Image
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.
Image
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.
Image
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
Image
Defenders Denounces Appalling ESA Amendments Act Ahead of 3/25 House Hearing
Defenders of Wildlife denounced the appalling ESA Amendments Act of 2025 ahead of a hearing for the bill in the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries this coming Tuesday, March 25.
Image
Administration and Lawmakers are Pushing to Undermine Key Protections for Public Lands
As polling shows Americans are increasingly alarmed by the relentless attacks on public lands and their caretakers, a new report shows the vast majority of public lands are open to oil and gas development.
Image
Defenders Seeks to Defend Rule Extending Endangered Protections to Threatened Species
Defenders of Wildlife has filed a motion to intervene as a defendant in a case challenging the reinstatement of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s
Image
Defenders Honors Representative Raúl Grijalva
Defenders of Wildlife President and CEO Andrew Bowman, issued the following statement honoring longtime wildlife and environmental ally Representative Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ) who passed away yesterday.
Image
Defenders Releases 2024 Conservation Report Card for 118th Congress
Defenders of Wildlife today released its 2024 Conservation Report Card for the 118th Congress assessing the commitment of U.S. senators and representatives to wildlife and
jcovey@defenders.org
