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Salt Marsh - Cumberland Island
ST. MARYS, GEORGIA

NPS Land Swaps and Visitor Plan Open the Door to Devastating Impacts at Cumberland Island

In advance of a public hearing on proposed land exchanges on Cumberland Island National Seashore, Defenders of Wildlife called on the National Park Service to remedy a host of management issues facing one of the largest undeveloped barrier islands on the East Coast.
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2019.08.07 - Florida Panther looking straight at camera - MS 45 - fStop Foundation
WASHINGTON, D.C.

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.
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A close up of the face of a Sierra Nevada Red Fox at the edge of a forest in Deschutes County, Oregon.
Washington, D.C.

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.

Press Releases

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The White House with a dark cloudy sky
Washington, D.C.

Defenders of Wildlife Voices Strong Opposition to Expected Trump Executive Orders

Ahead of today’s inauguration, Defenders of Wildlife is voicing strong opposition to a slate of expected executive orders that President-elect Donald Trump has proclaimed he
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Gray wolf howling on a snowy hill
Denver, CO

Colorado Welcomes Wolves from British Columbia, Releases Copper Creek Pack

Colorado Parks and Wildlife today announced successful reintroduction of 15 wolves from British Columbia, Canada to Eagle and Pitkin Counties as part of the state’s
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2021.04.11 - Greater Sage-Grouse - Wyoming - Tom Koerner - USFWS.jpg

Defenders Disappointed in Habitat Management Changes for Imperiled Greater Sage-Grouse

The Bureau of Land Management today finalized resource management plan amendments for the greater sage-grouse in Oregon and Colorado — two of 10 states included
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2010.12.27 - Florida Manatee - Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge - Florida - Keith Ramos - USFWS
Washington, DC

Defenders Statement on West Indian Manatee Proposal

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service this week released a proposal to list two subspecies of the West Indian manatee — the Florida manatee and
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2008.02.25 - North Atlantic Right Whale with Calf - Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, NOAA Research Permit # 775-1875
Washington, DC

Biden Admin Inaction Keeps Critically Endangered Whales on Road to Extinction

Conservation groups expressed anger and frustration at today’s announcement by NOAA Fisheries to withdraw a proposed rule expanding protections for North Atlantic right whales from
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