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View of Pisgah National Forest through the trees
Asheville, N.C.

Federal court rules Forest Service unlawfully relied on flawed analysis to create Nantahala-Pisgah Forest Plan

In a major victory for the communities and wildlife that depend on North Carolina’s Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests, the U.S. District Court for the
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Rice's Whale
WASHINGTON, D.C.

Defenders Slams Unlawful God Squad Vote to Strip Endangered Species Act Protection from Wildlife in the Gulf

Defenders of Wildlife strongly opposes today’s vote by the Endangered Species Committee, or God Squad, to condemn species to extinction in the name of a fictitious “national security emergency.”
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Merrit Island National Wildlife Refuge at sunset
Washington, D.C.

Court Victory for Florida Wetlands Protection

The U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia ruled today that permits to build in wetlands should stay in the hands of

Press Releases

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Great Barracuda
St. Petersburg, FL

Gov. DeSantis Urged to Declare State of Emergency Due to Red Tide

More than two dozen local businesses and conservation groups today asked Gov. Ron DeSantis to declare a state of emergency due to the ongoing red tide and fish kills in and around Tampa Bay.
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A bald eagle perched in a tree above Fish Creek in Hyder, Alaska
Washington, DC

Defenders Applauds Biden Administration’s Move to Protect the Tongass National Forest

Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that it will end large scale old-growth timber sales and move to reinstate the national Roadless Area Conservation Rule in the Tongass National Forest in Southeast Alaska. The Department will invest $25 million to support to forest restoration, recreation and resilience, including for climate, wildlife habit and watershed improvement.
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Carson City, Nevada

NGOs Applaud SLUPAC Endorsement of Smart from the Start Concept for Energy Planning

The Nevada State Land Use Planning Advisory Council (SLUPAC) voted on Friday to endorse the concept of a smart from the start approach to energy
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Marbled Murrelet flying over water
Portland, ORE.

Oregon Wildlife Officials Expand Protections for Rare Seabird

Defenders of Wildlife and allied conservation groups applaud the action taken by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) Commission to uplist the marbled
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Florida_Manatee
St. Petersburg, FL

Florida Manatee Deaths Break Annual Record with 841 Confirmed

Florida manatee mortality numbers now stand at 841 since the start of 2021, accounting for approximately 10% of the estimated total population of 8,810 animals and breaking the all-time record for annual manatee deaths. The previous record was set in 2013 with 830 casualties. With over five months left in the year, the death toll will likely continue to rise.
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