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.
Image
Construction on Gateway to Road through Izembek Continues
The Ninth Circuit today denied Defenders of Wildlife’s emergency motion to halt construction on King Cove Corp.’s 2.8-mile road segment leading to the doorstep of Izembek National Wildlife Refuge and Wilderness. Defenders’ request for immediate injunctive relief marks the latest stage in its larger effort to block a damaging and precedent-setting road from King Cove to Cold Bay, Alaska, that would plow through the heart of Izembek.
Press Releases
Image
United Nations Releases Major Report on Climate Change’s Devastating Effects on Oceans and Wildlife
Today, the United Nation’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released the long-awaited “Special Report on the Oceans and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate (SROCC),” a 1170-page account detailing the devastating effects of climate change on marine ecosystems.
Image
Appropriations bills target greater sage-grouse, border wall
“This year has been another bad year for sage-grouse. The Trump administration has yanked away protections for the grouse and is supporting state plans that jeopardize this iconic bird’s future, all while populations continue to decline across the West."
Image
Western Caucus Members Push Anti-Endangered Species Act, Wildlife Extinction Package
The Congressional Western Caucus introduced a package of 19 anti-wildlife, anti-public lands, anti-Endangered Species Act (ESA) bills today. This Extinction Package would severely weaken implementation
Image
Defenders Testifying in House Subcommittee Hearing on Climate, Wildlife Impacts
Defenders of Wildlife’s senior policy analyst for climate adaptation, Aimee Delach, will deliver testimony at a legislative hearing before the House of Representatives’ Subcommittee on
Image
Judge issues preliminary injunction halting old-growth timber sale in Tongass National Forest
Today a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction that halts, for now, the initial phase of the largest timber sale approved by the U.S. Forest
jcovey@defenders.org
