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Violet-green Swallow
ANN ARBOR, MI

Study Led by Defenders of Wildlife Scientist Shows Noise Pollution Impacts on Migratory Birds

“The major takeaway from this study is that anthropogenic noise affects many aspects of bird behavior, with some responses more directly tied to fitness,” said Natalie Madden, lead author of the new study.
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Louisiana Black Bear
Raleigh, N.C.

Defenders Receives Advocacy Organization of the Year Award

Defenders of Wildlife joined its partners in the Safe Passage coalition today to accept the Advocacy Organization of the Year Award at the 2026 Sweethearts
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Two North Atlantic Right Whales
Washington, D.C.

Defenders Raises Alarm Over Administration’s Proposal to Amend Rule Protecting North Atlantic Right Whales From Deadly Vessel Strikes

Defenders of Wildlife is devastated to learn that a three-year-old female North Atlantic right whale was found dead off Virginia on February 10, 2026. This

Press Releases

Conservation Organizations Oppose Weakening Roadless Rule Protections for the Tongass National Forest

In a comprehensive comment letter to the U.S. Forest Service , three conservation organizations, the Wilderness Society, Defenders of Wildlife, and the Natural Resources Defense
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Python
London, UK

Peru Leads on New Regional Declaration on Illegal Wildlife Trade

Delegations for Latin American and North American countries met on October 10th in London to commit to future engagement on the Illegal Wildlife Trade (IWT), including poaching in Latin America, and to assess the potential for future coordinated action in the region.
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Border wall comparison Matt Clark/Defenders

Trump Administration Waives Environmental Laws to Build Border Wall through Texas National Wildlife Refuge

The Trump administration has announced that it will waive 28 federal environmental, planning, historic preservation and public safety laws in Hidalgo County, Texas, in an

Humboldt Martens Proposed for ESA Protection

Sristi Kamal, senior Northwest representative at Defenders of Wildlife, issued the following statement: “Today U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service made the right decision to recommend

Trump Administration Cuts Law Enforcement on National Wildlife Refuges

Jamie Rappaport Clark , Former president and CEO of Defenders of Wildlife, issued this statement: “Federal law enforcement officers protect wildlife and habitat throughout the
Senior Vice President, External Affairs
lsheehan@defenders.org
(202) 772-3244
Communications Director
mdewane@defenders.org
(202) 772-0217
Communications Specialist
jcovey@defenders.org
Former Communications Specialist
Communications Specialist
kirby@defenders.org
(202) 772-3268