tribes, the InterTribal Buffalo Council (ITBC), and Defenders of Wildlife are facilitating the transfer of 56 Yellowstone bison to the lands of the Yakama Nation in Washington and the Modoc Nation in Oklahoma.
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Gray wolf adult and pup in grass
Portland, ORE.

Reward for Information About Gray Wolf Poisonings Jumps to Nearly $48,000

Thanks to contributions from private citizens and conservation groups, the reward for information leading to an arrest in the fatal poisoning of eight gray wolves
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