Image
Washington, DC

BLM Prepares Illegal Move to Open Ouray National Wildlife Refuge to Oil & Gas, a Dangerous Precedent for Wildlife

Defenders of Wildlife is calling on BLM to withdrawal an unprecedented proposal to open Ouray National Wildlife Refuge in Utah to new oil and gas leasing.
Image
Jake Li Testimony at EPW
WASHINGTON, D.C.

A Much-Needed Win for Wildlife: Senate Introduces Bill to Improve Endangered Species Act Implementation

Senators Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Pete Rickets (R-NE) today introduced the Improving Species Recovery Act, an important bipartisan bill that would improve implementation of the Endangered Species Act.
Image
Porcupine caribou making its way through deep snow on the East Fork of the Chandalar River
WASHINGTON, D.C.

Enough is Enough: Senate Blocks Yet Another Attempt to Prioritize Drilling in the Arctic

The Senate today blocked an attempt to pass S. 5438, introduced by Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK). The bill would have ratified and approved all authorizations, permits, verifications, extensions, biological opinions, incidental take statements and any other approvals or orders issued pursuant to federal law necessary for the establishment and administration of the Coastal Plain oil and gas leasing program, among other purposes.

Press Releases

Image
Bison group on the move at sunrise in Lamar Valley
Billings, Mont.

Tribes, Conservation Groups Move to Defend Yellowstone Bison Plan in Court

The Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes, alongside conservation groups, today filed a motion to join a lawsuit to defend Yellowstone National Park’s science-based bison
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA

Re-Establishing Clean Water Act Standards Needed To Protect Vulnerable Ecosystems and Access to Clean Water

Senator Ben Allen (D-Santa Monica) introduced the Right to Clean Water Act, SB 601, to safeguard California’s water systems by enshrining into state law previous
Image
Rice's Whale
Washington, DC

Defenders Statement on BOEM Rescission of Rice's Whale Recommendations

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management has rescinded its Notice to Lessees and Operators, "Expanded Rice's Whale Protection Efforts During Reinitiated Consultation with NMFS," which
Image
Polar bears on ice
Anchorage, AK

Groups File First Environmental Lawsuit Vs. Trump Offshore Drilling Order

Today, groups concerned about the threats from offshore drilling filed the first environmental legal challenge against the new Trump administration. One group is challenging an
Image
National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska
Washington, D.C.

Defenders' Statement on Trump Nominee for Director of Bureau of Land Management

“The administration’s nomination of Kathleen Sgamma represents a threat to the conservation of our nation’s public lands and wildlife."
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