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Salt Marsh - Cumberland Island
ST. MARYS, GEORGIA

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.
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2019.08.07 - Florida Panther looking straight at camera - MS 45 - fStop Foundation
WASHINGTON, D.C.

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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A close up of the face of a Sierra Nevada Red Fox at the edge of a forest in Deschutes County, Oregon.
Washington, D.C.

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

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Brown Headed Cowbirds
Washington, D.C.

Defenders Applauds Rep. Huffman for New Migratory Bird Protection Act

Defenders of Wildlife today applauds Rep. Jared Huffman (D-CA) for his introduction of the Migratory Bird Protection Act of 2025.
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Department of the Interior building, Washington DC
Washington, D.C.

Defenders Condemns Administration's Dangerous Proposed Budget Cuts to Wildlife Conservation

Defenders of Wildlife condemns the Trump administration’s dangerous budget proposal asking Congress to cut significant resources for vital wildlife conservation.
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US Capitol Building Washington DC
Washington, D.C.

Defenders Denounces Destructive Natural Resources Reconciliation Text

Defenders of Wildlife strongly denounces the House Natural Resources Committee’s text for the upcoming reconciliation bill.
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mother grizzly, oregon
Salem, Oregon

Defenders Celebrates Oregon Bill that Paves the Way for Safer Roads

Defenders of Wildlife today applauded the Oregon legislature over its passage of HB 2978, a major step toward improving public safety and protecting wildlife.
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cotton grass with mountain range in background at Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
Washington, D.C.

Defenders Seeks Permanent Safeguards for One of America’s Last Wild Places

Defenders applauds the Arctic Refuge Protection Act, a step toward permanently protecting ANWR from oil and gas drilling and the wildlife that depends on it.
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
Communications Specialist
estern@defenders.org
202-772-0243