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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.
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Defenders of Wildlife Sues FWS Over Extensive FOIA Request Delays
Defenders of Wildlife today filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, citing the agency’s extensive delay in fulfilling eight Freedom of Information Act requests related to land exchanges within the National Wildlife Refuge System.
Press Releases
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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.
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Congress Calls for Lasting Protections for Migratory Birds
Today, Representative Alan Lowenthal (D-CA) joined with Representative Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and 47 original co-sponsors to introduce the Migratory Bird Protection Act to reaffirm long-standing protections for migratory birds against industrial take — that is, unintentional but predictable killing of birds.
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Golden-Cheeked Warbler Not “Out of the Woods” Yet
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) reconfirmed that the Texas-native golden-cheeked warbler continues to require the protections of the U.S. Endangered Species Act to prevent extinction.
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Monica Goldberg Named Vice President of Landscape Conservation
Defenders of Wildlife has named Monica Goldberg the new Vice President of Landscape Conservation. She is responsible for overseeing Defenders' work to promote landscape-scale wildlife conservation, focusing on federal public lands management, private lands conservation, climate change adaptation and wildlife-responsible renewable energy development.
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Tragic Loss of Ocelot May Still Bring Hope for Future
Thanks to the efforts of scientists and veterinarians in multiple states and facilities, the death of a wild Texas ocelot may someday spark new life.
Pagination
jcovey@defenders.org