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Florida panther
WASHINGTON, D.C.

Defenders of Wildlife Submits Technical Comments and Over 8,600 Public Comments in Efforts to Stop Harmful ESA Proposals

Defenders of Wildlife today submitted its technical comments opposing the Trump administration’s proposals to weaken the Endangered Species Act’s implementing regulations.
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black-footed ferret at the nat'l black-footed ferret conservation center
Washington, D.C.

Defenders Slams SPEED Act as it Speeds Toward Habitat Destruction

Defenders of Wildlife condemns Rep. Bruce Westerman’s (R-AR) SPEED ACT, H.R. 4776 the Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development Act, ahead of Thursday’s expected floor vote in the U.S. House of Representatives.
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Roaming mountain goat
Washington, D.C.

ESA Amendments Act Poses a Historic Threat to America’s Wildlife

Defenders of Wildlife remains on high alert as it braces for the House Natural Resources Committee’s full markup of Rep. Bruce Westerman’s (R-AR) Endangered Species Amendments Act of 2025. More aptly labeled the Extinction Act, the bill seeks to eviscerate the Endangered Species Act, stripping away decades of crucial protections for America’s wildlife and their habitats.

Press Releases

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A young polar bear walks down the rocky coast towards the water in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska.
Anchorage, AK

President Biden Orders Review of Plans to Drill in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

The Biden administration is formally launching its review of the previous administration’s plans to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to drilling.
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Gray wolf pups with flowers
Baker County, Oregon

Oregon State Wildlife Officials Kill Two Wolf Pups from a Helicopter

Oregon state wildlife officials responded to a rancher’s request for help after a wolf depredation that resulted in killing two young pups in Baker County
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Capitol Building
Washington, DC

House Passes Funding Package with Pro-Wildlife Provisions

After successfully advocating against budget amendments that would have limited the application of the Endangered Species Act (ESA), Defenders of Wildlife and our partners, ensured
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Orca J-16 rainblow
SEATTLE, Wash.

NOAA Expands Endangered Southern Resident Orca Critical Habitat by more than 600 Percent

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has finalized a rule that expands southern resident orca critical habitat by approximately 16,000 square miles or 640%
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Manatee resting at Three Sisters Springs

Tampa Bay’s Catastrophic Red Tide Could Preview Florida’s Future

A large outbreak of highly toxic algae or “red tide” continues to impact Gulf Coast communities in Southwest Florida, resulting in the deaths of over 1,500 tons of marine life and fish, including manatees, goliath groupers, dolphins and endangered sea turtles along St. Petersburg and Pinellas County beaches.
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
jpetrequin@defenders.org
(202) 772-0243
Communications Specialist
kirby@defenders.org
(202) 772-3268