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Ocelot
WASHINGTON, D.C.

Fish and Wildlife Service Misguided in Rescinding Vital Strategic Growth Policy for the National Wildlife Refuge System

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service quietly rescinded its Refuge System Strategic Growth Policy in December, bypassing the legally required public comment period for such a change, despite having issued the policy with an accompanying public comment period in 2014.
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2010.12.27 - Florida Manatee - Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge - Florida - Keith Ramos - USFWS
Washington, DC

Defenders Celebrates Tremendous Step to Restored Florida Rivers

On Monday, the Northeast Florida Rivers, Springs, and Community Investment Act was filed to restore the natural flow of the Ocklawaha River, Silver and St
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eagles
Washington, D.C.

Hundreds of Thousands of Americans Oppose Trump Administration Effort to Roll Back Protections for Imperiled Animals and Plant Species

Nearly 400,000 Americans submitted comments in opposition to a set of proposed rules from the Trump administration that would roll back protections for imperiled animal and plant species.

Press Releases

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NARW
Washington, DC

Intervention Sought to Protect Endangered Right Whales from Deadly Vessel Strikes

Conservation groups have filed a motion to intervene as defendants on behalf of NOAA Fisheries in a case challenging the agency’s 2008 vessel speed rule
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gray wolf
Portland, OR

Defenders Responds to Illegal Poaching of Gray Wolf in Oregon

Defenders of Wildlife is deeply concerned by the news regarding the illegal killing of a breeding gray wolf male near Sisters, Oregon. Gray wolves are
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Carbon emissions from chimneys
Washington, D.C.

Defenders Denounces Appalling ESA Amendments Act Ahead of 3/25 House Hearing

Defenders of Wildlife denounced the appalling ESA Amendments Act of 2025 ahead of a hearing for the bill in the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries this coming Tuesday, March 25.
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Arctic National Wildlife Refuge landscape
Washington, D.C.

Administration and Lawmakers are Pushing to Undermine Key Protections for Public Lands

As polling shows Americans are increasingly alarmed by the relentless attacks on public lands and their caretakers, a new report shows the vast majority of public lands are open to oil and gas development.
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Southern sea otter looking straight at camera floating In the water on back
Washington, DC

Defenders Seeks to Defend Rule Extending Endangered Protections to Threatened Species

Defenders of Wildlife has filed a motion to intervene as a defendant in a case challenging the reinstatement of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s
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