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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

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Red Knots and Horseshoe Crabs
CHARLESTON, SC

Defenders of Wildlife Statement on Dismissal of Challenge to Cape Romain Refuge Management

Defenders of Wildlife celebrates today the dismissal of a challenge by the state of South Carolina to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s authority to
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Baby Green Sea Turtles on the beach
Washington, DC

More Than 80 Conservation Groups Call on Members of Congress To Oppose New House Bill Targeting Endangered Species Act

More than 80 conservation groups representing millions of Americans are calling on members of Congress to oppose a new bill (H.R. 9533) targeting the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The “ESA Amendments Act of 2024,” which House Natural Resources Chair Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) is proposing, would dramatically weaken the bedrock environmental law by decreasing protections for threatened and endangered species and rewriting key portions of it.
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2012.06.10 - Gray Wolf - Yellowstone National Park - Wyoming - Jim Chagares
Washington, D.C.

Defenders Responds to FWS Steps to Remove Gray Wolf ESA Protections

The USFWS last week took steps toward dismantling Endangered Species Act protections for gray wolves, seeking to revive a Trump-era rule Defenders of Wildlife successfully challenged in court.
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2020.03.25 - Gray wolf - Oregon - ODFW
Denver, CO

Defenders celebrates announcement that up to 15 more wolves will be reintroduced to Colorado this winter

As Colorado secures a new source population of wolves for its reintroduction efforts, Defenders celebrates the announcement and urges action to ensure successful restoration.
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2019.07.02-Landscape of Black Spruce Pines-Danielle Brigida-USFWS
Washington, DC

Defenders Slams Bill Aiming to Rollback NEPA and Gut Environmental Protections

In advance of its first hearing by the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources today, Defenders of Wildlife is announcing its staunch opposition to chairman Bruce Westerman’s (R-AR) draft National Environmental Policy Act bill.
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