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Washington monument - cherry blossoms
WASHINGTON, D.C.

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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Joshua tree sunset
WASHINGTON, D.C.

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.
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08.22.25 - Bear backlit 2 -  Lake Clark National Park - Running Wild Media.jpg
WASHINGTON, DC

Trump Administration Turns its Back on Wildlife – Again

The National Park Service today proposed a regulation that would abdicate the agency from its responsibility to manage wildlife in Alaska’s national preserves and to

Press Releases

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Mexican_gray_wolf
Tucson, Ariz.

More than 40,000 Commenters Weigh in on Mexican gray wolves

Despite the challenges to public outreach in the midst of the global pandemic and stay-at-home orders, supporters of effective science-informed recovery of the critically endangered “lobos” submitted more than 40,000 comments.
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Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle being released at Bon Secour NWR
Bangor, ME

President Trump Opens Only Marine National Monument In the Atlantic to Commercial Fishing, Threatening Pristine Habitat and Endangered Species

President Trump signed a proclamation today, reopening the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument (NCSMNM) to commercial fishing activities, a devastating decision for the Atlantic Ocean’s first and only marine national monument.
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Red-shouldered hawk perched
Washington, DC

Trump Administration Moves Ahead with Plan to Strip Bird Protections

Despite nearly 200,000 public comments defending the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), the Trump administration is pushing forward with its plan to cement into law
Washington, DC

Trump Issues Orders that Undercut NEPA and Jeopardize Wildlife

Today, President Trump signed an executive order that would allow certain federal projects to secure approval without complying with long-standing environmental laws, including the National
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Fall Tundra Izembek NWR
Anchorage, AK

Court shuts down Interior’s second illegal land deal with King Cove Corp

A federal District Court decision released late yesterday resoundingly shut down the Interior Department’s second attempt at an illegal land exchange with the King Cove Corporation to make way for a road through vital protected wetlands in Izembek National Wildlife Refuge.
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