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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.
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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.
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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
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Communities Push Back on Opening Waters for Oil Drilling
Defenders of Wildlife filed comments this week opposing new offshore oil drilling. More than 44 thousand public comments were submitted to the first comment period
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Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Sells Out Wildlife Along with American Lands and Waters
Defenders of Wildlife strongly condemns the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee for selling out wildlife in its text for the upcoming budget reconciliation bill.
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Defenders of Wildlife Welcomes Alicia Washkevich as New Chief Operating Officer
Defenders of Wildlife is pleased to announce Alicia Washkevich as its new Chief Operating Officer.
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First-of-Its-Kind Study Inventories New Mexican Beaver Dams
As part of Defenders of Wildlife’s beaver conservation initiative, a new survey, which has never been conducted in New Mexico, reveals an uneven distribution of beaver dams — and the subsequential ecological benefits — throughout the state. Commissioned by Defenders, the survey is a critical tool for the future of strategic beaver and water conservation New Mexico.
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Defenders Condemns Attack on Alaska’s Western Arctic
Defenders condemns a proposed rule to eliminate Special Areas protections in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska, threatening its wildlife.
jcovey@defenders.org
