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green sea turtle
WASHINGTON, D.C.

Trump Administration Calls on “God Squad” to Weaken Endangered Species Act Protections

The Trump administration today announced its intent to convene the Endangered Species Committee — colloquially known as the “God Squad”— on March 31, 2026, to consider an exemption under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) for oil and gas-related activities in the Gulf of Mexico.
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Washington monument - cherry blossoms
WASHINGTON, D.C.

Defenders of Wildlife Unveils 2025 Conservation Report Card for 119th Congress

Defenders of Wildlife today released its 2025 Conservation Report Card for the 119th Congress, measuring members’ commitment to upholding federal laws that protect wildlife conservation during its first session.
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Joshua tree sunset
WASHINGTON, D.C.

Defenders of Wildlife Sues FWS Over Extensive FOIA Request Delays

Defenders of Wildlife today filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, citing the agency’s extensive delay in fulfilling eight Freedom of Information Act requests related to land exchanges within the National Wildlife Refuge System.

Press Releases

Defenders of Wildlife Demands Endangered Species Protection for #Bats

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Haley McKey 202-772-0247 Hmckey@defenders.org WASHINGTON (May 12, 2016)– Defenders of Wildlife filed suit today against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS)

Too Soon to Delist Yellowstone Grizzlies

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Melanie Gade, mgade@defenders.org (202)772-0288 Date: May 10, 2016 Too Soon to Delist Yellowstone Grizzlies MISSOULA, Mont. – Defenders of Wildlife says

Conservation groups hail new #smartfromthestart report

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 10, 2016 Media Contacts: Catalina Tresky, ctresky@defenders.org, (202) 772-0253 Ethan Elkind, eelkind@law.berkeley.edu, (310) 729-0902 Shawn Dhanak, shawn.dhanak@sierraclub.org, (517) 449-0402 Helen O’Shea

Section 4(D) Rules: The peril and the promise

This white paper evaluates every section 4(d) rule issued under the Endangered Species Act through May 2016. It also describes Defenders' position on the use

Recycled Water to Provide a Boost for San Joaquin Valley Waterbirds

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 6, 2016 Media Contact: Garrison Frost, gfrost@audubon.org, (415) 644-4604 Catalina Tresky, ctresky@defenders.org, (202) 772-0253 Jeff Volberg, jvolberg@calwaterfowl.org, (916) 217 5117 Recycled
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