Image
brown bear
ANCHORAGE, ALASKA

Trump Administration Opens Door to Bear Baiting, Den Hunting in Alaska Preserves

The National Park Service finalized a regulation that abdicates the agency's responsibility to manage wildlife in Alaska's national preserves, deferring instead to state regulations. Defenders of Wildlife condemns the rule, which mirrors a 2020 regulation promulgated by the first Trump administration that was later withdrawn and replaced in 2024.
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.

Press Releases

Image
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
Image
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
Image
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
Image
2024.01.11 - Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge - sun shining on snowy landscape - Nathan Marcy-Defenders of Wildlife.JPG
Armargosa Valley, Nevada

Defenders Celebrates Win for Amargosa Valley Wildlife Hotspot

The Department of the Interior today temporarily halted new mining claims and leases near the Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, a protection that could be
Image
gray wolf
Denver, CO

Defenders' Statement on CPW Commission Denial of Petition to Pause Gray Wolf Reintroduction

The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission today announced it will deny a petition to pause the state's voter-mandated gray wolf reintroduction program. Defenders of Wildlife's
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