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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.
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Court Rules Habitat Must Be Protected After FWS Attempts to Waive Protections for Less Than 40 Sierra Nevada Red Fox
Defenders of Wildlife earned a significant victory for the Endangered Species Act today when a federal district court found that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's decision to not designate critical habitat for the endangered Sierra Nevada red fox was a violation of the law.
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Construction on Gateway to Road through Izembek Continues
The Ninth Circuit today denied Defenders of Wildlife’s emergency motion to halt construction on King Cove Corp.’s 2.8-mile road segment leading to the doorstep of Izembek National Wildlife Refuge and Wilderness. Defenders’ request for immediate injunctive relief marks the latest stage in its larger effort to block a damaging and precedent-setting road from King Cove to Cold Bay, Alaska, that would plow through the heart of Izembek.
Press Releases
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Congress Defies Science, Includes Sage-Grouse Rider in Appropriations, Again
Top negotiators in Congress announced that the greater sage-grouse rider will be included in this year’s final FY2022 appropriations bill.
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In Solidarity with Ukraine
Like so many others around the world, we at Defenders of Wildlife are deeply saddened by the acts of war unfolding in Ukraine and our hearts go out to everyone affected by these horrific attacks. Our mission is wildlife, but there are many organizations whose mission is to help the people impacted by war and violence. Today we lend our voice to them.
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Martha Williams Confirmed as U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director
Martha Williams was confirmed as director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Jamie Rappaport Clark, former president and CEO of Defenders of Wildlife and former director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (1997-2001), issued a statement.
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Defenders of Wildlife Applauds Proposed Bill to Assist Endangered North Atlantic Right Whale
Today, Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) introduced the Right Whale Coexistence Act of 2022, which seeks to reduce human impacts on critically endangered North Atlantic right whales. Representative Seth Moulton (D-MA) will introduce a companion bill in the House this Friday.
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New Sentinel Landscape Designated Across Florida Panhandle
The Sentinel Landscapes Partnership, comprised of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Department of Defense (DoD), and the Department of Interior (DOI), announced the designation of the Northwest Florida Sentinel Landscape (NWFSL), encompassing approximately 7.7 million acres of the Florida Panhandle around Eglin Airforce Base.
jcovey@defenders.org
