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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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Sierra-Nevada-Red-Fox
SACRAMENTO

FWS Proposes to List the Critically Endangered Sierra Nevada Red Fox

In a positive development for the Sierra Nevada red fox, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) announced this week its proposal to list the species as endangered under the Endangered Species Act.
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Right Whale
Savannah, GA

Days-Old North Atlantic Right Whale Calf Struck by Ship

The fourth North Atlantic right whale calf born this season has already been severely wounded. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) announced Thursday morning that the calf had two “parallel and s-shaped” injuries along its body, consistent with wounds caused by boat propellers.
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Florida panther
Washington, DC

New App Tracks State-specific Endangered Species Protections

For more than 45 years, the U.S. federal government has played a critical roel in protecting endangered and threatened species through the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
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Polar Bear
Washington, DC

Trump Administration Removes Climate Change from NEPA Planning Process

The White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) announced proposed regulatory changes to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
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Snowy owl - Damon Point State Park, Washington
Washington, DC

Congress Acts to Restore Vital Protections for Migratory Birds

WASHINGTON (January 8, 2019) – Today Representative Lowenthal (D-CA) with 18 bipartisan original co-sponsors introduced the Migratory Bird Protection Act (H.R. 5552) to restore longstanding
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