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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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Pacific walrus
Washington, DC

Statement on Biden Administration's Announcement to Improve, Strengthen the ESA

Today, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and NOAA Fisheries have proposed regulatory revisions to the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
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Mojave Desert Tortoise, Mojave Max, on stones
Washington, DC

Groups File Suit Against Interior Department to Prevent Destructive Highway Through Protected National Conservation Area

In response to the Trump administration’s decision in January 2021 to permit the construction of a four-lane highway through Red Cliffs National Conservation Area, today
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Polar bear mom and cub looking for food
Washington, DC

Statement from Defenders of Wildlife President and CEO Jamie Rappaport Clark on Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Leasing Suspension

Statement from Defenders of Wildlife on Arctic National Wildlife Refuge lease sale suspension.
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Polar Bear
Anchorage, AK

Biden administration defends Trump-era approval of massive Willow project

Today the Biden administration confirmed by submitting legal briefs that it will undermine its own climate goals and allow harm to local Indigenous communities by continuing to defend the flawed Trump era approval of the massive Willow oil project in court.
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Two lesser prairie chickens in confrontation
Washington, DC

Federal Protections Proposed for Lesser Prairie-chicken May Be Insufficient

The Interior Department announced today that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) will propose the southern population of lesser prairie-chickens for listing as endangered
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