Image
NPS Land Swaps and Visitor Plan Open the Door to Devastating Impacts at Cumberland Island
In advance of a public hearing on proposed land exchanges on Cumberland Island National Seashore, Defenders of Wildlife called on the National Park Service to remedy a host of management issues facing one of the largest undeveloped barrier islands on the East Coast.
Image
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Memo Underscores Trump Administration’s All-Fronts War on Wildlife
Brian Nesvik, director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, issued a memorandum explaining to FWS staff that the Endangered Species Act’s prohibition on unauthorized “take” applies only to affirmative acts intentionally and purposefully directed at a particular animal. This follows the Trump administration’s rescission of the regulatory definitions of “harm” under the ESA, which took effect this week.
Image
Court Rules Habitat Must Be Protected After FWS Attempts to Waive Protections for Less Than 40 Sierra Nevada Red Fox
Defenders of Wildlife earned a significant victory for the Endangered Species Act today when a federal district court found that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's decision to not designate critical habitat for the endangered Sierra Nevada red fox was a violation of the law.
Press Releases
Image
Increased Human Activity Poses Potential Threat to Marine Wildlife
While many types of recreational activities are still limited by covid-19, kayakers and paddleboarders are once again crowding coastal ecosystems shared by wildlife. In turn, conservation groups are fielding a surge of reports about disturbances to sea otters and other animals.
Image
Court Upholds Historical Interpretation of Nation’s Bird Conservation Law
The Southern District of New York upheld a long-standing interpretation of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA). A coalition of national environmental groups, including the American Bird Conservancy, Center for Biological Diversity, Defenders of Wildlife, National Audubon Society, National Wildlife Federation filed lawsuits in May 2018 challenging the Department of the Interior’s move to eliminate protections for waterfowl, raptors and songbirds under the MBTA.
Image
Friends of the Sea Otter Joins Forces with Defenders of Wildlife
Friends of the Sea Otter (FSO), a California-based organization dedicated to sea otter conservation, announced today that it has made the strategic decision to close its operations and transfer its agenda, services, and assets to Defenders of Wildlife.
Image
Document shows Border Construction Impacts to National Wildlife Refuge Groundwater, Endangered Species
Defenders of Wildlife recently obtained documentation showing border wall construction efforts in and around the San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge in southeast Arizona are threatening ground water sources and imperiled wildlife.
Image
EDF Renewables North America, National Audubon Society and Defenders of Wildlife Enter into a Collaborative Agreement
Defenders of Wildlife, along with partners, today announced a Swainson’s Hawk Study and Conservation Action Agreement that exemplifies the shared goals and collaboration necessary to develop renewable energy to meet California’s 100% goal while conserving important wildlife and their habitat.
jcovey@defenders.org
