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Rice's Whale
WASHINGTON, D.C.

Defenders Slams Unlawful God Squad Vote to Strip Endangered Species Act Protection from Wildlife in the Gulf

Defenders of Wildlife strongly opposes today’s vote by the Endangered Species Committee, or God Squad, to condemn species to extinction in the name of a fictitious “national security emergency.”
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Merrit Island National Wildlife Refuge at sunset
Washington, D.C.

Court Victory for Florida Wetlands Protection

The U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia ruled today that permits to build in wetlands should stay in the hands of
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Willet
Washington, D.C.

Sec. of Defense Invokes False “National Security” Rationale to Eviscerate Endangered Species Act Protections for Wildlife in the Gulf

In a litigation filing yesterday in federal district court, the Trump administration publicly admitted for the first time that Interior Secretary Doug Burgum scheduled a snap meeting of the Endangered Species Committee (the “God Squad”) for March 31 at the request of Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.

Press Releases

Washington, DC

Giant Manta Ray Proposed for Listing

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) proposed to list the giant manta ray as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. NMFS now has until November 10, 2017 to determine if the species will receive a final listing decision.

Restore the Grizzly Bear to the North Cascades

For Immediate Release 1/12/2017 Restore the Grizzly Bear to the North Cascades Release of restoration strategies welcomed as a historic step towards recovery of North
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Gray wolf yellowstone Lamar valley
Washington, DC

Members of Congress Attempt to Remove Protections for Gray Wolves

U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney (WY-Al) introduced a bill in Congress on Jan. 10 to permanently remove gray wolves from the endangered species list and prevent the delisting from being subject to judicial review and lawsuits.

Feds Review U.S. Coal Program, Reforms Needed to Account for Coal’s Environmental Impacts

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Jared Saylor, (202) 772-3255; jsaylor@defenders.org Feds Review U.S. Coal Program, Reforms Needed to Account for Coal’s Environmental Impacts WASHINGTON, D.C. (January

New Plan Shines Light on Steps to Polar Bear Recovery

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 9, 2017 Contact: Leigh Anne Tiffany; (202) 772-0259; ltiffany@defenders.org New Plan Shines Light on Steps to Polar Bear Recovery Anchorage, AK
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