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Two Southern Appalachian Brook Trout underwater and surface
Washington, D.C.

House Set to Vote on Misleading Bill Blocking Regulation of Lead Ammunition on Federal Lands

The United States House of Representatives is expected this Wednesday to vote on H.R. 556 – Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act of 2025.
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2023.11.19 - Pinyon Jay in tree - Topaz Lake, Nevada -  by JC Bleam.jpg
SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO

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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green sea turtle
WASHINGTON, D.C.

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.

Press Releases

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Bald eagle sitting at the top of an evergreen tree
Washington, DC

Interior Department Announces New Incidental Take Permit Process for Eagles

Today, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced that it is seeking public input on approaches to improve the permitting of incidental take of bald
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Joshua tree in front of wind farm - California Desert

Defenders of Wildlife Urges Action on California’s Clean Energy Goals

Recently, 55 environmental groups, including Defenders of Wildlife, sent a letter to California Gov. Gavin Newsom and the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), urging them
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Spawning Sockeye Salmon - Aleknagik - Alaska
Anchorage, AK

Biden Administration to Protect Alaska’s Bristol Bay from Mining

The Biden administration today announced that it plans to restore protections for Alaska’s Bristol Bay. The Environmental Protection Agency filed a motion in the U.S. District Court for Alaska to reverse a Trump-era decision that had stripped environmental protections for the bay.
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Right Whale
Washington, DC

New Legal Claims Challenge Feds’ Failure to Protect North Atlantic Right Whales From Deadly Fishing Gear Entanglement

The Center for Biological Diversity, Conservation Law Foundation and Defenders of Wildlife filed additional legal claims against the National Marine Fisheries Service today for failing to prevent critically endangered North Atlantic right whales from getting tangled up and killed in lobster gear.
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Wolf Headshot
Sitka, Alaska

Lawsuit Launched to Protect Rare Southeast Alaska Wolf

Defenders of Wildlife, Center for Biological Diversity and Alaska Rainforest Defenders filed a formal notice today of their intent to sue the federal government for failing to act on a petition to protect Alexander Archipelago wolves in Southeast Alaska under the Endangered Species Act.
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